A Very Different Reaper Chapter 2

2. From the Diary of the Reaper 1

It has been two weeks since I became 'BFF's with this most unusual girl child.  Admittedly, the boy often tags along for the ride, and since Mandy seems to be happy with that - or as happy as she gets - I tolerate his presence.  However, I find myself unable to bring out even the slightest affection or amusement out of his antics.  I would be much happier if his hourglass were to run out.

Mandy...now there is the conundrum.  Children are supposed to be the innocents of the world...and in her own way, she is.  She is an...innocent evil, I suppose you could say.  She knows she is evil, and in her eyes, there is nothing wrong with this.  It is most intruiging.

We have had a few adventures, I guess you could call them.  Mass destruction, demons from other realms, creatures of the night...very everyday matters for me, but they seemed intruiging to young Mandy.  Oddly enough, it is she who intruigues me.  I enjoy these adventures - not because they have any meaning for me, but because I enjoy watching what she does with them.

We have achieved an understanding of sorts, Mandy and I.  She doesn't treat me like a servant, and I don't point out her casual rudeness.  She has a hard time with civility, but I think I make her nervous.  Everyone in her life - parents, friends, teachers, peers - has always given way to her with ease, mostly out of fear or stupidity.  But I do not.  When I speak with her, it is as an equal, and I don't think she knows how to handle that.

Of course, the Duty must always come first, but she never notices my absence.  I have eternity at my disposal, the endless imaginary moments between every tiniest real one.  I remember what it means to have Time, and I know what it means when that ceases to be a concern.  It has given me an odd sort of...compassion on my job.  But I've learned the compassion appropriate to the Duty: a sharp edge.

Mandy calls again.  I wonder what she desires this time.  SHe doesn't always call because she wants to do something, or wants me to do something.  Sometimes, she asks questions.  I give answers, after a fashion, but I have had eternities of practice.  I learn far more from her questions than she does from my answers...even my answers teach me more of her than they teach her of me.

I find her so...fascinating.  Even the evil creatures of the occult show some...moral awareness of their evil nature.  Even the Devil Himself has a certain...apologetic air to his actions around me.  But for Mandy...evil is simply a fact.  It is who she is.  It is most...intruiging.  I look forward to watching this evil grow...to seeing what happens.