Karma's Ghost

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:First: This will be updated beginning around the Christmas season, only because I am close to finishing some other stories and I want to get those done first, but I want to give you a taste of what's to come with this.

Secondly: This setting is taking place around Christmas, and the first chapter opens with Jade discussing the holidays with Lane, but I want to stress to you that this is not a holiday themed tale. That said, it is most certainly not a twist on Christmas carol either-just in case you were about to make that reference with the title. Read, trust and enjoy. It's a bit darker than holiday themed tales anyway.

Chapter 1 (Death Awaits)

"So what will you be doing for Christmas, Jade?" Lane appeared to be looking down his nose at her while rubbing his hands vigorously, as if lathering them just once with lotion couldn't cleanse them enough.

The man's smile mocked her, though he'd said in the past this wasn't intended. "I don't know, Beck's probably going to drag me over to the soup kitchen again." She crossed her right leg over her left and shrugged. Conversation was usually the best thing to do when coming to the counselor, though their talks often went towards less peaceful and calm topics.

"Why does that sound bad, Jade? Volunteering is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit."

"I have little doubt." Christmas had never been a big deal for her, and she preferred staying away from people trying to 'spread good cheer'. Beck was always the one trying to get her more involved with volunteering and getting into the spirit as well, hoping he could get her interested again. "You know my feelings about the matter."

"Yes, but enlighten me." His right forefinger curled over his chin and his two tiny eyebrows came together. "How do you feel right now?" His gaze was on her like fire, branding her as if with great judgment.

"Kind of like you're judging me." He hummed and she threw her hands up. "Everybody judges me." She tried to resist the urge to sneer, but already her glare on him was set. "What does it matter if I'm not into all those holidays and festive nonsense? I'm no scrooge, I'm just not into it. Hell, I hardly had any turkey."

"If I remember from our previous sessions, the Vega family invited you into their home for thanksgiving, didn't they?" Seeing where this was headed, she sharpened her glare and began to grind her teeth. "Remind me Jade, how did that go again?"

"I didn't go."

"Why not?"

"Didn't feel like it." She hated almost every holiday there was, and that included Halloween. People assumed she liked the horror holiday because she dressed dark and was a bully that loved scarier things, but perhaps that was the reason she hated it more than usual. "Too much family, too much cheer and happiness."

Lane reclined, opening his mouth and eyes like he'd just witnessed a breakthrough. "And there we have it, Jade. Family. The reason you detest holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even Mother's Day. Family."

She rolled her eyes and waved a hand in the air. "Great. Now you can tell me something I don't already know. Fuck, tell me your analysis of me for all I care, you wouldn't shock me."

"Oh I can do that." A smirk grew on Lane's face, and Jade felt an uneasy feeling settling into her gut. "You're riddled with anxiety, jealousy, paranoia, grief and a deep sense of pain and resentment." She bit her lip and raised her hand to her upper left arm, groaning uncomfortably.

"You can't stand seeing whole families because yours isn't complete, you can't stand Katrina Vega because you know even though she doesn't act like it she would stand up for her little sister if someone were to harm her-which is more than you can say for your own sister, who left home long ago."

He rolled his head to the right and his eyebrows hung in place. "You're fighting abandonment issues, and that is why you cling to people so desperately. That's why it's so easy to take your boyfriend back every time you break up."

"Okay…" Jade breathed in deep and turned her head. Every muscle in her body grew tense as anger washed over her.

"You're a bully, you pick on people because it gives you power and control over them. You can't stand not being in control, because it leaves you open. You harbor a lot of hatred that you pour out onto everyone else, but you seem incapable of understanding what they're going through. Incapable of treating them on the same level as you."

He was being too harsh for her liking. She growled back at him and rose from her seat. "You're a therapist, you're supposed to help people feel better, not make them feel like shit."

"I am only trying to help you to see the problem areas. These are the areas that must be addressed…"

"Well it's not helping." All she wanted was to be happy, and that's what she was seeing this guy for. She wanted to find her place in life, not be put down and condemned at every turn. "You're kind of being an ass, Lane."

In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if he was right. Even as she stormed out of the office, she could feel a nagging sensation that tried to pull her back like a vacuum.

"Hey Jade!" Tori's voice echoed from down the hallway, giving her a jump before she turned to face the girl. Tori's arm was brandishing through the air, and her eyes were open wide and hopeful. "You and Beck are coming to our place for Christmas, right?"

Her expression fell flat and a low growl vibrated from within her throat. "Why would we do that?" It wasn't as though they didn't have families of their own. She had her depressed father and Beck had his odd dad. Granted she didn't know much about his father, she took up most of Beck's time and never had much interest in meeting the man's dad. "Beck and I have families."

Tori rolled her head to the right and grasped the right strap of her pink backpack. "It's just you guys and your dads, right?" Jade scowled and her eyes narrowed into tiny slits. "I mean you can invite them too. It's no big deal."

"You have your own family, leave mine out of it."

"No one needs to be alone-"

"Oh don't you dare use that cheesy ass line on me." Her voice snapped out in vengeance, and all of her stress kept her from trying to calm down. "I don't know what you're trying to pass as family every year anyway, you're just a bunch of hypocrites that pretend to be a family for one damn day." Tori started shrinking as Jade poked her finger down at the girl. "You're the one complaining all the time. Your father's never around, your mother's having an affair, your sister's an incompetent Pollyanna that can't find her place or anyone who gives a damn about her."

She could see the tears welling up in the girl's eyes, but all she cared about in that moment was getting her opinion out. "Jade…come on, it's not like that. At least not all the time."

"Screw off. Take your fucked up, mental, bat shit crazy and hypocritical family, and shove them up your ass for all I care." Tori flinched and turned her head away with a wounded sigh. It was a tremendous weight off Jade's chest, but she couldn't help feeling like she might have taken it a bit far.

"Fine, Jade." Tori crossed her arms and straightened her back. "All you had to do was say 'no'." The pain in Tori's eyes struck her with a heavy guilt-ridden sensation, but before she could apologize, Tori had flung her hair back and was storming away. The girl stopped just by the lockers and glared over her shoulder.

"Oh and by the way," Tori shouted, "Since you like to be miserable all the time, I hope you have a miserable Christmas!"

Jade flinched as the girl's words deflated her. "Whatever," She muttered with a low scoff. She spun on her heels and stormed out the front door, growling until she saw Beck waiting in his car in the parking lot.

She climbed into the passenger side as quickly as she could and fastened her seatbelt. "Let's go, Beck. I'm sick of being here."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." His right eyebrow rose and he looked to her with concern. "I just want to go home and sleep." He reached for her hand and caressed it with his thumb. Her eyes drifted towards his smile and a warm feeling washed over her, drawing a smile to her face.

"I love you."

"You too, Beck." She leaned over, kissing the corner of his lips. Finally beginning to relax, she slid into her chair and closed her eyes. The engine of Beck's car filled her ears like music, and the vibration of the tires on the road created a hot shiver along her arms.

She wasn't certain how long they were driving before stopping at a stoplight where a car's horn stirred her from her slumber. Beck was talking in an argumentative tone, but his words weren't directed at her.

"Ignore them," she mumbled while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. A red mustang convertible was beside them, it's top was down and a strange old song was filled the air. "Is that Karma Chameleon? They must be playing a CD or something…"

Her attempt to rouse him from his argument with the other driver was in vain as he only raised his voice. His words meant little to her as she wasn't aware of what began the fight, but it sounded as though he knew the man from somewhere.

The driver of the other car had short trimmed blonde hair, and glistening blue eyes. His thin lips were split into a mocking smirk.

All of a sudden the light changed and both men were accelerating at a rapid rate. Jade's heart sped out its frenzied beats and she gripped Beck's wrist with her nails. "What are you doing? Slow down, this isn't a drag race!"

"The guy's an ass," Beck said with a shout, "He needs to be put in his place."

"Beck, just leave him alone."

There was a wild and almost deranged look in his eyes; it looked as though he had little intention of slowing down. Whoever this man was upset him enough to chase after the guy; but this was a side to him she'd not seen before, and she hated it.

Adrenaline coursed through her as she twisted around in her chair, screaming while looking at the driver behind them. He looked like death warmed over, and the minute his eyes struck hers, she felt a paralyzing sensation strike her like lightning.

Her chest grew tight and fear flashed first before her eyes as the driver sped up. "I thought he was in front of us, Beck?"

"We're cutting him off at the pass."

"Beck, please." It was all over in a matter of seconds. She had little time to react when she saw the bridge ahead of them. The driver nudged their rear bumper, causing Beck to swerve and hit the rail of the bridge.

Their car took off down the rocky slope to the right, and Jade screamed in anguish as her entire body slammed into the ceiling and doors of the car like a ragdoll.

It could have been an hour before the car stopped rolling, but it could have been five seconds by that same token. Blood caked her hair and filled her nostrils with a wretched scent as darkness came over her like a thief in the night.

She could hear someone screaming, crying for help and pleading for her. She wanted to answer back, but she could barely move, let alone speak.

When her eyes opened up, she found herself surrounded by four white walls. Steady mechanic beeps echoed off them, and a bright light shone before her.

"W-Where am I?" Her trembling hands rose to her face, and to her surprise, she found she could still walk. "Hello?" Voices from behind grabbed her attention. She spun swiftly, her heart swelling with hope as she saw what appeared to be a tall nurse walking by. "Miss?"

Was she at the hospital? It was too difficult to tell at this point.

The woman walked by her without looking up from her clipboard. At first she thought the woman hadn't heard her, so she sought to try again. "Excuse me? Ma'am? Can you tell me where I am, and what happened?" The woman stopped just before the door and Jade began to smile.

"I need to get to room 102A." Then she continued on her way, still ignoring Jade like she was nothing. Angry and confused, Jade screamed at the woman, hoping she would hear her this time.

"That…is not going to work." A man's voice stopped her in mid-sentence. It was deep and raspy, and carried with it an ominous tune that resonated deep within her. Fearful and nervous, she turned to face the man.

He was incredibly tall, dark skinned and dressed in a black tuxedo. His eyes were crimson with golden flecks in them. Though the man appeared middle aged, she felt in her gut that he was far older.

"Jade West." The man locked his wrists behind his back and paced to the right, clicking his tongue. "I was wondering when you would wake up-you're a very interesting subject."

She stepped back, bracing herself for defense. The man's thick eyebrows hugged each other, and the corners of his mouth slid into his high cheekbones. "You have little reason to fear me, Miss West."

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"I could tell you, but you wouldn't believe me unless you saw for yourself. So without further ado." He removed the black fedora on his head, revealing his wavy black hair, then bowed while walking backwards.

Her eyes swelled with frightful tears at the sight that was revealed. Laying on a hospital gurney, attached to several wires, was her body. Her hands flew to her chest and the color drained from her cheeks as a fuzzy feeling grew in her knees and her head.

"T-That can't be me."

"Oh it's you." He raised his hand to his face, sliding his fingers down the stubbly goatee which framed his thin lips. "Also, I get this a lot, so let me answer it before you ask: No you are not dreaming. Yes, this is completely real, and yes…" He paused, stumbling over his words for a brisk second. "Er, no, you're not entirely dead. Yet."

"What is this? What happened to me? Where's Beck?" She reached for the man, grabbing ahold of his tuxedo flaps and glaring into his eyes while flaring her nostrils. "Who in the hell are you."

His calm demeanor remained, but as his gentle eyes turned to her, she felt a deep seated danger brewing into heart. Fearful and certain this man was more dangerous than she knew, she released him and started to chuckle.

"It's funny." The man placed his cap back to his head and grabbed a cane that was perched against a nearby wall. It rose up to his waist and had a golden head on the top that took the shape of a Raven's head. "Right now, most people are on their knees bawling their eyes off or screaming with denial, but I shouldn't be surprised, anger has ruled your life for far longer than even you may know."

"Please." Her tears rolled along her cheeks and she bowed her head as the man folded his hands over the top of his cane. "Just tell me what's going on. You already said it's real, and I'm not dreaming. I don't want to believe you but-but I'm scared."

"Right." He cleared his throat and took a few steps towards her. "For future reference, I would be very careful about cursing me out or attacking me." She closed her hands around her throat and nodded fervently.

Whoever this man was, she respected him whether out of an uncertain fear or because he had the answers to what she needed to know. "Okay." He peered down his pointed nose at her and she began to wonder. "A-Are you God?" Her muscles tightened and her voice started to squeak. "Or worse?"

The man threw his head back, laughing uproariously. "Oh flattery and offense at the same time." Sweat flicked away from her furrowed brow, and her trembling hands dropped away from her neck as a peculiar darkness shone in his eyes. "I am neither God nor Devil. First, allow me to answer the question most forefront on your mind…"

"Y-Yes sir."

"You are in a comatose state." The man approached her body on the gurney and tilted his head to the right. "You and your boyfriend were in a terrible accident. Beckett is fine, he is alive and well." Relief rolled through her and out her lips as a swift calming breath. "Unfortunately your injuries are far more serious."

"What's going to happen to me?"

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "All will be explained in due time." She decided rather than push her fate, she would let him speak and be patient. "Whether you live or perish remains entirely up to you. As I said, your case is…a little different than the standard I am used to. You are about to find out what happens in those 'near death experiences' people are so eager to discuss."

Her heart skipped a beat and the man turned to face her.

"What?"

"You, Miss West, have been granted a rare reprieve." He craned his neck to the right, and a popping sound erupted from the joint. "A chance to live, but your fate is dependent on whether you squander your opportunity or take advantage."

"As for who I am…I have told you that I am neither God nor Satan. I am no angel and I am no demon." She was more confused than ever, and was beginning to rub her arms as the room grew deathly cold.

"I am the one you hear of in fables, I am the monster people warn you of…I am the one people claim will steal your soul, but I am the counselor that guides your spirit to the other side. Neither Good nor Evil, I am but a simple messenger-a taxi service for which no payment is needed."

"I am the Grim Reaper." She felt her heart stop and tried to gasp as her lungs shriveled like prunes. Light glinted off the man's white teeth, and he slowly removed his hat from his head. "I look forward to carrying your soul to it's destination once you fail..."

Her heart stopped and the tension in the air felt as though it was thickening, and she could almost see the dark clouds hovering in the sky as the man flashed a Chesire grin.

"You may call me Death."

So it begins. Like I've stated, I will be finishing one or two near finished works first, so expect this to start updating closer to the week of Christmas. I hope you're looking forward to this, and I hope you'll enjoy it. Do tell me what your thoughts are.