Shun

How could I have been so stupid? It was because of my foolishness that I was in the mess that I was. And it was because of me that Alice was about to serve an unjust fate. My hands were cuffed above my head, their chains nailed into the rock wall behind me.

I leaned my head to side, mentally kicking myself for allowing any of this to happen. Once again, I tugged my hands against their restraints; I had been doing this for hours, and knew that I was now committing the true definition of insanity by trying to free myself after I knew that there was no way. I should have just died, I thought to myself, but it felt like my silent words echoed in the prison.

But I didn't die. I wanted to live, and I had the chance to do just that. Live. Although, one person's will to survive had sent so many things into chaos. Innocent people were going to suffer, and friends gone mad. It was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I tilted my head back and a water droplet fell from the ceiling and onto my face. It landed just under my right eye, and I felt it follow down the pattern of the scar that had recently graced my facial features. That scar was proof of all of the bad choices I had made as of late.

If only I had just died. I kept repeating that over and over in my mind. It didn't matter now. I couldn't die, forced to stay on this world for all eternity until somebody said otherwise. That had been the life I chose, because just of that. It was life. Now, with that new life, everything had been shrouded in death. Why? Because I was death.

Several Weeks Ago….

Shun

I eased on the gas pedal of my car, and turned onto the main street. It was good to see Bayview once again; none of the others had been here in years. The only one that still remained, was Murucho. In fact, that was who I was driving to go see that day.

He had sent an invite out to the original six Brawlers; a means to get back in touch with everyone, and to also celebrate his belated birthday. A green light turned to red, and I slowly brought the car to a stop. As I sat at the red light, I couldn't help but wonder how much the others had changed over the past couple of years.

I doubted many of them had; such as Murucho or Dan. But there was always the possibility that Julie or Runo may have grown out of the same personalities that had for as long as I had known them. As for Alice, there wasn't much about her that could change.

Even when we were young, she was so much more mature than the others, and I didn't feel like the only one with common sense in the room. A smile graced my face with that thought. The light turned back to green, and I made the car proceed through the intersection.

No One

A car sped through the streets, traveling well above the speed limits. Other vehicles blew their horns at the speeding maniac, but he paid them little mind. He was well past drunk, yet continued to drink anyway, not aware of the fact that he needed to stop.

The driver made a sharp left turn, nearly running over a pedestrian that was crossing the street. The man waved his fist in the air and yelled obscenities at the drunkard as he sped down another street.

But little did many people know, this was meant to happen. This man was meant to be drunk, and whatever he did, was meant to happen. Well, almost all of it.

There were always 'liabilities' at times. The drunk driver gazed down at the steering wheel, as if almost confused as to what the contraption was meant for.

So, to test it out and see, he made another sharp turn. The front of his car, in turn, rammed into the side of another car. The four people inside, were killed on impact, and the tragedy was supposed to end there.

But nobody foresaw the hit car being pushed forward by the force, and into another as it cross the street. It was unintentional in all aspects, but there were always 'liabilities' in the game of fate.

Shun

I didn't realize anything happened, until it did. As I neared the block that contained Murucho's home, I thought I heard the sound of metal hitting against metal. It was deafening, covering up the music that was playing on the radio. Then, a car skidded out into the street, slamming into the driver's side of mine.

Things went black for a moment, and when I came to, I was laying out in the street. Things were blurry all around me, and the buildings and ground appeared the be shaking. Not like there was an earthquake, but more like the Earth was having a small seizure.

Through my blurred eyes, I was able to make out the shapes and figures of people standing. They didn't move, and I wondered why. Everything was shaking, after all. Did they not notice it? Or was it just me? When I thought about it, why was I laying out in the street anyway?

Panic began to set in. I was able to turn my head to the side, but not without causing pain to shoot throughout my body. My vision cleared slightly, and I saw the mangled mess of three cars. One of which, was mine. Way out in the distance, I heard the wailing of sirens.

What was going on? In on the the cars, I made out the shape of an arm hanging limply out of the window. The blaring sirens grew louder, and soon and ambulance pulled up to the scene. All while this went on, I was still confused as to what was going on.

Paramedics jumped out of the ambulance, and one immediately ran over to me while the others went towards the pile of crushed cars. The medic pulled out a flashlight and pointed it into my eyes. I didn't even blink when the LED bulb pierced my vision. Then, it was like a black cloak was draped over my eyes, and all I could see was darkness.

Dan

I checked my phone for what seemed like the tenth time within the hour. Shun was running late, leaving the rest of us to sit about Murucho's to wait for him. "Maybe he's caught up in traffic," said Runo, who was trying desperately to make light conversation.

Traffic sounded unlikely. I knew Shun all too well, and that if he were caught up in traffic, he would have called one of us or sent a text to let us know he was running late. Kato walked into the room, and saw that the five of us were sitting around, bored expressions plastered on our faces.

"How about some television to pass the time?" he asked and picked up the remote to the TV. I shrugged my shoulders, not really caring what we did, as long as Shun hurried up and we were able to continue to get things moving along. The TV flipped on, making that high-pitched sound as it warmed up.

Kato placed the remote on the coffee table and said, "You all can dispute over what to watch." He then walked out of the room, as if knowing that there would most likely be a fight break out over what channel. At the moment, the news was on. From a helicopter view, the screen showed a wreck about a block from Murucho's mansion. Even from that far above, it looked nasty.

Nobody bothered to change the channel; all eyes were glued to the horrific scene before us. The image went from the helicopter view, to somebody who was on the ground. The reported stood in front of the wreckage. I looked past her. There seemed to be three cars involved, but one of them looked somewhat familiar; it was hard to tell through the crushed and destroyed metal frame.

The reporter then said how many people were involved; six in all. From what information had been gathered, the wreck was caused by a drunk driver. All I could do was shake my head. "How horrible," Julie said under her breath.

The reporter then began to give off the list of names, and who was injured or may have perished in the accident. The drunk driver and a family of four died in the crash, leaving one critically injured to where they were passing in and out of death.

Then, came the names. I wasn't really paying that much attention to the report, unlike the others, but I caught the last name that the reporter gave out.

"Did…..Did she say Shun's name?" I asked, hoping that I had misheard the name. But by the facial expression on my friends' faces, I had not heard the wrong name. Once the reporter said which hospital the victims were being taken to, nobody hesitated to leave the mansion.

Shun

My eyes opened halfway, but all I saw around me was darkness. I soon realized that I was floating along the blackness on my back. Am I dead? There was a swooshing sound that reminded me of the wings of a large bird flying. I leaned forward, now floating in the air upright, rather than on my back.

Something similar to a spotlight came on, and illuminated a figure that was dressed from head to toe in a black cloak. I could not see his face due to the hood that covered his head. "Wh-who are you?" I asked. I noticed the figure's right arm was behind his back.

He then brought his arm out, and in his right hand, was a long scythe. My reflecting glittered in the silver metal blade on the end of the stick. "What's going on?" I demanded all while trying to remain calm. "Who are you?" I yelled. The figure lowered the scythe down and said in a deep voice, "I've been called many things; death, the grim reaper, and shinigami. Call me what you wish."

The only 'name' that stuck in my mind, was Death. "I-I'm….Dead?" I was surprised by the uncertainty in my voice. My words weren't sturdy either. They wavered as tears threatened to escape my eyes. I couldn't be dead. I was alive not five minutes ago, right?

Death said to me, "You're not dead yet, but you aren't alive either. You are in the middle ground of the two worlds." I began to shake my head back and forth. This had to be a dream! A horrible, sick dream! I would wake up, and find myself still in bed. Then, I would get ready and leave for Murucho's. Yeah, that's what I'd do. "You do not believe me, human. Fine. Let me show you the truth then," Death told me.

He raised his scythe and cut into the black air that surrounded everything. A tear in the darkness that resembled a tear in fabric, revealed to my a street. People were gathered around, shock and dismay on their faces. Off to the side, were three cars crushed together.

But the centerpiece of the scene, was my body laying a few feet from the wreckage. Blood covered my clothes and was pooled around me. If I had not been floating, then I would have most certainly fallen back. "This can't be real," I whispered to myself.

Death closed the rip-like image, returning the dark space back to how it had once been. "But it is, human," he said in that monotone voice of his. Death then turned to face me and said, "But you were not to meant to die. Not today at least. You are what we call, collateral damage. A Reaping gone horribly wrong. And as a way to repay you for this misfortune, I have an offer for you."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. I was 'collateral damage?' Tears were running down my face now, but I didn't notice them. I was still too taken aback by the image of my mangled body laying in that street. Death sighed and told me, "I know this is a lot to take in. It always is to those who have died. But you have an opportunity that not many of the deceased are able to get. You have a chance to live, but only if you accept what comes with it."

My interest was now peeked. "A chance to live?" I asked, my hopes getting the better of me. Of course I wanted to still live. Who wouldn't? Especially when I was just told that I wasn't meant to die like this. "Whatever it is, I'll do it! I just want to live!" I shouted at Death. He raised up a hand, which looked like that of a human; I expected it to by a skeleton hand.

He told me, "Hold on, human. Let me first explain what follows this offer. I'm required to let you know, so in case you don't like part of the stipulations, you are able to pass on to the next life." Did it really matter what the stipulations were? I wanted to live, and that was it. If I had to go around without arms and legs for the remainder of my years, I would have done it.

But, I let Death speak and tell me what he had to. "In order to regain your life, you must take on the responsibilities of a Reaper. That requires Reaping the souls of those who are meant to die. Like I mentioned before, you are one of the rare occassions in the world of Death. Not many people have this opportunity placed in front of them. If they did, then people would never die. They would only become Reapers."

From what I could gather, Death was telling me that this was something like insurance to repay me for this 'error' that occurred. But to take the souls of people? Could I even possibly be able to bring myself to do that? "What happens if I don't….'Reap' somebody?" I asked sheepishly.

Death tapped the metal blade on his scythe and told me, "We aren't able to kill you….Well, easily that is. But normally, we give a Reaper a warning if they don't Reap a person. If they continue to not do their job, then we do have the ability to punish as we see fit."

Surely I could convince myself that taking a person's soul was worth living. Death, as if sensing my doubt on this fact, spoke up. "They are meant to die when you Reap them. It's not like you are committing a murder." That was one way to look at it.

I ran a shaking hand through my hair. This was just Death. It wasn't like I was making a deal with the devil? Then why does it feel like I am? I then asked, "How will I know who's supposed to die and who's not?" Death chuckled and leaned against his scythe.

"That all depends on the Reaper. Some of them can see when a person is going to die. Others, can sense it. Hell, I know of one Reaper that can smell when death is approaching a person." I found it surprising that there was more than one 'Death' in the world. But one spirit couldn't kill people all over the world now, could he?

Then again, I didn't know what all this being was capable of. Death held out his human hand and said, "You know the basics of what's involved. If you accept, then you will become a Reaper. You will go and take the souls of those who are meant to die, and escort them to either Heaven or Hell, depending on who the person is and what they've done. So, do you accept the offer?"

I looked at his hand, and was about to take in mine to shake, but I stopped short of his grab. "One question," I told him. Death, even though I could not see his face, I knew he was surprised. "I've never had a human ask so many questions before. Go ahead."

My mouth felt dry, but I found the words I needed. "Since Reapers know when a person is supposed to die, do you know if my mother was meant to die when she did?" Now that I knew how death pretty much worked, the question began to gnaw at my mind.

What if my mother had died unexpectedly like I had? Then she would have had the chance to become a Reaper. Would she have done it if it meant living? "I'm sorry, but the information of those who are already deceased, are strickly to be kept with the Reaper who took their souls. And I was not the one who Reaped your mother, so I cannot tell you."

Disappointment flooded over me, but all I said was, "Okay. I'm done with my questions. Let's do this." I took Death's hand and shook it to seal the deal; I felt as if he were smiling under that black hood of his. He then raised his scythe, and cut into the air. A flash of white blinded me, and I soon woke up in a hospital room, staring up at the florescent lights.

Alice

The moment we knew where Shun was being taken, Murucho demanding for Kato to bring the limo around. The faithful butler did as he was told, and now we were speeding towards the hospital. Shun wasn't dead, but according to the news report, he was extremely close.

For all we knew, he could have been dead as we made our way to the hospital. Nobody spoke in the limo, giving the whole ordeal a grim feeling. We drove past the scene of the wreckage, and I saw a wrecker truck carrying Shun's car away.

I couldn't bring myself to look at it. Today was supposed to be a day of celebration and happiness. Now, it had turned from a joyous occasssion, to one of sick feelings and worry. Kato pulled the limo up tp the hospital, and the five of us immediately ran inside.

Dan was the first to reach the receptionist's desk. "What room is Shun in?" he asked frantically. The woman didn't even bother to ask for a last name; she knew exactly who we were talking about. "He's in the ICU, but-" She didn't get a chance to finish speaking before we ran off towards Shun's location. I heard her shout, "You can't go in there!"

The five of us charged into the ICU and began to look around for Shun. Doctors and nurses gave us quizzical looks as we read the names on doors. Julie then shouted at us, "I found his room!" We ran down the hall and joined her. Sure enough, Shun's name was taped on the door.

None of us made an immediate move inside. Perhaps we were worried about what we would find inside. Dan was the first to reach for the door handle, and he slowly turned it. The door opened without even so much as a creak. My breath was snatched out of my lungs when I saw Shun.

There were bandages and stitches covering him everywhere. Tubes and lines stuck out of his arms; the only things keeping him alive. The right side of his face was wrapped in bandages, covering one of his amber eyes. Somebody walked into the room behind us; a doctor. He said harshly, "You all can't be in here." He then saw the looks on our faces, and I saw his demeanor change.

"Well, perhaps I can let you stay for a couple of minutes." The doctor then walked out of the room, scratching the back of his neck. I made my way to the end of his bed and took the clipboard from its holder. I read the information on it. From what it told me, since She was taken to the hospital, he was swaying back and forth between life and death.

I bit my lower lip and put the clipboard back. Things weren't looking good for him, and I didn't think that any of us could stand losing Shun. He then made a noise, and when I looked over at him, I saw the unbandaged eye open up, and a weak smile formed on his lips.

Shun

When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital room. Tubes and wires tied me down, but I didn't freak out; I was well aware of all that had just happened to me. I died. It was simple as that. I wasn't supposed to have died though, and because of that, I got my second chance.

When I looked around the room, I saw that Dan and the others were in my room. They looked sick with worry, even down to the point that their faces were pale white. Alice was the first to see that I was awake, and I couldn't help but smile weakly.

She ran over to the side of my bed, tears pouring from her eyes. "Shun! Thank God you're awake!" she said through a sob. The others saw what Alice was making such a fuss over, and ran next to her, where they proceeded to do the same thing.

How could I have left this behind? How could I have declined Death's offer and died? I was sure the others could have stayed in that hospital room with me all night, but the doctors wouldn't allow it, and they had no choice but to leave. I laid in my bed, enjoying the view of the white ceiling.

If I had died, then I would have never been able to look at the boring ceilings of hospitals ever again. In fact, I wouldn't be able to look at a lot of things ever again. I had a new look on life; enjoy the little things, because you never know when they might be taken from you.

I fell asleep in the bed, but woke up late at night because the right side of my face was in pain. Slowly, I brought my hand up and touched the source of the pain. That was when I discovered the bandages that covered my eye and half of my face.

Curious as to see what had happened, I sat up and carefully pulled the wires to the machines out of me; I didn't need them anymore since I couldn't die again. I also made sure to unplug the machines so they would not make the sounds that told the doctors that I was dying.

After that, I went into the bathroom and turned on the lights. In the mirror, I was the personification of Death. The white bandages on my face, almost matched the ghostly appearance of the rest of my skin. Slowly, I brought my hands up to the bandages and took them off.

A long scar ran down from my forehead, over my right eye, and down my right cheek. I touched it with a shaky hand, feeling the fully healed skin that had left a present behind. But what took hold of most of my attention, was my eye. It was milky white, and looked like I had on a special contact.

But I did not. Starting to grow worried, I closed my left eye, keeping my right one open, and saw nothing but darkness. I could not see out of my right eye at all, not even the tiniest bit of light. The wreck had to have done this to me. What else could have? But I didn't care.

So what if my eye was a price to pay for my life? I tied the bandages back on, and left the bathroom. As I got back into my bed, I plugged the machines back on and returned the wires into my body, despite the fact that I did not need them to keep myself alive. In fact, I needed nothing else to keep me alive.

chapter title based off the song First Day Of My Life by The Rasmus. I know! I know! i'm horrible for starting another story when i already have two on my plate! DX but i couldnt help it! i got this idea and i just wanted to start it sooooo badly! it probably won't get updating everyday like Southern Hymn, so i'm sorry but i have to tease you guys with another story that you'll have to wait on. dont shoot me! -hides- ahem. but anyway, i have a poll on my profile that is concerning the story title for my upcoming zombie sequel. do vote please. also, i will have the full cover to this story put on my profile soon (i'll let you all know when it's up). well, i'm so sorry for being a workaholic! -bows multiple times- read, review, and other things! ~Copperpelt~