This chapter is dedicated to georgiastevens ❤️

2

My fathers ageing face stares at me with disapproval covering all of his features, except eyes - they hold the familiar worry which has been present for as long as I can remember. His dark brown hair is sticking up in all directions as a result from his nervous habit of running a hand through the short strands.

Out of everyone in my life, he is the only one I trust with everything - he is the only one who knows about my 'ability'. He told me it was down to the fact that I had in fact died. I somehow cheated death after being born, and nobody knows how, or why.

"Haven." He says with an exasperated sigh, running his hand through his hair yet again. "You can't keep doing this, It's going against nature."

"I know dad, but what am I supposed to do? Let people die around me?"

He drags his hand from his hair down his face, "Bit it's life, Haven. You have to let it happen. You have to let nature take its course."

"You of all people know I won't do that. I will not let others go through the grief you went through. Not until it's completely necessary." I say, firmly. "I won't let the people around me die."

My father sighs again knowing that there's no point in arguing about this, before he stands up from the dining room table which we are both seated at. "Just, be careful." He says after a moment. "He's not going to put up with it for much longer."

"I know." I say, with a small smile. "Calm down dad, I know what I'm doing."

"I hope you do Haven. I really hope you do." He says, looking me straight in the eye before breaking the eye contact, softly shaking his head and walking out of the kitchen.

With a sigh, I pick up the plates on the table and take them to the sink. I turn on the tap and let the water slowly massage the grime away from its surface.

My father is right. Death isn't going to put up with my interferences much longer. He's lost too many souls because of me and that makes him livid. He can't do his job if I'm around, but there's no way he can collect my soul. He does play fair after all.

I slowly shut off the flowing water, and after grabbing the small towel from the side, I quickly dried the plates before placing them gently in the cupboard. I glance around the kitchen one last time before turning and exiting the room, heading towards the stairs.

On the landing, I quietly push open the second door on the left - My room. The familiar pastel green walls, which are neatly decorated with various pictures of friends and family, and shiny oak wood floor greet me as I enter the room. My small single bed is situated on the wall to my left, the soft brown covers are littered with sketchbooks and school work. With slow steps I walk over to the large window, which takes up almost the entirety of the wall to my right, and sit down on the green cushioned window seat below it.

Out the window I observe the dying light which creates splatters of pink, orange and yellow across the canvas of the darkening blue sky. I watch as the streaks of light casually move across the cluttered trees before falling noiselessly down onto the short blades of grass and disappearing from sight. Groups of birds land in the trees, settling down for the night, whilst smaller animals, like the neighbours cat or a lone fox, run along the ground towards their homes for shelter from the night. I watch as the pinks, oranges and yellows turn darker before merging into a deep mixture of dark red and a midnight blue colour - a semi-darkness.

All too quickly the remaining light fades, plunging the world into darkness. With a small sigh, I stand up from the window seat and slowly make my way over to my bed with unseeing eyes. When the tips of my fingers feel the soft material of the covers, I slowly pat the bed in search of all the books which get gently placed on the floor once found. Slowly I pull back the covers and slip into the bed. My eyes drift over to the corner of my room. He often stands there at night, when he isn't needed for his job. He think I don't notice him, but I do. It's hard to miss the lanky figure whose darkness is deeper than the night itself. After I confirm that he's there, I close my eyes. The initial panic that I feel before I fall asleep arises - the panic that he will take my soul in my sleep, but it subsides after a couple seconds. The reminder that he plays fair ringing through my mind. I slowly relax and let sleep consume me, taking me into the familiar dreamless abyss of darkness.