The Reaper’s Apprentice

The night air smelled of petrichor, the light rain leaving puddles on the ground. Aries walked between the two factories, the moon light illuminating the old buildings in the harbor. This time of night no one was around, not even harbor security. She ran her finger tips along the old metal as she walked, humming a tune from her childhood. She enjoyed nights like this, not because of the rain, or the perfect moon, lighting her path. It was because of what she was about to do. She rounded the right corner, towards the back of the factory.

A tall man stood by the backdoor, dressed in all black, the only part of his face that was visible was from the bottom of his nose down, the rest concealed by a half face mask in the shape of a skull.

“ Evening.” he muttered, standing up straight as he spoke.

Aries nodded her head, and motioned for him to move from the door with a flick of her hand. He quickly moved, opening the door and holding it for her.

“ Thank you.” She spoke as she walked through the door into the dark building. The only signs of light, from the busted windows, was the moon's natural light. In the center stood four lower level goons as she liked to call them. In the center a man on his knees, gaged, and bleeding. The beatdown evident on his face and clothes. She walked closer towards them, not making any sound like a predator stalking its prey. She regarded the man in the center, an accountant that had gotten too greedy and decided to steal from his employer. The room smelled of stale air, blood, and something metallic–fear, thick and suffocating. Aries breathed deeply as she walked closer, a smile upon her face.

“ Mr. Lumis, it’s wonderful to see you, thank you for meeting me on such short notice.” Her voice low and sweet, The four goons jumped and spun around. Before any of them could speak she silenced them with a wave of her hand. Mr. Lumis tried to speak but on gaging words came out from behind the gag. Aries removed her blazer and handed it to the goon closest to her. Her mind raced as she circled him, each thought a new way to savor his death, to drag it out. The possibilities were endless, and the thrill of it—of having control—made her heart race faster. She began to undo her tie. Her fingers gazed at the tie, almost lovingly, as if savoring the moment before she made her choice. A cruel smile spread across her face.

“ I will admit that Mr.Lumis, I haven't quite decided how I want to kill you yet, Fast,slow…there’s so many ways to make it last. How should I make this interesting? ” She circled the scared man, enjoying the scent of fear rolling off him, the taste causing her eyes to darken with excitement. The adrenaline started to flow through her like a river. She loved this part—the uncertainty, the anticipation. It was almost more satisfying than the actual kill.
Lumis couldn’t say a word, his mouth gagged. His eyes darted nervously, scanning the room as though he could find a way out. But there was no escape. Aries had seen to that. She stood behind him now, her hands moving with practiced precision as she slipped her tie around his neck. She pushed her knee into his back, feeling the tightness in his body, the way he stiffened in resistance.
“Struggle all you want,” she whispered in his ear, “It won’t matter.”
With every shift of his body, the harder she pressed her knee into his spine, the more he gasped for air, the ropes biting into his wrists as he tried to break free. But there was no breaking free. His movements only made her tighten her grip, the silk slipping tighter against his throat. She reveled in the sensation of his resistance, the slow, rhythmic thudding of his heart as it weakened under her touch.
The adrenaline surged through her, flooding her senses. She could feel the power of it all—his fear, his helplessness, and her complete dominance over him. His body arched against her knee, his legs trembling with the strain, but it wasn’t enough. He was going to die, and she was going to decide how it would happen.
His breath became ragged, strained, the gag preventing him from speaking but not from showing his desperation. His body shuddered under her control, his face turning a shade of red she knew meant he was nearing the end. She could feel his life slipping away in the way his body grew weaker, slower. It was intoxicating, almost addictive.
Finally, after a few more seconds of his futile struggling, she released the end of the tie. His body fell forward, limp and lifeless, but the satisfaction didn’t end there. Aries straightened up, taking a deep, steadying breath, the power of the moment still coursing through her.

Aries could feel a new pair of eyes on her, sharp, calculating, before she heard the soft shift of a figure towards the back door. She didn't turn, not yet, but she knew–knew who it was. And it made her smile even wider. She tilted her head towards the back door. Standing there looking on stood The Reaper leaned against the doorway, the silhouette sharp against the moon light. There was no fear in her eyes, but the look of pure enjoyment as she watched.

Aries smiled then laughed evilly into the night air. As Aries basked in the thrill of the kill, The Reaper remained still, like a shadow in the corner of the room, her satisfaction almost palpable. There was no rush for her, no excitement–only quiet approval. The soft shift of a figure at the door. Aries felt it—the weight of the gaze, sharp and calculating. Her smile deepened, feeding off that recognition. But for a fleeting second, something in her chest twisted. Was it… approval? Or something darker