For the damned | ✓

8

"J-JONATHAN," THE GIRL STUTTERED, looking like she was going to have a heart attack.

"I'm sorry, Hannah," Jonathan said, pulling Delilah even closer against him," but I fell head over heels for this girl here."

Hannah looked like she was going to cry, her friend glaring at Jonathan as she placed her arm around her and took her along. When it was only the two of them standing in the empty hallway Jonathan let her go, gaze a bit confused as he looked at her.

"I expected more questions," he said," you're accepting all this quite easily."

"You really were good friends with Logan, weren't you?" Delilah said instead, catching him off-guard.

"What?" he said, staring at her.

"I imagine this whole setup to get me to owe you a favor is for him," she said," after all, the best way to dispel rumors would be for you to say it's a misunderstanding and we're dating." When he didn't reply, she continued, eyes curious. "Am I wrong?"

"Fuck, I sound like an asshole when you put it like that." He shook his head, clearing his throat. "I didn't start the rumors or anything, but I just had to see you now. If it's true what you said about Logan-" He swallowed. "I'll do whatever it takes to hear his last words, even if that means you hate me for it."

"Oh no, I don't hate you," Delilah smiled," I don't care what people think of me either, so there's no need for the fake dating. I'll help you."

"No," he said firmly," we have to do the fake dating, I won't owe you one as well." He extended his hand, looking her in the eye. "So is it a deal? You let me hear Logan's last words and I'll tell everyone we're dating for the short while the gossip lasts. It's a win-win really, I'll have you know I'm an excellent boyfriend."

"I don't think you'll be owing me that much at this moment," she said," after all, I first have to find the Grim Reaper to find your friend."

"How hard can it be to find the dude?" Jonathan frowned," can't we just summon him with black magic or something?"

"Are you able to do black magic?" Delilah said with a raised eyebrow.

"Uhm, well, no, but -"

"It's fine," she said," besides, it wouldn't have worked anyway. He seems set on avoiding me now."

"Did you fight with the Grim Reaper?" Jonathan asked confusedly.

She thought of the Reaper's face again, the way he had closed off completely to her. It was no surprise, she was a stranger after all, but still it felt like there was a lot unsaid between them. Perhaps she had known him a past life after all, even though he didn't seem to recognize her.

"It's alright," she said, shaking the thoughts out of her head," I have a plan. First I thought of dying so he had to come see me, but seeing as I can't die -"

"You what?" Jonathan exclaimed," let's back up a little, like actual death? And why can't you die?"

"I have no idea," she replied, before continuing as Jonathan stared at her in shock," but I think it would be best to wait around a place where a lot of deaths occur, so I can see him there."

"You mean we," Jonathan said," I'm definitely coming with. Besides, I always have good ideas, so I won't be a burden." He stared pensively up at the ceiling, before glancing back at her. "And about those places you were talking about, what about a cemetery?" His eyes widened. "Or wait, shit, do you mean we should stalk some serial killer to find him?"

"I was thinking more of an easier place," she said," like a hospital."

He paused, slowly nodding. "That might be the better option as well."