He's Not Dead, He Only Looks that Way.

Frank knew he was deeper within hell and he knew it was where Death lived. The air was freezing, and there were sharp jagged rocks that aimed toward you from the walls. It was so gloomy and depressing. You can hear faint cries coming from apparitions that were well hidden. Frank walked close with Joe as they made their way down the wide walkway. Pebbles crunched underneath their shoes as they all kept their eyes forward. Frank almost stopped walking when he saw a dark figure with a hood draped over to cover their face, sitting on a throne made of rock. There was a huge hole in the roof just above the throne, allowing the moon’s light shine down upon them.

When Pete and the others walked in closer, the figure looked up. Even if so, the shadow of the hood made it hard to characterize the features. The voice echoed, “I wasn’t expecting any visitors.” Frank could immediately pin out it was a woman’s voice. She added in, “Pete, it’s been awhile.” Pete didn’t reply. The figure with the large black robe stood up, “And who is this?” The figure vanished in black smoke before appearing in front of Frank who tensed up. Frank couldn’t help but noticed her beautiful brown eyes. He stared deep within them. She said, “I remember you. I always hated suicides.” Frank’s eye contact broke when the black smoke wrapped around her before bringing her back onto her throne. Small hands took off the hood and when Frank was expecting a skeleton, there was a woman. She had chopped up black hair, pale white skin, and dark brown eyes. She said, “Death is my name-or you can call me Joan. Jett. Joan Jett-preferably, only my friends call me that. So, just call me Death.”

Pete took a step forward, “Death, we need to ask something that only you can answer-”

Death hushed him, “Do you hear that?” She aimlessly looked to her left. There was a moment of silence before a howling cry echoed throughout the cold air. She turned to Pete, “Forgive me, my Reapers are always so rude. They always interrupt.” Before anything else was said by Pete, Death looked over to Frank, “Do you want to know why I hate people who commit suicide?”

Pete tightened his jaw in aggression as Frank replied, “I guess.”

“They always end their lives sooner than expected and my Reapers always have to go and send their asses to hell. You see, I’m a very busy woman who kills and kills, but I don’t drag them to their next life-my babies do.” She added in, “And when someone commits suicide when it wasn’t their time, it pisses me off-let me kill you when it's your turn. It’s my job, you know?” She rolled her eyes, “Fuck that, man.”

Pete almost yelled, “As I was fucking saying, I want to know if you can bring back the dead.”

Death paused and stared into Pete’s eyes, “And why would you want to do that?”

Andy said, “Just answer the question.”

Death growled, “Here’s the thing, jackasses. I don’t take orders from you. I was made before you to balance life and death. That was before daddy decided he wanted kids.”

Frank said, “They’re sorry. But we really need to know .. can anyone bring back the dead?”

Death leaned back into her chair, “One more question: why is a soul like you hanging around the devils?”

Pete spoke up, “He’s a half breed.”

Death was once again cloaked with black smoke. Her body stood before Frank, “Oh my, how exciting. You know, you might have some abilities that make you different.” Death grabbed his wrists which made Frank cringe. His cuts were still fresh. She looked at him and smirked, “I know a cutter when I see one. Do you know how many slit wrists I’ve dealt with?” She pulled up his sleeves and stared down, “You don’t appreciate your body .. how odd. It’s so sad how a body goes through so many ways to heal your wounds yet you still hurt it.” She looked into Frank’s eyes. She leaned in and whispered, “Whatever is happening to you, there is no need to hurt yourself over it.” The black smoke circled around her before appearing on her throne, “Alright boys, I suppose I should let you know on a little secret. There is no perfect way to bring back the dead.”

Joe sighed, “Did we just waste time coming here?”

“Not really.” Death looked down to them, “There is a couple ways for me to raise a dead person-as they are in their grave, a rotting corpse .. or reincarnate them.”

“Reincarnate?” Joe raised a brow.

“It’s basically when a soul gets reborn into a new life. A new body.”

Frank’s eyes widen, “You can do that?”

“Of course. I’ve made a few exceptions for few people .. but there are some complications.”

Pete crossed his arms across his chest, “Like?”

“For one; they won’t remember anyone from their previous life. Two; whatever life they had before would be changed. And finally; they’ll look somewhat different.”

Frank frowned, “Oh.”

Death said, “But they’ll be the same person as if they were before.”

Pete asked, “What if we told you to reincarnate a demon?”

Death stared at him, “A demon? Well .. I guess that shouldn’t be any different from a human but .. what exactly do you want done? And for what price?” She grinned.

“We’ll give you more Reapers.” Pete replied, “In exchange for the reincarnation for Gerard’s life.”

Frank added in, “Death, when you say you reincarnate him-does that mean being born all over again?”

“It’s simply my choice on that. I suppose if you want him to be reincarnated into a different body, around the same age as he died and a demon .. I could make it work.” She rolled her eyes, “And I’ll see what I can do about the whole ‘looking different’ thing. You guys ask for too much-so I do want more Reapers. And a guitar.”

“Done.” Andy stated.

“Good.” She smiled.

Frank could feel a smile forming on his face, “I’m getting Gerard back.”

“Yes but remember, he won’t remember being a demon or you.” Death said, “Go back to wherever you came from while I work. Be patient. I’ll make you two cross paths for your chance.”

Notes

xo