Episode 100: DEATH'S SCENT

Murasaki was happily walking, done of his task to accompany Mrs. Nickolas.

Taking a break from pursuing the red haired woman, he sits on an empty bench, whistling a familiar tune to himself as he opens his phone to write down drafts on his next manga layout.

Since Spring started, he wanted to produce another content. But it made it difficult for him to do so since he kinda lacked the inspiration he needed.

Frustrated, he ruffles his black hair and realized just how fluffy and longer it had become.

He looks at the camera on his phone and smiled to his self. Pointing out that he actually preferred his hair style to be this way than the former. Well, to be honest, this is what he actually wanted from the start but his mother wanted him to look 'perfect and proper', speaking of mother, it felt like he was trapped in her cage for so long, and despite that, he could never deny that she had actually done great things to him..

She did that out of love.

Since she believes that he already suffered enough, she limited his contact with people, which he till now, blames for his lack of empathy at times.

He sighs.

Those random thoughts were surely of no help.

He looks around him. Looking for people with unique looks to try and see if they'll fit the personality of a character he was writing.

One woman passes.

Black smooth hair, brught red lips and a confident smile.

Tall posture and a curvaceous body. Her fashion is also nice for someone seemingly walking for a casual day out.

Yellow fitted skirt, matched with heels and a white blouse tucked in.

She was also wearing a brown hat, and her eyes...

As much as he's curious of what color or shape they were, he can't see them through her shades.

Before she completely fades away from view, Murasaki was able to draw her quickly.

He smiles when he was done.

This girl's design will be a protagonist in one of his stories.

This time perhaps he'd try something realistic. Without magic, foreshadowing or any metaphorical elements.

A simple, intriguing love story.

LOVE STORY???

How can he do this? His love life is screwed and other than the crazy reaper things happening, nothing interesting happened between him and Gabby that he could proudly insert in his story.

Gabby is not into him.

Think.

Think.

Think.

THINK!

THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING USEFUL!!!

Eventually, he gave up, not even sure how to write anything at all.

He have wrote many beautiful content before, but only because he thought that he and GABBY could work in the future.

It pissed him off greatly, how easily it seems for her to reject him.

How frustrating.

When he was about to leave however, he felt an unusual feeling of dread envelope him.

He felt something foul lingering on the tips of his nose too.

Its...the same as what it smelled like when they were children..

Its the same scent he smelled whenever GABBY would complain of seeing something.

But just what could it be this time?

He tried to listen.

Tried to act inaffected while also being wary.

Whatever it was should be near.

Another reaper? A ghost? What is it?

His heart kept pumping like crazy, unable to explain such an odd phenomena.

Turning off his phone, he stands up, casually as could be to not tolerate the 'thing', thinking that if he acts afraid, it might play tricks on him longer.

He puts his hands on his pockets, whistling a playful tune even though he was already nervous as hell.

I hate this feeling.

He tells his self.

It felt so hard knowing that he was the only one to feel this way. He sees other bypassers, unbothered and continuing their daily to do's, while he, was already having a minor heart attack from what was going on.

Calling anyone would feel hopeless, since nobody would understand him anyways.

Damn it.

He should have thought about this before.

That the moment he came back and met Gabby again, he'll be in trouble too. For whatever reason those creatures have.

Damn it!!!

Murasaki kept his pace a bit faster, although he tried not to lose his cool.

He even bought his self perfume, trying to drown his thoughts by other things, trying to shove the weird thing going on, on the back of his head.

He sniffed the perfume, but even though it's very close to his nose, the scent just won't...won't fade away!

Irritated, he places it on his pocket, even though he had kept his composure managed this long, he couldn't help but give a frown.

He looks behind him, but like before, he saw nothing.

But he still felt like being followed.

Like someone is watching his every move.

Like no matter where he goes, it won't go away. It will still keep on following him, regardless the distance and the place.

If it would follow him where ever he goes, he can't go home nor go to Gabby's house. It might endanger her life.

So while trying to figure out how to get rid of 'it', he continued to walk and walk...not sure where he'd stray to.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Look behind.

Still nothing.

*sigh*

Step.

Step.

Step.

Look behind.

Nothing. Like always.

But the scent...

It's still there. Never leaving.

And he swore that it only gets stronger and stronger.

Starting to panic, he began to walk faster, his eyes already a bit watery due to freaking out and being frustrated, not being able to be left alone despite literally walking for already 3 hours.

Why hasn't it stopped following him?

No.

He shouldn't cry.

If she sees this...

She won't take him seriously anymore.

Right.

Fight your tears, MJ.

You...

are...

not...

a

pussy!

Frick!

Damn that thing, whatever it is!

It's just a smell.

A bad one but still...

It's just a smell.

It still hasn't done anything bad yet, right?

Maybe his nose is just playing tricks on him.

Maybe it will go away.

Look at the bright side.

Come..

On!!!

But as time passes by, the moment that his feet felt sore already from walking and walking, he felt done with everything.

He felt like he lost already.

He sat on the ground.

People even saw him go down suddenly.

One kindly man helped him up.

:You okay man?

MURASAKI: Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah. I...thank you.

:You want a drink? Here, I got one.

MURASAKI: I...uh, thanks bro. Uh, if you don't mind me asking, do you smell something off?

The man turned embarrassed and looked away, but his hand was still holding the water bottle, offering it to Murasaki.

MURASAKI: Did I say something wrong?

:Do I smell bad? I... I am pretty sure I did shower, though.

MURASAKI: Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding, but you see...I didn't mean it to be you. I was just asking.

: Well, if it's not me, I can't smell anything foul, sir. Sorry. Maybe my nose is not as good as yours.

MURASAKI: Oh, okay.

He accepts the water bottle, thanking the man who quickly walks away.

Murasaki stands up, not really sure what to do

next.

Then his stomach grumbled in hunger.

Right.

Eat first.

Maybe he's just hungry after all.

He tried to calm his nerves down as he walk to a restaurant, hoping to ease his hunger and mind.

Even though the aroma of food was strong, he could still smell the faint scent of foulness in the air.

So it's not him being hunger after all?

He tried to eat his food like normal, although it felt hard since he could still smell it.

What a bad day this was. Everything felt hard and challenging for him to accomplish. He doesn't even know how he'd deal with it when night comes.

Should he finally let it follow him home?

Will it ever go away?

Or is it going to be there with him, till he become insane and die?

He remembered the curses of greek myths and eventually compared this to those to at least make his self feel a bit better.

But he never did felt any better.

One waitress noticed his disturbed expression, and wondering what the matter was, she came forward to his seat.

: Sir...is something wrong? Is the food not well-cooked?

Murasaki looks up to the blonde woman, looking at him with pure concern.

MURASAKI: Ah, oh! No, no... It wasn't the food. Actually, it was delicious. And...

: But why do you look bothered, sir?

MURASAKI: Nothing, I just uh, make weird expressions sometimes. No need to worry about me.

: I see... If you're having inconveniences, please don't be shy to contact the staff.

MURASAKI: How very accommodating, your efforts are very much appreciated, thank you.

She bowed down and smiled, happily continuing her work as Murasaki kept thinking on how to deal with his dilema.

Irritated, after he paid the bills, he leaves, his face sour and completely stained in a bad mood.

Knowing that he can't go to Gabby's, or that this maybe his last day or something, he pulls out his phone just in case, calling her as he walk on the side walk towards his home.

Gabby picks up.

GABBY: Yes, MJ? Something up?

MURASAKI: Well, you see...I'm just curious. Have you smelled something weird before? Like you know, smoke and stuff? But there isn't actually any smoke? Like you know, weird stuff science can't explain?

GABBY: I did. Cinders and lavander, and pine, whenever I did, a reaper is near, or something...why?

MURASAKI: A reaper? A...a mower of the dead? Then...

GABBY: Hey, now I'm getting worried. Why is your voice shaky? What's the matter?

Murasaki tries to fake a laugh. Even though he was already pouring excessive sweat in nervousness.

MURASAKI: Nothing, I was just wondering, don't worry.

GABBY: You better not be in trouble.

MURASAKI: I'm not. So bye now.

GABBY: Yeah but if anything's wrong just tell-

*ends call*

His heart was beating loudly, scared of what could happen at any moment.

He continued running on the sidewalk, when a car lost it's control and headed on his direction...

He never had time to react.