He was there, as he always was at this time on a weekday. The boy sat at the base of the tree, legs crossed with a book laying open on his lap. He sat, quietly reading his book, ignoring the yelling and laughing of the kids around.

I stood near him, leaning against the very sane tree, my presence oblivious to the young boy, as usual. The bell rang, and the boy stood, closing the huge book - that was almost as thick as his waist, if not more - and left for class in the private school. I sighed, and decided to head back to the office. This boy was obviously ignoring me, and my attempts to get him to talk to me were futile.

---

“Yo, boss-man!” Robin called as soon as he popped into the office. A startled shriek told him they’d been having quiet time, showing the boss was in a bad mood. Robin shrugged, smiling sheepishly to the man at the desk, before heading down the rows of desks to the boss-man’s private office. The room he was currently in held at least sixty desks, six rows neatly aligned with one another, ten desks per row. Most of the desks had paperwork on them, folders, documents… All of kids’ information, kids that needed help in the world of today.

Robin waved to another Watcher, smiling kindly to him before turning away and shivering. Arnie, a man that was sent here for a reason - as were they all. The people in this business weren’t exactly alive, but they weren’t dead either. Sure, the bodies that their souls took host were long gone, dead, decayed, but their souls were still alive, burning with energy, and, currently, cursed.

“Sterling!” The door to the boss-man’s office swung open, banging loudly against the wall. Several people that were working intently jumped, looking around wildly. One screamed, ducking beneath the desk for cover.

“What did I tell you about making an entrance?” He settled his hands on his hips, scowling.

Robin grinned apologetically. “Um… Not to do it so enthusiastically?” He answered, batting his eyelashes for effect. The boss-man - or, Eric - sighed heavily.

“Yes,” he groaned. He looked at Robin. “Come on, I want a private word.” Robin followed him into the office, the door swinging closed behind of it’s own accord.

“How’s the Fredrick’s case going?” Eric asked, gesturing for Robin to have a seat while he took his own spot in the high-back leather chair behind the desk. Robin sighed.

“Not so good, he doesn’t even seem to know I’m there.”

“It’s been two months!” Eric said loudly, large face growing steadily red. Robin cowered.

“I know! But, he doesn’t even look at me, not since I first tried talking to him….”

“Enough.” Eric sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “How about some tea?” A tray popped from seemingly nowhere and landed on the desk with a small clatter. It held two mugs and a pot of tea. For a man of his size, Eric really did like the finer things of afterlife.

Robin took the offered cup silently, sipping the liquid while glancing out the window. All that could be seen was the blue of the sky outside, high above the living Earth. After they’d talked about little things - anything not concerning the Fredrick’s case - Robin finished his tea, and stood.

“Well, I’m off! Gonna try this out one more time today.” Robin grinned, and, with a newfound inspiration, poofed from the room, leaving behind a small pink puff of smoke. Eric sighed, waving it away.

“I told him not to use that cologne…”

---

Robin's Note: No good? Awesome? Ah, well, the idea isn't very original. Got some of it from a manga called "Descendants of Darkness", but do you really care? Probably not, unless you like the manga. Oh well. What's done is done. Does your head hurt? 'Cause mine sure does....