“It’s really bright….” The Reaper brought his arm up to his face, casting a shadow upon it to hide away the merry sun from his existence.

Introspection: it’s pushing against my sleeve, my gray uniform battling against the yellow transparent rays, a coexisting fight of the forces of the comedic maniac, and of…sunshine….

Okay. Let’s try again.

Ahem…a battle with none other than myself, my own internal conflict pestering and bickering with my conscience, fighting over the abuse of Eleanor, to save her…or to break her.

This rush of conflicting forces…good verses evil as some may call it…goes to no end.

Eleanor pressed the heel of her hand against the small of his back.

My project, beckoning to help, tempting to help me with the hidden conflict of what I am to do with her.

Hmm. I’m tired of being epic.

It’s hilarious, really. So ironic, it makes me want to laugh.

As he rarely ever did, he resisted letting the laughter out.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been introduced to the outside, huh?” A modest creeping angel grin formed on her pleasurable and intimate features, “Since Sunday, right?”

“That’s true, isn’t it?” The Reaper lowered his arm, allowing the battle to take the side of ‘good’ for the time being.

He transformed his lips into a seraph's smile, the highest rank of earnest smiles known to the common man, and gracefully looked down upon the glowing aura of heaven beside him, “Wow. The sun picks it’s victims kindly, Ellie.”

This merry sun gleamed proudly down on this ‘mystery’ girl, and its rays were casting a perfect blanket of light around her, swirling around her, protecting her from an unknown source.

Possibly him?

Possibly something else…he didn’t know.

He felt his throat tighten when her being lit up, her eyes intently shining, and that smile reflecting the light that captured her.

“Thank you.” She smiled and took a few steps forward, bringing The Reaper right along with her.

He walked proudly to the right of her, smiling, and viewing the gorgeous garden he had long ago seen only once.

Back then, there had been no paths, no fountains, no grass…it had seemed more of a cavernous graveyard than a plentiful garden filled to the tip with pleasant smelling flowers.

Which it now was.

It was quite filled to the heavenly tip with a wide range of various flora.

Deliberately placed plots of dirt had been filled with vegetation of all assortments, and around them consisted of a colorful gray patterned cement path.

These beautifully adorned paths had been tapered off from the main lane that resided nicely in the center of the rectangular garden.

His amber eyes squinted at the long and seemingly endless course, allowing him to estimate it to be about two hundred yards long and about fifty yards wide.

He hadn’t remembered it to be this big.

A plentiful amount of fully grown trees lived happily here and there; clearly devoted in a pleasant matter to how they were used for protection against the merry sun’s harsh rays.

It seemed they too were intentionally placed, and underneath each grand tree was a bench that had been dutifully secured to the ground with nuts and bolts.

Eleanor watched The Reaper’s eyes glide across the immense space as they walked down the middle pathway, and she could almost see an expression of awe in them.

They would travel quickly, and then abruptly slow their pace to that of a more leisurely concept, taking in the view and calm demeanor of the heavenly area, she guessed, he seldom got to experience, “How often did you get to come back here?”

He smiled, and chuckled, “This is the first time I’ve been back here.”

He glanced over at a few inmates talking, “At least since they decided to actually pursue their plan of creating something…pretty….”

The inmates stood by a garden plot and conversed with one another.

It actually seemed to be that they were enjoying themselves among the frolicking flowers which moved gently with the light breezy wind that had suddenly come through.

The Reaper narrowed his white lids closer together and imagined what it must be like to be like them.

So mortal, so unknowing….

“Oh.” Eleanor stopped their relaxing stroll in front of one of the more intensely filled garden squares.

She removed her hand from his back and stood face to face with him, using him as a perfect tool to block the unforgiving sun, “You were here at The Asylum when it was being developed, weren’t you? You were the only high-profile case back then.”

His head bowed a little more so he could concentrate better on her, “Yes I was. Though my doctor at the time didn’t think it was appropriate for me to enjoy the sight of seeing this lovely yard produced.”

He grinned and turned his head to look at the vast amount of flora behind Eleanor in the square, “It’s a shame I missed out on the, what was sure to have been, a memorable experience.”

“Why did your doctor not allow you to participate?” Eleanor looked down at the same flowers and listened to The Reaper take a step to her side.

Now, instead of looking at the flowers, he rearranged his view to be the profile of Eleanor from his height, “Like I said before, they don’t really seem to be all too fond of little old me here at The Asylum.”

“I’m sorry for that.”

She kept her stance but looked up at his charming smile, “If I ever, in anyway, start to seem rude, or unpleasant in regards to my treatment plan towards you, please by all means allow me to know about it.”

“I will.” He somehow managed to take his eyes off of the beautiful specimen before him, and let it wander off again to the incredible garden.

He noticed that in the middle of the inspiring backyard was a large and spectacular fountain that resided in a naturally calm setting.

Something urged him to near it, “Do you mind if we go to the fountain? I’d like to see it up close.”

“No not at all.” She responded optimistically, and ventured with him to it, smiling at him once they finally reached the spring.

The Reaper ran his pale hand along the large bowl like bottom that held the falling water.

Pebbles of rock and dirt clung to his hand as he smoothed the cement statue with his palm.

He looked at the statue itself.

An alteration of Nike Adjusting Her Sandal.

Hey! I know art! Sweet.

Wait, I’d better check….

The water came from nowhere, it seemed, and flowing majestically down her carved and rippled filled clothing, “That’s beautiful. Nike, correct?”

He looked down at Eleanor who had been watching his attentiveness to the statue.

“Yes.” She moved her gaze to the statue now, “Yes, I think so.”

Swish.

He kept his hand against the cold and damp cement, “Why did you allow me to come here? To enjoy the garden?”

“You have multiple reports of acting in a pleasant manner around the staff members that have been working with you.” Eleanor smiled, and walked over to a nearby bench that was covered in shade.

The Reaper watched her sit down, and then he too moved over to where she sat.

Eleanor looked up at him and then patted the empty seat next to her, “Sit. I figured you deserve a reward for your behavior, I mean it’s been about four days since you killed someone.”

She tossed her hand in the air as The Reaper took his approved seat to the right of her, “That’s got to be a record of some type, right?”

The Reaper laughed, “I’m sure.”

He had a clear view of one of the walls that surrounded the area; a sniper dozed lazily at the top of his appointed tower.

He next glanced casually to his sides.

No guards looking.

He looked down at the short distance between them on the bench, her hand, the hand he had fantasized about shattering, resided three inches away next to his, “You know, just being out here…it’s calming.”

The Reaper pressed his back against the bench and sighed, “The air…the mood…I don’t know, but it’s quite the means for relaxation.”

He did another quick look around with his eyes; still the guards paid no attention to him.

The fingers that lingered dangerously close to Eleanor’s tapped in a patterned movement, “It relaxes you?”

“Oh yes.” He turned his head toward her and smiled, “It’s very nice, very comforting.” The Reaper brought his right leg up and crossed it over his left.

He leaned his elbow against the arm of the bench and held his face soothingly, “Is it comforting to you?”

Eleanor pressed her knees together and looked down at the cemented walkway, “Very.”

He slid his hand an inch closer to hers without her knowing, “Personally I find it much more suitable for conversational means…rather than a confined room.”

“Does it make you feel like you can express yourself more?”

She shot her head up and looked at him eagerly, “Like you’d be able to talk more freely about subjects?”

The Reaper felt his blood begin to race as his golden eyes met with her blue ones, “Maybe.”

He kept his eyes on hers and moved his hand about half an inch closer to her oblivious one, “Although, if it were any other doctor…” he smiled, and tilted his head to the side, “…I wouldn’t be able to talk freely about anything. It wouldn’t feel right.”

“If your behavior remains steady like this…” She glanced back towards the ground and away from her patient, “…I’m sure we can come out here for the last part of your sessions…” her left foot rubbed against her right ankle, “…and then gradually, if you’re up to it, we can have our sessions out here. I wouldn’t mind bringing my clipboard with me to write.”

Her breathing seemed slower, “I wouldn’t mind at all.”

He smiled, and looked quickly at his surroundings, the chattering guards busily amused themselves with other doctors and patients, and this was his chance.

The perfect environment, the perfect time, the perfect mood…. “Ellie?”

She brought her attention back onto him, and her eyes were filled with concern, “Yes?”

The Reaper pushed his hand the remaining way and gently took hold of hers, “Please tell me why you’re shaking.”

He stroked her palm with his thumb in an appropriate way, “I’d like for you to tell me.”

The Reaper paid close attention to how he held her hand, making sure it was as fitting as could be, considering the situation in which he presented his distress.

“I think if you could tell me…I might be able to feel more at ease around you…more open.”

He let go of her hand and looked up at her with utmost worry in his eyes, “Will you tell me?”

Eleanor placed her hand onto her lap and then looked up at him.

She licked her lips hastily and then pinched the bridge of her nose, “I shouldn’t.”

“Please, Ellie?” He turned his body toward her, still watching for guards.

She looked down at her lap to see her hand trembling more than it had been previously.

Eleanor tried to tighten the muscles in the shaking leaf, but it came to a negative conclusion, as it only shook more.

Then, a noble hand reached out and grasped it once more. “I’m your friend. You can tell me.”

He pulled her hand away from her lap and then reached out with his other hand to firmly grasp it as well, “Don’t hide behind a weak fence. Strengthen it with friends, Ellie.”

The Reaper set her hand back down and casually placed his in his lap.

“Okay. Earlier today…I had a session with one of my other patients. Threats were made….”

She couldn’t take her eyes away from his, no matter how hard she tried, “It just got to me…I’ve never had one of my patients threaten me before. It woke me up; let me realize how dangerous this job actually is.”

The Reaper smiled, “Thank you Ellie. Thank you for trusting me. You don’t have to say another word.”

She took a deep breath as she stared at the ground in front of her, “Thank you. I feel relieved, in a way. I tried to tell Dr. Artemis, but I got frightened because my patient made other…promises…if Dr. Artemis found out.”

Eleanor stood up, and smoothed out her skirt, “Come on. It’s time to get you back to your room.”

The Reaper got up on his feet and stood in front of Eleanor.

Her arms were crossed on her chest, and her gaze was placid on his asylum socks.

He could see how much she was still trembling.

Those threats mean big business to her.

The Reaper walked back with her down the main pathway, “I know it’s hard, Ellie, but you should relax. I promise you…you will have nothing to worry about. Those threats? They're not going to come to fruition.” He looked kindly down at her.

“I’d like to think that, but then again, this is an insane asylum.”

Both were quiet for a moment as they passed the same group of inmates who had been conversing earlier, then The Reaper spoke up, “Just probably just trying to intimidate you, get your blood pumping, your mind working…don’t lose, Ellie.”

He smiled down at her as she looked up at him, “Fight back.”

“What do you mean?” She swiped her access card through the meter to reenter the asylum and the two of them began to walk down the hallway.

“Don’t lose.” They turned a corner and stood before an elevator.

Eleanor pressed the up button and waited patiently for the elevator to make its way to their floor, “That’s exactly what’s going on. Right now, just thinking about how uncomfortable you were. Trust me, I know. I’ve done the exact same thing to people.”

The elevator sounded and it opened for them to enter into.

They both took a step in where a guard stood waiting with a stun gun in hand, “Back of the elevator.”

He motioned for The Reaper to move towards the back, and he did so without hesitation.

Eleanor stood next to the guard, as she was instructed to do.

The elevator door closed, and Eleanor pressed the button corresponding to the floor they wanted to go to.

She made eye contact with The Reaper and smiled sweetly after a moment.

The Reaper smiled back and then looked at the guard who had been looking at him.

The Reaper gave him a slight head tilt and even brighter smile, “Well, hello, there, Chuck!”

The guard sniffled and shuffled his feet.

“How’s the wife?” The guard didn’t respond, he only popped his neck.

“Well, Chuck, I need you to slow down! I can’t make out words when you talk so fast!” The Reaper shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the ground.

Eleanor let a small laugh bleed out of her, and she simultaneously threw her hand up to her mouth to stop her rudeness.

The guard turned and looked at her with a puzzled glare, keeping it on her, pondering why on earth she was laughing at The Reaper’s remarks.

The Reaper had looked up when the energizing laughter from Eleanor had made a subtle entrance into his world.

His throat tightened again and he smiled enigmatically and amiably at Eleanor.

He noticed how the guard still looked at her with great confusion, and she looked at himself with her hand still covering her mouth in suppression.

He stuck his tongue out at the sentinel and rolled his eyes in a playful fashion.

Eleanor laughed again, and the guard turned quickly back to The Reaper, only to see him still looking at the elevator ground, lost in his own thoughts.

The elevator opened and the guard crooked his neck and motioned for Eleanor to step out first.

Once she was cleanly out, the guard now aimed his stun gun at The Reaper, “Out.”

The Reaper paid no attention to him as he walked passed the overgrown ape.

Honestly. Electricity? I’ve survived the chair, weakling.

After a while of more walking down the halls of the depressing Asylum walkways, they appeared in front of his room, “Sorry, Reaper….”

Eleanor swiped her access card and the large door opened with a hissing gloomy sound.

“Oh, I suppose I’ll manage.” He smiled, and took a step into his room, glancing around the plain walls that he so desired were filled with gruesome images of his doings.

He turned a full circle, making contact with her angel like eyes, and lowered his head, smiling, “Just remember to fight back, by not worrying about that cretin.”

Eleanor folded her arms in front of her, “I will.”

She looked at the floor and then back up at The Reaper, “Thank you for being such a great friend. I just want to tell everyone…that if they were just kind to you….”

Friend. Not patient, but friend.

The Reaper walked over to her, “I know, Ellie.”

He crossed his arms, “I’m sure that your other patient will get a generous dollop of karma for the threats.”

He tilted his head, “Do you believe in karma?”

She smiled warmly, “I believe in fate…destiny…maybe even coincidence. I’m not sure about karma.”

Eleanor closed the door to his room, “How about you? Do you believe in karma?”

“Well, I’m not Hindu, but I do think that the quality of someone’s life is determined by the person’s actions.” He answered, smiling.

Eleanor looked thoughtful, “Is that why you’re here?”

The Reaper shrugged, “Possibly. But, I do believe in karma. You can be sure that this other patient will get what’s coming tenfold.”

The universe always rights itself. But, sometimes, it needs help.

The Reaper’s smile was once again, to anyone except Eleanor Mystel, truly evil upon his next words.

“I certainly am.”

********************

A/N: Okay, I'm sorry for the late update. As a way to apologize, I'll add chapter ten after I get a review on this chapter. Please enjoy!