Anyway, it’s time to do some reapings.

  Ever heaved himself up, resting his elbows on his knees. “‘Some’?”

  Well yeah. Mother Nyx is busy ‘making preparations’ for Zoe’s Ascension, whatever the Underworld that means. But once she’s ready, I’m guessing you’re going to want to be there for it. So you should do a few more reapings while you have the spare time.

  Ever couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Ever since Zoe had been hospitalized, he’d felt his attention drifting away from his main - well, his only - job. How was it that he felt like he had more control over his life when he worked two jobs over the summer than now when he just had the one?

  I could take you to some new souls, Death continued, but I think it would be nice for you to reap some of the ones you couldn’t help earlier.

  Ever’s eyes lost focus as he cast his mind back. So much had happened over the last few months. He waded out of the anxious mire that he’d been bogged down in, letting himself revisit the memories of happier times.

  One particular memory sprung to mind, which filled his cup with warmth: being in the beach house with Nyx, Nika, Mimi and Zoe. He couldn’t help but grin as he remembered the ooziness of the marshmallows that half-melted in the fireplace, before sandwiching it between chocolate and Graham crackers and pulling it off. Where had they been just before–

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  “The whale!” Ever exclaimed.

  He had been so caught up with life that he’d completely forgotten about the large, lonely ghost swimming about the ship wreck. Had it been wondering this whole time where Ever was and whether he would be coming back?

  “I’ve got to visit it.” Ever said, springing up.

  Hold your horses…

  “What horses?” Ever frowned. “It’s a whale.”

  No… argh. Just. I’m telling you to not rush.

  Ever pursed his lips but forced himself to relax.

  Yes, the whale was one of the ghosts I was referring to. Yes, maybe if you were to go back, have a chat and a swim, it would be happy to come to the Underworld. I’d need to make sure there was a big enough lake in the Fields of Elysium, but yeah, problem for future me.

  Ever heard the chair creak back as Death sat on it, clacking one bony leg on top of the other.

  What is my problem is teaching you how to find opportunities to be efficient at reaping. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn, as it means you have to be thinking about the souls you are yet to reap and whether there are any chances for them to somehow help each other get to the Underworld.

  “You’re saying that you think that there is another soul I haven’t reaped who might become a friend to the whale?”

  Oh yeah, the robed skeleton said, lacing his fingers behind his head. There is one who would absolutely love a whale as a friend.