A Candle in the Wind

I struggle to swallow as I recall the incident.

Deep down, I think he already knew.

Just as I did.

In his Reaper’s Intuition, he knew she was gone.

Still, hearing the words out loud, witnessing his worst fear manifest itself, was more than he could bear.

More than anyone could bear.

He’d shut down—completely and absolutely.

He didn’t speak, didn’t move, didn’t do anything.

Couldn’t.

It was not the reaction I was expecting.

And it freaked me out a lot more than I want to admit.

He refused to leave the Holding Chamber, insisting he couldn’t go anywhere else. He was in too much shock.

Soorah was the love of his life. Of his entire existence. He couldn’t reap her soul.

He wouldn’t.