Azrail watched with violet eyes that expressed no emotion at the sight of what appeared to be an elderly couple weeping over the child he had just taken.

Even as they cried out things like "why did it have to be her" and "she was too young to die", the Reaper made sure not to react, even if he was unable to be seen by them. Why? Was he that heartless? Was he so twisted that it didn't phase him seeing a young child lay their lifeless while mortals mourned?

No.

He didn't react out of respect for her soul.

It was something humans never seemed to grasp until much later when the soul had already traveled to the afterworld.

By acting so sad, so scared, so enraged, you made the already difficult parting so much more unbearable for the spirit who already was making a big transition. Because after all... just as you cared enough to mourn? They cared enough to not want to leave your side. Or at least... cared enough to not want you to be upset over their passing.

Especially with a girl so little who had already been very hesitant to leave.

"It won't hurt w-will it?"

Her voice was scratchy, and the creature in front of her couldn't tell if it was because of tears that were evident by the puffy, pink, worn skin under her tired eyes, or if it was from the life draining from her that left her voice weak.

She only had moments left in that body, even with her eyes still so big and worried at seeing the visitor she had only heard about by her family.

"No it won't, young child. You'll simply feel a bit drowsy, maybe a little panicked for a second as your soul leaves your vessel. However that's all. There will be no pain or discomfort in your transition."

The little girl still seemed quite nervous, but it looked like what he said to her eased some of her concerns.

What's it like?"

Yet another question he was familiar with, even without the specifics others might want at such a bland way of putting it.

It took a moment for Azrail to collect his thoughts as he tried to think of the best way to put into words the place she'd be going to lay her soul to rest.

"It's an endless, bountiful, peaceful land that will have a place made just for you. A place.. that will contain everything you've ever wanted or desired."

She stared intently as him, listening to every word as if it were a lifeline rather than a promise of her death. Although her reaction was quite refreshing overall. No tears, no pleading, just curiousity and a shyness that wasnt uncommon in children. However there was something else too in her demeanor. So meek, so frail, on the creaking bed.

There was a nervousness. A nervousness to ask something. Yes, that was it. She wanted to ask something but she wasnt sure how to say it. Or perhaps, if she should say it aloud.

He waited for her to speak with patience, even though she only had a few, fleeting, moments remaining before he'd need to lay her to rest.

"I...Is my mommy there?"

She sounded so hopeful, so desperate, so nervous, as she awaited his reply.

Ah, yes. Another question he had been asked many times. Whether about a spouse, a sibling, a child, or in this case, a parent, that wasn't a foreign question or one he'd have difficulty answering.

This soul was little, bright, pure, Peggy Robinson, which meant her mother was a soul he had gathered last year for the very same illness, Alison Robinson.

He gave a poised, gentle, at ease smile to help to sooth her worries before nodding.

"Yes Peggy, she is. I'm sure she'll be very happy to see you again, don't you agree?"

The girl gave a sheepish smile before taking a deep breath with the help of the oxygen she was hooked up to.

"O-Okay. I-I think I'm ready then."

Azrail smiled at her again to show her everything was alright and that she was making a good decision to go peacefully. Before he then got on his knees beside her as a sign of respect for the soon to be dead.

She was so pale, shivering as he grew closer in proximity to her and caused more and more life to leak away. Her soul needed to be taken now, or her journey would be a much more unrestful, tragic, one; ending with nothing left of the poor girl.

Gently placing his hand on her forehead, she stopped breathing, still alive, but no longer able to move.

Her body was fighting to keep the soul.

"Shhh... rest. Rest now. It's alright, I'll take care of your soul little one.. Just rest and I'll make sure to guide you well into the afterlife."

The struggle stopped soon after that moment. As he gently coaxed her soul out of her flesh.

It took a moment after the stressful start for him to fully soothe the girl, but her soul was safely out all within a second of human time as the flatline signified it.

Her body was cold now, as cold as him. However now, her soul could rest as long as he guided her well to the realm that humans partake in after.

"G-Grammy.. P-Papa.."

Her voice was a whispy, breathy sound now as it came from her soul rather than the vocal chords of her body. Ah yes, that was right. Those two had taken in the child after their daughter had been lost.

It was quite sad thinking about it from the perspective of a human. Their lives so short... being able to be taken long before those of their elders.

A familiar hot sting of guilt filled him as he knew his presence was what caused such agony, however Azrail refused to let it consume him. He had a priority right now. This little soul was already in distress from seeing her grandmother and grandfather mourn over her, he wouldn't add to that by delaying the reward she would receive for being so brave and cooperative in her last moments. He'd take her to the place already made just for her.

A place her mother- and the father she had never known- already awaited.

Yes, he'd take her there now. All it would take was a few more moments of patience as he guided her back to the woods he had arrived from.

"Are you ready to go, little one?"

The soul looked back at her family with hazel eyes and a fake appearance created by her own conscious that mirrored that of her living form. There was sadness in her eyes and her tightly pressed together lips, but also knowledge that she couldn't see them again, at least not right now.

"Can you... Can you tell me when I'll see them again?"

"I'm afraid not, child. That isn't to be said until they pass."

"Oh.."

She looked even sadder at that, the bright glow of her spirit dimming ever so slightly, not even enough for other gods to detect. However he had always been able to sense those sorts of things when others weren't able. Well, at least in this life he could remember.

"I can however say that it won't feel like long. Your mortal concept of time won't matter once you pass on. In that world, everything is still. Now, it's about time you get to see it for yourself, don't you think?"

He spoke gently, in a kind manor many parents used with children.

And as he carefully guided this small child toward the afterlife designed specifically for her, he supposed he often felt like one in these moments. A doting parent who was introducing a child to a new thing they had never experienced. Like how humans felt at seeing a tot experience the ocean for the first time, or a brand new toy they had wanted!

He felt like that every time he saw the reaction to the soul he was nudging to the afterlife actually get to see it for the first time.

It didn't matter how young or old they were, there was a sense of pride and happiness when he saw their eyes sparkle before they met with one's they had thought previously lost.

And... just like any parent would, he also felt a sense of deep, deep, pain, when he wasn't fast enough to save the soul and they faded from both this world, and the next...

Sorry it kind of jumped all over the place. I was writing intermittently so it was a little difficult trying to stay on track. Either way, I still hope it was an enjoyable read! ❤😣👉👈