The Reapers Eternal Bride

EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO

The shrieking sound of tires skidding across the pavement jolted the girl awake, her earphones falling to the car floor as she sat up.

"Aria, are you okay?" Her mother's voice was tinged with concern, as she turned in her seat to check on her daughter.

"I'm fine, Mom," Aria replied, still slightly disoriented from the impact.

Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires filled the air, followed by the violent sound of metal colliding with metal. Aria's mother screamed, and the car began to spin, flipping over multiple times. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The world turned upside down, and then all went black.

When Aria opened her eyes, she found herself lying on the side of the road, blood trickling down her forehead. Her ears were ringing, and she felt numb all over. The car was a mangled wreck, and she could see her mother and father lying motionless in the front seats. 

Her eyes widened as she took in the hooded figure before her, who seemed to have been formed of the shadows that now blanketed the wreckage of the car. Her heart beat rapidly as she asked in a trembling voice, "Who are you?"

The figure smiled, revealing a set of perfectly straight, white teeth. "I am a grim reaper," he said, his tone formal and even. "I have come to take your parents to the afterlife."

Aria's eyes welled up with tears as she took in the grim reaper's words. "They're... they're... dead?" she managed to ask.

"I'm afraid so," the grim reaper replied, his voice softening slightly. "I am sorry for your loss."

"But I can't... they can't be... We can't be left alone..." Aria cried, her tears spilling down her cheeks.

The grim reaper's face remained impassive, but there was a hint of compassion in his voice as he spoke again. "It is not your time yet. There is still much that you must do before you can join them in the afterlife."

She shook her head, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief. "No... no...," 

The hooded figure extended his hand toward the girl, and a single finger touched the side of her head. "It's not your time yet," he said softly. "You shall forget this encounter, and resume your life as it was before."

As the words left his lips, the girl's eyes grew heavy and she felt herself falling into a deep slumber.

In the darkness, she could feel her body relaxing, her thoughts drifting away from the scene before her. All she could remember was a sense of peace and calm as if she was floating in a sea of nothingness.

PRESENT DAY

The TV in the living room was blaring, the sound piercing the silence. With a toothbrush in her mouth and her dark long hair a tousled mess, Aria rushed out of her room to find the source of the noise. As she stood in front of the TV, a journalist's voice came through the speakers.

"The Helping Hands Foundation, founded by Chairman Gabriel, has now been established and has extended its hands to fund the scholarships of 20 students at X High School Academy", the anchor said. But just as Aria was about to hear the rest of the report, a male voice cut in,

"You're up early, sis,"

She glanced up from the TV to see her younger brother standing in the doorway, holding a tray of food. The delicious smell wafted towards her, making her stomach growl.

"Huh, yes, I am awake, Ian," she said. "That smells delicious."

"Go get ready for work already," Ian said, gently pushing her head away from the tray. "I don't know why you're up so early. You usually sleep in until the last minute."

Aria's brow furrowed as she turned to face Ian. "Don't you remember what today is?" she asked, a frown crossing her face.

"Huh?" Ian shrugged, shaking his head. "Isn't it just my regular boring school day?" He turned his attention back to the TV.

Aria sighed in disappointment. She couldn't believe her younger brother didn't remember the significance of the day. Ian was not only her younger brother, but also her only family besides their grandmother. He was a senior in high school and could be annoyingly oblivious at times.

"Don't worry," Aria said to him with a slight frown. She had been hoping that they both had been kept awake the night before by anxiety over today's big announcement. Her news company was set to announce the recipients of a promotion, and she was on the wait-list. 

Ian continued staring at the TV, where they were now discussing his school. "Are you going to wash up first or are we eating now?" he asked, finally turning his attention to her.