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Description
Scarlet Dolan was dead. She has died suddenly, and still wasn’t at all sure what was going on. She had been driving, and now she definitely wasn’t. All she saw… well now that she thought about it, she didn’t see anything.

Realization dawned; where had the bright light been? She tried to remember, but all her memories seemed faded and crumbling. She tried to remember anything, her birthday or her parents’ names. Anything that could help her remember.

She squinted, trying to figure out what was around her. She thought she could see something – something no more than feet from her. The darkness encroached, almost physically pressing against her. She tried to use her voice, but it felt like the darkness was inside her, making her mute. She tried to move, tried to be, but nothing was happening. All there was was her. Her and nothingness.

She couldn’t believe this. This was not supposed to happen. Where had this gone wrong?

This lasted for a long time, or what she thought was long. Minutes? Days? Millennium? Scarlet didn’t know. She could feel the nothingness now – it really was like an object itself, the absence of feeling. It was like this blanket, which wrapped itself around her and let her feel nothingness in its entirety.

When something did come, it was like an electric shock. She wasn’t ready of course, and the sound was like fireworks in her brain all set off at once. She quickly adapted, and the sound was merely breathing; not her own breathing, she couldn’t even feel that. It was soft and slow, much unlike what her‘s would be like, could she hear.

She looked into the nothingness – not even black, just pure nothing – and thought she could see movement. She concentrated and saw what seemed to be a figure, coming closer and closer to her.

She felt fear. Scarlet couldn’t explain why, but she could feel it in her gut – and her gut was never wrong. She couldn’t move, no matter what she tried to do. She just watched – a pair of eyes and ears as the figure came closer.

“You figure it out yet?” It asked, almost within reaching distance of Scarlet, had she been able to use a hand.

Scarlet had no clue what the man – it was definitely a man’s voice, soft and seemed to be caring – wanted, and tried to tell him, opening her mouth – or what she was pretty sure she was doing – and trying to speak.

“You can’t talk, and you shouldn’t. Yet. Have you figured out where you are?” The voice asked her. It sounded like it was smiling, and its tone was like music to Scarlet. She wondered if she was in one of the FBI rooms, that they do the sensory deprivation.

“No!” The voice shouted, and Scarlet tried to get away from it. However lovely it sounded, she didn’t want to mess with a man involved with whatever it was she had tangled herself into, “No!” He shouted again, “You think the FBI could do this? Really? Is that all your pathetic mind can come up with? Haven’t you wondered why you’re here, why this is happening to you, when all you ever did was take a drive in the country?” The voice sounded less angry, and more pitying, “It’s not like we didn’t give you hints! You’ve caused a lot of trouble, you know.” The man walked even closer, right up to Scarlet. She could feel his breath, almost feel the words coming, “Luckily for you, we like trouble.” He said, much more softly then before, “And you can help us make some more.”

Scarlet tried to shake her head, tried to somehow tell him she was the wrong girl for the job. The man sighed, and Scarlet could almost hear him roll his eyes, “You won’t stop until you speak, will you?” He asked rhetorically. He sighed again, “Fine, but don’t try and run your mouth too hard.” He conceded.

Scarlet tried to understand what the man was telling her, but before she could she felt air rush into her lungs, and she gasped hard. She had somehow not noticed the burn in her chest until the air came rushing in. Her breath came in rasps, and she was sure she wouldn’t be able to talk now, even with the air.

Scarlet could see better now. She looked up and could almost make out the man from the darkness. She could tell he was a skinny guy, and very tall. He had hair that was stuck up a bit, and looked gelled there. She could start to feel herself again, and although it hurt – more then she could even understand – she felt herself smile. She was here, she was still a person. She was still-

“Alive?” The man asked from above her – Scarlet must have fallen down, though she didn’t remember, “You still don’t understand? You’re dead, sweet pea.” He told her, smiling, “And you ain’t exactly in the good place neither.”

Scarlet sat up fully, the pins and needles fading as fast as they had come. She rubbed her legs and looked up at the man, “What’s your name?” She asked him, her voice a lot less strangled then she would have thought.

“That’s not really important right now; you can just call me Loki. I’m not the one you should worry about. I’m just here to help you… understand your current situation.” He told her, walking closer. He sat down next to Scarlet, and she noticed he was incredibly attractive. He had ash blond hair, but his eyes were as black as coal. He had a type of face Scarlet didn’t see often; soft and full, like people she’d seen in artwork from way back, stuff in museums.

Loki laughed, “I’m not your type, Scarlet, trust me. Now, I have to tell you some stuff, and you won’t like it.” He looked at Scarlet guardedly, “Don’t smack me or nothing though, okay?” He asked.

Scarlet nodded, “Well, I’m dead right? What’s the worst that could happen?” She asked sarcastically.

Loki bit his lip then shook his head, “See, that’s the rub. You’re dead. You are no longer living. There is no helping you; you are beyond any way of going back. You’re heart has ceased beating; your brain has completely stopped all functions. You understand that?” He asked.

Scarlet nodded slowly, “I don’t see how that helps-”

Loki shook his head, interrupting her, “Well, as you can see, you’re neither in paradise, nor are you screaming in the pits of fiery hell. So, the logical question to ask is…?” He offered, looking at Scarlet hopefully.

“Where am I?” Scarlet asked him. She could see him well now, but there was no place that the light was coming from. Maybe it was coming from him, she wouldn’t doubt it now.

“Thank you!” Loki exclaimed, grinning now, “You are currently nowhere.” He explained. He looked down at her – he was still taller than her while sitting – and Scarlet could see the tricky nature of him from his eyes.

“You are a very pesky person.” Scarlet told him. She had no need for someone like him around her at the moment, “I don’t think I should trust you.”

Loki gave her a sad sort of smile, “Well no, I suppose you shouldn’t.” He agreed, “But, then again, I’m your ticket out of here. Without me, you’ll be here for all eternity, not feeling. You want that?” He asked her.

Scarlet shook her head. Loki smiled, “Alright then. You’ve been in a sort of… trade. See, there’s been a little mix up in the system.”

Scarlet looked at him skeptically, “A mix up in the afterworld?” She asked him.

Loki shrugged, “We’re not perfect. Anyways, we have a job for you, and you need to take it, or else you’ll suffer a horrible fate worse than any mortal can possibly imagine.” He explained, “Oh, do you want some gum?” He added, offering Scarlet from the small container he’d had in his pocket of his jeans, “Clean, I swear.” He added.

Although she was a bit hungry, Scarlet shook her head, “What do you want from me?” She asked him point blank.

Loki looked at her for a long second, then sighed and put away his gum, “Well see, you didn’t really make it to Heaven, “He started, looking at Scarlet sympathetically, “And you’re a prime candidate for an opening we’ve just had. We could really use you, and if you choose not help us… well like I said, you want to help us.” He explained.

Scarlet looked at Loki, and didn’t say a word. She thought about what he was asking her; really, he wasn’t asking at all. She would either do what they told hier to do, or go to Hell. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, “What do you want me to do?” She asked him, looking up now.

“Not me, the higher ups.” Loki corrected, “But their’s a new job opening – pretty posh for fresh meat if you ask me – and it needs filling right away. From the newly dead, you’re the best qualified. Congratulations!” He told her, smiling a bit too widely.

“What am I going to be doing?” Scarlet asked again, getting fed up with Loki’s way of getting around answers.

Loki sighed, “You’re called Checks. See there’s one from here, and one from Heaven. Your official job is to keep everything even; not too much power here, or there. You go back to earth for a week, then come back here for a week, give us the reports, all that good stuff. Corner office, dental plan, the whole nine yards.” He looked at Scarlet for a long moment, then continued, “Then there’s anther part to it. See, we don’t like being less powerful. So, while you’re on topside, you’re going to be… helping us along, number wise.”

“You mean I’m going to go and damn people?” Scarlet asked, not believing what she heard.

Loki rolled his eyes, “Crude, but for the most part yes. Tempt them, is the better way of putting it. See if they’re really Heaven material, or just haven’t had the chance to show their… less then holy side.” He grinned at the thought, “You should like it, a lot different then what us paper pushers have to do. Please don’t make this difficult either.” He added, “Because really, I need this as much as you do. If I don’t get you to do the job – and do it well – I’m dead meat.” He confided to her, “They’ll take away everything, and I’ll probably end up like most of the mortals do here.” A shiver ran through Loki as he thought of it.

Scarlet felt pity towards Loki, though she knew he was probably trying to trick her. What choice did she have? She wasn’t sure what to think; if she hadn’t been picked, she would have been in Hell. This was a way to live again… but only every second week. She could see her family again, her friends.

Loki sat up like he’d recived a static shock, “Oh no! you can’t find your family! No one can know you’re back.” He told her, “You’ll slip up, there’s paperwork to do… it’s just better not to have you see them.” He explained.

Scarlet nodded slowly, “So, how are you making sure I don’t see them?” She asked.

Loki laughed, relaxing a bit, “We’re not going to do anything. There’s plenty of people who would beg us for the job. They’d kill for it… literally.” He only murmured the last part, and Scarlet stared at him, “Well, anyways, we picked you because you’re the opposite; you don’t want it. Higher ups say you’ll do better then the others, some type of backwards logic or something. I dunno, whatever the case is, are you going to do it?” Loki asked. He got onto his knees and looked down at Scarlet, pleadingly. She had to admit, it was hard to look at him and not want to help him. His eyes were black, making the irises bigger, and his puppy-dog-look even more pitying.

Scarlet let out her breath, and stood up carefully, “Fine.” She told him, “I’ll be a Checker or however you call it.” She agreed. Her legs felt like jelly, and she wasn’t sure if she could stay up. Once she thought this though, her legs felt better, and she felt like she could run a marathon.

Loki got up too, and smiled, “You feel it?” He asked her, “The power? That rush of being?” He asked. He dusted himself off and put his hands in his pockets. Scarlet finally noticed his clothes, and was surprised how… normal they were. Simple jeans, belt, and a – somewhat ripped – undershirt. She had imagined something stuffy, or something… well, olden. She nodded though to his comment, it was like she had finally woken up.

Loki looked around and smiled, “Well, we’d better get you topside then. I’ll show you around, but only for today. Then you’re alone.” He told her. He walked forward into the darkness. Scarlet didn’t move, she was too scared.

Loki looked back and rolled his eyes, “You’re one of us now, we ain’t gonna harm ya.” He told her. He walked back and took her hand – though not at all like Scarlet was used to. It wasn’t rough or gentle, just simply grabbing her hand to grab it, “Okay, watch.” He told her, and backed Scarlet up a bit to give himself more room. He cracked his neck slowly, then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He stretched his spine, and Scarlet watched as a ripple came through him, almost like he was being possessed. She gasped as he hunched, and from his back came a burst of black. Scarlet shielded her eyes, and heard Loki grunt and something… something that sounded like feathers.

“You can look.” She heard Loki say, a smile in his slightly out of breath voice. Scarlet looked up and saw him, standing there.

With huge, ink black wings sticking out of his upper back like some sort of demented angel.

Description
Scarlet Dolan was dead. She has died suddenly, and still wasn’t at all sure what was going on. She had been driving, and now she definitely wasn’t. All she saw… well now that she thought about it, she didn’t see anything.

Realization dawned; where had the bright light been? She tried to remember, but all her memories seemed faded and crumbling. She tried to remember anything, her birthday or her parents’ names. Anything that could help her remember.

She squinted, trying to figure out what was around her. She thought she could see something – something no more than feet from her. The darkness encroached, almost physically pressing against her. She tried to use her voice, but it felt like the darkness was inside her, making her mute. She tried to move, tried to be, but nothing was happening. All there was was her. Her and nothingness.

She couldn’t believe this. This was not supposed to happen. Where had this gone wrong?

This lasted for a long time, or what she thought was long. Minutes? Days? Millennium? Scarlet didn’t know. She could feel the nothingness now – it really was like an object itself, the absence of feeling. It was like this blanket, which wrapped itself around her and let her feel nothingness in its entirety.

When something did come, it was like an electric shock. She wasn’t ready of course, and the sound was like fireworks in her brain all set off at once. She quickly adapted, and the sound was merely breathing; not her own breathing, she couldn’t even feel that. It was soft and slow, much unlike what her‘s would be like, could she hear.

She looked into the nothingness – not even black, just pure nothing – and thought she could see movement. She concentrated and saw what seemed to be a figure, coming closer and closer to her.

She felt fear. Scarlet couldn’t explain why, but she could feel it in her gut – and her gut was never wrong. She couldn’t move, no matter what she tried to do. She just watched – a pair of eyes and ears as the figure came closer.

“You figure it out yet?” It asked, almost within reaching distance of Scarlet, had she been able to use a hand.

Scarlet had no clue what the man – it was definitely a man’s voice, soft and seemed to be caring – wanted, and tried to tell him, opening her mouth – or what she was pretty sure she was doing – and trying to speak.

“You can’t talk, and you shouldn’t. Yet. Have you figured out where you are?” The voice asked her. It sounded like it was smiling, and its tone was like music to Scarlet. She wondered if she was in one of the FBI rooms, that they do the sensory deprivation.

“No!” The voice shouted, and Scarlet tried to get away from it. However lovely it sounded, she didn’t want to mess with a man involved with whatever it was she had tangled herself into, “No!” He shouted again, “You think the FBI could do this? Really? Is that all your pathetic mind can come up with? Haven’t you wondered why you’re here, why this is happening to you, when all you ever did was take a drive in the country?” The voice sounded less angry, and more pitying, “It’s not like we didn’t give you hints! You’ve caused a lot of trouble, you know.” The man walked even closer, right up to Scarlet. She could feel his breath, almost feel the words coming, “Luckily for you, we like trouble.” He said, much more softly then before, “And you can help us make some more.”

Scarlet tried to shake her head, tried to somehow tell him she was the wrong girl for the job. The man sighed, and Scarlet could almost hear him roll his eyes, “You won’t stop until you speak, will you?” He asked rhetorically. He sighed again, “Fine, but don’t try and run your mouth too hard.” He conceded.

Scarlet tried to understand what the man was telling her, but before she could she felt air rush into her lungs, and she gasped hard. She had somehow not noticed the burn in her chest until the air came rushing in. Her breath came in rasps, and she was sure she wouldn’t be able to talk now, even with the air.

Scarlet could see better now. She looked up and could almost make out the man from the darkness. She could tell he was a skinny guy, and very tall. He had hair that was stuck up a bit, and looked gelled there. She could start to feel herself again, and although it hurt – more then she could even understand – she felt herself smile. She was here, she was still a person. She was still-

“Alive?” The man asked from above her – Scarlet must have fallen down, though she didn’t remember, “You still don’t understand? You’re dead, sweet pea.” He told her, smiling, “And you ain’t exactly in the good place neither.”

Scarlet sat up fully, the pins and needles fading as fast as they had come. She rubbed her legs and looked up at the man, “What’s your name?” She asked him, her voice a lot less strangled then she would have thought.

“That’s not really important right now; you can just call me Loki. I’m not the one you should worry about. I’m just here to help you… understand your current situation.” He told her, walking closer. He sat down next to Scarlet, and she noticed he was incredibly attractive. He had ash blond hair, but his eyes were as black as coal. He had a type of face Scarlet didn’t see often; soft and full, like people she’d seen in artwork from way back, stuff in museums.

Loki laughed, “I’m not your type, Scarlet, trust me. Now, I have to tell you some stuff, and you won’t like it.” He looked at Scarlet guardedly, “Don’t smack me or nothing though, okay?” He asked.

Scarlet nodded, “Well, I’m dead right? What’s the worst that could happen?” She asked sarcastically.

Loki bit his lip then shook his head, “See, that’s the rub. You’re dead. You are no longer living. There is no helping you; you are beyond any way of going back. You’re heart has ceased beating; your brain has completely stopped all functions. You understand that?” He asked.

Scarlet nodded slowly, “I don’t see how that helps-”

Loki shook his head, interrupting her, “Well, as you can see, you’re neither in paradise, nor are you screaming in the pits of fiery hell. So, the logical question to ask is…?” He offered, looking at Scarlet hopefully.

“Where am I?” Scarlet asked him. She could see him well now, but there was no place that the light was coming from. Maybe it was coming from him, she wouldn’t doubt it now.

“Thank you!” Loki exclaimed, grinning now, “You are currently nowhere.” He explained. He looked down at her – he was still taller than her while sitting – and Scarlet could see the tricky nature of him from his eyes.

“You are a very pesky person.” Scarlet told him. She had no need for someone like him around her at the moment, “I don’t think I should trust you.”

Loki gave her a sad sort of smile, “Well no, I suppose you shouldn’t.” He agreed, “But, then again, I’m your ticket out of here. Without me, you’ll be here for all eternity, not feeling. You want that?” He asked her.

Scarlet shook her head. Loki smiled, “Alright then. You’ve been in a sort of… trade. See, there’s been a little mix up in the system.”

Scarlet looked at him skeptically, “A mix up in the afterworld?” She asked him.

Loki shrugged, “We’re not perfect. Anyways, we have a job for you, and you need to take it, or else you’ll suffer a horrible fate worse than any mortal can possibly imagine.” He explained, “Oh, do you want some gum?” He added, offering Scarlet from the small container he’d had in his pocket of his jeans, “Clean, I swear.” He added.

Although she was a bit hungry, Scarlet shook her head, “What do you want from me?” She asked him point blank.

Loki looked at her for a long second, then sighed and put away his gum, “Well see, you didn’t really make it to Heaven, “He started, looking at Scarlet sympathetically, “And you’re a prime candidate for an opening we’ve just had. We could really use you, and if you choose not help us… well like I said, you want to help us.” He explained.

Scarlet looked at Loki, and didn’t say a word. She thought about what he was asking her; really, he wasn’t asking at all. She would either do what they told hier to do, or go to Hell. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, “What do you want me to do?” She asked him, looking up now.

“Not me, the higher ups.” Loki corrected, “But their’s a new job opening – pretty posh for fresh meat if you ask me – and it needs filling right away. From the newly dead, you’re the best qualified. Congratulations!” He told her, smiling a bit too widely.

“What am I going to be doing?” Scarlet asked again, getting fed up with Loki’s way of getting around answers.

Loki sighed, “You’re called Checks. See there’s one from here, and one from Heaven. Your official job is to keep everything even; not too much power here, or there. You go back to earth for a week, then come back here for a week, give us the reports, all that good stuff. Corner office, dental plan, the whole nine yards.” He looked at Scarlet for a long moment, then continued, “Then there’s anther part to it. See, we don’t like being less powerful. So, while you’re on topside, you’re going to be… helping us along, number wise.”

“You mean I’m going to go and damn people?” Scarlet asked, not believing what she heard.

Loki rolled his eyes, “Crude, but for the most part yes. Tempt them, is the better way of putting it. See if they’re really Heaven material, or just haven’t had the chance to show their… less then holy side.” He grinned at the thought, “You should like it, a lot different then what us paper pushers have to do. Please don’t make this difficult either.” He added, “Because really, I need this as much as you do. If I don’t get you to do the job – and do it well – I’m dead meat.” He confided to her, “They’ll take away everything, and I’ll probably end up like most of the mortals do here.” A shiver ran through Loki as he thought of it.

Scarlet felt pity towards Loki, though she knew he was probably trying to trick her. What choice did she have? She wasn’t sure what to think; if she hadn’t been picked, she would have been in Hell. This was a way to live again… but only every second week. She could see her family again, her friends.

Loki sat up like he’d recived a static shock, “Oh no! you can’t find your family! No one can know you’re back.” He told her, “You’ll slip up, there’s paperwork to do… it’s just better not to have you see them.” He explained.

Scarlet nodded slowly, “So, how are you making sure I don’t see them?” She asked.

Loki laughed, relaxing a bit, “We’re not going to do anything. There’s plenty of people who would beg us for the job. They’d kill for it… literally.” He only murmured the last part, and Scarlet stared at him, “Well, anyways, we picked you because you’re the opposite; you don’t want it. Higher ups say you’ll do better then the others, some type of backwards logic or something. I dunno, whatever the case is, are you going to do it?” Loki asked. He got onto his knees and looked down at Scarlet, pleadingly. She had to admit, it was hard to look at him and not want to help him. His eyes were black, making the irises bigger, and his puppy-dog-look even more pitying.

Scarlet let out her breath, and stood up carefully, “Fine.” She told him, “I’ll be a Checker or however you call it.” She agreed. Her legs felt like jelly, and she wasn’t sure if she could stay up. Once she thought this though, her legs felt better, and she felt like she could run a marathon.

Loki got up too, and smiled, “You feel it?” He asked her, “The power? That rush of being?” He asked. He dusted himself off and put his hands in his pockets. Scarlet finally noticed his clothes, and was surprised how… normal they were. Simple jeans, belt, and a – somewhat ripped – undershirt. She had imagined something stuffy, or something… well, olden. She nodded though to his comment, it was like she had finally woken up.

Loki looked around and smiled, “Well, we’d better get you topside then. I’ll show you around, but only for today. Then you’re alone.” He told her. He walked forward into the darkness. Scarlet didn’t move, she was too scared.

Loki looked back and rolled his eyes, “You’re one of us now, we ain’t gonna harm ya.” He told her. He walked back and took her hand – though not at all like Scarlet was used to. It wasn’t rough or gentle, just simply grabbing her hand to grab it, “Okay, watch.” He told her, and backed Scarlet up a bit to give himself more room. He cracked his neck slowly, then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He stretched his spine, and Scarlet watched as a ripple came through him, almost like he was being possessed. She gasped as he hunched, and from his back came a burst of black. Scarlet shielded her eyes, and heard Loki grunt and something… something that sounded like feathers.

“You can look.” She heard Loki say, a smile in his slightly out of breath voice. Scarlet looked up and saw him, standing there.

With huge, ink black wings sticking out of his upper back like some sort of demented angel.