Hale’s cloak dragged along the ground, gathering leaves as he sauntered past the headstones at Wallow Cemetery. It had been a minute since he’d last been in the location that brought him his first job. He was older now, with more wrinkles around his eyes, but no one would notice as they couldn’t physically see him. At least, that’s what he thought until he met six-year-old Lily.

He felt a small tug on his cloak, “Mister, can you help me find my fox?” The little girl’s lip began to tremble and tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Your fox?” He replied. His brow raised. He had heard of children having dogs and cats as pets, but he had never heard of a child with a pet fox. He picked up his cloak and brushed the leaves away. She didn’t deny her request.

“She’s this big, orange and white…” Lily began recounting as many details as she could using her fingers. She even held up her hand to show him the height of the animal.

“Small child, dry your tears… usually I don’t take such requests on my day off, but I cannot say no to you.” He bent down to hold out one long finger for her to grab onto.

“Yay! Foxie will be so happy you rescued him.”She clutched his finger happily as they continued along the trail backtracking to the entrance.

“Foxie? Is he a real fox—?” Hale, the Grim Reaper replied.

“Your fingers are really bony.” She interrupted him. “Are they always this dark?” she asked.

He thought about it for a moment. He never had anyone ask him any questions as he usually just delivered souls to the afterlife.

After what seemed like a long moment he replied, “I suppose so. After all, I am the Grim Reaper.”

“What is a Grim Reaper? My name is Lily. Lily the Leapfrog.” She crouched like a frog about to bounce.

He chuckled. He tried to find a way to explain his job. “I bring people towards the clouds when they go into a deep sleep.” He smiled to himself, happy with how he worded it. As he was thinking he felt his hand drop.

“Nice to meet you, Lily. Ah, where did you go?” He turned around to see her crouching by a bush.

“Playing leapfrog again? Let’s keep looking for foxie.”

He looked up above the bush. Perched on top of the gravestone was to his surprise- not a real fox like he thought, but rather a plushie; foxie. He grabbed it to give to her.

“Lily. Lily?” He called her name to get her attention, but she didn’t respond.

She was fast asleep. He picked her up and placed foxie in her hands. The warmth of his new friend and foxie filled his cold black heart. If this what a parent’s love was like he would have easily given up being the Grim Reaper for her.