'You can do it...' Himari thought, staring up into the darkness.
Her eyes locked onto the small window that let in light. But it wasn't the warm sun that filtered through the grimy glass.
After being saved from that the crimson bandits; Himari was taken to an orphanage. Where many other displaced children were gathered. With parents often dying within the gates. They came back into vogue. A place to help kids grow and develop in place of their parents.
This institution however, was far from caring, and certainly wasn't someplace one wanted to be. It had warm beds, but no warmth to its halls. Three meals a day, but the food was bland. A safe place, yet filled with monsters of another kind.
A small room shared with other girls, many of whom had been displaced by the gates. Most that shared a similar story to her. No parents to love them. Given up, out of sight out of mind.
What was worst of all. Sometimes the head of the institution. An old man, with a fat belly and big moustache would take them in the night. Boys and girls would come back with little energy, their eyes hollow and their bodies tired.
However, this time. Her close friends Misa was taken tonight. She could do the only thing she knew how to do. Ask for help.
"You can do it." She steeled herself.
Hoping from her bed, heading to a dark corner of the room. Himari walked through the cold nights air, shadows long and dark. Her small feet making no noise, and her body only seen by the pale moonlight.
She didn't know what to say. Or if even he would come. To her, she was saved by a monster that lived in all shadows, waiting for a time to appear.
"Excuse me... Mister Reaper?" Her voice quite as to not wake up the others.
"Are you there?" She called again, and again, no response.
Perhaps the Reaper wasn't real? He was just some imaginary friend. Was it just a figure that she created in her own mind?
"My friend Misa... needs help." Her voice cracked. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Please come..." She spoke once more, her words growing soft and weak. Her hope dying like a flickering light. Then a hand reached out from the shadows. Hard hands on her soft head. Azure eyes stared down, piercing and as bright as the stars.
"Yes."
*Hug*
"You're real..." Tears of happiness welled, her small hands grabbing onto the hard leather armour of the reaper.
"Of course." A soft voice, one that Himari found comfort in.
"Misa. My friend needs help... please. She was taken away. Please, please, she needs you."
The reaper patted her head, and spoke.
"It's okay. We will go together to help your friend."
"Really?"
"Really."
Down seemingly endless wooden halls. The two were walking in a dark hallway. Despite the cold floor on bare feet, Himari felt nothing. It was strange. Like she was the warmest she had been in years. A warm, comfortable feeling, like being close to her family once more.
"Mr. Reaper... Where are you from?"
"Far away."
"What do you mean?" Himari asked, the curiosity of a child pushing for answers.
"From a place far, far away." The Reaper answered. His answer was cryptic and vague. But, to Himari it made sense. For a monster of shadows, they would have to come from a deep, deep place.
"This is Mr. Takeda's room." She stopped at a large door. It was engraved with beautiful patterns of flowers and trees. But behind that beauty, Himari knew that the room was one of evil.
*Click*
The door creaked open; a full room of light shone brightly. Inside the fat man sat, wearing nothing more than a pair of boxers. He looked surprised, seeing the Reaper standing behind Himari. But it didn't take long for the fear to take over. He scrambled back, falling onto the floor.
Misa was nearby, still wearing her pyjamas. They made it in time.
"Misa! I told you he was real." Himari said, running to give her a hug.
"You... you can't be real." The fat man continued to back up, fear and shock on a face that had lost all colour. A grim expression of terror as death himself stepped into the room.
The shadows themselves were reaching for the man.
"Take Misa back to your room, I'll be there soon."
Himari nodded, leading her friend away from the evil man and the dark monster. As she was about to close the door, she caught a glance of the reaper. In one hand, the head of Mr. Takeda.
After that night, the institution never saw Mr. Takeda ever again.
Back now safely in her bed. Misa joined her. Their little bodies curled up under the warm blankets, danger underserved to strike twice. Yet, under the eyes of a Reaper. She was safe, and Misa was safe.
"M-Mr. Reaper?" Himari asked, a shiver in her tone.
"Yes."
"Thank you..." She spoke, looking into those glowing eyes.
The reaper made sure the blankets were tight around the girls.
"The world needs more people like you little one. Never lose the courage to help someone in need. Never be scared to ask for help. Now rest."
"Goodnight." The two little girls said, watching the masked figure vanish into the shadows.
"Goodnight." A soft whisper, then the darkness returned to its natural state. The Reaper was gone.
***
The next day was a blur, workers of the institute rushed around, ignoring the children under their care. They were scared. The look of fear in all their eyes was unmistakable.
Himari didn't know why they were scared. All they knew was that Mr. Takeda was a bad man. But now he was gone, and no one was in danger of being hurt.
So why did the workers keep looking over their shoulders as they scurried around?
However, men wearing suits quickly arrived. A silver lion on their breast pockets. Some yelled at the workers, pushing and shoving them to the ground, others began to usher the kids outside. It was a strange thing; the day went by in a blur of faces and people.
Eventually, the blonde-haired man with funny ears arrived. He was the same man that had helped her and her friends. Although his funny ears were hiding.
"You all are now under the care of the Silvermane guild. Please do not be afraid, we are here to help." Himari couldn't help but feel a warmth towards this man. He was a good person, the type that would help others in need. She wondered if the Reaper knew such people.
The man saw the brave girl in the crowd of children, giving a soft smile and a wave. Himari waved back. She liked this person.
"I have also brought someone who would like to meet you all." He continued, standing aside.
Behind him, the rugged man who used to have a very long curly beard and curly hair brought with him a small lion.
The last time she saw him; he was very sad and carried away another small girl. Now he was almost smiling.
The creature was as fluffy as it was cute. All the children swarmed around the lion, oohing, and awing over the beautiful creature.
"His name is Rhea; he likes to be petted behind the ears." The man demonstrated, to which Rhea enjoyed greatly.
An instant sensation amongst the children. Everyone wanted to pet the little lion. But the man seemed to remember Himari, calling her over.
"Come, I'll let you pet Rhea first."
Himari's heart fluttered; she was excited to meet this creature that was the talk of all the kids. He was a small little thing, with a big mane that looked so fluffy and soft.
"A brave girl such as you should be rewarded." The blonde man said, giving a knowing look.
Himari didn't know exactly what he meant by that. But her eyes grew wide as she looked upon the lion. Her hands reached out, touching the fuzzy fur. A warmth came over her, the same that she had felt when Mr. Takeda had gone missing. Her little hands gently stroking the lion.
"Thank you." She said, the biggest smile on her face.
Everything will be all right.