Page 28 of How to Survive Your Own Death

“You didn’t save me. You trapped me.” She took a step forward and jabbed a finger into his chest. There was the slightest bit of resistance. “You needed me, and rather than asking for help, you watched me die and trapped me.”

“I needed a bridge.”

He didn’t even try to deny it, which only frustrated her further. “Why? What could you have possibly needed from a simple mortal who was moments from dying?”

“My scythe was stolen. Without it, I am unable to interact with the mortal world and perform my duties.”

That felt like the truth.

“And?” she prompted.

“And your debt will be repaid when my scythe is returned.”

Geri stepped back and gave a sarcastically sweet smile. “There. Doesn’t it feel good to tell the truth?”

“You would not have believed me. You did not even believe I was real.”

“Oh, don’t turn this back around on me,” she snapped. “Maybe don’t lurk outside in the dark like a stalker—and never just materialize in someone’s apartment. It’s scary and rude.”

“Should I have knocked?” He reached over to knock on a tree trunk, his hand sinking into the bark.

This wasn’t productive. Railing at Bazel wouldn’t change her situation, even if it did make her feel better. She had a ton of questions about the debt and the missing scythe, but that could wait. She walked back into the park, passing a cluster of food carts near the entrance.

“Actually, I want ice cream,” Geri said and pointed to an ice cream cart. The familiar melody played over speakers, giving it a distorted, tinny quality.

“Can you eat? I mean, not in an are you hungry sense, but can you physically eat?” she asked. He had previously said that he had limited culinary experience, which implied some experience.

“I acquire nourishment through other means.”

“That’s not a no,” she said.

“I do not.”

“Not even a little bite to satisfy your curiosity? Not even for ice cream?”

“I have always been thus,” he said, as if mystified at the concept of being curious.

“Well, that’s a crying shame. Ice cream really puts the sprinkles on existence.” She grinned, pleased with herself.

Bazel made a grumbling noise.

“That was funny,” she said.

“It was not.”

“Mildly amusing,” she amended.

He made a noise like bones and cartilage grinding together that sent a shiver up her spine.

Charming.

At the window, having placed her order for a chocolate and vanilla twist cone, Bones appeared. She nudged Geri’s hand.

“Amazing how you do that,” she muttered. “And a dish of soft serve vanilla.”

Geri took the treats to a nearby bench. Bones danced around her, completely blocking the way. “Chill. You’re only slowing me down,” she said, holding the dish up, out of range of the dog’s snout.

Satisfied at the location, she set the dish down. It lasted all of six seconds before Bones licked her chops and settled down at Geri’s feet.