Sam and the Reaper

The Shetland Islands, located off the northern tip of Scotland. A desolate and barren, windswept and cold place to visit, it was here that an Englishman Jonathan Foreman settled with his young family over 50 years earlier. The family run the general store on the main island in the township of Lerwick. As well as the general store they managed a small bed and breakfast, the Shetlands didn't get many tourists, the stream was steady during the summer months. People looked on the Shetlands as a place to get away, an almost pioneering lifestyle.1

Jonathan Foreman, now in his Seventies took life slower these days, not that life on the Islands was fast paced by any manner. The pride of Jonathan's life was his grandson Sam. He was the youngest of all the grandchildren, and as Jonathan had grown older and slower Sam had filled his days. The twelve year old had kept his grandfather active as if he was feeding of Sam’s youthfulness, not since before the death of Jonathan's wife had his family seen a spring in his step.2

It was holidays on the island and to keep them occupied those children who wished, could attend a drama club for an hour or so a day to give them something to do. Sam was the lead in the play that’s being presented in a just a day’s time at the community hall. Jonathan and Sam had been practicing and both were eagerly looking forward to its presentation nearly all the people on the islands would be there. When Sam wasn’t Involved with the drama club he wandered on to the hills to play in the fields as he did most days during the school break.3

Sam sat down on a rock daydreaming about the play and what it would be like, when the sky turned black, lightning flashed and the clouds above his head swirled. A little scared Sam climbed behind the rock he was sitting on and watched as a thick bolt of lighting struck the ground not more than ten feet in front of him. The intensity of the light temporally blinded young Sam and he rubbed his eyes as his vision returned he saw a tall man dressed in a black cloak with a large hood. He was on one knee holding a large and menacing Scythe.4

Sam recognized at once the form of the Reaper and with out-thought for his own safety he jumped back on to the rock and climbed to its dwarfed summit and called out in the biggest theatre voice he could summon. “I know who you are.”5

The reaper, caught off balance believing he had arrived in an empty field turned sharply to the direction the voice had come from. “Then you must know why I am hear.” Surprisingly the reapers voice was not threatening it was rich and aged much like his grandfathers. 6

“You come when people die,” said Sam accusingly. “It’s him isn’t it,” spoke Sam in a softer tone. This twelve year old had simply reasoned his grandfather was the oldest one on the island and he was next in line to die.7

“All mortals bodies have a use-by date even yours Sam,” said the Reaper.8

“I don’t want him to leave not yet not before the play, please,” begged Sam9

The reaper, annoyed at himself for not checking the field more carefully.10

“Time Sam, is the enemy of man.” Hoping his words would settle the argument.11

“But you are not a man, you’re an Angel there for you stand outside mans time.”12

Sam had caught the reaper off guard for the second time. 13

“For one so young you are wise, It’s true I am an Angel. All be it a fallen one, living out my punishment and as I am not of the natural I am not constrained by the bands of time placed on the natural. Your grandfather is next in turn I can’t just go away and return later it doesn’t work that way.” The reapers voice increased in pitch in an attempt to stop Sam’s questions.14

“Then who’s to say you go away.” The reaper looked at Sam, there was a flash of red from his eyes.”15

“What if you stayed, just until after the play? What would be wrong with that, don’t you deserve a break. A chance to see life without the death,” The Reaper listened to Sam’s argument carefully.16

“Until after the play,” repeated the Reaper. Sam gingerly shook his head in acknowledgement.17

“Not one moment later,” stressed the Reaper. Again Sam shook his head.18

The Reaper widened his arms his cloak morphed into a suit his Scythe changed into a bag. Sam lead the reaper into the town, and to the door of his grandfathers Bed and Breakfast. The bell above the door tinkled as it opened, Jonathan, surprised to see Sam and the stranger standing in front of the small reception desk.19

“Hello Sam,” said his grandfather genuinely glad to see him. “And who is this visitor you have brought to see us.” Before the reaper could give anything away Sam blurted out, “This is mister Hooper he is from the school board on the mainland he is just hear until the play but he needs a room.”20

“Then sir a room you shall have, and the finest one we have. It has a view over the harbour.”21

“Please don’t go to any trouble,” begged the Reaper.22

“No trouble at all Mr.” Jonathan paused, “Hooper.” Jonathan started writing down the details in the book when he stopped and looked at the two of them. “There is know ferry today, how did you reach the island?” Puzzled he looked over his glasses.23

“He picked up a lift on the Shelton’s fishing boat remember it was over for repair,” said Sam thinking quickly, Jonathan shook his head and returned to writing. “Young Sam knows all that goes on here you picked a good guide to escort you about. It’s out of season so the restaurants closed, I trust you will break bread with my family while you stay with us.”24

“I’m sure I couldn’t impose you have been far too generous already.” Spoke the Reaper in almost human tones.25

“But I insist, so it’s done, dinner is at seven I shall send Sam to fetch you now if you’ll follow me I’ll so you to your room.” Stopping only to collect fresh towels the three disappeared up a staircase to the first floor. 26

That evening the family gathered around the table accepting the Reaper like a long lost relative, stories and food made way for cigars and wine, Sam watch as the Reaper settled in comfortably. Jonathan was so taken with there new guest he insisted on taking both Sam and Mr Hooper on a picnic to the far side of the Island. The next day27

Jonathan was up early he wanted some crusty bread from the McCrae’s Bakery and set off down the street, on the way he passed Mr Shelton. “Hows the boat all fixed?” He asked.28

“I’ll find out tomorrow when I pick her up.” Jonathan stopped and looked strangely at Jack Shelton. “Good, that’s Good news.” And he continued to the bakery.29

It was just after eight that morning when the three set off it was a mild day the wind was cold but all rugged up and walking keeps you warm was Sam’s grandfathers favourite saying. Jonathan rambled on just like a tour guide giving his guest all the history of the places they visited. It was nearing noon when they stopped and sheltered from the wind by an old stonewall at the top of crags meadow. Jonathan laid out a spread of homemade preserves jam’s and honey chicken and fresh crusty bread Sam played on the wall while Jonathan and Mr Hooper enjoyed some homemade wine. On the road home just outside the town was the Cemetery, Jonathan stopped.30

“You don’t mind if I take a few moments.”31

“Not at all, you take as long as you like.” Mr Hooper placed his hand on Jonathan’s shoulder Jonathan bowed his head before walking forward between the graves, Sam stood next to the Reaper.32

“Its Grandma but I guess you new that.” The Reaper stood stony faced as he surveyed the graveyard, all of these souls he had come for. This was his punishment for the part he had played in Lucifer's attempt to over through God, by the time he had seen Lucifer's folly it was to late. He was forever to see the sorrow the humans endure, forever branded the Angel of death. Mr Hooper stood by Jonathan who was standing at the foot of his wife’s grave.33

“She was a wonderful woman Mr Hooper,” he said. His eyes were sore and weepy. “I guess it wont be much longer till we meet again.”34

“I’m sure Katy will be looking forward to that day.” Offered Mr Hooper as comfort.35

As they reached town Sam ran of to the schoolyard he had the final practice for this evening’s performance Mr Hooper declined dinner after such a filling lunch asking only for a rest before the evening. Jonathan sat in the chair in front of the old television in the parlour he reviewed the events of the day befor he switched on the TV to catch the news the reception wasn’t bad thanks to satellite communications. There seemed to be something wrong he lent forward and using the remote turned up the sound.36

“It’s been just over twenty four hours now and reports from all over the earth are showing that no-one has died in the last twenty-four hours. Heath officials are at a loss to explain this unheard-of phenomena, the down side off-course is the hundreds of thousands that are in pain having survived normally fatal accidents or those lingering from debilitating diseases…37

Jonathan turned down the sound and stood slowly dropping the remote into the chair. He ran to the front of the house and up the stairs to the first floor opening the door to Mr Hooper’s room with out knocking, he found him siting on the edge of the bed.38

“Come in Jonathan I have been waiting for you,” said Mr Hooper39

Jonathan entered the room cautiously. “You’re him; I recognize your face now, you didn’t come over on the Shelton’s fishing boat. You knew I called Kathleen Katy.”40

“Who is it you think I am.” Asked the Reaper.41

“You’re Death! Have you come for Sam?”42

“No”43

“Then what are you doing here no-one is dieing”44

“I promised Sam I would watch his play, I will leave then. Speaking of which, we had better go if we are to get a good seat,” the Reaper stood and taking Jonathan gently by the arm. Lead him downstairs they collected there coats and strolled over to the community hall.45

The play went off with all the usual mishaps and forgotten lines, Jonathan and the rest of the family laughed and revelled in Sam accomplishment and when the curtain came down the hall filled with cheers and applause. The players assembled for the curtain call, as the curtain went up Sam could see his family the Reapers chair was empty his Grandfathers head slumped forward a tear ran down Sam’s face as he took his final bow…