Please hold, you'll be forwarded to our Service Desk

There were three lamps blinking eagerly on the grey switchboard. Anabel looked over to her colleagues. They were all busy with their own calls. Wolfgang’s grumbling voice reached her despite being at the other end of the office. Drake, who was sitting in close proximity to the werewolf wasn’t bothered by the low growls. Anabel saw his lips moving too but she couldn’t make out any sound.

Well, let’s just assume he’s really working.

She wanted to look at Gan as well but then stopped. His melodic voice travelled over to her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw his hands move as if he was a conductor. His gentle laughter sent shivers down her spine. Even with the protective charm, she felt drawn to him. Without Synthia or Claude around, she might fail to control herself. Another light started to flash on the switchboard.

No time for fairies. Time for business now.

“Yes, you are connected to ‘After your life’ the Afterlife-Hotline. You are speaking with Anabel Ponz. How may I help you?”

There was some static noise at the other end of the line.

“If you have trouble speaking, please press 1. If you are slowly dissolving, please press 2. If you forgot why you are on the phone, press 3.”

More static noise and Anabel sighed. With nimble fingers she flipped some switches on the board and tried again.

Must be great to have too sensitive hearing or magic pheromones to confuse everyone around you. Shouldn’t have made it look so easy on my first day.

“We might have connectivity problems. Could you please state your name?”

This time the static had turned to chirping sounds. More switches were flipped. Carefully Anabel turned two small knobs, just like Sandy had shown her. To Anabel’s surprise the other grim reaper was quite knowledgeable about how to combine human technology and other-worldly magic.

“We are working on the issue. Could you one more time state your name? We apologize for the inconvenience.”

There was a loud cracking noise. Anabel waited. Something was rustling. Anabel cranked up the volume of her headset.

Oh, come on. This has to work!

With the stress came the slow throbbing behind her temples. The rustling on the other end stopped.

“Excuse me, but … hm … could you speak up a bit. You need to speak into the microphone. I mean … the receiver.”

“Can you hear me now? I … I …”

“Yes, I can hear you clearly. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. We are still setting up our system.”

“Oh, no, no. It’s all on me. All on … me.”

Huh, that’s a rare gem.

The headache was pushed back. A smile appeared on her lips. Preparing the form on her screen, Anabel sat up straight.

“It’s an unfamiliar situation. You are doing great. Could you please give me your name. Anything you remember.”

“Ah, yes. Of course. My name is … Har. Maybe short for Harley. And Pea ... could be my family name. But … I’m not sure.”

“Har Pea. Noted. May I know which phone booth you’re currently using? There should be a code, hm … symbols on the …”

There was some banging. Several smacks, which made Anabel turn down the volume of her headset. A prolonged screeching sound which got more intense. The moment Anabel decided to take off the headset it stopped.

“I found it. It was directly at the coin insert. You could have just told me.”

Ah, so it’s happening. Don’t know why I still get my hopes up every time.

“Yes, I’m sorry about this, Madam. Could you tell me the number please?”

“Well … huh … yes. So, make sure to write it down, yes?”

“I’m ready, whenever you are, Madam.”

The fingers were placed on the keyboard and Anabel waited. Her fingers shook slightly, and she looked up. There was a thundering sound, and a cloud of silver mist appeared just a few steps away from her.

“…even, tree, mushroom, …”

“Wait, excuse me. Could you repeat this please?”

Damnation! Why did you have to come back now?!

- I’m sorry. I didn’t know you would be …

Anabel waved the deflated messenger of death away.

“You said you were ready! This is a horrible service.”

Oh, just great. Here we go.

“I’ve been in this booth for how long? Everything is smelly in here. There is used gum stuck on the receiver. How disgusting! What kind of company are you running?! This should be …”

“I apologize on behalf of the company. I have taken note of your complaints and will forward them to the respective department. Could you give me the booth code, so we can resolve this issue as fast as possible.”

There was some huffing from the other line but then Val cleared her throat.

“Well, it’s eleven, tree, mushroom, seven …”

“Excuse me.”

“What is it now?! Are you really a professional? I said E-L-E-V-E-N, T-R-E-E, MUSH-ROOM, S-“

„Let me stop you there, Madam. What kind of mushroom is it?”

“What?”

We really need to change the system. It doesn’t matter if Colin thinks it’s foolproof. It obviously isn’t!

Immediately, a shiver ran down Anabel’s spine. She rubbed her arms to get rid of the goosebumps. With theatrical creaking, the door to Colin’s office opened a bit and the lights in the office dimmed immediately. Quickly, Anabel concentrated on the screen in front of her.

Can’t even think in peace! I can’t lose focus like that!

“I’m sorry to ask, but I need some clarification there. Is it a toadstool, a button mushroom or a death cap?”

“You are kidding me, right?”

“No, Madam. I’m serious. Could you specify the mushroom please?”

Turning down the volume further, Anabel waited for the answer. There was heavy breathing from the other side. Shifting her gaze, she saw that Claude was staring in her direction. His silver eyes were shimmering wet, and she had to work hard not to roll hers. Having never had feelings for anything, as Synthia had explained it, made it difficult for the reapers to hide them. Anabel still didn’t know how she felt about Claude’s interest in her.

My probation period isn’t even over yet…

- I can find her if I look around a bit. Then you …

Don’t bother. This is what I was hired for. Make sure to report to Colin.

Claude flinched. Grey mist filled the space around him and the small cloud over his head started to snow. Anabel couldn’t help but shoo him with one hand to head into the boss’s office.

“Are you still there, Miss? I will tell you one more time. Eleven – Tree … Looks like a birch to me – Mushroom … a … Toadstool … maybe … - seven …”

“Excuse me, Madam. Are you sure it is a Toadstool?”

A quick glance up showed that Claude had disappeared. The silver mist was still lingering in the air. The snow was but a puddle on the floor.

At least one distraction is gone.

Listening to the answer at the other end of the line, Anabel forced a smile on her face and noted down the information. The volume of her headset was so low by now that she barely could hear the worked-up voice on the other end.

“I understand, Madam. Just to confirm, the toadstool is red with white spots. The death cap is ivory colored. The button mushroom ...”

“IT’S A TOADSTOOL!!!! RED WITH WHITE DOTS!!”

“Thank you, Madam. I repeat. Eleven – Birch – Toadstool – Seven … there should be two more symbols. As soon as I have them in my report I can send someone to pick you up.”

“Hmph. This has been the worst service of my life.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Madam. The last two symbols please.”

Quickly, Anabel turned up the volume.

Just wanna be done with this call.

“Forty and … frog.”

Noooooo! Why did she have to die there?! We really need to change the system.

“Hm … I’m sorry.”

Anabel’s index finger was already on the right side of her headset, tuning down the volume.

“Is it a frog, a toad or a newt?”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! WHAT AM I? A BIOLOGIST?! THIS IS …”

Way to go, Miss Harpy.

Anabel muted the call and watched the blue sound waves on her screen flicker like tiny explosions. While waiting for the customer to calm down, she keyed in the different options of the phone booth’s location. Within a few moments she had three possible locations.

Now I only need someone to pick her up.

Another thunder clapped and this time a waft of forest air came with it.

Hi, Craven!

+ Oh, hi! Are you in a call?

Yes, but it’s almost done. Could you pick her up?

Anabel pointed at the screen with the three different locations. Craven pulled a face but nodded.

+ Let me check with the others. Then I can pick up more in one go. Claude …?

Is with the boss.

+ Understood. I think your customer has calmed down.

Only small blue bubbles were visible. No more explosions but a goldfish in a tank. A curse almost escaped Anabel’s mouth and quickly she unmuted the customer.

“Madam Pea, thank you for your help. We have a guardian ready to pick you up in an instant.”

“Just so you know, I will report this to your superiors. This is outrageous!”

“Again, my deepest apologies, Madam. One more time the code please. As a guide, the frog is green, the toad is brown and the newt is grey.”

“Eleven – Birch – Toadstool – Seven – Forty and Newt.”

No hesitation. Good.

With a genuine happy smile she waved at Craven, showing him the correct coordinates for the pick-up.

“Thank you for your patience, Madam. The guardian is on his way. If you could leave us a …”

Tuuut tuuut tuuut.

Of course. Why would the dead have more patience than the living?! I need a coffee!

There were still lights on the switchboard, but Anabel knew that nobody would criticize her if she took a short break. The dead were incredibly patient when not yet on the phone. After taking off her headset, a yawn escaped her as she stretched.

Woah! Better sign up for that yoga class. Didn’t Synthia mention company fitness classes?

She got up to head to the breakroom. Just when she passed Colin’s office, the door opened again. Darkness flowed out into the open office space, stopping Anabel in her tracks. Expecting to run into Claude she waited. But there was no grey mist. Instead, she was shrouded by more darkness, which seemed to pull her into her superior’s office.

! Anabel, if you have a second. We need to talk.