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"Do you trust me?"
"What?"
"Do you trust me?!"
"Y-yea-"
Norton could not even finish his sentence as a hand pulled him out of the window, he felt himself falling, concerned as to what was happening. But, he landed on something soft. A bed of colorful roses had broken their fall. He had no time to process anything as he continued to run behind the man in front of him, trying hard to catch his breath.
Let's go back a couple of steps. Norton, who was also known as The Soul Catcher in the Land of the Dead, was a highly respected spirit. He was like a prince in the land, treated most respectfully. The man in front of him on the other had, has made more of a bad name for himself.
Naib Subedar, the well known "troublemaker" of the Land of the Dead. Norton had run into him on accident, on a day he was procrastinating his duties as the Soul Catcher. While he enjoyed praise and thanks from everyone, it was a tiring and repetitive process. He needed a breather once in a while.
That's when he ran into Naib Subedar. He had caught him trying to enter once again to the land of the living, disguised as one of the other residents. To his surprise, he actually almost made it through this time. But of course, his plan failed and he was now being chased by a group of wonky looking skeletons that were fuming with anger, Norton following right behind him.
"This way, follow me!" Norton could see the wide grin on Naib's face. Surely he himself was not enjoying this, but the smaller man must love the adrenaline rush. They both ran into one of the more run down buildings in the land, one not often visited by the residents.
Norton coughed out, his hands on his knees to support him as he tried to catch his breathe. He looked around the room, it was dirty with random stains littering the walls. He followed Naib to another room in the building, more neater than the rest of it. There was a small bed in the corner, sat right beside a small window. Norton took a peek out, noticing that the window faced right in the direction of the bridge to the land of the living.
He turned back to Naib who had finally sat down silently, staring out that window longingly. 'Ah' he thought. Although Norton had not known Naib for long, he truly did not believe he was that bad of a guy. He wasn't a soul catcher for nothing. To him, Naib's soul was kind, very light hearted, but also very sad. He could feel it in his bones.
Norton took a seat next Naib, the other looking up at him with a small smile.
"Sorry, I dragged you with me little prince." Norton cringed a bit, sighing loudly as he slouched against the wall.
"I'd rather you call me Norton" He gave Naib a small smile, the man only scoffing to him.
"Really? Aren't you treated like royalty or something? They gonna catch me if I don't show you respect?" He spoke sarcastically, making Norton snort softly.
"I won't let them catch you, I want you to call me Norton." Heat rushed up to Naib's cheeks, what was the sudden embarrassment? He looked away, making Norton chuckle to himself at his reaction. Quite amusing.
"So, tell me, Naib Subedar. Why is it you’re trying so hard to go to the land of the living?" Norton spoke up once again, Naib watching as he twirled his fingers creating a small wave of light. It was intriguing to watch, although he wasn't sure what he was doing.
"Same reason as anyone else. I want to see someone there." Naib started, eyes still locked on the motion of Norton's fingers. He was currently calling souls of the recently deceased to him and comforting them. A process he had always done before they became residents of the land. He had done it for so long that he swore he could do it in his sleep.
"Who do you want to see?" Norton asked softly, hoping Naib would open up his true feelings to him. What Naib didn't know was that the soul Norton was currently calling was his own. The soul shown a bright yellow, a color of light and bright energy. He smiled to himself.
"I....." Naib hesitated, but Norton only hummed to urge him to continue. That is when Naib curled into himself, hugging his knees close as his focus dropped from Norton and he looked down at nothing.
"My mom...." Norton, without looking, could feel Naib's frown spreading on his features. The soul in his hands wavering as Naib continued.
"I-I left without saying anything to her... I was stupid, so s o stupid! Weak!" He continued to beat himself down, recalling the memories of when he was still alive. Tears began to grow in his eyes.
"I shouldn't have done that... I shouldn't... I'm sorry..." Naib sobbed lightly, burying his head in his arms. Although Norton had asked him, he already knew the answer. Naib, like a few others, was a special case in the Land of the Dead. He was one of the more unfortunate souls that had decided to end their lives due to certain circumstances.
Naib was a poor fellow back when he was alive, him and his mother struggled to survive. Because they were so poor, they hardly had anything. And with that, they had no photo that his mother could keep to remember him by, although really, even without one his mother could never forget her only son.
But that photo was an important thing in the Land of the Dead. It granted you entry to the Land of the Living on the Day of the Dead, a popular day celebrated to remember those who have passed. It also put their souls to rest, meaning that their physical appearance would be warped to fit the skeletal look that every resident had, including Norton himself.
Since Naib had no picture of himself left behind for his mother, he could not visit her on that day, and his physical appearance has not changed much. Only his fingers showed a ghost of his bones, but other than that he looked like any other living person. This only made him feel outcasted more.
The soul in Norton's hands was shaking, its color going blue as most souls did when they cried to him. Norton had a ways to him that made others honest, letting everything out to him.
Hearing Naib cry beside him, he made a small smile and closed his eyes. His hands made certain motions again, he began to comfort the soul. A soft hum sounded from him as Naib's cries only got louder. His cry echoed through the soul in his hands.
It was weird, Norton thought. Never before had he become attached to a soul in such a short amount of time. He thought Naib's soul was beautiful. He brought the soul up to his lips, leaving a ghost of a kiss to the light that began to glow right after. He was muttering something in a language only he understood, and in that moment, Naib understood as well.
More than words, it was a feeling. A feeling of comfort Naib felt, as if he knew everything would be alright. There was no trouble to worry about, actually, why was he crying? His being was filled with warmth that he wished would never leave him.
The light sobbing from Naib slowly came to a stop, only a couple sniffles left behind. Naib could swear he felt a sensation against his lips, but maybe he was imagining it.
Norton opened his eyes once again at the soul in his hands, it had turned back to it's original bright color. Norton smiled, the soul had got it's color back. The soul soon faded to nothing as Naib composed himself and looked back up at Norton. His eyes were red and cheeks were flushed, but he had calmed down.
Norton gave him a smile, only making Naib smile back to him as he realized the situation.
"Huh... what was that, what did you do to me?" Naib managed to laugh out, still sniffing from the remnants of his crying. Norton chuckled out as he took Naib's hand in his, pulling him closer so that the smaller man was snuggled against his shoulder. To his surprise, no protest. Naib had already fallen in love with warmth Norton gave him.
"I will take you there." To this, Naib looked up to face Norton questioningly.
"I will take you to the Land of the Living. We will visit your mom, I promise." He placed a kiss on Naib's hand, then on his wrist, on his forehead, down to his nose, to the tear that had made it's way down Naib's cheek after hearing Norton's words.
To say Naib was happy was the biggest understatement one could make. And as he kept all his promises, the Soul Catcher had made way over the bridge with Naib at his side. With the status he had, he was able to make it so Naib was able to visit whenever he wanted just as the other residents could. After experiencing such a scene with Naib, he made it a goal to make it so for every other unfortunate soul that had no picture left behind could as well, for everyone deserved to visit their loved ones.
That day there was a huge celebration held. The two had become closer since their first meeting. They held hands as they made it to the end of the bridge, successfully entering the Land of the Living along with many other residents. There was always a huge celebration, loud music and piles of food greeting them as everyone began to look for their families.
Norton squeezed Naib's hand, feeling her presence close before Naib himself could notice. A relatively short woman, gorgeous brown locks that were neatly combed, tied back in a low pony tail. She was with man, who held her gently at the waist as she made her way to a small tombstone. She set the most beautiful flowers in front of it as she smiled sadly, a small whisper of "I love you" to seemingly nothing.
But, Naib heard it loud and clear. He doesn't know how long he's been away, but his mother looked to be doing much better than before. She had a clean, almost elegant looking dress that flowed with the wind of the night. Naib smiled, his hand lightly grazing her face, an attempt to wipe the tear off her cheek, but of course, he couldn't as he was not all there.
But she could feel it, her smile never leaving as she stayed there and prayed. Naib looked to Norton, his own tears starting, but a smile on his face nonetheless. He didn't need to say anything, Norton could feel how thankful he was as he pulled him in a tight hug. He placed a soft kiss to Naib's lips, the two chuckling as they pulled away and continued on with the celebration, watching as the living danced to the music that sounded through the air.