"Come to me," Zed looked around, trying to find out where that voice was coming from. His eyes looked to the book that was somehow still untouched by the sparks. He approached the artifact that spoke with a louder voice. "Take me somewhere safe." "Who are you?" Zed asked. The book did not reply back. When Zed lifted the heavy book, he felt a heavy aura surrounding him, then he too, was untouched by the sparks. Now, if only he had some place to escape. "The upstairs window." Zed climbed upstairs as fast as he could. Seconds later, he dropped from the window, hidden from the group of people. Zed then puts the book on the floor.
"What are you doing?" the talking book asked. Zed replied, "I don't need you anymore."
"I just saved your life. Take me somewhere safe now!" the talking book screamed.
Zed argues, "But aren't you already safe? You're a book."
The talking book continues to scream. "If a fire happens, I'm done!"
Zed lifted the book once more, but this time it was heavier, sharper; somehow it hurt a lot.
"ow ow ow!" Zed yelled.
That's what you get for thinking stupid, chud!" the book screamed.
Turning away from the scene, the vice president's gaze locked onto Zed. He had escaped somehow. His eyes burned with desperation, refusing to look back while he carried the book. Someone called his name, but Zed ignored it with his only motive, to keep running. The vice president barked at his classmates to report back to Ezio, then wasted no time before chasing Zed.
(Sometime later, a few of the students burst through the office door to Ezio, who was done with all his work. He still needed a few seconds as he straightened his tie, then hurried out to hear their report. They told Ezio about the supernatural occurrence, that someone named Zed had escaped, now the vice president was chasing him. They also talked about the glowing book, describing all that took place. Ezio called his vice president, but no one picked up. He brushed past the students as he made his way to the exit of the school to discover what was really going on.)
Arriving at the scene, Ezio noticed the growing smoke that filled the air. It was then that he noticed his phone was ringing the whole time. Ezio's hand started to shake when he saw the terror unfold. A growing number of thugs surrounded the vice president. He tried to reach out or say something, but the video was muted. Ezio didn't need to watch the rest. In a fit of sorrow and rage, his phone dropped to the floor as he began transcending into the Unknown Reaper. Darkness surrounded him; soon he couldn't control it. His sorrow turned to rage, rage building to something far more dangerous. He knew this was no illusion or dream. The Reaper was real. Suddenly, Zed called Ezio's name, causing him to revert instantly. He hadn't completely transcended, but his eyes continued glowing. It hinted at something supernatural. It surprised him to find Zed still nearby. Memories of a previous conversation slowly faded leaving what was only a haunting reminder of who he lost, the vice president. Now he was at a loss for words. He did not know what to say, especially to someone he had once called a friend. He began clenching his fists.
"Why are you still here?" Ezio asked.
"I'm heading home right now," Zed responded.
His fists trembled with rage; the weight of loss became too much. With a rising voice, he began yelling at Zed's face about how good of a friend his vice president had been.
His loyalty, his dedication, but most of all his hardworking spirit.
Ezio continued, "This is all too sudden. I was suspicious of you, but I told him to be cautious, so how could this have happened. "
When Zed had no response, Ezio continued, "At least now I know it wasn't you. I knew someone like you couldn't do someone this bad. I was going to find you, then reap."
Before Ezio could finish, Zed turned away, running home without another word. Ezio stood in silence for a few seconds, stuck between dimensions, unsure of what he needed to do next. With his scythe ready, the dimensions that he held control over began to tremble. It was time for him to finish the job. He found his way to the location where the vice president had last been seen. When he arrived, he saw that the vice president was already dead on the floor. Yet a voice called to him, close by, so Ezio got closer, but as he did, the sound became clear. It was his friend, whispering his name.
"Ezio."