Chapter 5: The Last Goodbye

The words blurred, but the meaning was clear. I poured everything I had into that letter—love, regret, hope. It was my last gift to him. The reaper beside me was already crying, but my eyes were no longer on the letter. Dr. Harrison still said nothing, and his expression didn’t change, but the edge of the letter was already torn from his grip.

He folded the letter with trembling hands, pressing it to his heart before tucking it away. His shoulders shook, but he didn’t make a sound. The pain in the room was thick.

He raised his hand, his fingers trembling as he caressed the handwriting on the letter, then carefully folded it and put it in his left chest pocket. The gesture was gentle, reverent—a silent promise kept.

He stood up—probably his knees were sore from kneeling—and after a while, straightened up. He put the USB drive in his pocket and hurried downstairs to return to the station. His steps were faster now, as if the letter had given him new purpose.

I followed him out of the stairwell and noticed several gazes on Dr. Harrison. I sensed something was wrong, traced the gazes, and my eyes widened. My gut twisted. Something was coming.

The air was thick with danger. I could feel eyes tracking his every move, shadows shifting at the edge of my vision. My nerves buzzed with fear.

“Harrison, run! Run!” I shouted at him, but he couldn’t hear me. My voice was a whisper in a hurricane, powerless and desperate.

Never had I hated being dead so much. I looked around, wanting to find something to warn him, but it was too late. Helplessness was a knife twisting in my chest.

Several men with hard faces rushed at Dr. Harrison. By the time he realized he was being followed, they had already covered his head with a black cloth and shoved him in a van. The struggle was brief, brutal. I dove in after them, panic clawing at my insides.

I jumped in after them. They took Dr. Harrison to a mansion on the outskirts, stripped him, and threw him in a bloodstained cell. Then a bucket of water was poured over his head to wake him. The room stank of bleach and old blood. The walls were stained with secrets no one wanted to remember. I felt the weight of every secret pressing in.

“Harrison, Dr. Harrison.”

The words echoed, hollow and cold. The leader stepped forward, a smile like a knife on his lips. Seeing the leader, I felt a chill run through me. I couldn’t control it, because a flood of memories was flashing before my eyes.

The memories crashed over me, sharp and relentless. I remembered pain, fear, and a stubborn refusal to give in. I was discovered, thrown here, injected with Adrenal-X by this monster. My eye was gouged out, my ribs broken with an iron plate, my abdomen cut open for my kidney, my thigh broken and skin cut... I wanted to faint but was forced to stay awake. The pain numbed me, my mind went blank, I lost my voice, even lost control of my bladder and bowels, unable to think.

It was agony beyond words, but I never spoke. I clung to silence like a lifeline.

“I remember. I remember everything!”

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. My name, my mission, my love—all of it came rushing back. The clarity was blinding.

Three years ago, I received a mission to infiltrate the city’s largest club, Hanley’s, and collect evidence of its boss, Rick Hanley, smuggling drugs and trafficking people. Over the years, I worked inside and out, gathering evidence, rising through the ranks, and gaining influence in Hanley’s.

I remembered every risk, every close call, every coded message sent in the dead of night. The memories were sharp, each one cutting deeper than the last.

Three months ago, I received my final mission from the department. They’d heard Rick Hanley had a ledger recording all his bribes and illegal dealings, including money laundering channels and amounts. I was ordered to get the ledger. With it, not only Rick Hanley but his entire network could be destroyed.

I felt the weight of responsibility, the hope of justice on my shoulders. It was almost too much to bear.

But just as I got the ledger and hid it, I was exposed. Rick Hanley caught me. He wasn’t stupid; he knew I had the evidence and had hidden it. To force its location out of me, Rick Hanley locked me in a water cell in his mansion. For three days and nights, I was soaked until swollen, but I never spoke. Finally, he was completely enraged.

His rage was a hurricane. I just clamped my mouth shut and held on. I refused to break, no matter what.

“Dr. Harrison, know where this is? This is where I tortured Blair!”

His words dripped with cruelty. The room seemed to shrink, the air heavy with malice. I wanted to scream.

“You monster!”

Dr. Harrison’s eyes turned red, unable to suppress his fury, roaring at Rick Hanley. He strained against his bonds, rage and grief burning in his eyes.

Rick Hanley laughed wildly. He ordered his men to hang Dr. Harrison up, then kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him flying. The sound of the impact echoed, making my phantom skin crawl.

“Dr. Harrison, if I recall, you and Officer Blair are married, right? She’s something—a narcotics cop marrying a forensic doctor. Looks like she knew she’d die one day and made arrangements in advance!”

His words were meant to wound, but I saw only pride in Dr. Harrison’s eyes. He glared back, unbroken.

“Hey, I want to ask—how did it feel examining Blair’s body? I know your skills. You must have figured out all the things I did to her! To endure 38 hours and not die—she’s the first I’ve seen.”

Rick Hanley propped his chin, savoring the memory of torturing me. He smiled, a shark’s grin, but Dr. Harrison met his gaze without flinching.

Dr. Harrison was hanging in the air, hands and feet bound, in a sorry state. His face was battered, but his spirit was unbroken. I felt a surge of pride and sorrow all at once.

“Hanley, Blair caught you but you got nothing out of her—how did that feel? I know you want the evidence she hid. I know where it is, too. But I won’t tell you!”

Dr. Harrison smiled provocatively, taunting Hanley. His defiance was a beacon in the darkness. Even in pain, he refused to give up.

Hanley was infuriated, beating Dr. Harrison like a sandbag. The blows landed hard, each one a reminder of everything I’d lost.

“You two really are a pair! Fine! Neither of you will talk! Both tough bones! I’ll see if your bones are as hard as Blair’s!”

Hanley called for his tools. The sound of metal on metal sent chills down my spine. I knew what was coming next.

I could guess what would happen next, but I wondered where Dr. Harrison hid the USB drive. Didn’t he take it? Panic fluttered in my chest, but the reaper’s voice cut through the fog.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Harrison realized there was an ambush before you did. He hid the USB under the car seat before being caught. But you—since you’ve recovered your memory, it’s time to go with me.”

He sounded almost gentle, but I could hear the finality in his words. I bristled at the thought of leaving.

When I came to, the reaper had pulled me outside. Inside, Dr. Harrison’s suppressed screams echoed. The sound made my heart tremble. Each scream was a knife in my heart. I wanted to help, but I was powerless.

I could barely think. I knew Hanley’s methods—I couldn’t bear to imagine what Dr. Harrison was enduring. The urgency was suffocating. I could feel time slipping away.

“With the merit you’ve accumulated, you could move on and have a wonderful next life. But that’s what you deserve. Who told you—”

The reaper’s words faded as I stared at the door, torn between duty and love. The choice was clear. I couldn’t leave him—not now, not ever.

The reaper couldn’t move me, nagging until he saw my clenched fists and uncontrollable tears. He fell silent, watching as I made my decision.

I looked at him, as if making a decision, and pleaded, “Is there any way I can save him? I know you must have a way—I have to save him!” My voice was steady, my resolve unbreakable.

The reaper was shocked, then looked at me, frowning. “What are you saying? You’re dead! Mortal affairs have nothing to do with you. You finally recovered your memory. You should come with me to move on, or you’ll miss your chance!”

He sounded almost desperate, as if he cared more than he wanted to admit. I shook my head, refusing to budge.

“Just tell me—how can I save him!” I looked at him firmly, ready to pay any price. I would have bargained with the devil himself if it meant saving Harrison.

Dr. Harrison’s screams never stopped. His body was weak—he couldn’t last long. Hanley’s every move was on the edge of death but wouldn’t let him die. The urgency was suffocating. I could feel time slipping away.

I stared at the reaper for a few seconds. He seemed to struggle, then sighed. His shoulders slumped, and for the first time, he looked truly old.

“If this method requires a huge price, will you regret it?”

I nodded firmly: “Never.” There was no hesitation. I’d already made my choice.

“It will consume all your blessings. You’ll never move on, and you’ll be utterly gone! Think carefully—I said with your merit, you could have a wonderful next life, forget all this, and be happy.”

He searched my face for doubt, but found none. I stared him down.

“No need!” I shook my head.

“Hanley is a menace. If he stays free, who knows how many families will be destroyed. I’m a cop—protecting people, preventing more families from being destroyed is my mission. I will never regret it!” The words came from somewhere deep inside me—a vow, a promise, a legacy. I meant every word.

The reaper looked shocked. He sighed, finally nodding. He wiped his eyes, then handed me something small and cold.

“You’ll temporarily have a physical form, but only for an hour. This will consume all your chances of moving on. When time’s up, you’ll be gone. This is your decision—don’t regret it.”

He pressed the charm into my hand, his fingers lingering for a moment. The weight of it felt real.

“Never!”