The next, next day had come. Ever once again strolled down the street towards the ice cream shop. His hand slipped into his pocket, feeling the jagged, uneven teeth of the keys. In between the quiet moments, Taylor had moaned about how boring it was doing the same thing over and over, day in, day out. Ever felt differently; he enjoyed the routine. Granted, he hadn’t even been working for a month yet, but he found the process comforting. Maybe that meant that he would be a suitable replacement for Death one day.

  Ever put the key into the door and turned it. He glanced over at the sign in the window: “Casual Staff Wanted, Enquire Within”. Ever imagined the look on Taylor’s face when she came back next week and there was a new member of the team. She wouldn’t have to be so stressed anymore. He pushed open the door and went in. Putting his bag down in the back room, he heard the door open behind him.

  “Sorry, we’re not open yet.”

  “I’m here to inquire about the casual position.” The voice sounded older, refined and with an accent.

  Ever wait…

  He had already stepped back out and saw the visitor.

  The older, refined voice belonged to an older, refined gentleman. His grey mustache slightly curled at the ends and his beard started out as wide as his chin before tapering off into a sharp point, going straight down. Something about him looked and felt strangely familiar.

  His mustache twitched and he spoke into Ever’s mind, one billion voices layered into one.

  ∞Hello, Death’s Apprentice.∞

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Ever stared at the man, a lump forming in his throat. “Chaos.”

  “Your deduction was correct.” Chaos said, his accented voice returning. “Death has chosen a clever apprentice.”

  What are you doing on Earth, Chaos? Death directed the question to Chaos but maintained a connection to his protege’s mind so he could listen in.

  “I simply want to do the same thing as what your apprentice is doing here,” Chaos said out loud. He delicately flicked the tip of his beard with one finger. “Scoop ice cream.”

  No one said anything for several moments.

  “Do not worry young Death, I will not harm him.”

  Ever was pretty sure he could hear Death’s jawbone clench.

  Fine. Death withdrew from their minds.

  “Now that we’ve dealt with him, I’d like to get started,” Chaos said.

  “I have to hire you first,” Ever said. The words came out before he had filtered them out. What was he thinking, talking to the first primordial being like this? The words were out now, no point backing down. “Tell me why I should hire you.”

  “Hmmmm…” he stroked his beard with both hands, his aged fingers gliding along its edges. “Two reasons. One: I understand that you’re here to learn about humans. I’ve been studying them since they came into existence. I could teach you a thing or two. Two: if yesterday was anything to go by, you need any help that you can get.”

  Ever blinked. He didn’t really have any experience running interviews, nor did he have any good reasons to reject Chaos. Remembering what Death told him in the gym, he wasn’t even sure if he could reject Chaos.

  “You’re hired.”

  Chaos put its hand out first, beaming from ear to ear; Ever took it and shook it. Chaos’ hand was surprisingly strong.

  “Cash in hand OK?”

  “Oh I don’t need money,” Chaos said. “Just pay me in ice cream.”