Known Secrets
Once, in a far away time, in a distant place from the world we know today, Life walked a path, the cloaked figure of death at her side, strolling through a pleasant, shadowed wood. Life was Death’s favorite companion, she was serene and beautiful, a sort of calm to his always inevitable storm.
One day as two entities strolled along the twisted, winding path Life asked him a simple question: “Why do people love me, but hate you?” Death thought the question strange and mulled over an answer in silence as they continued to walk along the path through the shady wood.
Upon coming to a conclusion to the woman’s question, he smiled, ice blue eyes trailed sadly up to the sky. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth.”
Noka’s eyes scanned the slightly yellowed pages of the book in her hands, the corner folded and dog eared by many a previous owner. Sure, the life and death relationship was a little cliche, but weren’t all romances in the end? She was certain that couple after couple over the millenia and centuries of human relations had shared eerily similar conversations with each other at some point.
The distant echo of a voice slowly drew her out of the fictional world, “Noka?” As reality came flooding back she recognised the voice as Aspen, her current boyfriend. she just made it to a good part in her book and she did not want to be disturbed.
“Another book, Noka? You truly are a hopeless romantic, aren’t you?” Aspen’s mellow voice flowed from behind her. She kept quiet, because he knew better than to talk to her while she had a book in hand. “Noka, I know you’re completely enthralled in that book, but I really need to talk to you.”
Noka looked up at this, his voice had changed from one of adoration to one of concern in
a single instance. Pushing herself up from her stomach she sat cross legged, patting the plush couch cushion next to her, indicating she wanted him to sit. “What’s wrong, Aspen?” She asked re-dogging her current page, much like the books prior adventurer.
Aspen looked as if he were trying to memorize the details of her face, deep brown orbs avoiding looking directly into her own mismatched ones, a bit of worry outlining his otherwise flawless face. Noka had met Aspen about two years ago when she moved in the small town of Broxburn, West Lothian in Scotland. Originally from Wales, Noka found that she’d much rather live in a town with less than twenty-thousand residents. The house was old, and quaint, yet almost teeming with history and whatever the house may have held beneath its walls. Aspen had been gracious enough to show her around town when she first arrived, and they had been together since. So far, these two years away from her hectic life in Wales were the best she’d ever had and she hoped to share more with Aspen in the quaint town.
A sun-kissed hand brushed purple and blue ombre hair out of her face before placing a reassuring hand on Aspen’s knee, “You know you can tell me anything.” She smiled up at him as he looked away. She was certain he was hiding something, but she had never been one to push; it was better for someone to tell her willingly.
“I have been meaning to tell you this for a while, but I have been too nervous to bring it up. We have been together for two years and I feel there's no better time to tell you then now and-”
Noka listened to the young man ramble, it was adorable that he still got nervous around her. Aspen has reacted in much the same manner when they first met, two years ago. She had just moved into the house, and as she had been unpacking boxes in the living room, she spotted him watching her from what she, at the time, believed to be an empty bedroom.
“I wasn’t aware the place came with a roommate…”
During her initial run through with the realtor, an oddly dressed man with a forming bald patch on the back of his head, he had explained that the house had some history, but he had never mentioned there was a male living in one of the spare bedrooms.
She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but remembered a look of pure shock, as it spread across his face, hesitating for a split second or two before walking up to her.
“I’m sorry to have startled you...miss.” she remembered him being so nervous. “I come with the house.” Noka had arched her brow at the unusual introduction, “Miss?”
The greeting itself had been a bit outdated but who was she to judge? Especially considering who her family consisted of. Seeming to realize what he’d said, he cleared his throat again, trying to gain her attention..
“I...I mean I clean the house and tend the garden regularly. You don’t have to pay me. Did the realtor not mention me? I told him to mention me.”
Noka held up her hand and smiled brightly at the stranger, “It must have escaped him.” she flashed the man a friendly smile before extending her hand in greeting, “My name is Noka.” She looked at him with her mismatched eyes, studying him for what seemed like hours. “I guess since you were here before I was, I can’t just ask you to leave, and I wouldn’t mind the company.”
The stranger had considered her for a moment, letting out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding, he nodded, though not shaking her hand.
“I’m Aspen. would you like me to give you a tour of our small town?” Noka nodded enthusiastically, she needed a break from unpacking anyway.
“I’d appreciate it, especially if you know the area well.”
“Born and raised here, ma’am.” Aspen opened the front door for his new companion, “If you like malls and movie theaters you’ll have to drive to the nearest city, but we do have nice amenities here in town.”
Noka couldn’t help but laugh at his use of the word ‘ma’am’ “that’s alright, Aspen. I came here for small town living anyway.”
Noka and Aspen had walked around Broxburn for what felt like hours. Stepping out of the coffee shop a couple blocks from their now shared house, despite it being early fall, and still relatively warm out, the ombre haired girl had ordered a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
“It’s 23 degrees celsius, Noka.” he gave her an incredulous stare as she sipped on the hot drink
“I know, but it’s my favorite drink. I don’t much care for the taste of coffee, it’s so bitter.” She took in the scent of the chocolatey drink, sighing happily. “Thank you, for showing me around, I mean. I really enjoyed myself.”
After the tour they went home, Noka wouldn’t let Aspen help her unpack, claiming she liked things a certain way. Days turned into months, Noka had never felt so comfortable with someone like this before.
They told each other everything, well almost everything. Noka could tell Aspen had a secret. She had a feeling she knew the secret he held, but she hadn’t wanted to pry until he was ready to share. She held a secret as well, and against her better judgement, she wasn’t ready to tell him either.
Aspen had surprised her by asking her out first. She had expected to ask him first. She, of course, said yes. The rest, as they say, was history.
“...I’m a ghost ,” Aspen pulled Noka back from her flashback. This is the moment Noka had waited for, the secret she’s known from the moment she laid eyes on him.
Noka opened her mouth, then closed it. Now that he’s finally said something she didn’t know what to say, she couldn’t possibly tell him she knew...or who she really was...could she?
“I understand if you’re scared, or you don’t want to be with me anymore.” Aspen furrowed his brow in concern, and something that looked like guilt.
Noka shook her head, almost frantically. How could she make him think that? “I knew!” She blurted out immediately smacking one hand to her mouth, fear settling in on her face.
“Wait...you knew?” His concern turning to confusion, “how?”
“It’s a long story...really, and one that might be better discussed at a later--” A sudden crash in the kitchen startled the both of them, “please tell me that was your nerves moving things in a different room.” Noka groaned incredulously.
“Nope...maybe a stray cat? there are a few in the area.” Noka gave him a look as if asking if her were serious, “Cat’s don’t have opposable thumbs, Aspen. And hopefully a burglar wouldn;t be stupid enough to break in..in the middle of...the day...” she trailed off, a shiver running down her spine. “No…”
“Noka, Honey, there’s a broken table in your dining room.” A voice called out from the other room.
Shock and ultimate dismay crossed her face, “oh no.”
Aspen gave her a look, “who is that? And how did he…” he made a hand gesture, “pop into the kitchen.” He finished.
Noka scrambled off the couch, darting for her bedroom “I was never here!”
Just then a tall hooded figure walked into the living room, brushing slivers of wood off his cloak. “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?”
Aspen stared wide eyed at the man he’s been evading for over 20 years, “Noka, what does he mean Young Lady?” Death stared blankly at the young ghost before him
“Why is he here?” The girls father looked down at the raven haired boy he’s been trying to send to the other side for the last decade.
Noka bristled like a startled cat before turning on her heels and sighed heavily, a look of guilt plastered on her face “guys...I know this is a lot to take in, maybe we can explain over dinner. Let me just order a new dining room table, it should be here in two weeks, we’ll talk then.”
“Noka!” They both scrutinized her, her father’s piercing gaze made her feel like a child once more.
Twirling a finger through her hair nervously Noka took a deep breath and smiled. “Aspen, this is my...father,” She sheepishly looked up at Death. “Dad, this is my boyfriend.”
Aspen’s jaw dropped, “Death...The Death?” The raven haired young man looked between the two, seeing very few similarities, “This...This is a joke, isn’t it? Like one of those old time TV prank shows?” Aspen was clearly in denial, “Though...they wouldn’t be able to see me. So that really rules out that option.” Noka and Death shared a look as the ghost rambled on.
“Aspen, sweetie,” Noka interrupted him softly. “He’s my father, he fell in love with a human. Haven’t you ever wondered how I could see you?” She looked up at her dad and furrowed her brows angrily. “And you,” She growled, poking her finger into the deities chest. “Why are you here?”
Death gave Aspen another blank, disinterested stare before turning to his daughter with star filled eyes “Can’t an immortal being stop in now and again to see his precious little girl?” his voice was whiney and reminiscent of a character she’d seen in some show.
“No.” She paced the living room as Aspen and Aita watched her uncomfortably, “why are you here.” She asked again more forcibly.
Aspen stepped in front of her, “before he answers that, can you tell me how you, the death, has a daughter?”
