Cold.

I couldn't help but grumble absentmindedly. I felt around for the blanket wanting to wrapped it tighter around myself. 

The cold sensation came from behind me and I can't help but wonder sleepily if I somehow left the window open last night. I furrowed my brows lightly and grumbled again about my stupidity of leaving the window open.

I did find it eventually. 

The blanket.

Still the cold air would not go away. It nipped at my exposed skin. My shoulders, the nape of my neck.

"Are you awake little one."

A monotone voice sounded out beside me.

"Arghh!"

I couldn't help but yelped loudly. Jumping out of bed  in shock. My heart beating for what seemed like a thousand times per second. Figuratively of-course because if that were the case there would be pretty much a massive gaping hole where my chest would be. 

As my heart would have exploded.

"Even if that were to happen. I can assure you that you will not die."

The creepy womanlike entity sitting atop my bed interjected my train of thoughts.

I look at upon her with fear.

"Did you just.."

My finger pointed at her accusingly. 

Voice high pitched in disbelief.

Her figure floated, the grey comforter draping over her. My eyes bulged widely and I took a step back. In fact, I took several steps back, hitting the solid white wall behind me.

For the first time ever. I took in her appearance. 

She's pale. Had long black hair that cascaded down to her waist. Her lips were pale but had a slight pinkish tinge while her eyes had a dark outline that made you think that she is wearing eye shadows. 

I stayed still as she floated over to me. Her black wispy dress shimmered and fluttered along with her. The black dress's thin shoulder straps were hanging loosely on the side of her shoulders, showing me her sharp collar bones, and her pale creamy shoulders.

We were now facing each other. Our face just inches from touching. I couldn't help but notice that her eyelashes were long and had a slight curve to them that just accentuate her eyes. 

I could feel her breathe on me. Cool and refreshing like she's been eating very strong mints. It also has a hint of something familiar, like the smell of freshly fallen snow.

Her eyes scream the promise of death and had the same glitter and quality of that of an onyx stone. Her face was small and had an oval quality to it that made her look quite adorable.

She was still terrifying don't get me wrong. She was the picture-perfect of a living corpse. Pale and stiff looking. She reminds me of a Tim Burton movie; the corpse bride.

"Yes, I certainly did." 

She said in a flat monotone voice. I mean her voice has always been monotone with a tinge of inhuman quality but her reply just now had a tinge of playful connotation attach to it. Like she was teasing me somehow.

"What's a corpse bride?"

I shivered slightly not just because the aura around her was frigid and cold. But because somehow I just notice now that I was only wearing my boxers. I mentally ignored her ignorance about what I constitute to be a masterpiece of a movie. 

I focused on the more important side of things like where the hell is my clothes. I remember before passing out that I was certainly wearing said clothes.

"I took them off  for you. I knew you liked to sleep only with your boxers on."

"CAN YOU STOP DOING THAT!" 

I couldn't help but scream at her, momentarily losing my temper. I stopped dead in my track. I looked at her warily, hoping my sudden outburst doesn't make her want to squeeze the life out of me.

Silence.

I gulped.

It was so silent that I heard myself gulped audibly and I know she heard me too because I notice her tilting her head in wonder about that particular action of mine.

"Sorry." 

I whispered.

"I didn't mean to."

"I know Daniel. But I am confused about whatever I am supposed to stop doing."

"Is it the reading your mind part or the stripping you almost naked part?" 

"Umm.. both?"

I replied like I wasn't sure. Not because I wasn't certain about her wanting to stop those things. I was just taken by surprise that she was calmly talking to me this way, not at all like a demonic entity I believed her to be.

"I would never hurt you, Daniel." 

She said as she went closer to me. I leaned further back completely forgetting the solid wall behind me.

"Ouch!" I cried out as I hit my head on the wall with a resounding bump.

I looked up. And there she was her lips almost grazing mine.

I held my breath. 

Time almost seemed to slow down. Her eyes bore straight into mine. I could be wrong but there was a hint of concern in those inhuman orbs.

*grumble* 

I look down on my stomach and I couldn't help but sport a blush. 

"Sorry. I don't think I ever had a chance to have a bite yesterday."

She smiled plainly. It did not reach her eyes though as her facial expression was still as stiff as ever.

There was a lot of questions swirling inside my mind but there's just too much going on right now. With her, with what happened yesterday and with my newly recovered memory, that I could feel myself almost drowning.

"Take your time Daniel."

I gave her an admonishing look. I don't know how effective it would be to her or if she would even understand such things but hey it doesn't hurt to try.

"Sorry."

I did not say anything. My mind was occupied by a million other pressing questions. Anyway, my stomach is still protesting from not being fed so I began to head downstairs absentmindedly, lost in my thoughts.

I felt something hooked around my arm. A pale hand and my eyes traced it towards the source. I stiffened as there she was floating right beside me. I couldn't help but sight mentally.

She looked at me so innocently as if she wasn't the one who's been tormenting me the past few days. As we're walking down the stairs, I decided to make small talk. I am very curious about her.

"What should I call you?"

"Eris the goddess of death."

"So is death like your surname?" I joked. 

Trying to rid of the fear that was creeping up on me again.

Fuck! She's the goddess of death! Like THE GODDESS OF DEATH!???

"I don't understand."

She tilted her head again. Eyes staring at me searching for answers.

"Don't worry I was just being stupid."

"Oh.." 

She replied matter of factly. And that was that. Conversation over. We walked past the living room and I couldn't but glanced at where the coffin is. And there it still is, although it was now shut tight, chains wrapped around it like yesterday was nothing more than a bad dream.

"So... what happened to me yesterday?"

"I sealed you're memory of that day. The seal was designed to knock you unconscious if you ever try remember what really happened that day."

"Why might I asked?"

"Because it would ruin things otherwise. If you remember."

"What would be ruined?" 

I couldn't help but ask again. Stopping and turning to face her. This bit of information is somehow suspicious and it felt important. Something I should really know more about.

"It is not important now. What's important is that our deal has been completed and that we should feed your human stomach before it growls at us again." 

At that little remark, she giggled slightly. Though it still lacked the hint of emotion. Like a robot trying to emulate human emotions but fail miserably. 

Honestly, it's very disturbing.

"But I feel like it's something important."

I couldn't help but mumble.

"Daniel, how does one make soup? I can see it in your mind. Feel your craving for it. Especially towards a thing called a chicken?"

I stared at her.

"Oh, I must be doing that thing again. I am very sorry Daniel, it is very difficult to consciously stop. Hmmm.. how do I put it.. it's like.."

She paused and stared into nothing for a moment. She seemed to be thinking of how to explain to me the concept of how hard it is to stop reading my mind. Well, she could be lying to me for all I know. I still don't even know why she's really here.

"It's fine."

I stopped her. I have more pressing matters to take care of. Like the ebbing hunger that threatens to consume my sanity. 

God, I'm so bloody hungry.

I glanced at the corner of my eye and she was still floating beside me. To be honest, I didn't even need to look. The cold sensation on my arm already told me she was but still, it didn't hurt to visually confirm it.

Now I'm actually trying to remember if I still have enough things in the kitchen to cook a basic chicken soup. When I say chicken soup, I mean my own version of chicken soup. I'm not even sure the actual recipe of said chicken soup. I normally just boil the hell out of the chicken along with some potatoes and then I season it to perfection with ginger, salt and just a tad bit of garlic and onion.

That reminds me, I don't have any garlic. But I suppose it doesn't matter too much.

Drats! The chicken is still frozen solid. 

I couldn't help but click my tongue in annoyance as I took the chicken out of the freezer. I stared at it in frustration but ultimately, I shrugged and just rinse the thing in hot water a bit before plopping it inside a metallic pot I then filled it with water.

Eris the terrifying goddess of death was still floating beside me. Her arm still hooked onto mine like it's been glued there. She was observing everything I was doing with monotone interest. 

So far I've been getting things done with one hand as the other she had captured hostage. 

"Ehem.."

I coughed out trying to get her attention.

"Yes, little anchor?"

Little anchor? That's new and very very weird. Wait, snapped out of it Daniel, don't get distracted now.

"I kinda need my other hand to cook."

I looked at our attached limbs for further clarification. 

She followed my gaze and stared at it with a torn look. Wait, did I see pout slightly? Could I classify it as cute or weird?

She looked up at me with a pout, her eyes blinked innocently.

"I like to be near you Daniel. To be attached to you. It gives me great comfort."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

Aren't you here to take my life? Could there be some other reason? And why me?

Eris said nothing but gave me a small smile. Judging from that stubborn look I could see in her eyes. She seemed intend on not moving.

I couldn't help but sigh again and couldn't help but think that she's kind of a pain in the ass.

Eris grip on me suddenly tightened and I could see her pale nostril flared up in anger. Her eyes held a dangerous light.

Oh yeah, she can read minds. Fuck!

"You were saying." 

She said quietly, her demeanour promised pain if I replied wrong. I gulped nervously.

"I mean I can't believe my luck that a beautiful woman is so intend on being attached to me. Yay...."

"Really? You think me beautiful?"

She gasped in surprise.

Honestly, yes! She is beautiful in her own unique inhuman way. She was beautiful enough to be a model but would probably need some make up just to add some colour so she seems more alive rather than a beautiful corpse.

"Yes." I said honestly.

"Hue hue hue"

And there was that creepy laugh again. I don't know if that means she's happy or I could have said the worst thing possible and she was ready to tear me apart.

"Oh Daniel."

She exhaled before leaping into my arms.

That took me by surprise. My back was against the kitchen sink. She seemed genuinely happy at my compliment. 

"I am so very glad that my appearance is to your liking. I have been watching you for a long time and I thought you might not like how I look." 

"Wait? Say that again. You've been doing what?" I exclaimed loudly in surprise.

But she did not say anything and just smiled at me innocently while playing with my hair.

"So I'm guessing that I'm not getting any answer."

"Aww you do learn quick my little anchor."

I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway I know you're not getting off me anytime soon. So why not just wrap your arms around me from behind. That way both my hands are free." I offered.

She seemed to think about my solution to our current predicament. Then nodded as she shifted and floated behind me. Her cold arms wrapped around my neck and she rested her chin on one of my shoulders.

"Well, let's get to soup making!" I announced.