Belle Adams' Butler

Everyone got on the boat, including Ophelia whom Barron dragged into the boat that Rower had stopped next to the bank of the river. The last time Belle was here, she hadn't realized that the boat was big enough to accommodate more than ten people, which now had Lucas, Greed, Barron, Ophelia's soul which was left to lay down and Belle. And also the Grim reaper whom this boat belonged to. 

Belle stared at Rower's back who was rowing the boat now. The Grim Reaper had not asked where they were going and had only informed about his charge fare. Her eyes moved to look from him to Lucas who was looking ahead of where they were going. 

After some time, Rower asked, "What are you all doing in here?"

Even though one could see the souls floating on the surface and below, the river of dead was quiet except for the sound made by Rower's hand movements that pushed the staff gently. Belle wondered why Rower used his hands to do the job because the last time, the staff had a mind of its own that didn't take the help of him to row the boat. 

"Barron was missing the land of the dead and his girlfriend," answered Lucas in a calm voice. The rabbit snapped its head to glare at Lucas. 

Rower looked over his shoulder, passing a look at the rabbit. Barron was seated down, who went back to looking at the soul, "You should put her back down," said Rower, his words were directed to Barron. 

"She's not a fish to put her back," Barron retorted back. 

Belle, who heard Rower's words, asked, "Will something happen if she doesn't go back after a while?" The previous time they had met Ophelia, she was standing in the lake of bones. 

Rower replied, "No, she will still be in the same state un-"

"I thought she was going to wake up," came Barron's words.

"You pulled her out too soon, Barron. The souls are under a still state for the next few hours. They are used to replenish the river," answered Rower. Belle noticed how Rower was patient when it came to answering Barron's question. After finding out that Edith had suddenly switched sides, it was hard to know if they could trust Rower right now. "You can drop her back in the river."

Barron seemed too eager to have the girl awake and in a conscious state. By if giving it some thought, he was ready to put the girl back into the water by standing back, when he said,

"But she's going to drift away."

"If she does, that means she doesn't want to stay." Barron sat down hearing Rower's answer, "Why are you wearing the lowly reapers death robes?" he asked, going back to row the boat. Belle doubted that Rower bought the story of Barron missing the land of the dead. Especially when three out of the four Grims had a bounty on their head. 

Greed didn't move from his position, looking at the place they had left, "We borrowed it from them."

"Hm. I thought you are celebrating Miss Adams turned to a death reaper. Though I must say, I was looking forward to taking your soul in the boat," upon Rower's words, Belle realised that Rower was seeing her as a reaper and not as a mortal, "How did you die?" 

"She didn't. Her body is in a pause state," replied Lucas who wasn't interested in beating around the bush or spinning tales right now. 

"Paused?" came the curious voice of Rower, "I know she has the ability to tap into the forbidden magic that resides in our world...but I wouldn't have guessed she would turn to one of the reapers here. How interesting," hummed the Grim, the water splashed as he moved his staff. 

Suddenly there was a whirring sound that made Belle flinch. Even though she didn't have ears now, she felt the sharp pain, "What is that?" asked Belle, bringing her hands up to cover the sides of her head. 

"Orders of signals," replied Greed who had been quiet until now. How everyone's heads moved and Belle then heard the whispers that were carried in the air,

"The fourth card of the Grim, Barron has gone missing from the tower. Files have gone missing from the informational room. Bring in all the new reapers to the high tower. Hawvert Winston suspects it is one of the new reaper's work who has stolen all of them while freeing the Grim. The reaper who brings the Grim and the files along with the new reaper, they shall be awarded handsomely."

Though Belle didn't have eyes, she went into shock when she heard about it. Winston wanted his bone back and he was trying to catch hold of her. Rower stopped rowing and he let go of the staff he was rowing for it to do its job. He turned around to see the Grims before his eyes fell on the girl.

"Looks like Barron's vacation didn't go well," commented Rower. 

"It was Lucas who lied to you!" came the quick response from Barron, ready to put the blame on someone else and Lucas glared at Barron. 

"We wouldn't be here if you didn't get caught by the death reapers," Lucas glared at the rabbit with the bones on his forehead moving.

"I wouldn't have left the mansion if you all didn't try to attack me!" Barron placed his flabby hand on his chest as if he couldn't believe that the blame was placed back on him. 

Greed turned to look at Lucas and said, "I told you. It is better to leave him there than us getting caught."

Rower shook his head, "I am also going to get caught and punished for helping you all."

Lucas ignored the rest and said to Rower, "We need the ride only half way where it connects to the land of the living. Not the land." 

"I know what's going on," of course, thought Belle to herself, Rower knew things but he didn't tell it to anyone. The man worked for the skull coins of the dead.