^Hey Ever, why are you lying on the floor?^ Mimi whined inquisitively, cocking her head this way and that.

  “I’m not sure,” he replied, folding his hands under his ribcage.

  ^OK. I’m going outside to pee, then I’m going to roll around in the grass.^

  “Sure.”

  His dog gave his face a few licks before scampering off.

  You might not be able to see it, but I’m laying on the floor of my office as well. Ever was so distracted that he didn’t even feel Death link into his mind.

  “Why are you doing that, Mentor?” Ever asked out loud.

  Did you know that in my aeons of being in this office, I’ve never looked up at my ceiling once?

  Ever smiled. “What is it like?”

  Mostly endless black smoke. I don’t know what I was expecting.

  The two ethereal beings continued laying in silence, worlds apart.

  “It’s all so much,” Ever said. He could hear Mimi yapping outside, probably at a bird. “It was already a lot finding out how many days Zoe has to live and now she’s going to become a goddess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that she’s not going to die, but… it’s all so much.”

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  For what it’s worth young soul, it’s not everyday a human gets a chance to Ascend, Death said. I’ve never seen it happen. The Primordials obviously have, but probably not for a long time. Yes you aren’t a true human, but your mind is human enough to feel the weight of concepts like this. Real humans will fall to pieces over much less.

  Ever didn’t know what to make of Death’s statement. The notion of not being a “true” human still irked him, but he could sense that his mentor was probably trying to make him feel better. Each part canceled the other, so he said nothing.

  You know you have 105 days left on Earth, as of today?

  “What?” Ever sat upright quickly, immediately regretting it as he became light-headed.

  Yeah, it’s Mid-February. Just about at the end of winter. Couple more weeks and it will be Spring. Three months of that then that’s it, vacation’s over and so is your apprenticeship.

  Ever lowered himself back down to the musty carpet. “Where did the time go?”

  ‘Time flies when you’re having fun.’ That’s what humans are taught to say. From what I’ve noticed reaping bajillions of humans, they allow their time to bleed away when wounds of apathy open and they don’t bother to close them.

  “‘Wounds of apathy?’” Ever repeated, frowning. “You mean when people stop caring?”

  “Yeah, let’s go with that. I’m also considering it for my band name, what do you think?"

  “It's nice," Ever said noncommittally. "So if I want my remaining time on Earth to go a little bit slower, I just have to keep caring?”

  Yup.

  Ever nodded, the back of his head rubbing against the worn, faded rug. Caring had been the easiest thing in the world for him. As much as it was for him at times, he was not about to care less, especially right when Zoe needed him. He closed his eyes. What he needed now more than anything was a definitive way to slow time right down. That way, he could truly enjoy the coming spring and the remainder of his time on Earth.