Once again, Eugene finds himself in a now familiar situation. Flat on his back, disoriented and waking up staring at a ceiling. It somehow became his routine in the Purgatory.
But, he realized something now. He didn't just simply crossed over from the human world to the purgatory. His soul already left the human world. Gumi didn't transport or summon him here. He was involved in an accident.
He really is dead.
"But why did Gumi said that she helped me? " Eugene thought.
Before he could make sense of it, he hears inaudible whispering behind his door. It's too faint for him to understand.
Outside. Gumi and Damon are having a conversation.
"Are you sure he fainted just because of the drink?" Damon worriedly ask.
"Eugene is different from the other souls residing in the purgatory. So of course he can't handle the drink." Gumi answered. "Let's be honest, You and I are the only ones who can handle the drink. The others get intoxicated."
"Are you really sure it's not because of his pregnancy?"
"This again. I thought Eugene said he's not pregnant. "
"I know but that's why I called you here. To check. You grew up at level 7. You've seen a lot of things."
"Eugene was a human."
" But, it could have been a side effect of the Pheros or... his soul could have mutated."
"haa.... my dear brother..... you've done it, right?"
"Yes. That's why we are having this conversation."
"Then you've already seen it. Did Eugene mutated into an intersex? You, of all soul could tell. No need for my help."
"What do you mean?"
"An intersex has both a man and woman's private part, right? Did Eugene have both?"
"I can't really tell."
"What do you mean you can't tell?! Which hole did you inserted it to?"
"It was a little hazy that night. The scent he's producing is too strong so I can't really tell."
"haaaa....." Gumi let out a deep sigh while shaking her head. "I'm surprised you've kept your virginity until now."
Gumi turned Damon around and pushed his back. "Let your experienced sister handle this. You can go back to the cafe for now."
Gumi knocked at Eugene's door and let herself in. Eugene is just sitting on his bed while still tucked in his blanket.
"So.... how was your death?" Gumi asked.
"How come I didn't remember the part where I got ran over?"
"Well, most souls leave their body at the brink of death. That's why they are called 'lost souls.They kept wandering, not realizing they are dead already. And it's my job, as the Grim Reaper to guide them to the purgatory."
"But you approached me even before that. Why?"
"Great question. You remembered seeing the Gatori Cafe poster, right? I was curious so I approached you. Only those who are dead can see those. It's my way to lure them.
But you're still alive when you saw it. That shouldn't be possible. Maybe there is something breaking the gate between the two realms.
Or.... you're one of those humans who can see the spirits." Gumi ended with a smile. But not with her eyes.
"Enough about that. Its the past no big deal. Let's talk about the present. Pregnancy."
"Not this again."
"Exactly! And one way to end it is for me to check. My innocent brother really believes you're pregnant even if you deny it."
"I. am. a man. I know you know that's humanly impossible."
"Right! But the thing is... you're not human anymore. You're a soul in the purgatory. And in the purgatory, specially at level 7... Males could get pregnant."
"Is that really possible?"
"Rare. but yes. Our mother is a male. He is a resident of Level 7. Our father, the Supreme Ruler and our mother, an intersex fell in love and spent nights together. Result? Me and Damon.
So prove to Damon that you're not like our mother. I am here to help."
"How could you help and convince Damon?"
"Simple." Gumi removed Eugene's blanket and clutched his pants. Good thing Eugene held it before Gumi could pull it.
"What are you doing?"
"Checking. Damon couldn't tell if you have both reproductive parts. So.... let me check."
"Stop!"
"Eugene. I am helping you. If you don't want Damon treating you like a pregnant soul. Just show me."
"I'm telling you. I only have one!"
"Are you sure? The way you've lived in the human world. You could've been a woman."
*slap!
The sound of slap made the both of them stop. Eugene was also shocked he slapped Gumi's face. His hand just moved after hearing Gumi's statement. Gumi poked her cheek with her tongue. She looks pissed.
She grabbed Eugene's shirt and pulled him.
"You're the first soul outside my family who laid hands on me. " She brushed her hair backwards and dropped her smile. The air grew heavy. "I'll let it slide the second time but .... do it a third time." Her voice dropped low and she whispered. "....forgiveness is not the only thing you're begging for."
Eugene tightly shut his eyes closed as he can feel the chill all over his body. His eyes started producing tears, showing how scared he is. Gumi saw how he is trembling with fear so she decided to release him.
"I'm not really as bad as you think Eugene. I am helping you, aren't I? Starting from day one. I sent you to the cafe. If hadn't help you, you could've ended crawling on fours with a collar. Or worse you could've been thrown to the fire pit."
The image of Damon pulling that one soul off the bridge came back to Eugene's mind.
"If there's someone you can trust the most at the Purgatory, it's me. I've spent more time in the human world than anyone else here. So I understand you better than you think. I know you're terrified."
Eugene looked at Gumi but with tears still rolling down his cheeks.
"If you don't want Damon to continue treating you like your fragile, lie down and let me check. After this confirmation, maybe you and Damon can get even closer. He'll stop seeing you as just a responsibility he needs to fulfill. "
Eugene wants to push her away but what happens after? Will she hunt him down? Will he be safe? And what will happen if he lets her check? Maybe.... Damon has his reasons. Maybe something inside Eugene did really change and Gumi is here to help him clarify things. He was scared but he wants to end the confusion more.
After careful consideration, Eugene lay down and put his hands at his side. Surrendering himself to Gumi. Gumi pulled his pants all the way down, inspecting his private parts.
"What's happening here?!" Damon suddenly opened the door and saw a crying Eugene while being half naked. "I told you to talk to him, not violate him!"