Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

dies. Death is cleansing. The pain of a mortal life is gone.”
“Tell that to Alan,” Wallace growled. “He’s hurting. He’s filled with
anger—”
The boy turned, frowning. “Because he’s still stuck here. He doesn’t see
the way things should be. Not everyone can adapt as well as you.” He
gnawed on his bottom lip. “Or Nelson or Apollo. I like them too. They
wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“And Lea?” Wallace snapped. “What about her? Where were you when
she needed you? When Hugo needed you?” A thought struck him, terrible and
harsh. “Or did what happened to Cameron keep you away?”
The boy’s shoulders slumped. “I never claimed to be perfect, Wallace.
Perfection is a flaw in itself. Lea was … it shouldn’t have happened the way
it did. The Reaper was out of line, and he paid for it dearly.” He shook his
head. “I manage, Wallace. But even I can’t manage everyone all the time.
Free will is paramount, though it can get a bit messy at times. I don’t interfere
unless there’s no other way.”
“And so they’re supposed to suffer because of what you can’t do?”
The boy sighed. “I can see where you’re coming from. Thanks for the
feedback, Wallace. I’ll take it into consideration going forward.”
“Feedback?” Wallace said, outraged. “That’s what you’re calling it?”
“It’s either that or you’re telling me what I can and cannot do. I’m giving
you the benefit of the doubt, because I choose to believe you can’t possibly
be that stupid.” He turned his face up toward the door. It vibrated in its
frame, the leaves and flowers carved into the wood bursting to life. The
crystal leaf in the doorknob glittered.
“I like you,” the boy said again without looking at him. He raised his hand
toward the door, curling his fingers. “Which is why I’m going to tell you how
things will go.” He twisted his hand sharply.
The doorknob on the ceiling above them turned.
The latch clicked, the crystal leaf flashing brightly.
The door opened slowly, swinging down toward them.
Hugo had told him what he’d seen when the door opened, how it made
him feel. And still, Wallace wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Light
spilled out so bright that he had to look away. He thought he heard birds
singing on the other side, but the whispers from the door were too loud for
him to be sure. He lifted his head in time to see the Manager push gently on