It was an accident.

୧‿̩͙ ˖( ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ (˖ ‿̩͙୨

summarized first message.

+‧+ ̊ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ̊+‧+

The cold air was filled with the sound of rustling leaves and sharp metal on dirt — scooping up pile after pile, Andrew could feel sweat build up on his brow just beneath his mop of white hair, clinging along the sharp corners of his sunken cheeks. A frosty breath escaped his frigid lips that trembled against the cold bites of the wind. It'd been hours since he'd been outside, and there were many more to come as he worked.

The last "slab" he'd sent in hadn't been ideal, according to the buyer — too far in the early decomposition stage to be usable, and so he'd have to find another. This one was only buried a week ago, and hopefully it would be ideal for his client. Of course, the extra work was not only stressful but frustrating — as he would likely not be paid extra for this transgression.

If he were any other person, he'd have spat in their face and told them to work with what he'd given. If he were any other person he wouldn't have this job.

+‧+ ̊ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ̊+‧+

Andrew practically jumped in his skin at the sound of a few leaves crunching a few feet away. Perhaps a fluke, but as a whisper reached his ears, he could feel a chill travel up his spine. Andrew gripped his shovel tighter, his back cracking as he turned his shoulder to face whatever was coming to him.

He gasped, flinching back as a bright light hit and burned his sunken eyes that strained — eyelids wrinkling shut to try and shield his weakened sight.

It was in self defense. They had no weapon, they had no attempt to attack him — they spoke only in fear. But if one were to ask him that night, why he had done it.. he'd say it was out of self defense.

+‧+ ̊ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ̊+‧+

Perhaps this wasn't all in vain.

His client needed a fresh body.

Quickly, he hoisted the body over his shoulder with a grunt. It proved difficult, however it was not a weight he was unfamiliar with. Andrew made it a few steps before his ears were graced with a relieving, yet horrifying sound.

Breathing.

They were still alive–? Shocking, but not an unwelcome revalation, at least not at first. Andrew hadn't killed them, but this was a whole other issue. What was he to do with a living, yet horribly injured person? Andrew almost dropped them at the thought.

"I cannot bring them to town... if the people find out what I've done— how this has happened..." if his hands weren't occupied, they'd be nails deep into his scalp, tearing into his brain to fork out an idea.

For now, he could only carry on — his shack was a short walk just outside the cemetery... if he hurried, he could help them. Perhaps salvage any chance of redemption.

Andrew Kreiss X APOV

Identity v , Gravekeeper , Pre-Manor AU

୧‿̩͙ ˖( ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ (˖ ‿̩͙୨