AN: I wrote it to Beth’s cover of Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child

There was a time, I used to look into my father’s eyes

In a happy home, I was a queen I had a golden throne

Those days are gone, now the memories are on the wall

I hear the sounds from the places where I was born

Up on the hill across the blue lake,

That’s where I had my first heart break

I still remember how it all changed

My father said

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child

See heaven’s got a plan for you

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now

The waters of Death were warm around me, pulling me along gently. I’ve always wondered why people fought Death so much. Everyone dies and it’s so peaceful. This way, I can’t hurt anyone any more. I flow through another gate I hit something and come to a stop. As I get pulled from the water, I think of the last time I was in Death’s current. Only this time, it’s not Alex that’s pulling me from it, it’s something solid. When I open my eyes I’m in a room that’s dry, but seems to still be in death because of the lighting and coloring.

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now

Yeah

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now

Yeah

“Hey Zobear.” My father says.

My breath catches at the nickname and I look at him, soaking him up. “Hey daddy.”

He smiles. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” I mutter and squint, feeling light headed again.

“It’s okay, go back to sleep. The waters took their toll on you. We’ll be here when you wake back up.”

I nod and let my eyes close again.

There was a time, I met a boy of a different kind

We ruled the world,

Thought I’ll never lose him out of sight,

We were so young

I think of him now and then

I still hear the songs, reminding me of a friend

Up on the hill across the blue lake,

That’s where I had my first heart break

I still remember how it all changed

My father said

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child

See heaven’s got a plan for you

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now

Yeah

I come to and I’m in the same room as before. My dad, Levi, Logan, and Athena are around me. They watch me silently.

“You’re not ghosts.” I say, drawing a smile from Logan.

“Yes. We’re dead. There’s no doubt about that. But Death treats us Belle heirs a little differently for some reason. We stay solid in Death, but we can’t leave. We get to watch our legacy grow and live on. In return for this…privilege, Death has made us like Gatekeepers.” She explains.

“Oh. How come I’ve never seen you before, then?” I ask.

See heaven’s got a plan for you

See heaven’s got a plan for you

See heaven’s got a plan for you

It’s Athena’s turn to answer. “Normally, we don’t intervene in the comings and goings of Death. But you aren’t supposed to die yet. It’s not your time. So, we stepped in and stopped it. Someone is trying to kill you early, and we think we’ve discovered who.”

“Oh.” I mutter, soaking everything in. It’s all so much. “Who wants me dead and why? Do you know a ghost named Alex? Where’s mom?”

Levi sighs and watches me. “Her name is Evelyn. She’s your great-grandmother from your Grandfather Elijah’s side. She’s had an interest in our family for centuries, trying to wipe us out, because of some old feud from long ago. She was killed in the mortal world by Elijah before your father was born but was powerful enough to stay material like us in Death. We’re not sure where she is yet, but we’re looking.”

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child

See heaven’s got a plan for you

Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now

Yeah

“Okay. What about Alex and mom?” I ask, looking to my dad.

He smiles sadly. “Your mother is dead. She went to the final area of Death long ago. Like Logan said, we’re only still here because we’re the heirs of the Belle legacy. Our spouses and any other children that aren’t heirs don’t count. Alex is one of Evelyn’s minions.” He pauses as he sees my face fall. “But that isn’t why he took an interest in you. You’ll have to ask him for his story. It is not ours to tell. But, he’s a good person, Zoey. You can trust him. He’s not Evelyn’s minion by choice and she’s quickly losing control over him.”

I nod. “Okay. So, what now?”

“Now, you go back. Lay back and close your eyes. You’ll wake back up in Life.” Dad smiles at me.

“Will I ever see you again?” I ask, my heart heavy.

“Yes, you will. You’ll see all of us again in time. Now go. I love you.” He kisses my forehead and steps back.

“I love you too.” I mutter as my lids get heavy with sleep. The moment they close I black out again.