Pages 278-316 Summary

Bill's lifetimer is empty. He is a ghost now. Having distracted the new Death from the child, Bill flees into the smithy, passing directly through the wall. Death-Of-Rats, who sits on a beam above, motions Bill to the location of the scythe. Unfortunately, Bill Door isn't able to pick up the weapon because Ned never destroyed it, and thus its astral remains are not available for Bill to wield. Bill flees the smithy and reunites with Miss Flitworth. At Bill's insistence, Miss Flitworth mounts Binky and flees with the child.

Bill squares off against Death. They exchange words as Bill continues to dodge and weave. Bill is appalled by the new Death's lack of professionalism, particularly by the fact that the Death now wears a crown, a symptom of ambition. Just as Death is about to lay its finishing blow, Bill's...