The Dance With Death

Oliver stumbled through the forest, his head spinning. Eventually he fell over, groaning in pain, black dots threatening to take over on the edge of his vision. He was on his way to Bardonia when he got lost, ending up in a very cold, very deep forest. That was a few days ago and by now Oliver was on the brink of death. 

He was starving, freezing, sleep-deprived, and thirsty. He was surprised that Death hadn't arrived yet. After laying there for a few moments he stood up, brushing off his cloak and picking up his hurdy gurdy and bag and headed on his way. He pulled out a compass, that he wasn't sure worked, and headed east. He wandered on for a couple more miles before collapsing for his last time.

This was it, it was over, Death was coming... and he did. Though a black portal of nothingness he stepped, his tall, gaunt body entering into the human world. All of the creatures fell silent, even the wind seemed to hold it's breath as Death walked over to Oliver.

Death's bones cracked, his teeth rattled, and his eyes looked blankly over the terrain as he bent down to grab Oliver. "It's time to go human. Your time is up." The voice sounded strange, like Death had a smoking problem. It also held no emotion or expression, just a dull drone. Death's skin was a pale grey, like slate and his arms looked like they had no muscle, but he did, a surprising amount.

For when Oliver realized what was happening and tried to escape, Death reached out abnormally fast and grabbed his arm, squeezing it until it nearly broke. "It's time to go human." He said again. "Don't waste my time, I have countless other people to transport, let's go."

But Oliver still didn't move, not wanting to go with him. "No." He said simply. "I will not go with you. That's my final say. What can I do to get you to let me stay?" He asked, stepping away slowly.

Death groaned loudly and just slightly turned to keep Oliver in sight. His back arched over and his arms hanging Death spoke, "I cannot do that human. You know that. You must come with me, now." He said again in the same droning voice.

Stubbornly Oliver shook his head. "I must stay here and make it to Bardonia. What about a dance?" Oliver suddenly asked, picking up his hurdy gurdy. "If I can make you dance will you leave me alone?"

Laughing Death shook his head. "You can't make me dance, I haven't danced in years. Besides your human music isn't groovy enough for me." Death proclaimed.

Yet Oliver didn't care. He started playing the hurdy gurdy, doing the most energizing song he could think of at the time, desperate to make Death dance. Yet he didn't, he didn't even wiggle his head along in the music.

So Oliver tried a different style of music. Yet that failed too, so he tried another and another until eventually he gave up. He collapsed on the ground and Death started walking over. "Ok, are you ready do go yet?" He asked. Oliver shook his head, but says nothing.

"That's how it's going to be, you'll see, you will be in a better place once you follow me." Death grumbled, grabbed Oliver's arm and dragged him through the dirt into the portal. "That's what you get for trying to make a god of death dance."

The End