The Stories I'll Never Write

Death

"You know, no one bothered me this much when I was dead."

He walked swiftly down the corridor; I had to run to keep up, picking up my skirt so I would not trip.

"Hold on wait, you DIED?" I shouted, eyes wide. 

"Yes well, it obviously didnt stick."

"Im trying to have a serious conversation with you!"

"And Im trying to subtly avoid it." He sighed. "You do not need me for this."

"I just thought you were ignoring our letters! I didnt know you were dead!"

He stopped suddenly, I skidded to a stop behind him trying to catch my breath quietly. He turned slightly to look at me, his eyes lit with a deep fire.

"They had you believing I just gave up and hid myself away like some type of coward?"

"Well I-" I stammered, my heart beating hard against my chest.

"Typical. Making me look like an ass." He began walking again, this time slower and I was able to walk alongside him.

"They didnt say you did! No one said anything actually." I said quietly, looking down at the ground. "We all just assumed-"

"Yeah well, you thought wrong. I would never run when my people need me."

"Of course."

We stopped again, this time in front of a door. His hands fumbled in his pockets until he pulled a long skeleton key from them, opening the door quickly. I stood in the hallway, not wanting to intrude.

"Are you coming?" He growled. "I don't have all day you know."

"Right, sorry."

Walking into the darkness, I felt his hand on the small of my back and I gave out a little squeak.

"Hold on."

Suddenly, a fire lit in front of me, and sparks shot to the walls, illuminating small candles around us. The room was large, but full of old books, dust, and things. I reached out, touching them gently, taking in my surroundings.

"Sorry, apparently being lost for a hundred years or so means no one comes to dust."

I laughed and then stopped, not wanting to seem rude. I looked back at him, a slight smile on his lips.

"I like your laugh." He said quietly and my heartbeat quickening again, there was something about his smile and the way his eyes smiled too, even though the sadness they carried.

"Thank you." I whispered, finally breaking eye contact. "So, whats the plan?"