Echoes

Final Evening

The hours passed inconsequentially, and I found myself anxiously wringing my hands behind the counter of the liquor store. I was a few hours into my shift, and I was practically sick with apprehension. I had sworn to myself I would maintain a brave face and walk fearlessly towards my fate. But as the hours ran down on my watch, I got more and more doubtful I would be able to keep up with my bravado. The truth was, I didn't want to die, I wanted to live; I still had things I wanted to do, things I wanted to achieve. I look back on my life and see nothing but wasted time. I did nothing worth while with the time I've had, now that it was almost over, I felt a burning desire to change that. I laugh out loud, the sound bitter and sharp. My life culminated to a grouping of mistakes and would end by someone's pursuit of revenge. Shaking my head I lean onto the counter, aimlessly doodling on a sticky note. It was nearing two am when I got one of my first customers of the night, a disheveled businessman with brown hair. As I watch him browse the shelves confusion washed over me, I didn't remember him from my last shift before I got attacked. Shouldn't the shift at least be the same as before? I think to myself. He walks up to the counter with a bottle of whiskey and pays, opening the bottle and taking a swig as he leaves the store.

I grimace. "Must be having a bad day, I can relate." I mutter under my breath, going back to my doodles.

Shortly later a young cab driver walks in, full of energy as he grabs a beer and drops it on the counter. "Did you hear?" He asks me, excitedly. I just look at him, confused. "They caught the guy! That trashy serial killer, they finally caught the bastard." He pays and leaves, cheering the air with his beer as he hops back into his cab and drives away.

I stood there frozen in disbelief, almost as if time itself stopped. With my hand shaking I opened my phone and looked at the news. "Serial Killer caught in surprise raid tonight!" The title splashed across the screen confirming what I had heard. My knees went weak, and I crashed to the floor, never taking my eyes off the phone. A sob rips out of me, and tears begin raining down my cheeks. I didn't know what I felt, happy, relieved, it was overwhelming mix of emotions flooding out of me. The bell rings and I hear footsteps running into the store, shortly before Matt appears around the counter and kneels next to me, wrapping me in his arms.

"H-how?" I choke out, clutching onto him.

He grips me tighter. "The note you left. That fucking letter, with that ridiculous goodbye." He explains, his tone almost angry.

I pulled away, looking at his face through the tears. "I didn't think you'd read it until it was too late." I try to smile. "I almost didn't think you'd do anything, not after our fight."

Hurt mars his face and he pulls me close again. "Are you stupid? I would never let you die because of an argument. I'm not okay with what you did, but I'll work through it, just give me some time."

I nod, my head resting against his shoulder. I see legs appear around the counter and I look up to see the grim reaper standing there. He smiles and gives a small bow.

"Told you he has the energy to change fates." He mouths with a wink before turning and leaving.

I smile and close my eyes, relaxing into Matts embrace. I was never one to believe in second chances, certainly not for myself, but I found myself aching to be better in the future. Promising myself that I would be more forgiving, more kind, more generous and sympathetic to others. No longer would I allow my environment to dictate who I was, I would be better than my surroundings. I felt like I had been reborn, given a new fate to race towards; one with no mud to climb through, no darkness to walk in and I was excited to see what the future would bring.