The Chosen.

A Deal With Death

I walk down the long deserted hallway, turning around i expect to see Tom following after me but he doesn't. I shrug and continue on my way.

Tugging at the edge of my zipper, my mind relives the few moments i shared with Faith.

"June." A familiar whispers rattles from a dark room i pass by. My feet stop suddenly but my heart feels like it kept going and begins to slam in my chest. I stand in silence not sure if what i just heard was real.

My eyes trail the door frame, staring into the pitch black. "June." He says again. "Don't be afraid." I stare on in terror, wishing i could muster up the courage to scream.

"I can help you." He says with a hiss behind his evil cadence.

I take a few steps forward, getting closer to the room. I peak my head around but still can't make out any figures in the pitch black darkness.

"Close the door."

Every single fiber of my being tells me to scream at the top of my lungs and run away but instead, i close the door. I don't even know why, it just seemed so easy to follow his directions.

"Good." He gurgles, his figure now coming into focus.

"What do you want death?" I ask, begging my voice to have confidence but the tremble does nothing to show that.

"I've come to make a deal with you." He smiles, the daggers he has for teeth glistening in the one trail of moonlight that shines through the blinds.

I don't answer. I'm scared that if i stop holding my breath i will fully freak out. This man, this demon, what ever he is, is fucking real and wasn't just in the serum like i had hoped. There had been no sign of him since i awoke so was just beginning to let my guard down.

"I'm tired of the scientists toying with me. Bringing souls the brink just to rip them away from my grasp. I need you to shut this down."

"Why can't you just do it?" I snap at him, forgetting who i'm talking to. I wince, hoping his familiar razor sharp hand doesn't give me a matching scar on my other cheek.

"You see, it doesn't work like that. I can't play with human lives, what comes to me must be natural, or by human standards at least." He grumbles deeply from his large black chest.

Droplets hit the ground, my eyes regretfully watching them fall. Dark blood dribbles from his teeth and falls onto the floor.

I scoff, "You seemed to have killed Bill just fine." Fuck. Why can't i ever just keep my mouth shut?

Death suppresses a chuckle, surprising me. I look up allowing my eyes to meet his sunken in orifices. "All is fair in the serum, i have free rein there because it's not real... I like you June, i want to make this deal but i am growing impatient. Listen."

I nod.

"I will help you find the third coin. In trade for shutting down Tokio laboratories, i will give you the gift of life."

"They said not a soul would be able to find it... but you don't have a soul." I connect the dots. He nods slowly.

"What so you're going to spare me?" I ask bitterly. I have got to watch my tone with him but after all he said he can't impede on human affairs.

"No, another life. When yours is up, you say the words and i won't take you. I'll let you be. A second chance if you will." His voice has become softer and almost even patient with me. Something i've never heard from him before.

"Can i have the life now in case i die shutting down the lab?" I ask.

"If that is what you wish. But if your end of the deal is not followed through with i will be back to collect what is owed to me. Your soul." He smiles, sliding his long black leathery tongue across his lips.

I nod. "That's fine."

"When the time comes June, you will say these words; 'Death is a gift i haven't yet earned' and lastly you will say your full name, that will finalize the deal."

My eyes study his features as i nod. I'm finding myself becoming less afraid of him. I don't know if it's the fact that i now have an extra life or that i've looked him directly in the face and stood my ground.

A shiver runs down my spine as i realize i just made a deal with death.