Blood Moon 3 (Haunted)

My Friend, Death

Have you ever wondered what controls whether we live or die? Is it fate or destiny or maybe just pure chance? How about luck of the draw? Are we on a set path in this lifetime, or is everything just coincidence?

These questions never once crossed my mind. After all isn't the saying, "You only live once"? So why not make the best of it while you can. Of course at that time I hadn't yet come face to face with Death yet, I hadn't even considered the possibility that Death had more say in our lives than we ever cared to admit. We all meet him at some point, whether we like to admit it or not. Mostly we try avoid it, we pretend that it won't happen at all.

Well I have met Death, pretty nice guy if you ask me. Now, before you even think of asking... He does not wear a black hooded cloak, he does not have a scythe. In fact, he is really just as normal as you and me. The only difference is, he does have the ability to give and take life. I myself have witnessed this on several different occasions and let me tell you right now, it's not as glamorous or magical as you might imagine. Hollywood has a way of overplaying things. .

We have become really close friends, and one of our favorite pastimes is playing dice. I'm sure most of you have at least once in your life played liars dice or Yahtzee. What we play is very similar, with only one big difference, we play for souls.

Once a week we get together, no specific place, and play a few rounds. If I win, a life is spared, if Death wins... Well I'm sure you can figure out what happens, a life gets taken. So, here are some of the poor souls we have either let lit, or extinguished.

*~*~*

William Peterson, aged 36. He works as a lawyer at a prestigious law firm. He owns a beautiful large four bedroom Victorian house in an upscale part of town and drives the newest Mercedes Benz. Married to the love of his life, Michelle Peterson. A lovely young woman, the perfect trophy wife. Together they have two young children, Paul and Jessie. Both under the age of five.

He works out at the gym once a day, and is very health conscious. Fit as a fiddle with no record of heart problems what so ever. The kind of man you would imagine would live to be at least eighty years of age before any kind of health issues became apparent.

The perfect life, or so it would seem. With just a few throws of a dice, his fate would be sealed... Here we go! A collective score out of three throws of the dice from each of us is the deciding factor. Death won.

After a long day at work, William headed off towards the gym. He spent an hour on the treadmill, warming up for some heavy lifting. A sudden sharp pain shot down his left arm, accompanied by a searing pain in his chest. Before he could shout out for help, William Peterson fell to the ground, dead.

*~*~*

Lauren Smith, aged 67. A spinster who lives with a bunch of cats... The hilariousness of this one had me interested. A typical "crazy cat lady", and not a very nice one at that. She hates humanity and is a very bitter old lady. Throwing stones at people who annoy her is her favorite pastime.

Whenever she sees a homeless or jobless person on the street, she shouts at them, tries to kick them in the shin and sometimes even goes as far as spitting on them. Many people wish her dead, and would probably pay for front row tickets in order to witness her death. Death and I would make a small fortune if we actually did this, surely we can come up with some sort of plan...

Her health is wavering though. High blood pressure and cholesterol, arthritis and dementia is a daily struggle. The usual illnesses that plague the elderly.

I hate to admit it, but honestly, I hope that Death wins this round. Miserable people like this, who get their pleasures from making others just as miserable as themselves, really don't deserve to live in this wondrous world we live in.

Just my luck though. It seems the dice have decided to let old crazy cat lady live this round. Death thinks it's one huge joke on my behalf.

*~*~*

We never know when our own death approaches, and thus we should always try and make the best of this life. Enjoy it, without making life hard for others. There is more joy in being happy with those around you, than there is being bitter and hateful.

If you dislike someone, for whatever reason, let it be. Do not go out of you way to hurt them. In the end, the only person you are hurting, is yourself. Live, love and be happy. Forgive, never forget, and remember the good as well as the bad.

I am now an old man aged 88. My time is near, Death has been a great companion these many years. I have seen and experienced as much as I possibly could. I have travelled and seen the world. I have met so countless amazing and truly interesting people. I have loved greatly, been a husband, a father, a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. I have watched with pride and humility as my family has prospered and bloom.

I have no regrets, all but one. In the eighth grade there was a young beautiful girl names Anne. I regret not kissing her. What can I say, I love the ladies.

*~*~*

"I am ready to play my friend."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, my time has to come sooner or later."

"As you wish."

With a few rolls of the dice, a last fate will be sealed, this time my own. I am ready to enter the afterlife, where I shall await the arrival of those I love. I hope them the best and know that Death will be kind to them.

"The Dice have spoken, I shall see you soon my friend."

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