Mortis

Excerpt:

                  

"Tell me now, Hayden, do you live in a lawless world?" He asked.

            I looked at him. Everything about him was wrong, his eyes were too large, the coloring unnatural. He was as wrong as he was right, his oddities made him perfect. I couldn't look at him for too long, it made me feel strange. The walls in my delicate mind would crumble, their collapse an echo of his unmistakable voice. I could feel my heart racing.

            I looked away towards the field of grass.

Anywhere but those eyes.

            "No, I don't," I replied. My throat felt dry.

            "As I thought," he said, his tone softer. He wanted me to look at him again, his manner always softened when he wanted me to look at him.

"Your world is governed by laws," he continued, "all interconnected and upheld by a system. All regions, states, cities, countries...they all have different laws. Some are upheld while others are broken, making the system weak−it's inhabitants at risk for suffering. Those are laws upheld by society, but I speak of other laws. Laws that cannot be broken, not ever. And, they are all simple. Simple laws such as the laws of nature and gravity for example. What comes up must come down, right dearest Hayden?"

My name sounded so compelling in his voice. I looked at him once more.

"Yes," I replied.                                             

"Smart girl. Now, such simple laws are all held up by one. One inescapable truth that is forever constant in this world. I uphold this one law in your world, all worlds."

"And what is that?"

He smiled at me, a soft smile followed by a warm gaze. "Death, Hayden. Everyone must die."