For the love of Death

The First Gift

Xavier POV
My mind was burning, crumbling to ash as tears streamed down my face. What did she look like? What shape was her nose? What shade of red are her lips? Why couldn't I remember what my love looked like?

I could make it better. I knew what to do. I could see my darling again. I stumbled to the kitchen, gripping to the moist, chipped countertop as my world swayed. I needed my medication. The cabinet was open, and I unleashed a avalanche of cans as I felt blindly for the bottle. My fingertips brushed the cool plastic and I blindly popped a couple of pills in my mouth and dry swallowed. I took a deep, shuddering breathe, and the world stilled. My vision cleared and my hearing became crisp once again.

I took a couple more for good measure. Now I could focus. I wanted to see my Goddess again, I missed her too much. She was my angel, my sanity, my reaper. Tugging open a draw, I weighed a kitchen knife in my hand. It would do, yes, it would do nicely. I left my apartment, the smell of vomit and urine clogging my nostrils from the hall. The grimy door to the building fell of its hinges at my touch. It was gonna happen sooner or later. Before stepping out into the shadowed ally, I tucked the knife into my sleeve.

I shambled along the streets, nightlife drifting past me in a blur of senses. My mind settled, comforted by the medicine and the promise of seeing my beloved once again. It would all be ok. But where would I find my victim? As if by magic, a homeless man appeared, throwing up on the curb and then slouching in a doorway. I started towards him. Wait. What was I doing?

I couldn't give her a homeless man! My angel of Death deserves better than that.

I continued on my way. That man had had a lucky escape. I need to find someone better. Someone that my Angel will be happy to see. Maybe a girl? A pretty girl, someone to keep her company. I smiled, ignoring the strange glances thrown my way. There was a nightclub a few streets down. Yes, perfect. I made my way there, dodging round the back, hunkering down next to a dumpster.

Now I wait. Someone was bound to come back here. I patiently waited, tossing my blade from hand to hand.

My patience was soon rewarded. A young girl, around twenty, came stumbling into the darkened alley, clutching her stomach. She was wearing a vibrant cocktail dress, her face was plastered with glittery makeup, and her golden hair hung in sheets as she emptied her stomach on the ground. Her face was attractive, but positively repulsive when compared my Angel. I stood and walked over to her.
"Are you alright?" I asked, causing her to jump. The acidic smell made me crinkle my nose.
"Yes, I think I took too many shots." She slurred, grinning and leaning towards me.

The girl stumbled and fell towards me, gripping my blue and white striped shirt. I let her, putting an arm around her to steady her. She smirked up at me, hiccuping, alcohol prominent on her breathe. I smiled back as I plunged the knife deep into her chest. The smile dropped off her face as I slid the knife out, holding her as I lowered her to the ground. A pool of crimson spread beneath her as she mouthed incomprehensible words.
"Keep her company, will you?" The air filled with electricity.

She was coming.

I dodged back behind the dumpster as she materialised, hovering an inch above the filthy ground. She was breathtaking. Dressed in ragged black robes, her pale, flawless skin seemed to glow in the dimly lit surroundings. Her hair was long and black as night, hanging in silky sheets around her, framing her perfect face. Her lips were plump and pink, her nose was delicate and her eyes were large and icy blue. I sat there in pure awe, staring at her, soaking her in. She gracefully crouched in the air, bending over the girl.
"How brutally boring." She muttered. Her voice calmed my pounding heart, but her words made me want to cry. She didn't like my gift.