Death Dancer

Chapter Six

I slumped into bed, exhausted from my day of walking around the city, doing small acts of kindness wherever I could. Paying for Nathaniel's lunch had left me feeling so good that I decided to spend the day doing the same thing to strangers all around the city. I bought lunch for a few homeless people, payed for the shopping of a single mum and threw in a chocolate cake for the little girl who only peaked around her mum's legs when I asked what colour sprinkles were her favourite. I did some shopping at a pop-up shop for a new designer, who was flawed and holding back a few tears when I cleared a few racks and shelves. Stopping for dinner I left a huge tip for my waiter before slipping out, and I made sure the taxi driver got at least double his fee when he drove me the shortest way home. It all left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling, and very sore feet.

A new small bag now rested on my bedside table, in it my new phone, some cash, hairbrush, slip on shoes and a cosy warm jumper. I had also taken the liberty of wearing pyjamas that covered me and didn't look so much like sleep wear should I end up jumping in the night again.

I tossed and turned for a few minutes finding my comfortable spot and drifted off into a deep sleep.

The pull woke me from my sleep in the dead of night. I grabbed at my heart, the pain of the person becoming my own. Even in my small time of being a Death dancer, I knew this time was different. I didn't even have the time to grab my bag.

One moment I was rolling off my bed about to hit the carpet, the next I had my nose pressed against cold concrete. My hands flew up to cover my bare shoulders which had started to shake from the cold. I stood slowly, my eyes only finding stars.

Where am I? I wondered, wandering towards a small glow of light. My heart stuttered. I was stood on the top of a giant sky scraper, so tall that the light of the city was below me, the people below me looked like ants.

I stumbled back. Even in death I was afraid of heights. I rolled my eyes. Of all the situations to find myself In, this was not where I thought I would end up this night.

Hugging myself to try and keep warm, I spun around. There had to be someone up here, I wouldn't have jumped here otherwise.

But I couldn't see anything. Apart from a red flashing light way above my head to ward of planes, there was no light to see anything with.

A flickering in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I walked to the other side of the roof, the wind biting my bare skin, trying to see who it was.

The figure stood on the ledge, their feet precariously balancing on the thin wall that led to plummeting to the world below. Their figure obscured by something I would recognise anywhere.

"How long do you think it would take?" He asked, his voice carrying on the wind. "From here to the ground."

I gaped, before wiping the expression from my face, realising the situation at hand.

"Contemplating death?" I replied, my legs shaking as I stood next to him.

I heard a low rumble of a heartless chuckle. "Occupational Hazard."

I stayed silent, my mind racing at what I should do and say next.

"You're not needed here, Ellie. Jump home." He turned to face me and my heart almost stopped.

His hood had slid back from his face and I could finally see his face. Death was young. Though what an immortal born millenniums ago was supposed to look like baffled me. His cheekbones were defined, lips thin, skin pale and sunken. But it was his eyes that floored me. Bright blue, iridescent almost. But sad. Hollow. Dead.