"What are you thinking?" a man asked. He was sitting next to you as you lay your back against the grass.
"Stars," you answered, still looking at the starry night sky above you. "Been thinking about stars lately."
The man looked up. "What about them?"
A smiled tugged on your face. "I just realized something. Have you ever noticed that the darkest nights produce the brightest stars?"
The man didn't say a word.
"It's quite philosophical, actually, if you think about it," you explained. "Sometimes we have to be in our darkest to see a glimpse of light above us."
The man looked you in the eyes. His beautiful and seemingly innocent face were breath-taking. His golden eyes looked even more divine, calm, and warm under the moonlight. "So, have you come to your senses yet?"
"Are we having this conversation again?" You pouted and turned to the side, avoiding his stare.
The man didn't answer.
You sighed and turned back anyways. Your heart almost skipped a beat when you realized two beautiful and understanding golden orbs were still looking in your eyes, waiting for an answer.
"Death," you began. "I'm not changing my mind. I simply mean, you. In my darkest place, I have found you. You're my light, my star in a way. A hope to numb the pain."
It was his turn to sigh. "But I am neither light nor star nor hope. I'm Death in every sense and definition of the word. Shouldn't you be afraid of me?"
"I have accepted you long ago," you smiled, a tease twinkled in your eyes. "You no longer scare me. In fact, I welcome you with open arms."
"Just as I fear." He scratched his head like he was in a losing battle with a stubborn child. His silky pitch black hair silently rustled in the night.
You sat up and rested your head on his shoulder. His porcelain skin was smooth and cold to the touch. "Death, will you take me with you?"
You heard a low growl of protest from his chest. "Why do you want me so bad?"
"Don't you want me too?"
The man extended his arm to the side and opened his palm. Dark smoke began to form where his hand was. And in a blink of an eye, a dark, long and slender scythe materialized in his hand. Its blade gleamed in the night.
"Everything has there own time. A time to sow and a time to reap." He tightened his grip on his scythe, rested its bottom on the ground and looked up at the night sky once again. "A time for a star to be born, and a time for it to fade in oblivion."
There was silence for a heartbeat.
"You always say the same shit," you complained, breaking the silence. "Different words but the same shit every time. Why do you always do that?"
Death let out a soft chuckle. It sounded like a wind chime in your world of chaotic mess.
His scythe disappeared. "Not everyone will understand your journey. That's okay. You're here to live your life, not to make everyone understand."
"I'm fine."
"You always say the same shit. Why do you always do that?"
You rolled your eyes. "I am fine, Death. And even if I'm not, would it really matter? It's not like people care. People will believe everything you say when you show them your beautiful fake smile."
"You say you're fine, and often times people believe it because they can't see, they don't understand. How many fake smiles did you manage to make today, for example? Plenty? But I can see through your lies. I know your tears behind that rehearsed smile you have grown used to. Stop killing yourself."
"I'm done trying to kill myself, Death." You stood up and watched as the darkness of the night covers the horizon. "I'm not suicidal, but if a car came while I was crossing the street, I don't think I would move out of the way. And if someone held a gun to my head, I'd laugh and tell them to go for it."
You met his eyes and smiled while tears started to form from your own. "No, I'm not suicidal. But if I had an opportunity to die without having to kill myself, I'd probably take it."
Death reached his hand and held yours. His hand felt cold and warm at the same time like a comforting blanket in a blizzard storm. "You're still breathing. Remember, as long as you're breathing it's never too late to start a new beginning. Live."
"Just because you're breathing, doesn't mean your alive, you know."
"Don't kick the bucket just yet," Death urged. His eyes not missing yours. "The days that break you are the days that make you, believe me."
"But sometimes it hurts... a lot..." Tears began to rain down from your eyes. "How many scars do I still have to justify just because I loved the person holding the knife? How many times do I have to pretend that everything is okay when in fact it's not? How long do I have to act like I'm whole when I'm actually ripped into pieces inside? I'm tired, Death. Just tired of everything..."
The man stood up, showing his statuesque physique. He pulled you closer and gently wrapped his arms around you. "I know."
You let go of everything you were holding in and let the tears flowed down freely. As the man's arms were safely wrapped around you, you cried like a little child. You felt Death's hand making circles in your back in a comforting way. And somehow, you found solace.
You pulled away just a little so you could see his beautiful face. His golden eyes inviting your soul to come closer. You leaned in and landed your lips against his. He closed his eyes, bended a little and returned the kiss. He then rested his forehead against yours and let out a soft sigh.
"Death, take me with you."
"In the right time, my friend," he whispered. "In the right time."
