Death's Pet

Part 6

  We're back at the little house in the woods. After the visit to the hospital, Mortimer thought it would be a good idea to take a short sabbatical before our next trip. I'm unsure of how many souls he took last night, how many were from the accident or died for different reasons. After the first man we visited, the rest of the trip was a haze.

  Early morning rays streak across the tops of the spruces and pines, sending slivers of sunshine down into the little meadow near the wooden house. As the beams of warmth reach the edge of the porch I finally move from where I've been sitting still as a statue by the door. Coming to the edge of the it, I turn my face up to welcome the sun and the gentle heat; it chases away the coldness that had seeped into me.

  Last night had not been pleasant for me. I very nearly gave in to the dark desires that I usually keep buried deep. I had been ready to spring at the man when Mortimer softly laid a hand on my back.

  "Little Kasha, remember we are what we choose to be." His voice was low, his words distracted me enough to give me pause and allow my brain to think again.

  I was ready to let my instincts to take over. I was ready to drag a soul to hell or worse. I was about to do the one thing I fought so hard not to do. I don't want a life in the dark and endless cold. I don't want to revel in the agonized and tortured cries anymore. I don't want to be constantly searching for that next high because its never enough and it leaves empty and drained once it's gone. I want the light. I want warmth. I want a better purpose to my life than what fate says I have to be because of what I am.

  "Only half." He said. I was too lost in the sun and my own turmoil to notice his approach from behind. I jumped at his words but still kept my face turned towards the sun.

  "Yes, only half Mortimer. It seems being half Kasha is enough to seal my fate. I don't have the option to choose differently. I am what I am regardless of wanting something else." I say bitterly.

  He chuckles as he sits down next to me. "But you do have a choice. You choose last night did you not?" Gently he reaches over and scratches behind my ears. I don't have the energy to pull away from him and besides, it feels kinda nice too. As he scratches, he continues, "You are part Kasha and part something else. One-part dark, one-part light. You have the ability to go down either path or even make your own way. You may have dark desires but it's not those that you fight with, it is yourself. When you stop fighting with yourself, you will see things more clearly and your choices will be easier." He stops scratching my ears and pats me softly on the head. Without a backward glance at me he takes his leave heading back into the cabin, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.