Heart of Ashes

Shadows

"No, mom, you don't need to worry. I'm fine. This is why I saved my money, for situations like this. No, I don't need to move back home, although I do appreciate the offer. Yes, I'll call you first if I need anything. Yes, I'm eating regularly. Yes, mom, I have enough toilet paper to last me," sighing softly, I smiled as I held the phone to my ear, listening to my mom chatter away on the other end of the line.

I was lucky to have a mom who was willing to worry about me, especially after the years of worry I had caused them while growing up. I'd always thought my parents would be so glad when I finally moved out and stopped draining their bank accounts, especially more recent years what with how much college classes cost, even if it was only a few years of courses after high school ended. 

"I love you too mom. Yeah, I'll come out for a visit soon, I promise."

After a few more minutes on the phone, the call finally ended and I made my way back into what was once a bedroom but had been converted into a craft room, the futon in the living room serving well enough for the little time I spent sleeping. Sitting at the lone chair in the room, I leaned towards the desk and grabbed my current project, a skirt that would luckily bring in some extra cash once it was done and taken to the person who had requested it. Of course, they would need to come in for a fitting before it was totally done, just to make sure it flowed properly on their narrow hips.

~~~~~~~~

Shadows flickered as he walked down the alleyway, eyes glancing up to the distant stars as they often did when boredom hit him. Watching stars flicker to life while others grew dim, suns burning themselves out while planets collided, it was beautiful in ways that nothing else could match. The stars were more interesting than the humans that had covered this planet like a plague.

He'd long ago lost interest in humanity, not having found any of them worthy of his true attention in several millennia. Not since Kohmus had been Pharaoh of Egypt. But that had been long ago and time did not stop, not even for him. And things had just gotten more and more disappointing after that point. Especially after he had seen those that sprang up among the humans over the following years, each one worse than the last.

He'd even tried giving a few a chance, but so many had failed and the few that hadn't, he had been forced to reap when their time came, regardless of his feelings. No, it was better not to become attached to beings who ended up slipping away, one way or another. Far better to just let the cold fill him like it was want to do, freezing his emotions much as it did the air around him, often covering the ground with frost when he was working.

At least the clothing had gotten better over the centuries, the more recent styles catching his interest even if the humans failed to do so. He'd definitely enjoyed the leather jackets from the last few decades, hands raising to tog upon the hood of his own jacket. Yes, definitely better than what the men wore in Europe during the sixteenth century. Although, all the layers the women wore were not that much better, even if they looked nice.

Also, the constant changes over time kept his own wardrobe from becoming stale. The humans were good for that much, if little else . Most of the gods didn't even bother keeping track of what century it was, let alone updating their style of dress. If he was still capable of it, he would be disappointed in them, especially the Greek and Roman gods who hadn't changed their outfits since the days when Rome ruled over most of Europe.

Sighing, he opened the door to the small cafe, eyes wandering over the random tables until they fell upon the frail old lady huddled under a worn brown jacket as she coughed into a napkin. With each step he took, his jacket faded further from existence, a long robe taking its place until finally, he stopped in front of her, a skeletal arm reaching forward as a scythe appeared in his grasp.

"At least you seem ready for me," he spoke, his voice echoing through the room, even if nobody but the lady seemed to hear him. Slowly, the lady's body slumped within the chair, her head resting against the tabletop as if she had fallen asleep with a smile upon her face.

"You kept me waitin' far too long, Mr. Death. I was ready for you ages ago," the whispery voice said as she walked beside the tall form of Death. Without a glance her way as he led her to her appointed end, Ashe spoke just once more to her before growing quiet.

"I may wait for no man, but all must wait for me."