Pieces

Death

I was an idiot. When they told me 'all who rise, fall' and 'every nadir has a zenith', I didn't believe them. Now I regret it.

I shouldn't have started that war. I think to my self for the gazillionth time, as I see her. I don't know who that woman is. I also don't know who is that man, whom she's holding in her arms and crying. I only know one thing, he's dying.

Quickly I make my way towards the couple. I can hear the ladies sobs as she sits beside the man on the hospital bed.

"Miles... oh miles!" She's clutching his shirt in one of her hands. Miles is choking on air as life force seeps out of him, the machines beep violently beside the bed. I can bet Miles was one of the survivors of the apocalypse... of the war I started.

I only started the war to make my self stronger. But turns out I was wrong. At this death rate, I'll die soon too.

The silvery life force flows out of the corner of his mouth. The mere sight of it makes me stop in my tracks for a moment. It's like a dinner bell, and ive been hungry for a long long time now.

But I stop the stop right there. I can't feed now. When you are Death in this post-apocalyptic world, every drop of life-force is worth everything in the universe.

I can't let them die. I tell my self. Even if it makes me stronger.

I force my self to kneel beside the sobbing woman, and extend my hand to collect the life-force. The silvery liquid drips onto my palm, and I feel it. The energy, the power it holds for me. If I just take it, I'll be stronger. Invincible. I shall rule the world as I rule my own realm.

The beeping of the machines echos in the room, along with the lady's sobs and prays.

"Oh death! Please don't claim my Miles...." She's begging me. "Please! I love him... Please don't take him! I beg you.... Miles! ... Miles! ..."

I shall be the King.... And this man here, Miles, he'll die. Then another Miles will die. And another, and another— until all the Miles in this World are dead. And when the very last Miles will fall, that will be the end of me.

There is no death, when there is no one to die.

I can't let Miles die.

The beeping comes to a stop when all the life-force has dropped on to my palm. The man's skin pales. The lady screams at the top of her lungs. She wants him back, she wants him alive. I want him alive too. I have to let him live.

Slowly, and very carefully, I pour the life force back into the dead man's mouth. The silver liquid drips down his throat. I place my hand over his forehead and I then I will him life. It takes all my effort. I cant do it. I'm Death, not Life.

But after a minute, the man's skin begins to gain colour again. His chest slowly rises as he breathes, and the lady gasps. The beeping sound is back. It's slow, but its the indication that Miles is alive.

I pull my hand back from the couple, and watch as the man opens his eyes. His eyes meet mine, he can see me. But only for a moment. For a fraction of a moment, he can see my black robes, my ebony skin, and my eyes deeper then pits. For a moment he sees the one who gave him his life back.

Then his eyes loose that glaze, and he turns them to his lover.

"Macey..." his voice is hoarse. "Macey..."

"Your alive!" Macey, the lady, cant hold back her delight, she kisses him all over his face and hugs him hard.

I should leave now. Standing here for an other moment might just make me change my mind.

"Thanks to him" Miles says, just as i turn to leave. His words stoped me in my tracks.

"Who?" The lady looks at him.

"Life." Miles says. "Life was here Macey. He was right here a moment ago. I saw him."

Life.... did he just call me—

"Oh thank you then, Life" Macey kisses Miles's cheek. "Thank you for giving me back my Miles."

I can't find any words... I'm not Life. I'm Death. I take lives, not grant then. I just decided not to take this one, that doesn't make me Life.

But theres nothing I can say. This is shocking. I can't be Life....

... but I have to live.

For the greater good. I tell myself. For my throne, for my power, for my empire... For the greater good, wether I like it or not, I'll be Life...

"Thank you." The lady whispers as I leave the room. I look back at the two lovers one last time.

You're welcome. I think to her. Later. I'll take their lives later. I have to save my own first.

~•|•~

~850 words