"Hi grandpa. Are you feeling any better?" I walk into the white walled, cleaning solution smelling hospital room and close the large oak door behind me.
"Jenny, come over here." he chokes out.
"What is it, grandpa?"
"You feel it, don't you. Do you feel it?"
"What, grandpa?"
"My life. It's leaving. And you can feel it."
I do. Really. But I can't let grandpa know this. Dad told me to keep it a secret. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me, Jenny. I know you can. And you can only feel it because of that necklace." He points at an emerald necklace that grandma had given me the night before she died.
"The one grandma gave me? Before she died?"
"Here's a secret. Grandma didn't die. She committed suicide. Because of that necklace. She could take people's lives, and they go into the necklace. Eventually, she realized this and was so ashamed that she killed herself. And her life went into the necklace. You can't do that. Use the necklace for good, and you'll be immortal."
"But grandpa!"
"No buts. But if you want to continue to live, you have to take lives. And your first one will be mine."
"Grandpa! You have to stay!" I protest.
"I'll be up in a better place. Just remember. You have to take the lives to stay alive."
"But!"
"You'll put me out of my misery."
"Okay. How do I do it?"
"Place it in your palm." I do as he says and grab the emerald.
"Close your hand." I obey the command.
"Now repeat after me. Accipere quae vitam."
"Accipere quae vitam." I say, almost in tears.
"Thank you." He whispers.
"I love you." I say as my last words to him.
My curly blonde hair blows backward as a loud whisper fills the room. A clear, shiny figure dives into the glowing emerald and my eyes sparkle back with the same vivid green color. I don't know why, but I'm laughing. My soul is filled with happiness. Just like my grandfather used to have.
The light disappears. My eyes return to their sea green color. The wind stops.
"Grandpa?" I say, alarmed. No response. He is as pale as a ghost. His eyes are shut in slumber, and his last smile still lies on his face.
I grab his wrist. No pulse. I just took his life.
