Halloween

1951

He stood in the doorway and Marie motioned for him to sit next to her on the bed. He did so and Marie smiled.
“Edward,” she said as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I can’t deal with this any longer.”
“It will not be much longer now,” he said. “Not many years are left.”
“Where do I go when I die?” she asked. “To Heaven? Or to Hell?”
“I have no knowledge of that, my dear.”

Lifting her head slightly, Marie looked into his blue eyes. It was waiting for some fateful moment so she could die and for all she knew, that fateful moment could happen tomorrow or in ten years.

“Can I stay with you?” His eyebrows raised at her. “Is that even possible?”
“I…” he trailed off. “I, admittedly, do not know the answer to your question. But if you really wish, I can find a way.”
She smiled at him and rested her head back on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“It’s all I can do for now,” he said. He was frowning.
“I know,” she said.

Marie let out a long breath and closed her eyes.
“I hope I can stay with you, somehow,” she said.
“So do I, my dear,” he said softly. “I can’t imagine not seeing you after seeing you so often.”
“I can’t imagine finally dying,” she said with an awkward laugh. She then frowned and the mood became sombre. “I kind of wish it would just happen already.”

“I wish I could help you there,” said Edward with a sigh. His hand held mine and rubbed soothing circles. His hands were cold and he didn’t have his gloves on. “But there has been no fateful moment.”
“You keep saying that,” she murmured. “Can’t you elaborate?” She looked at him with hope in her eyes but it was crushed as he shook his head.
“No, I can’t,” he said. “I’m not even sure what it even is, though it does seem to know.” The devil face. Of course it knew what it was waiting for. But Marie didn’t know and it irritated her.
“It’s frustrating,” she admitted.
“I can imagine it would be,” he said. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it.

“Are you going?” she asked as he stood.
“Soon,” he said. “We both know it is not you tonight.”
Marie frowned. “Do you have to go so soon?”
He took her hand. “As much as I want to stay, I am at its whims and I must take someone with me,” said Edward before kissing the back of her hand. “I know I’ll see you again, my dear.”
“I know, I just…” She let out a sigh. “I didn’t want to be alone.”

Edward didn’t know how to respond and said nothing as he turned and headed to the door. The demon face on the back of its head was in control, it was down to its decision on when she died.
“Goodnight, Edward,” she said. He paused and turned back to her, a smile on his face.
“Goodnight, my dear.”