Death and the lady
He examined her through the shards of the broken window as she juggled a knife, her makeup once pristine left running down her olive face. Alone in the house, her parents long since gone, seeking refuge in a cold box of vacant walls. Her room was a prison made for her body while her mind held her hostage. Thoughts of a paradise without pain replayed over and over. He watched as violent sobs wracked her body. Watched as she hesitantly levelled the blade above her wrist and sliced across.
Time froze and in that moment she held her breath. She wondered if she had missed but the slight sting told her otherwise. Blood bubbled to the surface slowly. Relief adorned her features, the instant rush of adrenaline and ecstasy proved too much. All common sense pushed aside, her mind had quietened for the first time in a while.
He watched as she washed away her pain.
One slice.
Two slice.
Third cut too deep.
Crimson flowers bloomed from the jagged crisscrossed lines. Her nostrils flared at the sickly sweet metallic scent as it flowed straight over the edge of her arm seeping into the bed. She started to panic – suddenly realising that this isn’t what she wanted, she didn’t want to die. Blood continued to pour out at an alarming rate. Her wild flailing soon became sluggish with the more blood she shed until moments later she fainted.
This was it, he glided to her side in an instant ready to collect. Only moments later her spirit was standing beside him gazing fearfully into his dead eyes.
“I don’t want to die” she shrieked. “Please, please”
He said nothing instead grabbing her arm. He learned long ago to steel his heart. They always beg and try to barter .Promising all the possessions in the world, promising to become a better person. These things meant nothing to him. He turned pausing slightly when the front door opened.
Her mother and father had arrived home to the foul stench of blood. They called for their daughter but no answer came. Fearing the worst they sprinted up the stairs, taking two at a time to her room, where all they found was her broken shell.
Her mother let out a shrill scream. “My Baby!” Her distraught form now cradling her daughter’s body. Desperately shaking her. Her father on the other hand had already called an ambulance and was now tying a cloth around her wrist.
“Don’t just sit there, put pressure on her wrist”.
The mother ignored him, she just repeated wake up baby over and over like a broken record on repeat.
He glanced at the lady surprised to see the tears on her face and a dejected smile. He knew she was hurting, he could feel it.
“Dad always was the calm one. Mom panics but he always stays calm”
She turned to him. “Please don’t take me away. I promise that when my time comes I won’t fight but please…”
Her gentle voice thawed his frozen heart. None had ever had an effect like this on him. None had ever been able to win yet she was special. For some reason he faltered.
He released her arm. Watching as her spirit drifted back into her body. She whispered a faint “thank you”. He turned and dissipated back into the night, drifting serenely along the sky.
He would return in time and when he does, she would be his forever. There would be no escaping, no bargaining.
Death had found his Lady.