“I am Death,” Death declared,
taking a seat across from Lillian Jacobs.
Lillian shoved a cracker in her mouth.
“Hold on.” She put up an index finger and leaned in towards the
glowing light of her monitor. “Let me finish this paragraph.”
Death sighed and let his scythe clatter
to the floor.
“You weren't supposed to get home
until Tuesday.”
He drummed his bony fingertips on the
table.
Lillian slammed her laptop shut. “God,
Ryan, I can never get anything done around here.” Finally she
looked up at the creature before her, brittle bones more
grey than white. “Who the hell are you?”
“I am Death.”
She frowned. “You could have gotten
a little spiffed up for the occasion.”
“Most people don't really notice my
nakedness.” He pointed to the candles. “Nice touch.”
She smiled. “I think so.”
“Pour me a cup?” Death eyed the teapot.
“No. That's special.”
“Not as if you'll be needing it no
more.” He retrieved a mug from the cabinet.
“What's with the grammar?”
“I'd forgotten you were an editor.”
She watched the tea go down his neck
and spill onto the floor.
“I speak all languages; all dialects.
Everywhere I go, I am understood.”
“You've come to the wrong house. I'm
young. Perfectly healthy.”
Death smiled and dribbled some more
tea; chased it with some crackers that fell from his ribcage.
“I can get you someone else. Two
people. Would that do?”
“I'm afraid not.” He shook his
head. “Lovely tea.” He mimed checking a wristwatch. “We
really must be going now. Did you save your document?”
“Does it really matter?”
“I see you finally
understand.” Death blew out the candles and the room went dark.
“What got you?” Lillian asked.
“Nothing. Unlike you, I will live
forever,” Death said. “Got any more of those crackers before
we go?”
“I'm all out.”
Death grinned. “Indeed you are.”
Labels: fiction Trifecta Writing Challenge