Conversations with Death

I think I actually know what happened on the day I talked with death. Or at least I’ve found many clues and explanations for what may have happened. We can start with the Flu itself which was none like I’d ever experienced. Bone rattling chills which were quickly followed by miserable sweats.... well, you get the picture. Then throw in all the meds I was taking for it and a night that set record lows outside...

Rather than explain it away perhaps I should just tell you what happened.

It was evening and NO, I had not yet resorted to liquor to try and make this thing go away. My easy chair was close to the door and I’d occasionally open it to cool off before I had to close it again and pull the covers as close and tight as possible to try and warm up. The only light in the room was coming from the TV, which was on mute cause the noise from the darn thing hurt. Not that I was in pain though, the meds I was taking were working great with the exception of the hot to cold episodes and the general misery that goes with having the flu.

So there I was, Wrapped up like a fat white burrito in a Lay-z-Boy chair, drifting in and out of sleep when the room got very cold. This time it wasn't just me that was freezing cause I could also see my breathe in cold wisps so the room itself had gone frigid. I started to sit up but noticed a shadow sitting on the far end of my sofa, No real features to make out but just a clear outline of someone sitting there. I did what I believe anyone in that situation would have done; I threw the covers over my head and pulled them as tight as I could get them.

After just a moment or so of that I realized I was being silly. Slowly I slid my fingers out from under the covers and began to lower them. The shadow was still there. I think it was watching the TV. It didn't seem all that interested in me anyway. We sat there for several minutes, I watching it and it watching the TV. Neither of us seemed in a big hurry to break the impasse. Finally I decided if I was losing my mind I might as well lose all of it so I spoke.

"Hello?" I asked. Nothing. It didn't even look my way. "Helloooooohh" I said again, this time a little louder. Heck, it’s got to be old so it may be hard of hearing. Still it did nothing. I decided to try a different approach.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Waiting." It replied. I stood strait up, blankets and all. I HAD HEARD THAT! I'm not talking inside the head or telepathically but a low, mellow voice had come from across the room. I had to sit back down cause I was shaking uncontrollably and I don't think it was the flu this time. I pulled the blankets as tight as I could and finally the shaking began to slowdown. I could speak again.

"I hope your not waiting for me." I replied, "Cause all I have is the flu and I’m going to be just fine in a day or two."

It snickered at me. Just a derisive kind of chuckle that was dismissive at best and downright arrogant at worst. I would have thrown something at it if I had had the energy. Something inside told me to throw it out of the house but quite frankly, I was scared silly, I wasn't going anywhere near that thing.

I started talking to it. I talked about life and how much I like it here. I talked about my kids and how great they are. I even said a few nice things about my ex wife which proves beyond a doubt I was desperate. I asked questions about family that had died before me and why things happened the way the did.

It never said a word in response, just sat there staring at the TV and waiting. I was tired of talking as well. My throat was raw and speaking was difficult even before this had begun. We both just sat there awhile longer before I finally decided to ask one more thing.

"Can I take something with me?" I asked.

"What could you possibly want to take from this place?" It asked in response.

"Its not from this place." I replied. "I want it from you. Give it to me and I’ll gladly go."

The shadow actually shifted away from the TV and was now looking at me. It was still just a shadow but now I had its full attention. I was shaking again.

"Just name what you want then." It said.

I opened the drawer in the table beside my chair and fished around in the dark until I found small locket that actually belongs to one of my children. I opened it and sat it on the table then turned back to face the shadow thing.

"Grims tear." I said. We sat staring at each other for a very long time. Finally it began to speak.

"The grim reaper has no tears. I regret nothing."

"You MUST regret something." I shot back. "All the children who have died. The horrors of the wars you've witnessed, the ones who sacrificed themselves for others. The lovers and suicides, the innocence lost to your bloody grip. Don't tell me there is nothing you regret. Nothing your soul would cry for. I don't believe it."

"What you ask would change things. If I ever started crying I’m afraid I’d never be able to stop. Ask for something else."

"Nope." I replied. "I want a tear. That’s my price."

The shadow went back to watching the TV and slowly began to dissolve away. The last thing I heard was it saying, "Tell everyone I said hello." and then it was gone.

Not long after that I got up and turned on the lights. At the end of the couch was a pile of laundry. The door was still open about a foot cause I’d opened it earlier to cool off during a miserable sweating session and I’d forgotten to close it. That night was a record setting cold spell for that date and the door being open had let the whole house go frigid. I now believe that somewhere between the meds I was taking and the other circumstances I pretty much dreamed the whole thing.

The only odd part remaining is the locket. It’s still sitting on the table where I placed it that night. It’s now closed. I’m not sure if I should open it again or not.

Love, Light and good health to each of you,

Wupy

Absolutely amazing story. Thumbs up. This is in collaborative fiction, so I'm assuming you made it up, good job... Great writing.

[edit on 21-1-2005 by gravriderX]

Yes, this is fiction though I don't believe its in collaborative fiction just yet. I've applied to be a part of that but so far I haven't heard word one from the moderator. I'm not sure if i'll be let in or not.

In the mean time I just post my stories in the general short story section and hold on. Maybe the moderator will eventually get around to me.

To be fair you have to be here 30 days to be accepted in collaborative fiction and i'm 3 days shy of that. So maybe by monday i'll be able to do some serious writing with the others on this site.

till then, Love and light,

Wupy

Pretty good, keep up the good work.

Nice job wuppy, keep up the good work

Very nice story, amazing almost

Good work

Whoa this story is awesome! You should write more!!

I've published many of my stories on this site. No one seems to read them though.

I'm beginning to wonder if it's my deoderant

Love and light,

Wupy

Dang, that's great stuff!

Problem is, I'm at home alone and now you've got me all freaked out - spooky shadows, whispered voices...there's a cool draft in here too - yikes!

Guess that means you done good

[edit on 4-3-2005 by Partyof1]