I can't go on like this. No matter what I do...I can't fill this emptiness inside of me.

My eyes sought the peaceful night sky longing for some reprieve; some small bit of hope glistening from the heavens, but the darkness of the sky mocked me. No. Even the stars would not shine for me tonight.

What would it matter? I asked myself wearily. What difference would it make if I ended it all tonight? The world won't stop turning just because I'm gone. Would anyone even care?

Perhaps it wasn't fair to make such accusations. Deep down I knew better, but the truth felt untouchable in that moment. Like the fading vestige of a dream that I couldn't quite grasp...that I couldn't quite believe.

No. I don't want to live like this anymore.

Pushing away from the cold metal railing, I set out to do the only thing that made sense, the only thing that would bring some sort of peace to this troubled soul. They say that only cowards kill themselves. I disagree. It takes a certain strength to admit that one has nothing left to offer the world around them...to find the courage to end a pathetic existence that has already been dying for years.

"Something wrong?"

The question was unexpected. I was alone here. Or so I thought. Apparently I was wrong. I should have been used to that by now. "How long were you...?"

He chuckled softly, seemingly amused by my obvious surprise. "I've been here long enough. You were pretty distracted."

I stared at him for a moment, bits and pieces of a response tangled somewhere in the back of my mind. The stranger was dressed in black, a simple vest and form fitting pants. It seemed an odd choice for the brisk autumn evening, but thought of the curiosity came and went so quickly that there was no time for it gain any manner of substance. And what did it matter anyhow? He had no right to be here. Not now.

I looked up with every intention of telling him to mind his own business, but somehow the words refused me. The streetlight overhead caught his eyes, half hidden behind the long locks of burgundy falling carelessly into his face, as he looked down at me - endless pools of midnight beneath impossibly dark lashes. For a moment I was caught, dazed and speechless, in their depths. I could feel my cheeks warming beneath the scrutiny of that gaze and grew more embarrassed at the realization that I was blushing.

"Were you leaving?" he asked.

"I..."

He spoke again before I could utter another word, "You must have something important going on. You look so serious." He tilted his head slightly to the side, one corner of his mouth tilted upwards just a hint.

"You might say it's a matter of life and death." The response was short and bitter, my thoughts momentarily plunged into their previous state of reasoning. It's not like he genuinely cared what I was about to do. Why was he bothering me anyhow?

"You shouldn't be in such a hurry," he said in the faintest whisper as his gaze sought the horizon. " Life is too short, and its end comes all too soon of its own accord"

I froze mid-turn at his words. It couldn't be mere coincidence that made him say such a thing...not at this moment. Not on this night. "Who are you?" I demanded though my voice shook uncontrollably. I couldn't face him - couldn't force myself to meet that dark stare again.

"Do not ask questions to which I cannot give you answers. You will know in time, but for now I ask that you trust me. Come," he prodded gently taking my hand in his, "walk with me tonight."

My mind raced. A dozen thoughts and a dozen emotions claimed me in the span of a breath, each one more overwhelming than the last, and none of them quite coherent. It didn't make sense. This stranger. How did he know? But his hand was so warm, his offer so inviting that I felt helpless to refuse. Wasn't this dangerous? I didn't even know his name.

Any excuses, arguments, or reservations fell to the wayside when he squeezed my hand lightly and offered a smile, " Don't be afraid. I promise not to hurt you. "

We walked along the little bridge and down the road until we came to an open field, edged with trees and touched with bits of moonlight from that celestial orb which had somehow found its way from within the clouds. It was there that we headed, still hand in hand, as autumn tinged leaves danced on the breeze across our path.

It seemed as though we walked forever through that field, chatting quietly about everything and nothing. The silences between us were as poetic as the hushed conversations, accented perfectly by the rustle of the wind through the trees.

It must have been very late into the night when he finally stopped and turned to me. I studied him silently, unsettled by the expression on his face. The moon caressed the curve of his cheek, adding a hint of silver to the pale flesh and the deep burgundy locks that framed it, but somehow it failed to touch those dark, dark eyes. "Is ...something wrong?"

"I'm afraid this is where I must leave you."

"Leave?" I gasped, shaken by the very thought of his departure. "You can't leave me! Here," I added as an afterthought, not wanting to appear desperate. "I don't even know where here is."

"But I must. Unless..." his voice trailed off as he shook his head.

"Unless what? Tell me!"

"It's not a choice I can ask of you. You must understand."

I pulled my hand away from him, furious and confused. This stranger had come to me in my darkest hour asking for my trust, and I had given it to him without question. How dare he abandon me now? "What choice? I have the right to decide if I want to make it or not!"

"Please, don't ask me to do this."

Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't stop them. I didn't want to. He deserved to know the truth, this pain that I felt at the thought of losing him so soon. The intensity of my feelings didn't make any sense, but I didn't care. He turned to walk away, "You promised you wouldn't hurt me!" I screamed.

He paused, "I did. Didn't I?" The sound of his voice was wistful, and when he turned to look at me, there was a sad smile on his lips. " Once you know the truth, there is no turning back. Do you really wish to know?"

"Please," I begged. "tell me what to do."

The wind stilled as he closed the short distance between us. One hand reached out to rest beneath my chin, and I dared to raise my eyes to meet his gaze. I was immediately consumed by the darkness there - an infinite, beautiful darkness filled with bittersweet emotions and endless dreams. I wanted to be lost there and never return. " Please," I said again, "I want to stay with you."

A single tear wound its way along his cheek, " I was afraid you'd say that, " he whispered brokenly. His fingertip brushed along my jaw, "It was the choice that I had hoped you wouldn't make."

My voice caught in my throat, taken aback by his reaction. His touch was so gentle, and the feeling in his words so genuine that my heart skipped a beat. "Who are you?" I asked, suddenly exhausted by our long journey.

He wrapped his warmth around me, and my eyes closed with a vision of silver moonlight on raven wings and an endless black gaze. I could feel his lips against my ear," I am Death."

Copyright © 2007 Kyira