Dating : Death Never Dies

The neighborhood was quiet.

Far too quiet.

Just a moment ago it sounded like any other street.

There was the sound of cars and children playing.

But now? Nothing.

Nothing but a man in black riding a pale horse. Most people hardly noticed him and by the time they had it was too late. He rode by, raised his hand and everyone behind him fell to the ground.

And he went to the next street.

And the next one.

Death moved methodically. He no longer cared about the order. He no longer shepherded the souls whose time had ended.

No, he was no longer waiting to be told what to do and where to go.

They would all pay.

All of them.

They forced him to try and quit once. He was willing to move on. He tried retirement. It was actually starting be enjoyable.

Until everything changed. The other primordial entities didn’t like the thought of Death off alone.

So they sent his replacement to bring him in.

But Death was ready and he would not be reaped until he was his time and not a moment sooner.

And so, he decided to make some waves.

Surely his brethren would notice when a quarter of the world’s population dropping like flies.

Though he had no idea what would happen to their souls as he was no longer taking them to the Underworld.

“What are you doing?” Death heard someone calling.

He turned to see the old man himself, Time.

Some of the others were there too, Love, War, Fate, and some of the others.

Good, Death thought to himself. I’m glad they’re all in one spot.

“Why are you doing this?” Time asked.

“Because, you all betrayed me.”

“We did not.”

“Then who sent the new guy after me?”

They were all silent.

“I thought so.”

“You have to see it from our perspective.”

“I’d love to hear this.”

“You left.”

“I did not leave. I was retired. You all told me to go. You said my ‘time’ was over. You couldn’t keep from laughing.”

Time was silent, which was unusual. He was the oldest of them all and convinced he was the wisest. He loved sharing his opinion.

Finally, War spoke up, “We thought you might be dangerous.”

“That’s rich coming from you. You’re just mad I’m killing your playthings.”

“That’s not fair,” Love said.

“Can it,” Death said, “I’m done listening.”

“We had to do something. You were just around. We couldn’t just let someone so powerful just roam the Earth. It was too dangerous.”

“Dangerous for who?” Death asked, “Because I went away. I did everything you asked of me. But you couldn’t just leave me alone. You sent that impostor.“

“He wasn’t an imposter,” Time said.

“Well it doesn’t matter anymore because he’s been scattered to the four winds.”

“We’ll have to stop you,” Time said.

“How? Look at what I’ve already done.”

“We could send the other horsemen after you,” Time said referring to Death’s younger brothers War, Pestilence, and Famine.

“I’m not worried. Look War is quaking with fear right now.”

“I am not,” War said and took a step forward.

Death snapped his fingers and War turned to mist.

“I do not fear any of you. I am the destroyer. I am the Lord Reaper, the Master of the Grim, and Final Arbiter of Fate and I think it’s time for you all to remember,” Death said grabbing his scythe.

“And what’s that?” Time asked.

Death smiled for the first time in history, his hood hiding his face leaving only his mouth curling into a wicked grin. Truly in all of creation there was no scarier sight, “Death can’t die.”