The cynical optimist

I’ve always wanted to write something for Halloween so I’m giving it a go this year. Below is Part 1 of a 2 part story, I’m hoping to post again in the morning with Part 2. Hope you enjoy!

…

Daniel was watching TV on the day he died. The day had started off normal enough for him, he had woken up, showered, made himself breakfast, eaten, and then settled in to watch the news. Even the weather was playing nice, the morning was mild, as the world was in that in-between time, between fall and winter, where the days ran warm and the nights came with the promise of the encroaching winter. There was a loud knock on the door that caused him to jump. He sighed and shuffled to the door and was about to yell at whoever had decided to interrupt him when his breath caught in his throat.

Standing in front of him was a figure cloaked in black, a hood covering their face. They reached out their hand and silently pointed at Daniel.

“Daniel…” The voice rang out, seemingly from all around them. “You’re time has co-“ the figure broke out into laughter before they could finish their sentence. “Oh…oh man! Look at your face…” the person standing before them said. “I- oh- “ they said trying to calm themselves down. “Oh…man that never gets old.”

“What is going on? Who the hell are you?” Daniel asked.

“Nice to meet you Daniel, I am Death, and I am here to escort you to paradise.” they said nonchalantly.

“Oh is that all? Haha very funny…” Daniel said and went to slam the door on the creeps face.

“No! No I’m sorry about earlier, but when you’ve been doing this for as long as I have it can get a little dreary and boring so you have to find fun where you can. But in all seriousness. You are Dead. I am Death, and I am here to escort you to the afterlife.”

“Go to hell.” Daniel said before slamming the door and beginning to head back to his TV. He made his way to his recliner but sitting in it was the person that called themselves Death.

“I actually don’t go to hell? Or heaven? Or whatever it is you believe in, I’m just a buddy, a pal, the transition from living to well, not living can be confusing and even scary for some people so that’s what I’m here for, to make the transition as easy as possible.” Death said.

“I- how the hell did you get in here?”

“I’m Death…I can do what I want.” They said shrugging.

“Get out of my house.”

“It’s not your house anymore. You are dead.” Death said.

“I can’t be dead….” Daniel said, but even as he said it his conviction was beginning to crack.

“You’re starting to understand aren’t you?” Death asked.

“I thought I had more time.” Daniel said.

“Everyone thinks they’ll have more time, that’s why you’ve got to make the most of the time you get!” Death said. “Now, if you don’t mind me being just a little pushy here, we’ve got places to go, paradise’s to get you too you’re afterlife awaits, I just need you to follow me.” They said standing up and heading to the door. They stopped halfway to the door when they realized that Daniel hadn’t followed them, his eyes were glued to the floor. “It’s going to be okay.” Death said trying to console Daniel.

“How can you say that? I wasted my time! I, always thought tomorrow, tomorrow I will make the world a better place, tomorrow, I will become something….How can I go when I haven’t done anything…”

“If you don’t go now, I hate to tell you this, but if you don’t come with me, and at least make the trip, well this world is littered with the souls of people who wanted more time. Who couldn’t and still can’t accept the fact that their time ran out. Do you want to join them? It’s better on the other side, trust me.”

Daniel didn’t say anything but began to follow them. Death sighed in relief and together they left his house. They walked side by side in silence for a long period of time. Daniel kept his eyes on the ground refusing to look around, refusing to speak, and Death could see it in his eyes that he was still struggling.

“Look I shouldn’t do this and I’ll probably get in trouble with the higher ups but I’m going to do you a favor…”

“What are you going to do?”

“Hold on, this is going to be jarring, I still get a little woozy after.”

“What are you going to do?”

The world around Daniel jolted and shook, everything went out of focus for a few seconds before snapping back into it.

“Oh you look positively terrible, I mean for being dead and all.” Death said with just a hint of mischief in their voice.

“No, no I’m fine!” Daniel said from his position face down in the street. “I- just need a minute.”

TO BE CONTINUED…