“What-“ He paused for a few seconds, staring at the presence in terrified awe. It was eerily still, until he managed to finally stammer something. “What the hell are you?”

Death leaned her head very slowly, with the tranquility of a setting sun. The room seemed to grow even darker when she edged further away from the mirror behind her, her huge ashen robes twisting around everything.

“It’s been such a long time since I’ve heard that question.” She raised her pale hands lethargically to observe them, with the same wonder he displayed, even if less horrified. “I’m afraid I can only offer the same answer I have always given to those unfortunate enough to see me, for I am uncertain myself.”

Her void eyes seemed to fixate on him again; when she did so, the room felt even more oppressing, a chilling breeze crossing it from nowhere. There were no open windows. Perhaps it was her voice that summoned such cold wind.

“I have been given many names, even if those souls didn’t meet me yet. Azrael, Shinigami, Thanatos… Nowadays, folks call me Grim reaper or angel of death. All are as suitable for me; the occasion to converse and present myself rarely arises.” There was a smile on her pale lips now, and he could swear that it had always been there, even if she had hinted no emotion before for sure. “I wonder what you will call me, human.”

He would not bother. Death watched impassively as he shook his head, overcoming his shock faintly. He began to sidestep along the counter behind him, one of his hands edging closer to a drawer. After a few failed attempts due to his trembling fingers, he managed to open it. Her sockets fixated on the pills he took out, which he quickly threw into his mouth.

He proceeded to stand upright and close his eyes very tightly when he swallowed, feeling dizzy. Whatever he was seeing had to be caused by a lack of medication, he was sure. Surely, once he would open his eyes again, the vision would be gone.

He waited a minute, then he dared peek again. His heart skipped a beat, because he indeed did not see the figure by the mirror. Part of him was sure that it would have been standing there still. So, it was quite the shock when he sighed in relief, only to hear her voice again, this time inside the kitchen.

“I advise against taking more of those.”

He instantly looked at his side, and he regretted doing so. She was right there, by a small table.

“Jesus Christ!”

She was perplexed by how he scrambled back onto the ground, to stare up at her mouth agape. She was puzzled by all the wrong reasons, of course.

“I wonder why so many humans call for that old rabbi; he died so long ago…” She saw him stand after falling, but she kept speculating, all to herself. “Folks always have trouble leaving behind their loved ones once they pass, and that is justifiable, but there should be no reason to revere one who has not shared their time. Other souls are much more worthy of their admiration, currently alive and-”

She stopped and fell silent, because she caught how he overcame his alarm. Her stance was as still as before, but there was a subtle difference when she saw him edge closer, prey of a dangerous and disavowing curiosity. He moved cautiously, to then raise a hand towards her.

Connor had invoked all possible rationality to dare get closer, intending to brush her and prove that she was not really there. He did indeed fail to grasp her, but not because she was immaterial. When his fingers got close enough, he let out a scream, because she did not allow him to touch her. Her whole figure decomposed in a second into dust and ash, becoming a gust that rushed over and past him. Once more, he stood there trembling while she reformed at a much more significant distance. 

“You survived that crash; it would be unwise to reach for me. Unless you regret that fact.”

He turned again, paling even more. His mouth opened, then closed. She was patient, luckily, barely bothered by his attempts at expressing his shock. In the end, he threw his hands onto his short black hair, his green eyes wide as he murmured quietly.

“You were really there, by the fire.”

“So, you do remember.” She did not seem to need to walk to move, almost floating while she paced calmly towards a window. “All living beings can see me, eventually. Sadly, not for long. Our first meeting should have been the last, yet here we are.”

It took him a while to break the silence that plagued the room.

“I don’t… understand.”

“Me neither.” Death seemed to give him an honest confused look, even if her expression was still blank. “Long ago, in a period in which I was irresponsibly bored by my existence, I used to reveal myself to humans like you, offering bargains or battles of wit for their lives. Those times are long gone; I fully intended to grasp your hand and take your life. Yet you lived.”

He frowned, slowly pondering her words. What he was witnessing was absurd, something that should not be happening. However, he could not help but acknowledge it, because shutting down and closing his eyes would not help him any.

“You are saying I should have died?”

“Yes, with certainty. You were at death’s door, as some would say.” She raised a hand to her chin slowly, relaying the facts, more for her self-esteem than his comfort. “Pain was quick to manifest. She was drawn to your severe wounds, in an intense manner. We both were beckoned, yet something forced us to-“

“W-wait, pain?” He could not believe what he would say next, but it was the most logical approach to this strange exchange. “Bloody hair, tall, with a flaming gaze that looks like it can cut steel and-“

“Ah, I wonder how she would react to such a description.” Death was very fond of her sister, and it was uncommon that she could speak of her with others. “Only an excruciating death allows for her presence to be discernible, and none have the chance to admire her for long, of course. The beings that could speak of her can be counted with a hand each millennium. Now, tell me…”

Connor flinched when she moved away from the window. She flowed very close to him, and for a moment he swore that her face was a white skull. He kept his hands away this time, because he could somehow tell that her curiosity had been fed, due to the fact that he could not offer many more answers. She would not stop him from touching her again. Her next question was thoughtful, if not a little playful in its coldness.

“Did you see blood stains on your way home?”

He felt that he should stay quiet, yet the admission escaped him. Somehow, she forced him to speak the truth, without force.

“Yes.”

“Ah…” Death let out a silent chuckle, almost pitying him. Her next words were a goodbye, which he felt was threatening. “Keep taking that medication then. Otherwise, your eyes will be blessed with her beautiful presence again, while the rest of your body will be cursed by her merciless affliction.”

He sighed when she leaned away. Without a further word, she moved towards a wall. She seeped through it, her body turning into ash and dust once more. Much like how she had appeared, she faded into nothingness, leaving him in a cold grim silence.

A while passed, yet he did not manage to react. Eventually, his legs failed him, causing him to sway in place. Luckily, he fell and sat on a chair, where he stayed. His heart was racing, having had a near-death experience for a second time. This time it was much more personal.