THE WAY LIFE GOES
by Eraxel




It all feels like a strange dream.

Although the people around me seem to have difficulties of their own to believe what is happening, they apparently don't want to take chances about it. They run for their lives, trying to take cover behind the overturned cars and shattered remains of buildings.

I just stand there and watch them being taken over by fear beyond measure. Sometimes I wish I could feel at least that. Then I turn around...

...and there she is. An incredibly large woman, at least two-hundred foot tall. Dark, flowing hair, bright, green eyes. Wearing a black jumpsuit that hug the curves of her body tightly.

When she picks up the tiny people, they just seem to disappear the moment her hand touches them. But it is obvious that she is gathering them, like someone would be picking flowers.

***

She was used to people running away from her. It didn't matter - in the end, she always got them. But something caught her special attention.

A lone tiny man, standing there, looking at her.

This made her curious. She slowly got to her knees, lowering her head enough to look into the little man's eyes and to study the expression on his face, which was - none at all.

***

Her face fills my entire vision. Her eyes scrutinize me, they have a slightly curious look. Raising a giant eyebrow, she speaks. Her voice is echoing through my mind.

"YOU ARE NOT RUNNING AWAY LIKE THE OTHERS."

No, I say.

"ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE WHO ENJOY A VISION LIKE THE ONE I AM OFFERING?? I HAVE MET MANY OF THEM..."

No, I tell her. Even if this is real, I just don't care.

"YOU ARE NOT AFRAID OF DEATH, LITTLE ONE?"

I am afraid neither of death nor of life, I answer.

She becomes silent for a moment, still watching me with those deep, green eyes.

"INTERESTING," she says. And as her hand touches me, my world turns black.

***

I can't see or feel anything. Darkness surrounds me, and for a short moment I think that maybe this is death.

Then I hear her voice, and out of nowhere, her face looks down at me again. There's nothing else, only my mind and hers.

"WHAT MADE YOU THIS WAY," she asks. "WHAT CAUSED YOU NOT TO HAVE FEELINGS ANYMORE?"

I don't give an answer. I try not to think about it.

But she enters my mind, digging in my memories, I can feel it. She studies my short life, absorbing every detail. As she does this, I am forced to remember. I feel pain and remorse, but quickly I recover, and sweet emptiness fills my mind again. I look up at her again.

She's wearing a look of comprehension now.

She speaks.

"I FEED ON EMOTIONS. I USUALLY GET FEAR, SOMETIMES LOVE. YOU DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING, YOU ARE NOT ALIVE. YOU ARE OF NO USE TO ME."

She closes her eyes before me, rejecting me. Once again, I lose consciousness.

***

I awake in my world - reality. Another meaningless day, but nothing could ever change that.

***

A few years later, I meet her. It is strange how quickly I tell her of my life, how well we understand each other. Amazement on my part eventually changes to something I haven't felt for a long time.

Yes, I love her, I think.

After some months, I declare myself a happy man. I feel a certain fondness of life again, although I know what is bound to happen soon. The doctors only confirmed something I knew all along.

I look at my sleeping wife for the last time, and gently place a kiss on her cheek.

"Goodbye, my love," I whisper.

Then I fall asleep.

***

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU," she says. Her large, green eyes sparkle down at me.

I nod and tell her that I know.

"YOU FEEL SOMETHING NOW."

Yes. Among other things, it is gratitude.

"COME, LITTLE ONE..."

As she opens her huge mouth, I feel myself drawn towards it. Darkness beckons inside, eternal silence. Her lips close once I'm inside, and I know that there is no way back.

"...IT IS TIME."

Yes. I feel no regrets. For to live without feelings is worse than dying.

And as I slowly fall down into oblivion, I hear her voice.

"YOU ARE ALIVE, AND FOR THAT, YOU WILL DIE."

Yes. You are Death. It's the way of things.