I stood
at the door fixated on the dull bronze nine. The world had faded into gray fog
and all I could see was that nine, thinking that once I’d stepped through the
door, a man would die. I didn’t know him, and never would, but I couldn’t help
feeling guilty.
“It’s
time” I heard Deaths ethereal voice drift through the fog. I had put it off
long enough, I couldn’t keep messing with the course of nature. I nodded
silently and Death put his hand on my shoulder. Together we stepped through the
closed door. I had momentarily forgotten that we would be walking through it
rather than opening it. It felt like walking through a waterfall, thin but heavy
with the evenings rain. I closed my eyes.
When I
opened my eyes I was standing inside the mans apartment. The layout was
identical to my own, but the furnishings were all wrong. The TV was on the
opposite wall and there was no couch, only a Barka lounger with an overweight
man sitting in it. The Spartan nature of his home only underscored his ultimate
loneliness.
“Don’t
worry, he can’t see or hear us. Not yet” Death said to me, noticing my anxiety
at being caught.
“What
do you mean not yet?”
“He’ll
have to see us once I collect him. I’ll try to make it quick.”
I
looked at the TV. Teri Bauer was tied to a chair. I had seen this episode many
times so I knew what was coming shortly. The scene cut to Jack Bauer searching
the hallways furiously. I glanced at the man. He was riveted.
“How
old is he?” I finally asked. Looking at the man, I guessed he was in his late forties.
“He’s
51” I was close, “It’s actually a miracle he made it this long. His heart is in
bad condition. He doesn’t know it but that small twinge of pain he just felt
was the hole in his heart finally rupturing. He’s only got a few minutes now”
Jack
Bauer was cradling his dead wife, grief and vengeance in his eyes. The man in
the chair was now grasping his chest. He had a pained look on his face. I
couldn’t help but stare. I knew I should turn away but I was entranced by the
sight of a mans life draining from his face. My morbid curiosity was locked on
to his eyes.
There
was a look of bewilderment in his eyes. He had no idea what has happening, only
that it hurt and wanted it to end. Suddenly, a wash of terror flooded across
his eyes. He knew what was happening. He knew it was his end. Then his eyes
crept slowly up to lock on the two figures standing in front of him. The sudden
realization that he wasn’t alone was quickly overcome by more fear when he
locked eyes on Death.
My eyes
followed his. Even though there was no expression on the face of Death, I could
tell he was hurt. I found myself sympathizing more with this grotesque skeletal
figure in black than the man who was dying. And that’s when it hit me. I
finally understood why Death kept coming back to me. He needed a friend.
“This
has gone on long enough” Death said as he reached his hand forward. The loose
sleeves on his robes receded as he stretched further. He laid his bony hand on
the mans forehead. The room grew brighter than a thousand fluorescent bulbs.
When I was finished rubbing the spots from my eyes, the scene had returned to
normal.
The man
on the Barka lounger was slumped slightly to the side, his right hand fallen
from the spot on his chest it was grabbing. His eyes were open but he saw
nothing. He was clearly dead. I looked at Death and caught a quick sigh. I said
nothing, this was not the time for words.
“Come
on, let’s go do some bong hits” Death finally said with a hint of resignation
in his voice.
Jack
Bauer was collapsed outside, crying into his hands.
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