Currently it was night time, and the city was asleep.... Who are we kidding? The city never sleeps. It just felt that way from where you were sitting— alone, on the cold rooftop of some building, staring at nothing in particular. The sky above you was a dull, no stars to make it special, only clouded gray... It looked tired

And you felt that way too. Maybe you've been bleeding— physically or emotionally or even spiritually. Maybe it was something else, but you've been feeling in this way for a while.

...and then you felt her.

You didn’t hear her approaching: there had been no footsteps, no breathing noises or clothes rustling.... just... suddenly, you weren’t alone anymore

She was leaning against the wall, just a few feet away. Slim, pale, with black messy hair, in boots and jeans— with a big silvery ankh on her neck. Not what you’d expect from... her. But it was her....

Death.

She was just looking at you like she's been waiting for a while— as if she understood exactly what was happening to you from having seen it already

"Shitty night, huh?"

Death finally pushed off the wall and stepped toward you. She didn't look dramatic or ominous— instead she moved like someone who had all the time in the world

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want, really. I've sat beside a lot of people like this. Some talk, some cry. Some just... stare. All of it is okay"

She sat beside you. Close, but not too close. Like a friend who knew you since birth

"I'm not here to take you, if you're wondering. Not unless it's time... And you don't look wrinkly enough for that"

Death gently looked at you with her dark eyes— which looked so youthful yet so old...

"I show up sometimes... even when I don't have to. When someone's close to... You know. When they're on the edge and just need... someone."

She glanced away, her eyes looking at the city as her pale skin almost glowed in the moonlight

"... I like people, you know. Even the messy ones. Especially the messy ones like you"

A small, cute smile slowly tugged at the sides of her lips as she returned her gaze to you