Monsieur Death

Evangeline

I followed Plague up the steps of a chapel. Call me naïve, but I was so angry I couldn’t think. I thought back to the time me and him were on the lawn. I told him it wasn’t right that these gods got to pick on whoever they wanted. It wasn’t right that they should be able to decide who deserved to die. He’d agreed with me. And all along, I was the one he was waiting for. All along, he was doing it behind my back. The very thing we had agreed wasn’t right. Just thinking about it made me grit my teeth. The worst part about it was I was actually starting to put our differences aside and- let’s not beat about the bush- like him. He was the sweetest person I’d ever met. Person, god, whatever. And I had known it was stupid, falling for a god, but I thought there was a chance he reciprocated. He’d seemed happy when I’d decided to come with him. But no, he just needed to make sure I was near him so he could be sure I died. He didn’t just not like me, he couldn’t wait for me to die. A sick feeling clenched my stomach. I’ll ignore him. I told myself. I’ll save the world and then die. I’ve always wanted to know what that would be like anyway. And I’ve always expected to die before I was older. But if me and Liam… maybe living wouldn’t be so bad. Plague’s scratchy voice broke through my angry thoughts.

“He doesn’t.”

“What?”

“He doesn’t love you. It’s practically scientifically impossible.” He snorted. “A god loving a human. Humans are far to weak. Not to mention, it’s never happened before.”

I punched him. Hard. He flew back and landed on the steps of the chapel. A woman with a baby ran from across the street, but I didn’t care. If he had an audience, all the better. Something much stronger than irritation was surging through me. Rage. He scrambled to his feet, his bird mask cracked and his googles twisted.

“What were you saying about humans being weak?” I asked coolly, ignoring the flaming pain in my knuckles. My rage had died down after punching him. If my hands hadn’t hurt so much, that would have felt good.

“You idiotic animal!” He flew towards me. I punched him under the chin. With the other hand, obviously.

He didn’t fly back this time. Instead, he steeled himself in the air.

“You’ll regret that, little girl.” My other hand was on fire. Great.

“Two things. One, I’m already regretting it. Two, I’m not little. I’m taller than you!” Then I turned and ran. Yeah, stupid, I know. He grabbed me from behind and threw me back. My elbow hit the steps. I couldn’t help it. I screamed. I hadn’t been in so much pain since… in a long time. My elbow was twisted at an unnatural angle. My head drooped. My eyes crossed. My breath came in gasps. I could vaguely see Plague’s mask twisting into something that looked disturbingly like a smile as he stepped towards me. Then he vanished in a burst of purple light. Liam stood over the scorched spot that Plague had stood a minute ago. Than he ran over to me.

“Don’t pass out. Don’t pass out.”

My eyelids were dropping. My vision blurred.

“Wait.” Liam’s voice said somewhere above me. “I have an idea.” He placed his thumb on my forehead and his stead hand on my neck. Something that felt like ice spread over me. I struggled at first. It was an uncomfortable sensation. But then it faded, along with my fatigue and pain. I sat up and moved my elbow. No pain. Liam flexed his hand, which was wreathed in gray light.

“Judgment’s losing his grip. Are you okay?”

I nodded shakily. “What-?”

“Shh.”

“Thanks.”

What happened next was definitely not on purpose. He helped me up. I had more of my strength back than I thought. I propelled myself upwards as well, and his nose touched mine. We decided to take advantage of the moment. Our lips touched. I pushed away after about five seconds.

“I’ve never kissed someone before.” I whispered hoarsely.

“Me neither.”

“You’re doing pretty good.”

“How would you know?”

We tried again.