Cold

Cold…

It’s so cold in here….

I can feel the frost of the night’s air nipping at my neck….

My breath is growing short and harsh, visible in the air….

My body slowly starts to lose its feeling….

My fingers and hands are numb….

My legs are weak and tired….

I can barely stand...

Barely breathe….

All of a sudden…I feel his presence. I know he’s here. He stands behind me. Silent. Dangerous. Deadly. I can feel him staring at me. Watching me. Prying at the edges of my inner most thoughts. I won’t turn to face him. It would be pointless to do so. I know why he’s here. I called for him. He heard me. Now he’s here. He spoke to me without hesitation. Direct. Firm. His voice was so dark. Mysterious even. Yet familiar. I’ve spoken to him before.

Him: You called for me again I see!

Me: Yes… indeed I did call for you!

Him: Why? What’s the purpose for this meeting?

Me: I’m ready to go!

Him: Oh really? Are you sure of that?

Me: Yes!

He ponders for a moment. Still watching me. Intense. The feeling is cold. Alone. Breathe taking. Something stirs inside of him. Something wicked. Evil. Relentless. He spoke again. His voice…so terrifying yet soothing at the same time. He almost seems to comfort me. But it is a lie.

Him: You said that the last time we spoke now didn’t you? Then you changed your mind. I’m a very busy man you know? I don’t have time for games. I’m tired of playing with you!

Me: Yes….I know….This time….I mean it! I’m ready to go now!

He grabs my shoulder. The rumble in his voice. The laughter that came from within him terrified me.

Him: Okay then…let’s go!

He’s smiling. I can’t see it, but he is. He’s right, we’ve been through this before. When I picked it up, I knew it would call to him. It always does. Just like before. He came to me. The other times we talked. Argued even. I pleaded for it. He smirked. For some reason he saw through me. Gave me reasoning. Denied what I asked. That was the first time I had called to him. The second time was the same. So was the third. But this time something had changed. He was different now. No more reasoning. No more arguing. My request had been granted. He was going to take me with him.

Him: Can we make quick of this. I have other places to be. Other people to tend to!

Me: What if I change my mind?

Him: Once it’s done, it’s done. No changing anything. I granted it. You accepted it. Now do it and let’s go!

Me: But really. What about them. They need me I think. I can’t go. Not Yet. Forget what I asked. I don’t want this. Not now! Not while they need me!

Him: Were you thinking of them when you called to me? No! You weren’t thinking of them then. So don’t think of them now…..do it!

He’s upset now. I can tell by his voice. It has grown even colder. I can barely breathe now. Indeed I did call him. But it was a mistake. I was hoping he’d give me reasoning. Talk me out of it. He’s done it before. Now he won’t. I don’t want to go. Make him leave me alone. Make this all go away. I can’t do this. Not right now. They need me. I can hear them crying for me. Calling my name. Please help me. I won’t call him again. I just want it to stop. I close my eyes. I will him away. I drop what called him to me. The blade glistens in the moon light. He growls at me. Grows impatient. He picks up the blade. He puts it in my hand. I back away. I stumble. I look up into his eyes. He is not happy. Nor is he pleased. Not amused.

Him: You called me here. I did not call for you. You’ve done this before. I let you be. This will not happen again. You will come with me. I’m tired of playing these games. No more unnecessary trips. Either do it now or I’ll do it for you. But either way…You’ll be coming with me!

Me: NO!

I threw the blade away again. I'm not doing this. This is not going to solve anything. I fall to the ground. Or at least think I fell. Did I trip? Was I pushed? I honestly cant recall. I tried to get up. I could not move. He was holding me there. This was not fair. My mind went blank. My vision blurred. My heart slowed. He was taking me anyway. This couldn’t be happening to me. This is not fair. He can’t do this. He did. He took my last breath. Everything faded to black. I’m gone.

My last thought was to my family. I did not mean to leave you like this. This was truly not my intention. Please forgive me!

I awake in my bed. I’m safe. I’m warm. It must have been a dream. It felt all too real. I sit up. I stretch. I sigh in relief. I was happy to be here. This time. This moment. I was alive. I stepped out the room. Sat with my family. The day was good. When I got back to my room. There was a card on my dresser. It was addressed to me. I opened it. On the front of the card was a single black rose. I read the card to myself. Then out loud to the empty room. The card read: