I Go Home

Death and I walk along a path in the shifting sand. His presence flutters around me, each touch light as wind, tender with the threat of violence. Hands that wreak war and dream of decimation hold my heart in mercy. There is peace now, both full and entirely empty. If I close my eyes and listen, I can hear the ocean churning. Crashing with corpses. The seagulls soar somewhere overhead, their talons wrapped tight around shrieking souls, delivering them out of this life like a bastardized version of the storks that brought them in. When we reach the shore, I stop and dig my toes into the mess of sand and seaweed. What now? I want to know. Death laughs, a wind chime of bones caught in the breeze. You must lose the light before you can dwell in the dark. Trade life, and you shall know death. Trade death, and you shall know life. 

Choose. 

I feel his breath like the sharp edge of a knife, scraping against the side of my throat. 

It is time.

Turning, I face Death.

In his two onyx mirrors,

I see my father.