Promise me, Death

...

The girl’s mind was still dizzy, but all through the darkness she could hear the voices, like they were coming through a wall. Then the more she could see, the more clearly she could hear and understand the words.

-Ah, how lucky we found you! You could’ve died in this weather outside! But don’t worry now, we will get you to somewhere warm and cozy.

The girl finally realised what was happening. The townspeople found her, she survived. She suddenly jumped up and looked around. The two ladies and the man who helped them got startled.

- What is wrong dear, are you looking for something?

- A boy…- she said - A boy was with me. Did you find a boy?

- A boy? I’m sorry honey, but we only found you here. Could he be somewhere back in the forest? - The woman turned to the man. - Maybe we should send some people out there to take a look around, now that the storm is over.

The girl was devastated. She survived. She had no idea how. But what about him? She was so shocked she couldn’t even cry. She just sat there, in the snow while the women helped her up and got her to the town. They led her into a house and showed her the bathroom. The tub was already filled with hot water. She was alone again. Her tears started flowing involuntarily. As she was taking off her clothes, she unconsciously reached into her pocket to check if there was anything that could fall out. She felt something and took it out. It was a piece of paper, a bit dirty and already folded like a thousand times, but the letters were gathering there neatly in order.

“I’m sorry” - As she started reading, she felt her heart will break. But then the more words she was over with, the more she felt somehow at ease.

“I’m sorry,

For not being the Death you wanted to choose, but the Chance and the Hope you deserved.

I’m sorry,

For letting you believe that if we touch you would be the one who got hurt.

I’m sorry,

For promising you I won’t let you go, but finally at the end

I had to be the one who is gone and you are the one that I left.

Even though I know it’s hard and for me this might be the end,

I just wanted to let you know you are someone I will never forget.

I love you from the bottom of my heart and even though just from the shadows

I will always be watching over you, from now and until forever.

The life I gave to you without your permission I ask you dearly to treasure,

That is how I can share my life with you, and we can always be together.”

As she reached the end of the poem, the girl took a big deep breath. She slowly walked into the water, buried her whole body into it, then after she washed down all of her tears, she looked out of the window, up at the sky. She smiled bitterly.

“You see, you were right, the town was not far away, and we are finally here. And why would you say you broke your promise? You actually never let me go. So I won’t break mine, and I won’t let you go either. We will live. You will live, in me. I will live with the life you gave me. With you. Together. Forever.”