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I stood there calmly. I was aware of every noise I was making, my breath, the thumping of my heart' everything.
Death stood in front of me. I always wondered what it would be like to meet death; I never thought I'd meet it while I was still living. Or was I dead? I didn't feel dead, but then again how would I know what it felt like. Death wasn't the skeleton in a black robe I'd grown up believing it to be. Instead it was shaped like a man; I wondered if death even had a gender, was this even his true form? Whatever he was it definitely was far from human. Every feature of his form was beautiful; his skin seemed to glisten like a jewel. His eyes were a colour I'd never seen before, they seemed to swirl and move like the sea, and they were staring straight into me; I could tell.
I felt small and insignificant just looking at its face, but I didn't look away. I wanted to show it I wasn't afraid. He smirked gleefully, basking in my inner thoughts. 'What was it you wanted?' I couldn't help thinking he already knew.

Its voice was soft and sly, but filled with such wisdom and force it made me sway. I tried to look unnerved and brave, but I could tell he saw past my mask of deception. 'I wanted to ask some questions.' I'd spoken my words with as much courage and volume as I could muster, yet it squeaked like a mouse's next to deaths silent roar.

He looked unnerved and instead took a step closer to me. Before I could think his face was inches from mine. And he whispered, in an eerie hiss 'Ask away.' Then he was back to his original spot. I shook; I knew if I spoke now my voice would waver and break. Instead I clenched my fists and breathed deeply, once I'd composed myself I continued.

'Why do you do it?' I asked, my hands trembled and a cold hand slid up my back. My whole body froze and I desperately wanted to nudge the palm off me, but I dared not move. Was death doing this, or was it my own imagination?

'Do what?' He asked in a nonchalant voice which made me fill with rage. And this rage seemed to melt away my icy layer; I felt burning rage white hot inside me. 'Kill people!' You heartless monster, I added silently. I had to control myself, insulting him wouldn't help. His eyes narrowed before answering. 'I don't kill people.' He said softly.

His casual attitude made resentment surge through every inch of me. 'Of course you do! You've killed everyone dear to me' Tears floated around in front of my eyes, making them shimmer and look like pools of water. I didn't try to make my voice sound impressive now, I knew if I tried the tears would create a waterfall known my face and I wouldn't be able to stop. 'I've been searching for you for so long, but you've always been a step ahead, killing and killing and killing'' I bit my lip hard and swallowed the lump bulging in my throat.

'Have I?' He didn't care; it was like he felt no emotions! I felt sick as he smiled at my pain. 'Yes you have, and I want to know why!' I exploded, my face flushed red with anger, and my skin burnt but the tears pouring out my eyes cooled it. I felt ashamed of myself for letting this him see all my pain but I couldn't stop now, I was a volcano overflowing, nothing could stop me.

Death let out a small chuckle; I shot him a filthy look filled with hate, hurt and grief. I wanted him to feel what I'd been feeling all my life, even for a moment. His snigger subsided and for a second I thought I saw something in his eyes' compassion. But then he returned to his relaxed pose. 'I don't kill anyone.' Now I felt laughing, how could he lie straight to my face?
'Then who does?' I couldn't help keeping the mockery out of my voice.

'You do'' The voice crept up behind me and as I spun around he disappeared. Now all I could hear was a voice, echoing through the still air. His voice had lost all its calmness, it was a fearsome growl and it made my heart quiver with fright.

'My job isn't to kill people; it's to take people when their story's finished.'
'But why!' I screamed, my eyes frantically searching for death.
'Because I have to.'
'Everyone can make choices.' He laughed maliciously at my desperate behaviour. 'Death can't make choices. I'm not human like you' I'm not anything.' I was so confused it made my tears flow faster. 'I've been around since the dawn of time, I'm not a thing or a being, I just am.'
'Just am'' I let the words roll over my tongue as my tears dried out.

Death was stood next to me now, looking straight forward. I gazed mesmerised at him, how could something so beautiful do such awful things? He sighed; suddenly I noticed age and tiredness painted across his face. 'I feel pity for the people left behind, but it's my duty, without death in the world it wouldn't function.'
'But you hurt so many people.' I whispered.
'I don't enjoy causing pain-'
'Then don't, just stop, leave us all alone-'
'It's not as simple as that.' He sounded annoyed and impatient with me, but I wasn't going to give up.

'I'm something you have to deal with, something that can't be avoided; it's one of the facts of life that will never change.' I wasn't sure, but I thought I heard a tinge of sadness as he spoke. 'But I just don't understand''
'And you don't need to.'
'But I want to.' I said firmly. He paused, his eyes not moving from the spot he was staring at. 'I'm not even sure I understand.' He sighed. 'People die and I take them away with me to their final resting place, but I don't know why I do, I just know I have to.'
We stood there for what seemed like years, decades' centuries. For all I knew it could have been that long. Then finally I spoke, I sounded composed, I didn't want to disturb the tranquillity with a harsh tone. 'Maybe it's because everything has to come to an end' life has to finish and maybe you'' Our eyes met as I tilted my head to look up at him, I was unnerved now. 'Maybe you're that end. You're here because you have to be, without you there'd be no end to anything. And of course, it's not nice and it hurts but, it's not your fault. You don't choose who dies you just help take them away.' I shook my head as I spoke; nothing seemed to be coming out quite right. But he smiled at me.

'Maybe, who knows? Maybe I am a heartless killer, I'm not sure' But you know what?' I gulped back the tears in my eyes. 'It doesn't matter why.' He murmured in my ear. Then it was like nothing had been said or spoken. Death had resumed his grand look and was back where he started. 'Are you happy now?' His voice was once again imposing and striking and his eyes were staring straight into my heart. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. 'Don't worry; you don't need to understand anything you'll probably find out' someday.' His lips curled at the edges into an uncomforting sneer.

Then he was gone. And I was alone. And I didn't understand, but then again, I realised I didn't want to.