I looked at Death and he looked at me. He held my gaze intently for what seemed like hours but could only have been a few seconds. His eyes pierced through my soul as he seemed to search for something. I met his gaze with an unwavering determination. Death cleared his throat forcefully.

"You're early."

"Am I? I hadn't noticed." I said coyly.

"You know very well that you are. The question is why."

"You're Death. You already know why."

"I only see the cause of you death. I do not know the circumstances or your personal story."

"Do you need to know? Does it actually matter?"

"I do not need to know but it may help you to pass along to the next phase of your journey."

"Which is?"

"That's for you to find out, if you choose to move forward."

"And if I choose not to?"

"You'll be a wayward spirit with no closure, no way to move forward, drifting through time and space for an eternity. Alone."

"Well then."

"Make your decision soon or I will make it for you."

I pondered the choices given to me for a while but my mind kept going back to my family. How would my mom get along without me? Who would take care of my baby brother? If I chose wrong would I ever knew what happened to them and would I ever see them again? If I chose to move on, would I get to see my dad again?

Death stood a few paces away watching me impatiently. His arms were folded across his chest. His foot tapped on the ground in time with his growing impatience. I let out a sigh and went to meet him.

"If I tell you my story and move on, will I see my family again?"

"There is a possibility. Although, I cannot say for certain."

"Is there anyway to make sure that I can?"

Death met my watering eyes with a measured look. I could see thoughts swirling around inside his head that were pushed aside. He held his hand out towards me and waited. I took his hand hesitantly. His hand was rough with callouses but warm.

"Walk with me for a while. Tell me your story. Then we'll see what I can do."

I nodded my agreement.

"Do you want the short version or the long version?"

"Which do you want to tell?"

"The short."

"Then tell it."

"My father died when I was fourteen. He suffered from cardiac arrest after a blood clot made its way up. Afterwards, I got depressed and started to self harm. My mom checked out as a parent. My little brother and I were forced to take care of ourselves. He needed me more than anyone has ever needed me. I stopped self harming, once I turned sixteen, I managed to get a part time job while going to school. I made sure he had everything but it wasn't enough. He fell in with a bad crowd and my mom family snapped out of it. I got him out and he in turn supplied some cops or someone with some information. We all went into witness protection. I turned eighteen and went to college so I could continue to provide for my brother. They found me and I was submitted to a few methods of torture. Then they let me go. I was broken and never really got it fixed. Got into a crappy relationship because I didn't know how to take care of myself in that way. Now i'm here."

"Do you feel better now that you've gotten it out?"

"No."

"Did you leave anything out?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to say it."

"I think I do."

Death nodded and waited. I took a deep breath and spit it out as fast as I could.

"He murdered me and its still my own fault. I was too weak and even when I finally managed to stand up to him it wasn't enough."

"It wasn't your fault."

"I should have been braver, stronger, faster. I should have been able to get out sooner. I knew what he was. I knew how he was and I just let him get away with everything."

"I've seen many like you. I've walked many of you to the gate but none of you have ever been to blame."

"You find us regardless."

"That's my job. If it had been my choice you would have lived many years more but I don't always get to choose."

"That seems awfully ironic considering that you are Death."

"Even Death has a master."

"Like God?"

"Yes, like God."

"I think i'm ready."

"You could stay. Become one of my reapers and you'll be there to collect your brother."

"That's tempting, but I think I believe now. I think you helped me to realize that I always have in some ways."

Death smiled a hauntingly beautiful smile and gestured for me to take his hand again. He led me to a bright gate and opened the doors.

"Whenever you're ready."

I hugged Death tightly and turned back to the gate.

"Thank you." I said as I stepped through the gates.