No one knew this was coming.
Even as Aaron stood there staring upon Sophia's grave, he couldn't believe that it was truly over. She was gone. He tried to convince himself that it was just a dream, that this was all just some twisted nightmare formed by his own masochistic nature.
"Just close my eyes...and it will all go away."
No matter how many times he closed his eyes, no matter how many times he blinked through his furious stream of tears, it never went away. Her grave was still there. Sophia Cliff was dead, her name forever etched in stone. After a long moment of stillness Aaron took a step forward setting his hand atop the curved headstone. Just one more moment of quiet he thought, as he closed his eyes patting the headstone with the palm of his hand. He took a deep breath, squeezing the stone before quickly shoving his hands into his jacket pocket; he couldn't stay there anymore. Even in his escape he hesitated in his movement, stopping the moment he had his back to the stone. He took another deep breath, eyes casting to the grey sky above; how appropriate, he thought. "A dismal sky for a terrible day..." Aaron murmured, his eyes falling to the grass below. "Good-bye, Sophia. I'll see you soon." He walked away, leaving Sophia to her rest.Six years had passed since he buried his wife...he no longer spent his days in blissful ignorance to the world's turmoils. His bed no longer welcomed him after a cold day, it was more of a horrible reminder of his loneliness rather then a place of rest. In these six years, "rest" became a foreign term to Aaron Cliff. Sleep was a distant memory of happier times. He thought life would be easier by now, that maybe she would be a bittersweet memory...it was quite the contrary. Though, not every day was dim, some days he was able to escape his grief, if only for a moment. Much like today, he found some solace in the serene time of dusk, here in the most common of places; a park. He was sitting alone at a marble table, watching the sun set behind the mountains on the horizon, painting the trees and meadow of the park a soft yellow in its slow descent. It was moments like these when the beauty of life had shown itself that he was able to be at peace, if only for one singular moment. Today he felt different. Today, he felt something new...something so foreign, it made his skin crawl and his hair stand on end. Today wasn't a peaceful day. Today was a new one.
"No, no," Aaron hurriedly said, "no...no it's fine. I just, uh...wasn't paying attention. It's not your fault." Aaron stood from his seat, "did you want to sit? I was just leaving."
"Leaving?" The old man laughed, "you seemed so content before I arrived. I'm sorry if I interrupted you, I can le--"
"No, no sir, I uh..." Aaron gulped, the proverbial lump sticking in his throat. "It's just...it's getting late and I should probably head home...I live up the hill, so it's...quite the walk." Aaron gestured toward the street, quietly laughing as he slips his hands into his back pockets. The old man smiled,
"Come now, it isn't too late. The air is cool, the breeze sweet..." The old man turned in a complete circle before raising his suitcase, "and I even brought chess. What's better then that?" The old man laughed before sitting in the chair opposite of where Aaron stood. "Come now sit, entertain an old man!" The old man smiled as he set his suitcase on the table gesturing to the seat ahead of him with a sweep of his hand. Aaron stayed quiet a moment that uneasy feeling slowly rising up from his gut...that feeling that told him today was different. He licked his lips, eyes moving from the suitcase to the seemingly innocent old man before him.
"...well...I, uh..." Aaron pressed a hand to the back of his head, eyes falling upon the walkway that led to the street. "...I suppose one game wouldn't hurt." As he turned back to the table, much to his surprise, the game had already been set up, pieces and all. That same feeling came back, though this time a touch stronger. The old man tipped his head, once again gesturing to the seat.
"Please, please sit..." The old man spoke as Aaron sat, hands slowly pressing against the marble tabletop. "Now, I warn you," the old man said in a playful tone, "I'm a tricky one to beat. Undefeated since the day I could pick up a piece," the old man set his hands upon the tabletop as well, tilting his head to the side. "Well, you're the white side. Go on, make your first move." Aaron seemed at a loss, his expression distant, almost frightened. That feeling was beginning to overwhelm him, and it was all because of this one old may Why, of all people, would he summon up such a terrible feeling? A feeling so thick, he felt as if he were going to explode from the tension he created within himself. Without realising what he was doing, he lifted a hand, setting his fingers lightly around his first piece; a pawn. He moved it two spaces forward before gluing his eyes to the old man. "Oh excuse me," the old man suddenly says while throwing his hands into the air, "I've forgotten my manners in my old age...my name is Michael, Michael Sage. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance," the old man extended his hand, coupled with a warm smile. Aaron eyed the old man warily, that uneasy feeling still strong in his gut. After a long moment, he extended his hand, taking the old man's hand in his. "...it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sage," Aaron began, "my name i--"
"Aaron, yes, I know." Aaron froze, his arm going limp in Michael's. "Don't worry, Mr. Cliff," Michael nodded as he withdrew his hand; Aaron kept his forward, suspended over the chess board. "It's my job to know the names and lives of everyone. I have to count their timers, after all," Michael chuckled before taking hold of his Knight, sliding it along the board.
"Who are you?" Aaron hurriedly stood from his seat, eyes wide, expression frightened.
"What?" Michael tilted his head, his eyes narrowing some as he examined Aaron with a bit of scrutiny, "isn't it obvious?" A long moment of silence passed before Michael frowned, "oh, the youth of this day and age. Death, my boy. I'm Death." Aaron spluttered out a gasp, his eyes going wide with disbelief.
"Death?! You expect me to believe that?!"
"I expect you to believe whatever you want, Mr. Cliff." Michael gestured to the chess board, "it's your move by the way." Aaron paused, his eyes falling to the chess board; momentarily. Aaron quickly shook his head before snapping his gaze back onto Michael.
"You've been stalking me? You've nothing better to do then stalk people? That must be it, you can't be serious about...about--""As I said, Mr. Cliff, you may believe whatever it is you wish to believe. It makes no difference to me, nor does it make a difference in the grand scheme of things. The facts are this...I am Death, and it's your turn. Out of those two things, one can change...so if you please, would you take your move?" Aaron growled, reaching forward before violently moving another pawn forward.
"Is this some sick joke? Are you here to kill me? Is this what you tell people before you try to murder them? Is that your play, old--" Michael rose both hands, stopping Aaron's tangent with a lazy stare.
"Mr. Cliff, if you would please calm down. I like silence while I make my move. Helps with the concentration, you see," Michael smiled before lightly batting his hands forward, bidding him lean back and sit down. Aaron's bewilderment continued; how could this man be acting so nonchalant and calm? That uneasy feeling grew stronger in his gut the longer he looked upon him. Silence indeed fell as Michael studied the board, tactically moving yet another piece; his second Knight, forward. "Mr. Cliff," Michael said as he settled into his seat, "I understand your surprise and disbelief. It's not every day you're approached by a mythical being thought to be...well...a myth." Michael shrugs, "in truth, everyone sees me either once, or twice. Few have seen me twice. In any case..." Michael gestures to the board, "I'm here to propose an idea to you Mr. Cliff. Do you wish to see your wife again?" Aaron's body visibly locked up, brows raising so high they almost disappeared into his hairline.
"...you can't b--"
"Yes, Mr. Cliff, I am." Michael folded his hands upon his lap, offering a small smile, "I am very serious. Do you wish to see her, Mr. Cliff? Do you wish to see Sophia?" Aaron fell back into his seat, his eyes falling upon the chess board before him, his eyes hopped from piece to piece as he thought on the proposition. He couldn't believe what he was hearing; here came an old man claiming to be the Grim Reaper, and he was offering him the one thing he wished for most--to see her once again. Aaron raised his hands, setting them upon the marble table, leaning onto them.
"...isn't there some...law you have to follow? Isn't this against the...will or...something...of the higher powers?" Michael chuckled at the question, simply shaking his head before leaning forward himself.
"...I think we can keep this between ourselves and just call this one a favour, eh? If you agree, I can allow you passage and we can go from there. Further, it is within my power to grant life to one who has fallen. Only one, and only so often. A...resurrection let's say. It happens all the time, though it's not as...specific. Usually, they're picked at random to try again if they are to remain in Purgatory, but...I sometimes bend that rule some when I find reason. It is something I rarely do, so it would be wise to accept my offer, Mr. Cliff." Aaron paused, quietly clicking his tongue. He took in a deep breath through his nose, fingers drumming along the tabletop.
"...and what's the catch?"
"You'll have to find her. I can't take you to where she is exactly. Once she's there she may wander as she pleases...who knows where she is? Purgatory is a rather large place after all and even I can't keep track of those who are awaiting judgement. To cut right to the chase as they say," Michael snickered, "you'll have to survive the trials of Purgatory to find her, that's for certain. The realm has it's own agenda you see, and it will only grant you your desire if you appease it's nature...if you play it's games."
"And what games are those?" Michael shrugged.
"Who am I to know? They will be presented to you and you alone my boy. If you reach her, Purgatory will release you and your wife. You can once again live together in love and harmony. However, if you fail, you won't be allowed to leave. You will die Mr. Cliff, and you will stay there until time comes to a stop. You will not receive judgement nor will you have any second chances to leave. This is a make or break opportunity. The decision of course, lies entirely with you." Aaron sat back slowly, his hands falling to his lap. Live or die? It was a heavy decision...he could bring her back. It would be hard to explain to her family and friends how she was back but, they'd be just as happy to see her. "I know you've thought of suicide, Mr. Cliff..." Aaron looked up as Michael spoke, eyes centering on his own. "As I said, I count the time each person has left...your timer was pushed forward these past six years. I cannot say how much time you have left but, it's...not much. You may not be thinking of removing yourself now but, it...is in your future. At this point at least. Why not make these last moments worth it? Why not...try?"
Aaron's eyes fled from Michael's as he immediately wrapping his arms around himself and stood from his seat. "...well...if you put it like that..." Aaron couldn't help but quietly laugh as he rubbed his arms, his body visibly shaking, "...so she'll come back? If I make it to her...she'll really be back?" Michael paused a moment, his tired old eyes locked squarely upon Aaron. Slowly, Michael nodded.
"She will."
"...alright...alright," Aaron dropped his arms, turning away from Michael for only a moment before turning back to face him. "...alright. I'll do it." Michael smiled and slowly stood from his seat.
"...very well Mr. Cliff, I wish you luck. May your endeavours be...successful." Aaron suddenly felt a sharp pain jab at his heart, the feeling grew swiftly.
"A-Agh! Wha-What's happening?!" Aaron fell to his knees, panting heavily as the pain became more and more severe.
"Calm, Mr. Cliff...slip quietly. Find your wife, Mr. Cliff...I shall see you soon." Aaron's vision became cloudy as the light slowly fading from his world. He saw Michael turn from him and walk slowly into the distance. As Michael disappeared into the horizon, Aaron's vision blacked out entirely. The world was gone, his body went cold and everything became silent. Everything was gone.
