[ WP ] Everyone has a reaper . The further away it is , the longer you have left to live . Every day it inches a little bit closer , but it is always there . Except yours , which disappeared three weeks ago

I did n't know what to think. My reaper, the symbol of my death, the icon of mortality, had disappeared. `` It's only been gone a few weeks, he'll come back.'' I said the words out loud. Why did I always talk to myself? Maybe that's why he left, cause I'm a crazy lunatic. I set my bag my my nightstand. My body leaned back onto the soft sheets of the bed. I let my thoughts drift back to this morning, the events slowly transforming from memory to dream as I lay in bed. 
 
 
 `` Good mornin' Kyle.'' 
 
 
 `` Hi Joseph.'' 
 
 
 Front desk clerks were always nice. Too nice. I walked into the elevator and hit the button for floor 42. I backed up into the corner and felt my back slouch against the wall and railing. The song playing inside sounded like it had been recorded on a computer from the 1990's and was being played back from a potato. You, know, the potato batteries everyone and their mother made for the science fair in elementary school. Imagine one of those with a speaker poking out the top. That's what this music sounded like. When the doors opened and I stepped out, a thought crossed my mind. Did I see my reaper this morning? I spun around and checked my back, half expecting to see the scythe being brought down onto me. But nothing was there. When was the last time I saw him? It must have been three weeks since I remember actually seeing him. A man at the copy machine glanced my way. His stare was all the queue I needed to know that I was embarrassing myself. I walked to my desk and stared out the window. The building across from me normally had a black, pale faced figure glaring back at me, but that was not the case today. My eyes squinted, trying to see if there was anybody who resembled the creature of my demise. Nothing. Odd, maybe he was on vacation? I'd never heard of a reaper taking a vacation. I needed a vacation. 
 
 
 `` Kyle! Stop day dreaming about jumping out the window and just do it. If you're not going to, get back to work. 
 
 
 My boss was an asshole. Rick, fucking Rick. I went back to writing my presentation on the gross income of the company in twenty years if we too the Morrison Deal. 
 
 
 The next day I woke up and felt a strange sensation. It was n't anything I had ever felt before. In fact, I did n't feel anything. `` I'm calling out sick today, and I'm taking a vacation tomorrow.'' I called my self out for the next few days. This whole missing reaper thing had me feeling uneasy. Reaper do n't just disappear. Everyone knows that. I called my doctor, Jim. 
 
 
 `` Hello?'' 
 
 
 `` Jim, it's me Kyle, I got ta talk with you about something.'' 
 
 
 `` Kyle? you do n't sound well, what's the problem?'' He sounded genuinely concerned. I never made calls like this to him. 
 
 
 `` We need to talk in person. Now.'' I hung up and grabbed my keys and jacket. Mabe, hopefully, Jim will know what's up. 
 
 
 ________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 `` You're reaper is gone?'' Jim sounded more astonished than concerned. I frowned. 
 
 
 `` Yes, have n't seem him in three weeks. Any ideas?'' 
 
 
 `` Well I do n't know. I've never had a patient come to me with this issue.'' I let out a large breath. `` I could n't tell you what the problem is.'' said Jim. `` This may not even be my line of work.'' 
 
 
 `` I also had this strange feeling this morning. When I woke up, I did n't feel anything. It was almost like I was a hologram or something. No emotions, no senses. Like I only existed.'' My hands rested onmy thighs as I sat across from Jim. He looked out the window, probably to his reaper. 
 
 
 `` Maybe your work is stressing you out. When was the last time you took time off work?'' Jim looked back to me, his face still had a concerning look. 
 
 
 `` Last year sometime. I think it was last Christmas.'' 
 
 
 `` Go on vacation. Take some time and gather your thoughts. Relax.'' 
 
 
 `` Ok.'' I got up and shook his hand. Jim recoiled almost instantly. 
 
 
 `` Christ! Kyle, did you shove your hand into a bucket of ice?'' 
 
 
 `` No, I've been here with you for twenty minutes.'' 
 
 
 `` Your hands are cold, go somewhere warm on vacation, thaw out.'' We both laughed a small laugh and I walked out of the office. 
 
 
 Mexico was the only place on my mind, so I bought a two way ticket and packed my bags. I went ot the airport later that night and sat down. It was all going well, until a man in my terminal started to stare at me. I kindly looked away, but my eyes found themselves diverted back to him. He was still staring. 
 
 
 `` Flight 457 to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico will begin boarding.'' 
 
 
 The people at the gate ot up and we began the inevitable shuffling dance of trying to line up. People broke my sight of the man. He was still looking at me as they packed together before the desk. I checked in and found my seat quickly. I packed my carry on over head and sat down. The man whom had been staring at me passed me with his bag. His eyes were still glued to me as he walked by. `` Just some young dude being rude.'' I caught myself taking again. I needed this vacation. Bad. 
 
 
 The flight was uneventful and we landed in the Mexican city of Puerta Vallarta in three-ish hours. I found my bags, hailed a taxi, and was on my way to the resort in no time. When I arrived, employees helped carry my bags to my room. I only remember laying on the bed to take off my shoes before passing out. 
 
 
 The next day was even more odd. I walked onto the beach to find the same guy from the previous night only thirty feet from me. Frozen in place I watched him gradually turn his head to meet my eyes. Was this man my reaper in a new form? I had no idea but as soon as he turned his head, I walked back to my room. 
 
 
 I splashed cold water on my face and looked up at my reflection. “ Are you really going to let one guy ruin your vacation? One happenstance of seeing the same man, are you going to pout over that? ” I looked in the mirror harder. My face was much more pale than I remember. It was as though I rubbed baby powder fro my eye sockets to my chin. “ No wonder he has been staring at you, you look like a ghost! ” More water was splashed on my face and I went to go change and head into town. 
 
 
 I walked into the bar. I looked down at my watch. 10:43. “ I ’ ll have a few drinks and walk back, ” I told myself. Interesting would have been an understatement for my night at the bar. I ended up having a little more than I wanted to drink and started to really get drunk. I got some British girl ’ s number, not that I planned on texting her though. At least I was having a good time. Music was playing and I remember dancing a little. The night was sort of foggy, except for the moment that I saw him. The man. The same man from the airport, the plane, and the beach. He was here, just 5 feet or so to my left. We both must have noticed it at the same time because he almost jumped backward. He walked, briskly, from the dance floor to the bathroom. That was it, I was done! This guy was following me! He thought I would never notice, but I finally got him, I though. I walked to the bathroom and opened the door. He was at the sink, washing his face and I put my hand on his shoulder, firmly. “ Buddy, care explaining why… ” but he fell seconds after my hand touched him. I bent down quickly and grabbed his arm. “ Dude, you ok? ” No response. I checked his pulse. No beat. I stood up and backed away from him. “ No, no it ’ s not possible. ” I backed into the paper towel dispenser and I looked up to the mirror above the sink. Black robes shrouded my body, a hood pulled over my head. I couldn ’ t see my face. And worst of all, a scythe stood, cradled in my left hand. I had become a reaper. 
 
 

