[ WP ] You 're in bed with a terrible cold when you look up to see Death sitting in chair on the other side of the room . He is reading a thick book when he looks up and says , `` Do n't worry . Take your time . I just started this ... . ''

`` hmmph.'' I mutter as I roll over in my bed, eyes sheepishly opening for a moment in the dark, as I get comfortable to fall back asleep. 
 
 My lizard brain the only part actually awake: *Wonder what time it is. * So I reach for my cellphone and double-tap the lock screen button to get a glimpse of the time, the back-light momentarily illuminating the room. 
 
 Adrenaline Spike, brain fully awake now: *WHAT WAS THAT?! * Was that a shadow in the corner? A figure? My imagination? Cautious and frozen I lay perfectly still in the dark listening. I can feel a presence. This is no nightmare. This is real. Three seconds that seem like an hour go by, and then I hear it. A page turning. 
 
 Slowly and silently, my hand reaches forward, towards the nightstand. Do n't need to see, practiced a million times. Time to focus. *Grab the gun, rack the slide, engage the flashlight. You can do this. * 
 
 I feel the tip of my finger graze the cold steel of the gun. OK, I'm ready. *Visualize the action first. Have to get this perfect. God I wish I had more training. * 
 
 And then in half a second it's out and up. I fumble once for half a second with the flashlight toggle and then it's on, 600-ish lumens. Spotlight on a hooded figure in the corner off the room. BANG BANG BANG. And then... 
 
 Nothing. It does n't move, at first. And I realize what it is. It's Death. At least what Death is in the movies, in books. A black robbed figure. Beneath: a skeleton. Tall, and that trademarked sickle and shiny blade resting on the corner of the wall beside. And it's reading a book. My book. It's head raises, looking up at the page into my eyes with black sockets. It's voice both somehow smokey and also hissing, as if a forked tongue were speaking for a flame. `` You know, I think that may be the first time anyone has ever tried to reap ME.'' 
 
 I stare. I'm paralyzed. I ca n't THINK anything. Mind racing so fast it ca n't do anything. Like a computer running too fast, too many programs open. Glitch in the code. He somehow flicks his phalanges and simultaneously both the light affixed to my weapon goes out, and the candle on my dresser alights, just barely illuminating my small room. It speaks again: `` You really are lucky that you have no loved ones the other side of this wall you just shot through. If you did, I'd now have to take them.'' It pauses for a moment. `` You know, I really disdain this visage. But I needed to let you know who I am. And I can not lie to you, I have an affinity for the dramatic.'' 
 
 Another flick of his not-fingers. The robed and hooded figure has been replaced by a man. At least it LOOKS like a man. *What, how, I did n't even... * There was n't even a transition. No flash, no smoke. I ca n't even recall the moment in which he changed. He was just one thing, and then another. 
 
 He was still tall, and that sickle still laid next to him, but the rest had changed. He was now a man. Raven-black, slicked hair. Like back in the'50's. Chiseled chin, nice and square. Strong jaw-line. Clean shaven. Slightly large, but very pleasing nose. And those eyes. Piercing, starring eyes. The most intense shade of blue you could ever imagine. Unnatural, those eyes were. Athletic build, and wearing a suit, with a black tie. Perfect cut, too. As if the Devil were his tailor, and no one were a better tailor than the devil. Had a cigarette betwixt his fingers that he'd puff on now and again, but there was no smell of tobacco in the room, and it never burned down, or ashed. 
 
 His voice changed too: `` That's better,'' said Death, closing the book that he was reading but keeping a finger in to keep his spot, `` I'm sure you know, I usually just take. The lucky ones, such as yourself, silently in the dark of the night without a fuss. Good for you, no pain. And good for me.'' I hack and cough. `` That cold you have? Not a cold. You should have seen a Doctor. They might have caught it in time. Always interesting when the young ones go.'' 
 
 I suddenly became conscious of the fact that I had n't breathed since I pulled the trigger on my weapon ( minus the hacking and coughing ). This was the first thing my brain was able to establish since I first starred Death in the face. I began to force myself to breath again. 
 
 Death continued, `` But sometimes, I am hit with a mood.'' He paused. `` Sometimes, you mortals entertain me. Just as you have tonight with your book collection. Very good stuff, not as extensive as I have seen, but expertly cultivated. And when I'm in one of my moods, sometimes instead of just taking, I like to offer a choice. It seems you've won the lottery, my dear friend. You have until I finish this book to make your choice, and there are a few simple rules. And if, you do not make your choice by the time I finish this book, or you try to circumvent the rules, you will go with me into that dark night. But if you play my little game tonight, and if you are wise, you may delay your rendezvous with Death to another time. What say you?'' 
 
 edit: typo. and modifiers.
