[ 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 ... . ''

I glanced up at the hood figure sitting in the old rocking chair in the corner of my hospital room, his veiled face deeply engrossed in a Sherlock Holmes novel that he had clearly taken from the shelf. I knew I was sick, but fevered hallucinations were never on the list of symptoms for strep-throat. I had not seen the figure enter, nor take his place next to me. I had simply slumbered briefly, and awoken to find an intruder. I stared at him worriedly, and before long, he glanced back. 
 
 “ Oh, sorry for the scare. Don ’ t worry. Take your time. I just started this ” 
 
 I tilted my head quizzically at him. My throat burned incessantly, and I could hardly croak out a single word if my life depended on it. Which it very well may have in this moment. 
 
 “ Cat got your tongue ” the figure chuckled “ No problem, I ’ ve dealt with much worse. ” 
 
 The hooded figure diverted his gaze back to the novel for a few moments before glancing back up at me. 
 
 “ I hope you don ’ t mind my borrowing this, it ’ s only for the moment. You have very good taste, if I should say so. ” 
 
 I pointed to his face, which despite the light of my bedside lamp and the fact that he sat only a meter from my face, was entirely veiled by darkness. 
 
 “ Oh, the hood doesn ’ t come off. Got ta leave something to the imagination, you know. Still, I don ’ t mean any harm to you. You ’ ll have to take my word for that. ” 
 
 I continued pointing 
 
 “ It ’ s rude to point, you know. ” 
 
 I put down my arm. I didn ’ t particularly feel like angering this man. As I was about to leave my bed to inform the hospital security, I heard footsteps down the hall. *Thank goodness*, I thought. A quick glance at the clock on the wall affirmed my suspicion. It was my nurse, Linda, coming no doubt with my medicines. As the footsteps approached closer, the hooded figure appeared to take notice to them. As if reading my thoughts, he glanced towards me. 
 
 “ Medicine, huh? ” 
 
 I nodded 
 
 “ Well, maybe tomorrow. All the best I suppose. ” 
 
 He stood from the chair, revealing a flowing black cloak that concealed not only his face, but his hands, legs, and every other otherwise exposed facet of the body. He turned to place the novel on the rocking chair, and glanced back at me. 
 
 “ Nice meeting you. ” 
 
 The door opened, diverting my attention momentarily to Linda, who carried with her a tray laden with both medicines and an unappetizing looking breakfast of scrambled eggs. I glanced back in the direction of the chair. The figure was gone, the chair occupied only by the Holmes novel, which now bore an obvious dog-ear. Linda looked at me quizzically. 
 
 “ What ’ s the matter, you look like you ’ ve seen a ghost ” 
 
 She set the tray upon the table next to my bed, and I motioned for her to leave, which she begrudgingly did. As she exited, I retrieved the novel from the chair. The marked page was 182, and a single passage had been circled in thick black ink: 
 
 *It is easy to be wise after the event. *
