[ WP ] A strange old man knocks on the front door one day , he tells you he is death and he wants to play a game

The knock was loud and sudden, making Jeff jump from his seat. He spilled his coffee all over the floor. 
 
 `` Damn it,'' he mumbled to himself, picking up his mug and placing it on the side table. He really should n't have been drinking in the living room anyways, the stain would never come out of the carpet. 
 
 The knock rang through the house again, this time more impatient. 
 
 `` Hang on a second,'' Jeff called out, trying to use one of his socks to dab up some of the coffee before it could set into the carpet. Socks were far less expensive than new flooring. He gave up after only a few seconds and tossed the sock back down. 
 
 He rushed towards his front door, past the entry way table filled with pictures of him and family. He had several with his older brother, Thomas, whom he was very close with. A few were also of Jeff and his niece and nephew. He had never wanted children of his own, but he was born to be a fun uncle. He smiled as he glanced at the picture of them wrestling in his brother's living room floor. 
 
 Jeff undid the deadbolt and opened the door, letting the sunlight spill in from the bright, beautiful day. 
 
 Except that it did n't feel bright or beautiful anymore. 
 
 Standing in his doorway was a decrepit old man. He seemed to dim the sunlight that touched him, forcing it to bend over his dark, dusty cloak and lose some of its luster. His hair was shock white and his skin was as pale as ivory. He gave off a musty smell, like something that had been long forgotten in some dusty corner. 
 
 Jeff immediately felt like it was something that had n't truly been forgotten: it was something everyone wished they could forget. 
 
 The old man locked eyes with Jeff and tilted his head slightly. Despite looking feeble, he had an aura that said clearly not to cross him. He seemed to be trying to clear his throat to speak. He bowed his head slowly, then quickly raised it back up. 
 
 `` Hello, Jeffery. I am Death.'' 
 
 It was strange to hear words that seemed so entirely unbelievable that felt so plausible. Despite never being one to believe in an after life, Jeff was immediately convinced that his figure was in fact Death. He should have heard reason and assumed this was simply an ill man who had escaped from an institution. Instead, he could do nothing but begin to quiver at the specter of Death before him. 
 
 Unconsciously, he began to grip his clothing as he spoke, `` I do n't understand. I am barely even thirty now. I am in great shape. I'm just sitting at home, I do n't even have anything to be in danger of.'' 
 
 Death looked at the ground again, seeming to choose his words slowly, `` Yes. Sometimes it happens that way.'' 
 
 The words were very final and direct, yet not without compassion. Jeff could sense a note of sadness and weariness in his voice. As he looked the specter of Death over once more, he thought perhaps he was seeing him in a different light. 
 
 `` Do I have any time at all?'' Jeff asked, `` Can I call anyone or say a few final goodbyes? I do n't want to keep you waiting, its just that I'm going to miss my brother terribly and I know he will miss me too.'' 
 
 Death glanced at the photos on the entry way table and said, `` Perhaps you can invite me in for a short time. I do not know if I can permit you to speak to anyone, but I can mull it over.'' 
 
 Jeff was taken aback by the response, but also by the tone it was delivered with. He seemed frail, like someone who was over exerted or exhausted beyond a point they knew possible. He stepped to the side and made the motion for Death to enter his home. It felt strange to do such a normal action to Death itself, but he had been raised to have manners, regardless of the situation at hand. 
 
 Death stumbled slightly at the door way, regained his composure, and toddled towards one of the bar stools at the kitchen bar. He sat down ungracefully and placed his arms upon the bar to support himself. He bowed his head and seemed out of breath. 
 
 `` Are you okay?'' Jeff asked. 
 
 Death's head jerked up suddenly at the question, `` Excuse me?'' 
 
 Jeff stepped back a few feet at the sudden change in attitude and said, `` I just wanted to check on you, you seem a bit... well... tired.'' 
 
 Death stared into Jeff's eyes for what felt like an eternity before finally responding, `` No. No, it's fine. It's just that no one has ever asked me that before.'' 
 
 Before Jeff could politely look away, he noticed a small tear stream down Death's cheek. He found himself crossing the room towards the specter and placing his hand on Death's shoulder. 
 
 `` I can understand how it would be difficult for a lot of people to come to grips with their own end to ask about you,'' Jeff said. `` In fairness, you're just being very calm, it does n't really feel like today is the day I die.'' 
 
 Death used one of the dusty sleeves to wipe the tear from his face. He looked up at Jeff, `` Well then, maybe today you do n't have to. I'm so tired, Jeffery. I've been doing this for longer than I can count, playing by all the rules exactly as they were given to me. I'm not even sure that anyone is watching anymore. I know that no one is around from when I first came to be Death. I go through each day, bringing most people the worst news they can receive. I'm just tired of it, Jeffery.'' 
 
 He paused, then said, `` I'd be willing to strike a deal. Name anyone and I shall take them instead of you.'' 
 
 Jeff looked confused at first, not sure what Death meant by naming anyone. As it dawned on him, Jeff could n't help but to look down in shame. He could not bare the idea that his cowardice in the face of Death would result in the death of another. 
 
 `` Is there some other way?'' Jeff asked. `` I do n't want anyone else hurt because I'm too scared to go.'' 
 
 Death rubbed his face with his hands, `` Jeffery, I need to take someone. I ca n't break all of the rules, I'm held to certain cosmic forces. It is a balancing act, and if someone is to die, someone must die.'' 
 
 Jeff could see the sadness in Death's eyes as he explained the system he was shackled to. Jeff had never expected to feel so much sympathy for Death on the day he was to die. He just wanted him to be able to rest, as he seemed like a man who was always at the last hour of a too long day. 
 
 Suddenly, an idea struck him. 
 
 `` I choose Death.'' 
 
 Death looked confused, `` What? You were just discussing how much you would miss your brother and he would miss you. Does the death of one stranger really matter so much as to make you throw away this deal? You could have another fifty or sixty years before you see me again.'' 
 
 Jeff smiled slightly and spoke again, `` You misunderstood me, sir. I meant I choose Death, with a capital D. I mean you, sir.'' 
 
 Death was as completely emotionless as a statue at first. He gave no hint of liking or disliking this new plan. He turned and looked out the window. Jeff could not tell if he was mulling the plan over or trying to figure the best way to torture Jeffery in the afterlife. 
 
 Death's head collapsed into his hands and tears burst freely from his eyes. In a matter of seconds he was sobbing uncontrollably. It was n't a sight that should be viewed by a human, Jeff thought. He felt oddly aware for how insignificant a human life could feel in comparison to a broken, desperate force such as Death. 
 
 `` Thank you, Jefferey. Thank you for this release.'' 
 
 Death withdrew a long scythe from within his dark, musty cloak and viewed it with a sad smile. 
 
 `` Do your job, old friend. Do it well.'' 
 
 With the quickness unlike his elderly appearance, he swung the scythe inward towards himself. It pierced him easily and a blinding light filled the room. Jeff shielded his eyes, hoping he was not permanently without sight. The was a great roar of sound as it felt like the universe itself was coming apart at the seams. 
 
 As the tumult reached a crescendo, Jeff could faintly hear someone yelling to him, but he could n't quite make out the words. 
 
 As unexpectedly as the chaos had erupted, it vanished, and Jeff fell to the floor gasping for air. At the last second he had heard the words that Death was calling out towards him. 
 
 `` You're welcome,'' Jeffery said to the empty room. 
 
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