[ WP ] You are death . Describe taking the last human life .

Twelve years since the sky went dark and they scuttled into holes. Busy years spent at the bottom of cliffs and the ends of barrels. And so many brought down shivering by disease. Frantically digging up dry roots in the forest with no one to tell them what was what. It reminded me of the centuries back. And the diseases raged. 
 
 They became dirtier and wilder. Sniffing the air again with a purpose. Listening like deer for the wolf at the door. But it was usually nothing. Until it was me. 
 
 Gerald had a silver harmonica stored above the mirror. He stopped shaving several months ago. He knew he had become sick but I doubt he knew he was the last one. Almost everybody saw nobody towards the end of things. The radios died before the first year. The voices in the night kept going a long time. At least 8 or 9 years. People are social and perhaps being alone was worse for them than anything. Gerald used to play the same 3 songs on his harmonica. Not anymore. His beard is so long now I bet it would get in the way. 
 
 But he did n't try. Like I said, he had been sick. And not being the sort to kill himself he was quietly waiting. We walked a way into the woods. I knew it was n't his time yet but I took most walks with him. Down by the tree line there were loosely gathered stones set over a handful of graves and Gerald started to hum. This was strange for him. And the tune was slow. It lasted a couple minutes and then he walked off sharply. 
 
 Two weeks later and he was spitting blood when he woke. I do n't think he was eating anymore, just drinking from the river. I followed him down the path to the stones. He lay down between the stacks of rubble and closed his eyes. But it was n't his time yet. He was just waiting. We were waiting. 
 
 - 
 
 It's been a couple years now. Mostly I just watch the stars. And I drift. I ca n't help but wonder if this limbo is where they all went. One way or another. And what death might be out there for me? I used to think Gerald was the last one left. But that moment I touched him, low in the woods, I realized it was me.
