[ WP ] '' Death extends his hand , smiling , “ Deal ? ” ''

`` It's time to come with me.'' Death stood there impassionately. His voice seemed to come from nowhere and had an unnerving echo. I shivered, looking once again at my corpse. It was strange to see myself looking so peaceful. My corpse sat against the wall, rope around it's neck, and its mouth curled up in a grisly smile. 
 
 I turned towards death. `` What was the point?'' He did not respond. `` Was I ever meant to have a chance? Or was it all just a cosmic joke?'' Death just stood there, waiting. `` Everyone else had a chance!'' I started yelling. `` They all had smiled, and laughed, and cried. They had things they loved - passions - and all I got was an empty gnawing.'' I began crying. `` Why only now?'' I saw choking back tears just to talk. `` Why can I only feel it now? I thought that was the end, that I could just go away and it would all be gone. So why, why do I feel so sad?'' 
 
 I stopped talking while I wept. I tried to choke out a few words but could n't manage it. Death just stood there motionlessly. `` It's not fair!'' I cried out. `` Why did n't I just die? I do n't want to feel this.'' I wept. `` I never got to feel anything while I was alive, so why now? I was screaming at death. `` Why?'' I fell to the floor, defeated. 
 
 I heard a knock at the door. `` Kate, are you in there?'' It was my Dad. He was supposed to be gone all day, that's why I chose today to die. I did n't want him to find me yet. Especially not now, while I was like this. 
 
 I jumped up to death, wiping the tears from my eyes. `` Please, do n't let him find me like this! Please, I do n't want to see that! I'll do anything..'' I heard another knock and slumped where I stood. `` Please, let me try again. I did n't even have a chance. How can anyone live like that, so empty? Please, just let me have a real chance.'' 
 
 Death moved for the first time. His echoing voice rang out again. `` There will a cost.'' 
 
 `` Anything!'' 
 
 Death moved towards me, his movements uncanny and awkward. `` Are you sure, child?'' 
 
 `` Yes please, I do n't want him to see me like this, and I want a real chance!'' 
 
 Death extended his hand, smiling, `` Deal?'' Everything about him was uncanny. His movements were erratic and awkward, and his smile was twisted and incomplete. Still, I had no other option. 
 
 I extended my hand and grasped his firmly, `` Deal.'' 
 
 _____ 
 
 I woke gasping for air and clawing at the rope around my neck. `` I'm alive!'' I quickly undid the knot and breathed a sigh of relief when I finished. I never remembered feeling so exhilarated or relieved. `` I'm right here Dad!'' I yelled out. I quickly got up and looked at the door. 
 
 Silence. 
 
 `` Dad?'' 
 
 With some trepidation I moved to my door. Taking a moment to ready myself, I opened the door. Then I screamed. He was laying on the ground, covered in blood. I fell to the ground with tears streaming down my face screaming in pain. In the distance I heard the faint sound of cruel laughter echoing.
