[ WP ] Stories must end with `` It was Valentine 's Day . ''

I've sailed the seven seas. I've seen war after war after war. I've been to the chopping block, I've been electrocuted, I've been injected with chemical after chemical after chemical. Yet, after all these stories, all the attempts, all these horrible things that would kill men fifty times my size, that one memory remains. It was Valentine's Day: 
 
 `` Honey, are we going yet?'' 
 
 `` Almost ready. You're sure the reservation was n't cancelled?'' 
 
 `` Absolutely. They would n't do something like that. Not to me.'' 
 
 `` Alright. Let's head out.'' 
 
 The drive there was the same one we did every Valentine's Day, but something seemed off. The lights were working. The radio was playing. Nothing was different. I just felt strange. 
 
 We had a nice dinner. She ate creme brulee for dessert, the nicest they had. 
 
 `` I will love you forever,'' 
 
 Just as we left, a shadow emerged from the alley. We were attacked. 
 
 `` Wallet and phone, NOW!'' 
 
 `` I do n't have either.'' 
 
 He searched our pockets. 
 
 `` Please, just let us go!'' 
 
 `` Sorry, man. I ca n't do that.'' 
 
 A bang, a scream, then -- silence. 
 
 Time froze. 
 
 `` Hey chap, you're not looking too good,'' I heard from behind. A slim man in a white tuxedo stood there. 
 
 `` Who are you? Where am I? What the hell is going on?'' 
 
 `` Pleased to meet you, wo n't you guess my name?'' 
 
 `` What do you want?'' 
 
 `` You seem to be in quite the pickle, my good man. A problem with which I have centuries of experience. You see, you are a very special man in my eyes, a'trophy man,' if you will. I have a bit of a trade to offer you.'' 
 
 `` What is it?'' 
 
 `` Eternal life. The power to live forever. Love forever. That's what you wanted, right?'' 
 
 `` And in return?'' 
 
 `` Your soul. When you choose to die, I shall devour it.'' 
 
 `` It's a deal.'' 
 
 They shook on it, and it was done. I returned to the real world, the bullet tingling in my skull. Another bang was heard. 
 
 I had returned just in time to watch them kill my wife. So if anyone asks why I'm always so miserable, I just remind them. 
 
 It was Valentine's day.
