[ WP ] Death is looking for you , but you try to convince Death that you are not the person Death is searching for .

Death stood in front of the television. 
 
 Immediately upon his arrival, the man perceived what was imminent. He clutched at his chest, feeling the flabby flesh. 
 
 “ NO! ” he shrieked. “ It ’ s not me! I swear it isn ’ t me! You ’ ve got the wrong person! ” 
 
 Death cocked his head. His voice was deep and resonated in the house—akin to a heartbeat. 
 
 “ I believe I have the right person here, Jeff… ” he paused. Jeff wasn ’ t sure what he was hearing—the sound of his heart beat or the voice of his houseguest. “ It appears to me that you are slated to die right here, in this recliner. ” He turned around and observed the small, blaring television. “ Yes… this is correct too. Watching Netflix. Alone, in your underwear, surrounded by the very foods that brought me here today. Quite a shame. ” 
 
 Jeff looked wildly around. Yes, a bowl of Cheetos had spilled next to his couch. An empty carton of ice cream was next to him, seated on the couch cushion like a friend. And it was. 
 
 “ But, but… ” he searched. Death waited. He had time, after all. “ This is a mistake! You have the wrong person. ” 
 
 “ Oh? ” Death raised an eyebrow, not in contempt, but in pity… rather, his version of it. “ Well, Jeff, I will humor you, if you only tell me the man who is supposed to make my acquaintance instead. ” 
 
 Jeff stared blankly. He knew what he had to say, he just didn ’ t know how to make it seem… persuasive. “ I was supposed to die after I had a long and fulfilling life. After I cleaned up my act, got a real job, lost this weight, and started a family. The person you are supposed to take is not here because I am not him yet. ” 
 
 Death ’ s raised eyebrow lowered. Jeff saw something in Death ’ s eyes. Was it… compassion? Sympathy? Was Death sympathizing with him? 
 
 “ Jeff… ” Death spoke softly now. Jeff ’ s heart was beating softly now, too, weakly even. “ You have been in this perpetual state for 10 years. I have watched you, Jeff. You humans are curious. You spend your days in a sort of purgatory, waiting, for something. It ’ s… it ’ s as if you humans are waiting for a man to pop out of some imperceptible place and announce to you that this is it, this is your big break, here ’ s where your life changes. ” 
 
 Jeff ’ s heart was weak, and so was his vision. He faintly caught Death shaking his head, a sad smile in his eyes. His voice was convincing. 
 
 “ But Jeff… the only place that man exists is in your own head. The man in his place… is me. ” 

