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

I opened my eyes. The smell of smoke assaulted my nostrils. Slowly, weakly, I stood up, taking in the destruction around me. Memories came flooding through me: the impact of a bomb, the white flash, the deafening blast. And here I stood, feeling as if it'd passed me by. 
 
 Then I saw someone. A teenage boy, lying on the ground. He looked weak, blood dripping from a wound on his forehead. As I approached him, his eyes fluttered open and came to rest on me. 
 
 `` It's my time, is n't it?'' he coughed. 
 
 I stared down at him, and nodded solemnly. This was who I'd been sent for. 
 
 The boy began to sob quietly, still too wounded to move. As I inspected him, however, I realized... his body was still in working order. A few lacerations here and there, and a punctured lung, but nothing beyond repair. I wondered to myself, *Have I made a mistake? Is this not the person I came for? * But we were alone. No one else had been struck by the bomb. 
 
 The boy's sobs resided, and he met my gaze once more. `` I am ready,'' he said. Though I heard steel in his voice, there was also the somber sound of saltwater, of tears not yet cried. Then I made my decision. I spoke. 
 
 `` I thought it was your time, but I was wrong. You are not ready for me, no matter how bravely you claim to be so. Soon the paramedics will arrive, and I will ensure that you are found and rescued.'' 
 
 The boy's eyes lit up. His sobs began anew, but mixed with the light sound of bells. Happiness. Joy. `` Th-thank you,'' he cried. `` How can I - `` 
 
 `` I do not expect payment, for all the universe means everything and nothing to me,'' I replied. `` But next time you are so gravely wounded, I will not be able to spare you.'' 
 
 I extended my hand, smiling. `` Deal?'' 
 
 The young man smiled, and put his hand in mine. As we shook, I heard the wail of sirens fast approaching. I looked at him one last time, then swung my scythe above my head, making a white X in the air over him. 
 
 Then I was gone, the boy's smile already an eternity away.
