Etchings

Part 1

Everyone is born with their death date etched on their skin and it stays in that spot their whole life, it ominously waiting there, haunting you, making you wonder what will happen and how. I thought I was supposed to die on the 30th July 2020, but then I woke up the next day. I looked around my mediocre apartment, my eyelids were heavy with fatigue and my brain foggy when I realised, I'm not dead. I scrambled across my bed and grasped my phone, it flickered to life and the date on the screen read 31st July 2020, 12:17. I gasped, my body started to shake in fear, in fear of what might happen, in fear of what will happen. Then a figure appeared in front of my window, the mystery human tapped on the glass and gestured for me to open the window. I stumbled across my small apartment and slid it open. They dropped into my apartment and looked at me, "Is your name August?" he questioned, his voice deep and firm, "Yes, it is" I replied awkwardly "But first I must ask, who the fuck are you and why are you in my apartment!"  He pulled down his hood and removed his mask; this revealed an unnaturally handsome face. He had a rugged look about him, his face worn down from life, his eyes a dark and enticing brown, hiding answers to questions that my mind was begging me to ask. His face turned from neutral to a confused expression, "Don't be so rude" he said pausing to size me up when I realised I was just wearing boxers. "You were supposed to die yesterday correct?" I gave him a startled look and replied "How the fuck did you know?" I stumbled back and fell onto my bed, overwhelmed by this insane turn of events. "That isn't important at this moment in time August" he said in a calming manner "What you need to do is put some clothes on and then we need to get the hell out of here cause we're not safe" I trembled on my words and started stuttering, he stepped towards me and placed a single gloved hand on my shoulder. The soft wool felt warm against my skin "It will be okay" he said in a comforting voice. "Okay" I murmured as I scampered over to my wardrobe, throwing the doors open. I grabbed a pair of scruffy, ripped skinny jeans, a fresh pair of underwear, some socks and an oversized burgundy jumper. I turned around to see the handsome stranger looking at me very closely, "Some privacy please!" I insisted angrily, glaring in his direction. He turned around awkwardly, looking out the window. I put the fresh(ish) clothes on, walked over to him and tapped on the shoulder "I'm ready to go" I sigh, turning around to look at my apartment for the last time. My eyes start to fill with tears as I look around, "Good, lets go already" the stranger says, tugging on me like an excited child. I turn around and wipe the tears from my eyes "What's your name?" I enquired. "I do apologise for being so rude. I'm Noah" he said in a positive voice. He gestured his hand towards me, I shook it, he had a strong and firm grip. He pulled onto the windowsill and I step out onto the rooftops, leaving my life behind.