In the Darkness, He resides (Short Reads)

A dark figure stepped into a building bustling with people, most of them wearing the expression of despair. Some huddled in the corner comforting the younger ones, and some sitting on the metal seats holding a stiff posture.

"Please help my son! Please..." A man sobbed, clutching a small body in his arms. No one reacted to the slightest at the hysterical cries of the father, as if they were unaffected by the sadness haunting the room.

Floating into the lobby, this dark stranger serenely watched the humans dressed in white rushing around, helping the sick out of the ambulance and on to a rolling bed.

No one gave any hint of catching the sight of this mysterious entity. He was covered from head to toe in black garb, frayed towards the end and magically floating in the air. No one noticed the occasional flashes in his eyes, from black to golden, his body vibrating with energy and the long ferocious weapon hanging on his shoulders.

The man's eyes hinted at violence, the dark aura wafting out of his body caused the people near to him shiver, despite the lack of cold. They were not aware of the creature's existence, but the 'prey' part of them recognized a dangerous hunter prowling in their vicinity.

His face was distorted by the shadows, although some would describe him as a young man who had resorted to the criminal life. The figure floated around the room, his feet never touching the ground. Suddenly, a girl slumped in a chair shrieked, jumping up in fright. Her eyes locked into the golden eyes of the invisible entity.

No one paid attention to her. Considering her pale face and trembling body, people brushed her off as a druggie and went back to their world.

Suddenly, an hourglass appeared in his hand. Studying the teen girl who was now attacked by hysteria, he took a quick glance at the sand sliding to the bottom. There was still time for her– a couple of months if she continued to harm herself with the drugs.

Only a few people had the second sight. Humans usually met him in the 'end' but some could sense his presence and see him. It was all a part of the plan as some closer to the oblivion, hadn't fulfilled their purpose. His visibility acted a jolt to their numb senses, a chance to clean up their act.

He snapped his fingers and vanished from her sight. A feeling of amusement briefly tingled his senses but he flicked it away, not entertaining himself with the trivial human part of him. He was a dark creature, the tasks he carried out scared many divine angels, but he revelled in it.

Drifting inside the building, he felt himself summoned by a human whose time was reaching the end. Barely looking at the people pushing themselves into a deathtrap called an elevator, the man pushed himself upward, his body passing through floors at the speed of a Ferrari.

Stopping on the fifth floor, his predatory instinct picked up as he heard the rash breath of a human- a young man diagnosed with cancer. A whispered 'I don't want to die...' sent a rush of energy in his body, making his eyes flash golden.

The creature, indifferent from the tragedy of life, teleported into the room. His nose wrinkled as he took in the scene – the cancer-ridden man was only 30 years old. Had it not been for the disease, he would have lived a successful life.

His family had surrounded the bed. Everyone's eyes tearing up at their shining star's almost demise. The wife had a blank look on her face as if dazed by the brutal reality, unwilling to accept the truth. The young man held her hand, bravely trying to push happy thoughts in her mind.

As the dark man stepped forward, the young man's eyes unexpectedly moved towards him. Reluctant acceptance shined through in his stance, ready to leave the sickness behind, happy to relieve his family of the pain, yet depressed about where his life led him, an incomplete story.

I am scared...

The dark figure stared at the man calmly, and raised his right hand where the antique hourglass reappeared, this time all the sand had slipped to the bottom. His golden eyes returned to the young man again, those inhuman eyes shimmered with understanding.

Are you ready?

The young man glanced at his family, his eyes watering. His wife's eyes watered too, she grasped his hands, "Please don't leave me... What will I do without you?"

The young man groaned, shiny drops of tears streaming down his forehead.

"You will live a happy life for me, my darling. I love you..."

The mystery man slowly moved further, his arm pushing upward, the weapon against his shoulder glinting a silver light. It was a huge scythe, with an energy of its own. Black smoke pulsated around it, the metallic part had a silver tint to it.

The human's eyes widened, his fast heartbeats made the machine make erratic beeping sounds. His family wailed and several doctors rushed in, holding all those hospital equipment that never made any sense to the stranger.

You are not alone. You will meet your beloved ones soon.

And then, the Grim Reaper sliced the young man's chest. As soon as the heart stopped beating, the soul inhabiting the body drifted out, the translucent essence holding on to the blade.

Death studied the soul, unaffected by the sound of sadness. And in a second, the essence disappeared from the scythe. Probably towards heaven, considering the good karma of the guy.

He silently floated out of the room, his work done. No human emotions tormented him, it was just another day in his immortal existence. In the next second, he vanished into thin air, travelling towards the next dying soul.

His work never ended.