A young man sat against a tree that overlooked a valley, high up on a cliff. The wind blew gently, and clouds were scattered across the sky. He closed his hazel eyes as the wind blew harder, rustling his curly dark brown hair. He raised his stubbly chin to the sky and smiled slightly as the sun hit him, warming his face. After a few moments, he walked to the edge of the cliff to stare down into the forest. He took a step off and fell through the air until he suddenly transformed into a massive owl. He soared across the sky, flying over the pines and animals in the forest below him. He swerved in midair, suddenly launching himself towards the ground. He landed in front of a cabin and turned back into a young man. He started forward, approaching the cabin before he stopped, noticing the light was on. He tilted his head to the side in confusion but kept going. He opened the door to see Death sitting at his kitchen table.

“Get dressed.” she commanded, her eyes trained on the table in front of her. The young man grabbed a pair of pants that were sitting on a chair next to the door and put them on as he walked into his kitchen. He opened up his refrigerator door and grabbed a beer. “I know you’re the silent type, but I need your attention. So, please. Sit.” The young man turned around as he popped the cap to his beer. He threw the cap onto the table before he sat down, taking a long drink. He stared at Death. “Landon.”

“Look, as much as I love doing favors for your reapers, I’d prefer if my ‘isolation’ stayed as ‘isolation.’” He took another drink from his beer before he set it down on the table, not breaking eye contact with her.

“Do you feel the same way as you have in the past?” Death asked. Landon remained silent like he was waiting for her to say more. “About coexisting.”

Landon chuckled and took another drink. “Look, if you came here to mock and laugh, I strongly suggest you leave.” Landon replied without breaking eye contact. “I’m not afraid of you. Never have been, never will be.” Death shifted uncomfortably in her chair, and Landon watched the movement carefully “That’s not why you came here?”

“Have you heard from any of your friends in the Unity compound?” Death asked, her tone was more somber.

Landon put down the bottle slowly, confused. “Oh, uhm- No.” He stumbled on his words a bit. “Actually, I haven’t heard from any of them in a while.” Death stared at him for a moment, then looked away. “What happened?”

“There was a massacre.” Death said softly. Landon inhaled sharply and covered his face with his hands. His body shook, and a sob-like noise escaped his throat, but when he uncovered his face, his eyes remained dry. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out, “There was only one person left alive and well. She was the one who killed them.”

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Landon stood up quickly. He walked around the room, taking deep breaths. “W-who was it?” He asked in between breaths.

“A young vampire girl.” Death responded as the look of discomfort grew on her face.

Tears began to slide down his face. “V-va-” He tried to speak.

“Yes.” Death said quickly.

Landon covered his mouth. He whimpered slightly and took a deep breath before looking back at her. “What’s- what’s going to happen to her?” He asked.

“That’s why I came here.” Death explained. She relaxed slightly as she focused on the information she had to relay, “A seer saw the massacre happen in a vision. It’s the triggering event that brings the end times. The end of the balance between Life and Death.” Landon walked over as she spoke and sat down next to her. “Lorelei and I have come up with a solution to educate some of the youth. To help us all learn to coexist. Our hope is for it to branch out into all of the communities.”

“And if they don’t?” Landon asked, raising an eyebrow.

“They will, or they’ll pay the price,” she responds simply. “They know what they have to lose.”

“You want me to, what, be a teacher?” Landon asked, sniffling, taking a big gulp of his beer.

“Yes.” Was Death’s only response.

Landon laughed and shook his head. “We don’t exactly get along, you and I. Why would you want me there?” Landon said, gesturing between the two of them, “Don’t get me wrong, this is… satisfying. Especially coming from you. Being laughed at for so many years, now you need me.” He laughed again, sarcastically, before he looked away, “Hilarious.”

“Landon.” Death stared down at her hands, “Please help us. This is your dream. Your vision. You can help make this work.”

“Is she going to be at the school as well?” Landon asked, casually finishing his beer.

“Yes.” Death sighed.

“Then I’ll be there,” Landon responded firmly.

“Agenda free?” Death asked, her voice was hopeful.

“No one is agenda-free. I don’t have bad intentions if that’s what you’re worried about. I need to make sure she’s okay.” Landon assured Death. He stared deep into her eyes, and she gave him a small smile as she nodded in return.

“Thank you.” Death said, with a sigh of relief.

“It’s not for you. I’m doing it for Unity.” Landon almost snapped back quickly.

“That’s fair.” Death said softly. “I’ll be going. I’ll send you information. We’re planning to meet soon. Do you want to know anything?”

“No. The more I hear your voice, the closer I come to changing my mind.” Landon spat back. “Just know, I’m doing you a favor. I expect something back in return. Okay?”

Death stared at him for a moment. “Okay.” She said quietly. She went to snap her fingers but hesitated for a moment. “I know I haven’t said this before, and that’s a true shame. But I truly am sorry, Landon.” Before he could reply she snapped her fingers, disappearing from his cabin.

Landon got up from his seat. He walked over to a picture hanging on his wall. It was a picture of himself and a young girl with pink hair in two braids. They both had massive smiles on their faces. He smiled back at it reflexively. His eyes wandered over the other photos, all his friends, their friends. This time when the tears came, he did nothing to stop them.