"Madeline?"

"M-Maddy?"

Her skin started to turn pitch-black, spreading like a plague, and her eyes became white as snow. In the blink of an eye, drops of gray mist wrapped around her like a tornado. It whirled so unbelievably fast that I had to let myself be swayed to the ground by the wind it was creating. I couldn't move a single muscle; I was nailed in one place. I couldn't see what was happening inside the tornado with Madeline at all. As the wind died down slowly and the mist spilled onto the ground like sand, there was no longer Madeline in front of me.

I had to rub my eyes harshly to be sure I was seeing right.

"Damn, that was quite a performance. Even though I expected it to be more theatrical. Boring can be beneficial in some situations, but not for me. Whenever possible, I have to be dramatic. And, of course, I-wait a minute." Death shifted his attention to Rowan's unmoving body with his face down. "Ohh, hello there!" He poked his shoulder with his scythe.

"It's been centuries since I last saw such an imbecile." Death chuckled in his husky voice when he turned his head back to me. "Now, kitty, remember what I said the last time? No running away from me because I'm exhausted from collecting those poor, lost souls who desperately needed me tonight."

I was still frozen, processing what I had just witnessed.

"Dammit, did I accidentally kill you or something? Why are you posing like a statue?" He added, placing his hand on his hip.

My lips started to tremble, and my body tremored as I felt a huge knot settle in my throat. I couldn't utter a word. I began gasping for air. Hot tears swam down my cheeks, and I had a taste of their saltines when they entered my slightly apart mouth.

Death took a step forward to me, and I immediately curled myself into a wool ball. I covered my face with my hands.

This is not really happening, I thought to myself.

This whole time, he pretended to be Madeline. He pretended to be interested in building a friendship with me. That's not what he truly wanted, though. He only wanted to get under my skin, and it worked.

Madeline's behavior was odd, and if I had paid more attention to it and seen the resemblance in their behavior, I'd have seen through Death right away. I'm naive and foolish for thinking that someone normal wanted to be my friend. I cried days and nights in my bedroom. Longing for a female friend that I'd keep secrets with. Our longest and deepest desire we'd share with each other.

The only friend I had was my mother. She also chose to leave me in this world alone.

At that moment, when I was lying on the ice-cold ground, I wished for my death. Because nothing held me here. Nothing, and no one.

Then I shifted my hands away from my face and stared at my wish in front of me.

I pushed myself up, then wiped my running nose. Grim Reaper stood still in front of me, holding his large, shiny scythe. I tore my gaze to Rowan, trying to see if he was still alive, but his body was like a rock.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Is he alive?"

Death kept his head directed toward me like he didn't even hear what I asked him. But I had to be sure. What if he was dead, and he died because of me? Will my hands be soaked in his blood?

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Yes," Death replied in a low tone.

I dropped my eyes to the ground, as I couldn't keep looking at him anymore. My heart couldn't take the agony he caused. He was pretending to care for me when he was Madeline. Inviting me to his place and even sleeping in the same bed. That was the night when Madeline left the bed and said she went out to smoke. Perfect liar.

"Kill me," I proposed.

Death was silent at first, but then he spoke. "I can't even if I wanted to. I already took a life that wasn't supposed to be taken so soon."

I looked up at him, staring into his shadowy face with a creased forehead. "You killed Joseph, didn't you?" I exclaimed.

This time, he didn't reply, but I knew the right answer. Madeline, aka Death, killed him the night Joseph was touching me. For a split second, I thought that Madeline had killed him, but that was an absurd idea to imagine. A woman killing a man by herself? Just because he was harassing me? Now, though, it all makes sense. The puzzle has been solved.

"Vivi-" Rowan called breathlessly.

My head snapped at him, seeing him move his hand like he was reaching out for something. I pushed myself up with all the strength I had left and darted to him. When I crashed down onto my knees, I sensed the pain I caused because of the sudden crash, but the pain was good. I had to feel something else rather than sorrow.

Rowan's ocean eyes carefully opened, and they immediately glared into mine. I gripped his hand, which was still reaching upwards.

"I'm so incredibly sorry. I wish I could turn back time." My eyes flooded with tears.

With fury building within me, I snapped my head to the Grim Reaper, not minding what'd come out of my mouth. "Get the fuck away from my sight!" I yelled, and my voice broke.

Death only stared at me without a single word, but I knew he was furious. He's that type of creature who has to have everything under his control, and I was an exception.

He swung his scythe and was gone in a second. Only a gray mist was the only trace left behind him.

"What happened?" Rowan asked, confused.

How should I phrase this? Well, a Grim Reaper is interested in my young soul, and I don't know how to get rid of him, so he follows me, scares me, and pretends to be my female friend. But I have no idea why he hurt you.

Yeah, that ain't going to work.

"What is the last thing you remember?" I asked in the hope he was too hurt to hear and see Death because I couldn't explain myself.

"Your friend being a bodybuilder." He laughed, then touched his chest, whining in pain.

"Okay, Mr. Joker, now it's not the time for that. I'll call an ambulance-"

He grabbed my wrist as I was taking my phone out of my pocket. "No, please don't do that. I'll be fine-just give me a few minutes." He said, his voice in a state of panic.

"What do you want me to do then? Leave you here? Don't be stupid." I shook my head in frustration. What else could I do for him other than call an ambulance? God knows if Death broke his ribs or any other part of his body.

Rowan took a deep breath and carefully lifted himself. I immediately supported his back with my hand, in case he fell back to the ground.

He turned his head toward me and analyzed my face like I had something written on it. "See? I'm quite okay. There's no need to call anyone. I'll go home now." He said.

I helped him get onto his feet by wrapping my hand around his ribs. It was too dark outside, but I decided to help him get home. I called the cab, and to ensure myself that he wouldn't die on my way back home, I invited myself to his house.

When the cab stopped before a modern gray square house with a tall living fence, I was amazed. I got out of the cab first and ran to the other side of the door to help Rowan get out of the car. I paid the driver, even though Rowan disapproved. I brought him to this state. I was obligated to pay.

"I'm sorry if it looks like a bomb inside; I didn't consider a guest today." He said when he was unlocking the door. In the meantime, I was looking around his small, but elegant, garden, surrounded by greenery. The garden was filled with a variety of plants and flowers, and the air was filled with the scent of roses.

"Ladies first." He beckoned.

I smiled at him and walked inside, observing the entrance hall. The walls were simply painted white, and the furniture was the lightest shade of gray. It looked like he moved here recently because boxes were scattered around the black and white marble floor.

"Let's head to my room; I have to change." He pointed to his stained pants, which were covered in mud.

"To your room?" I stuttered.

He chuckled. "I'll change in my closet, silly. No worry, you won't see me naked."

Heat formed on my cheeks, and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself down. Minutes ago, I thought I'd die, and now I'm awkwardly flustered.

When my mind was busy with the unintentional images of his naked body, he was already walking up the spiral stairs, so I quickly followed his footsteps.