The closer the horseman gets, the more I quake.
Did you really hope to stop him, Lazarus? He’s not just going to listen to reason. You know he’s not.
He doesn’t notice me, not until I get up from where I’m sitting and step out into the middle of the road.
The horseman pulls his horse up short, and though it’s a different city and a different day with different weather, it feels like I’m reliving our first encounter all over again.
“You,” he breathes, his voice filling the entire world around us.
He remembers me.
I shouldn’t be surprised, there probably aren’t many humans he can’t kill, but still. He remembers me.
The rain comes down faster by the second, and the wind whips my hair as I stare resentfully up at the horseman.
Death hops off his steed, his gaze fixed on me. In the shadowy light, his face looks especially tragic. Tragic and lovely—as though he’s haunted by the things he’s done.
That, of course, would be giving him far too much credit. I don’t think he cares at all about the deaths he’s responsible for.
Lightning spears through the sky. For an instant the harsh light changes the horseman’s features. Where a second ago there was a face, now I see a skull overlaying the horseman’s features, and where there was once armor and wings, now I see a skeleton.
Just as quickly as the lightning comes, it’s gone again, and Death is simply a man once more.
Oh God, he really is death. If I needed any more proof, I was just given it.
My knees go weak and fuck, I’m about to lose my nerve.
Death steps up to me, and my breath catches. He’s a being that was never meant to be beheld this closely. He’s wretchedly beautiful.
The horseman takes in my wet hair and rain-soaked body. “Every single creature runs from me—except you.” He doesn’t sound surprised or alarmed. The horseman is a complete mystery.
I lift my chin. “Am I supposed to be frightened of you?” Because I am. I am utterly terrified. I’m also too reckless to care.
He smiles a little, and I must be brave because I don’t piss myself at the sight of that grin, like any sane person might’ve.
“You took everyone from me.” My voice breaks as the words slip out. I hadn’t planned on opening with this, but once I start speaking, I can’t seem to stop. “My mother, my brothers, my sisters, my nieces and nephews, my neighbors, my friends. They’re all gone.”
The aching loneliness I’ve carried with me sweeps in. Grief is awful enough on its own, but now I also have to deal with this solitude I never asked for.
Death stares at me as rain pelts the two of us. “That is what I do, kismet,” he says, his voice gentling. “I kill.”
My grief claws at me, trying to get out. My entire life died that day Death came to my town, and he doesn’t give a shit.
Of course he doesn’t, Lazarus, a small voice inside me says. He wouldn’t be destroying the world if he did.
The horseman gives me another cursory look. Something ancient and alien stares out from the back of his eyes.
“What is your name?” he asks.
I hesitate. I shouldn’t give my name to a man I don’t trust. But what’s the worst that can happen? We both know he can’t kill me.
“Lazarus,” I finally admit.
“Lazarus,” he repeats, tasting the name on his tongue. He smiles, though again, it only manages to make him look like he’s about to eat me. “An appropriate namesake.”
Death begins to circle me, the tips of his wings dragging against the ground. The outer edge of one of those wings brushes against my arm, and the contact draws out goosebumps.
“Who are you?” he says.
“You’ve already asked me that question before,” I say, watching him warily as he comes to a stop again in front of me.
Lightning strikes off in the distance, and again I see a skeleton superimpose itself over him.
I shudder at the macabre sight.
“My will alone should kill you,” he says, ignoring my reaction. “It does not. My touch should rip your soul from your bones. It cannot. There is only one option left.” His ancient eyes seem … sad.
The horseman moves blindingly fast. He grabs me by either side of the head and with one swift jerk— Snap.
I blink groggily, confused for an instant. Above me the sky is dark.
Where am I?
Out of the corner of my eye, a shadow moves, and I startle into action, rolling to my knees, only to come face to face with Death.
I suck in a breath at the sight of him kneeling at my side, his long wings draped over the ground behind him.