1 A Girl with Death.

In the hallway of a small country hospital, in the soft glow of the evening sun, a father and mother speak to a doctor their voices filled with heartbreak. "How long does she have Doctor?" the father is the one to finally ask the question they've been avoiding. " Not long I'm afraid." the doctor sighed with exhaustion, " Given her current condition I'd give her a week or two at best. There's nothing more we can do for her.". "No! She's only 10 years old! She's never even been outside! There has to be something else you can do!" the mother's despair was evident as she grieved for her little girl. The doctor sighed shaking his head before apologizing to them and leaving. The pair simply look to each other the father holding the mother in his arms as she weeps.

Within the room sits the girl thin and pale with platinum hair and eyes a bright and dazzling blue, still vibrant in spite of her condition. She overhears the conversation between her parents and the doctor, looking out the window with a gaze filled with longing and a sense of acceptance. Suddenly the room darkens slightly as a figure silently appears at her bedside. She stares at it trying to makes since of it. It was tall much taller than her father it face like the skull of some kind of animal. Long branch like horns grew from its head and bright green flames sat where its eyes should be. Finally it was dress in a long cloak made of some kind of black liquid and yet she wasn't afraid.

The figure looks to her and asks "Do you not fear me?". "No, you must come to every one right? I was born weak and knew I'd see you soon, besides you seem nice." She answer back brightly. The figure gazes at her sadly, "Do you not hate or resent this life?" Again she answer the figure in a bright yet tired tone, "No, I have Known the love of my parents, the joy of having friends, and have experienced the world in the stories they tell me. I do not wish to waste away." Tears stream down her face even as she smiles brightly at the figure.

The figures gaze seems to soften at her reply, "Very well then, close your eyes." As she does she can't help but ask "Will it hurt?" her voice trembles, fear taking hold of her. " No child, it will not hurt." the figures words so filled with care and compassion seemed to quell her emotions as she relaxed. The figure then extended its long skeletal hand. Reaching into her chest it gently pulls out a small mass that clings to the girl momentarily, as if it didn't want to let her go, then leaves as suddenly as it came.

Many years later in a small country hospital, the evening sun spilling in through the windows. An elderly woman lays in on of the beds, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, when notices a figure in the backround and smiles as time seems to stop.

"Do you not fear me?" the figure asks coolly. The woman's reply is surprisly bright and spritely despite her age " No, for I have lived a long life. I have known both love and loss, I am loved by my children and have watched them create families of their own. I am content." The figure seems to smile in response and reaches out its hand. The woman closes her eyes as her soul leaves her, a smile still upon her face. Her family cries as her life slips away.

Unknown to them a figure walks away, gently holding the hand of a smiling platinum haired child.