ThreyaMidnight

"So this is what they mean when they say your life flashes before your eyes when you die."

Betrayed. Battered. Broken. 

Evangeline Vermillion has had enough of her pathetic life. She was young—only in her early 20s—and she had planned to end it all by setting herself on fire. 

That was how she met Death—cold, dark, tall, and...handsome? Huh. Who knew the Grim Reaper could look like that? He takes her hand and guides her through the In-Between, the sacred realm between the Land of the Living and the Afterlife. Together, they revisit her most important memories. From the misfortunes of her childhood, to the chaos and bloodshed of the wrong kinds of love, Evangeline must confront the demons of her past to get to The Other Side.

Through all of the pain and anguish, Death stands with her, an enigmatic companion and unlikely confidant. And in their brief waltz between realms, Evangeline finally finds what she always wanted but never had: to belong and to be loved.

Waltz with Death

I faced rows of jars in the dimly lit memory aisle, each holding a piece of my past. Some memories were fragile and painful, while others held cherished moments. Fake Death's gentle voice broke the silence in my mind.

"Would you like to check another memory?" He asked.

I hesitated, uncertain about which memory to explore next. He must have sensed my reluctance because he asked.

"You're having second thoughts now?"

My response was quick and eager. I nodded, indicating that I did not want to further my suffering.

Fake Death suggested, "How about one more to make it five?"

I raised an eyebrow, amused by his bargaining tone. "Five?"

He nodded. "Let's make it five. Just check another memory, and you'll be able to see the fifth memory."

"Why does it feel like you're negotiating with a child?" I couldn't help but grin.

Fake Death shrugged, though I knew he wasn't physically present to show it.

Middle School Dance