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

𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨: Physical and verbal violence ahead. Please take caution in reading.

"Evangeline?" Mrs. Dante spoke concernedly, snapping Evangeline out of her haze of rage. "Are you okay, dear?"

Evangeline looked around the restaurant and saw that all eyes, including Dante, Dante's mother, the patrons, and the staff, were gaping at her. She lowered her head in embarrassment and picked up the knocked chair off the ground.

"I'm fine," Evangeline forced a smile, considerably calmed down. "I just need to go to the ladies' room real quick."

"No!" Death did the thumbs-down sign, blowing raspberries. "Bring the real Evangeline back!"

"I'll come with you," Dante said in a tone that was more of a statement than an offer, standing up from his chair.

Challenge Accepted