The Harvester's Lullaby

                                                      -Dialogue-

“Hi! I’m the Grim Reaper and I came all the way here just to stab you”

My perfectly fine daylight flickered and the next thing I know is that I’m being held down by an entity speaking like a man who does networking for a living. It’s only identifiable feature is it’s white blank mask as well as it’s firmly built limbs extending out it's body which is covered in a black haze. It tilted it's head as it leered at me from head to toe, it took him just a second to settle down and open his notebook beside me.

“Hello Mary, I have something to say that might surprise you.” He took his time to finally break the silence over my messy living room. "You're already dead" I tried to avert my gaze from the darkness that creeps out of his eyes but it won't work. I can't move my body except for my eyes and lips, my chest feels cramped and it feels like that I have iron beams for arms and legs. I realized I might as well look at him since he's the first one to recognize me for a long while and besides, I already know that I'm dead.

"So uh, How did it go cutting your wrists?” His voice became sharp despite still maintaining that playful tone. "Did it feel good?" Again, I fell into silence as I tried to distract myself by counting my underwears scattered on the floor. My eyes wandered over to a few bottles of alcohol sitting at the corner of my couch. My memory then flashed back and I remembered, my eyes were swollen and I was checking my phone, then my mind went blank and all I know is that my chest feels heavy and I'm itching to ease that feeling. Then my memory jumped into doing something in the bathroom until I found myself sitting on my couch all over again.

That’s the time I felt as if I was kicked out from this world. I saw people walking but none could hear my cries or screams. I could see and hear the leaves rustling from the wind but I could never feel it’s cold breeze. I never felt the need to eat, drink, sleep and even I tried jumping off of a building only to find myself sitting where it all began. There’s nothing that I can’t pick up other my own things and there are doors that I couldn’t even open. I’m like a bird trapped in a house full of one-way windows.

“So uhh Mr. Death, do you have a name?” I don't know anymore, but It feels really good to talk especially if you know that someone hears what you say - yes even if he has a kitchen knife in his hand.

“Nope, Death is that guy above that white light to brief those who passed away, I’m just his agent tasked to help some tortured souls. Also, You can call me Albert” He spoke in a whimsical tone. I managed to put up a smile as I looked over to the clutter piling up at the all corners of my home. I never had the need to take it out until now, if there's one last thing that I could do - it would be me getting the strength to pull myself back so I could fix my home for my peculiar visitor.

“So you're here for-”

“I’m gonna help you pass on” He placed his knife on the ground and he gave me a thumbs up before pointing at the night sky. The idea made my chest feel a little bit lighter.

“Sounds honorable” I let out a chuckle, I feel tired but I'm happy. I couldn't help but smile at this black thing who was sent to help me and see me go. “How are you gonna do it?”

“Well, by stabbing you of course!” I realized that talking at this point is much of a privilege, I can't help but laugh after hearing that upbeat sincere tone.

“Is this gonna hurt?” I peered through the darkness that sits on the holes of his mask. I know what's going to happen next but I felt like I don't want to drop the conversation at this point - I just want to talk.

“Yes, it will but it’s a little less than what you have felt your whole life” He pushed himself up with one arm and he raised his knife with a very firm grip. His voice seemed relieved despite the antagonizing aura that creeps out of the while blank mask. “And just a heads up, after this you’ll meet a Pangolin wearing a tuxedo. Try not to be rude, Tell em I said hi”

I nodded, let out a breath and closed my eyes. My hearing started to blur, all I could sense are the echoes of his whispers and footsteps. I felt the pressure of his knife on my chest and it wasn't long before it got through. My tears fell down as I tried to keep myself together by gritting my teeth. He then drew a line by pulling his knife down to my stomach. I felt my last will to live to seep out of my body, then the littlest of my memories came crashing down. I remembered that I cared what other people would think, I cared what would they… I cared… What? What was I even thinking in the first place?

“Well, Goodbye.” I felt his warm breath brush past my ear. It was bittersweet, his voice sounded like he’s about to cry.

Then the white light that I have been seeking finally blessed me with its warm radiance. My body gradually became lighter as the pain in my chest slowly fades away. I drew my last breath with a satisfied grin on my face, after all, I am no longer bound and all I could remember is my name.