Page 37 of Death's Obsession

I grab the first letter I can get my hands on and read it with bated breath.

You make me feel alive.

It’s new. It’s a new letter. He’s never said that to me before.

I reach for another one.

Get the dress in forest green. It compliments your skin tone. Though there is nothing you could wear that wouldn’t take my breath away.

The corners of my lips tip up and a deep blush taints my cheeks. This entire time I thought he was trying to keep his distance and ignore me.

Seeing as you have been telling me about your day, I shall tell you about mine.

Today I watched the most otherworldly soul smile as she gazed upon a flower. Though my heart is greedy because I only want her to smile for me.

Stupid tears well in my eyes. I wipe it away before it can fall onto the paper, and I grab another letter.

Heaven does not compare to your beauty.

Then another letter.

Every day I watch you grow, and I could not be prouder.

And another.

You are almost there, my love. A while longer, and we will have an eternity together.

Then another.

You’re right. If I drank coffee, I would have a short black.

One by one, I unroll the letters and try to wipe away the tears before they fall. I feel like I can’t breathe, not because it hurts but because this is what I’ve been missing. He is what I have been missing.

This whole time I thought the accident was the worst thing that could have happened to me and that nothing good could ever come from it. But deep down, I knew—I really always knew—I belonged to death. The world of the living isn’t meant for me. Despite the life I led before the accident, I didn’t truly feel alive. Something was always off.

A tuft of black catches my eye from within the drawer, hidden beneath the mounds of parchment. I fish through the letters until my fingers wrap around something soft and fluffy.

A sob escapes my lips when I pull it out and stare into the different colored eyes of the stuffed animal. Black fur and white socks, and an asymmetrical pool of white going from its neck, down to its stomach. Rafe. Letum made a toy dog that looks exactly like my old boy.

This time, when the tears fall, I don’t stop them. I shove my face into the animal and pour my eyes out.

What did I do to deserve Letum’s attention? How is it that the most thoughtful, caring, and attentive person that I have ever met is death itself?

Something soft hits my head. I suck in a breath and snap my gaze away from Rafe in time to watch a letter tumble down my shoulder.

My heart hammers in my chest with an intoxicating mix of excitement and nerves as I unwrap the letter.

If soon cannot come soon enough, then come find me, my night monster.

I will give you a hint: To end, you must go to the beginning.

I frown. What does he mean? Is he finally going to let me see him? What does he mean by ‘the beginning'? I was born in the hospital two towns over, but a hospital isn’t the most romantic of places to meet. Though I guess it would be easier for him if he’s collecting souls.

Also, what am I ending? He can’t possibly mean ending our relationship.

As I stare at the letter, the realization hits me. I know where to find him. I pull my phone out and send him words that he’s said to me.

Me: I’m coming for you.

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