Chapter 2: The Envelope

Chapter 2: The Envelope

Staring at himself in the mirror, Peter saw that his health was returning, he was almost back to normal, still observing himself in astonishment, Peter could see that he once again had abs and a muscles tone.  He also saw that his face was hairy beyond belief and his hair was that of a wild person.  When Peter was sick he had believed that death would become him at any moment, so he gave up on some of his hygiene letting him self go, he stopped shaving, combing his hair, and caring; ironically he was awaiting death.  Peter just never thought he would actually run into Death. He turned around from the mirror still in awe and turned the shower on.  He went back to staring in the mirror once more, this time he got closer to the mirror, real close and stared long and hard, wondering in his head did he really die, did he really make a pack with Death, and did he really come back to life cancer free, pain free, and now have been charged to record all that he sees.  Trying to replay the conversation between Death and himself in his mind, but those eyes of his was so piercing, that voice was so gut wrenching, and still thinking to him self there was something about a war.  Peter closed his eyes tightly to snap out of it, frightened by the thought of Death!  As time has pass, the mirror had started to fog up from the steam omitting from the shower.  Peter flashed back in his mind to Death’s last words, thinking out loud, the envelope is the answer, but Sarah, gently smiling as he thought of her. Peter knew he needed to make contact with Sarah, but was unsure why Death made such a demand.  He continued to remember the details of his task, he remembered that he needed to drop that envelope off to someone name Ta’kur. Attempting to regain his composure, he clears away some of the steam from the mirror, staring at himself still, realizing the cave man look wasn’t the Peter he remembered before the illness. Peter decided to do something about this.  Peter shaved his beard, cut his hair to look more presentable and jumped in the shower before the hot water runs low.  The shower felt great, usually the pain, the coughing, and constant chills would drown out everything around him, but Peter thought it was good to just feel the water hit against his skin, It felt normal, he felt normal again.  

In the midst of everything that is possibly happening, dream or no dream, just once in such a long time Peter felt normal.  He closed his eyes to try and enjoy the moment; thoroughly washing his body, face and hair.  Suddenly Peter flashed back to those piercing eyes of Death, startling him and opening his eyes; Peter knew what needed to be done. Peter stepped out of the shower and started drying him self off, but his mind was rushing at a thousand miles a hour, flashing back to his pack with Death, he could hear Death saying a war is coming.  Shaking his head, Peter snapped back to reality, holding the towel over his face.  Peter thought to his self, mumbling; “what war?  Who is fighting?  What would happen to him if he doesn’t do a good job of recording?”  Peter slapped his cheek to stop himself as he was beginning to freak out about all that needed to be done. He tied the towel around his waist and begins to search for something to wear.  He found a pair of blue jeans in his dresser drawer along with a grey shirt.  Peter walked over to the mirror confused about a lot of things, but was extremely happy about his health being restored. The image of Peter in the mirror, was about 6’2, with brown hair and blue eyes, freshly shaved, great muscle definition.  Peter looked like he was in his youth again, like when he had join the military years ago.  Peter looking a bit puzzled, now dealing with the realization that he hasn’t  really been out at night in a while, he knew he needed to contact Sarah.  He walked over to counter to get his cell phone, remembering that Sarah would always leave her number on the fridge in case of emergencies.  Peter thought to himself, this surely has to constitute as an emergency.  He dialed Sarah’s number, hoping and praying that she would pick up, he really needed her optimism and her smile wouldn’t be bad either right now. Peter looked at the envelope on his table, slowly examining it with his eyes as he waited for Sarah to answer the phone. 

The envelope looked ancient as if it was made from some carbon-dated papyrus, the kind of paper utilized for prehistoric scrolls that you would see in a museum or something.  The envelope looked seriously out dated, but some how perfectly put together.  The seal looked as if it was made from some sort of harden clay and had this strange symbol, which resembled hieroglyphic in the center of the seal.  Peter flashes, recalling in his mind the importance of this envelope and the need to take this envelope to some guy name Ta’kur.  Peter main concern at this point was to handle this envelope with care, he couldn’t fathom what would happen if he accidentally broke the seal.  He could still hear Death’s voice in his head, the significance of not breaking that seal, snapping back to reality and  realizing Sarah’s phone had stopped ringing and forward him to her voice mail.  He left her a message stating that he really needed to talk to her. She must still be at work, he thought to himself.  Peter was still a bit unsure of why Death would involved Sarah, but he thought to himself, maybe his condition is not sustainable and might require a doctor or nurse.  Peter tried to call her again, talking to himself as Sarah’s phone continues to ring; Peter mumbles to himself, “okay I need to  drop this envelope off at 4251 Main Street” Peter paused thinking; Peter mumbles again to himself, “this place is downtown, the only thing happening downtown around this time are clubs and more clubs, which usually equates to nothing good coming from this, but if nothing else at least for now I have my health”.  Peter grabbed his car keys and headed for the door, still replaying the steps he was told to do over and over in his head, Peter thinks to himself, “hand the envelope to Ta’kur and walk straight out, come back and record all that happened”, Peter says to himself, “no, no I need to try to call Sarah again, it must be a reason why he said to bring Sarah”. Peter decided to dial Sarah number again, it’s now 11:30 p.m., it’s a bit late, Sarah’s phone just continues to ring, expecting her voice mail again, but out of know where Peter hears, “Hello, in a low and raspy sleepy voice”.  Peter said, “that he was so sorry to call so late, but he reminded her that she said if something went majorly wrong to call, I think my current situation fits that description; “what’s wrong Peter?” exclaimed Sarah as she continues, “I don’t understand what the problem is?” Peter told Sarah, he did not know how to explain it, but so much has happen since they last saw each other that morning.  Peter asked if he could come by and talk to her face to face, then she would see why he couldn’t explain it?  Sarah replies “Peter, how are you out of bed and driving in your condition?” A few seconds goes by, Sarah thinking to her self, something weird is happening any other time Peter would be coughing up a lung by now.  Sarah says, “Why are you not coughing? “you are not wheezing or sound as if you are in any discomfort?  “what is going on?” Sarah is now starting to worry more and more. Peter tells Sarah, That’s what he has been trying to tell you her, she really needs to see with her own eyes what has transpire since this morning.  Sarah says Peter, “alright you can come by, where are you now? “He told her that he was pulling up to her address in about 2 minutes.  

Sarah jumps up to find her nightgown and remembered, she wrote her address  and number on the piece of paper that morning in case of emergencies.  Peter arrived at Sarah’s address, he jumped out of the car and ran up to her door and began knocking, a little frantically.  Sarah hearing the urgency of the knock, opened the door, as the door swung open time stopped for the both of them; in this moment where it felt to the both of them as if the world has suddenly been put on paused; a state of shock is the only thing that you could see on Sarah’s face, she is speechless.  Peter thought to himself, “my gosh; Sarah is absolutely stunning and the fact that everything around me seemed to be crazier than hell, she is a very nice piece of clarity.”  The two of them stood there dazed, observing each other.  Peter snapped back to the present moment, realizing that he is still standing at the door, Peter asks Sarah if he may enter.  Sarah seems as if she has seen a ghost, she was not moving, blinking, and it was hard to tell if she was even still breathing. She just stared at Peter.  Peter asked, “Sarah are you okay?”  Shaking her head, Sarah says “no Peter I am not okay; what the hell is going on?” Sarah continues, “Peter, you look really well, but  this morning you were on your deathbed, I saw your condition firsthand and now it’s as if nothing has ever been wrong with you.” “How is this possible?” Peter says to Sarah, “do you think that I could come in, I will try to explain this? “Sorry” says Sarah as she continues, “yes Peter please come in.” Peter walks in slowly closing the door behind him as he enters.  Looking at Sarah, Peters says, “Now Sarah I know this is going to sound absolutely crazy and to be honest I am not sure if I am dreaming or not, but I had died, (Sarah stood there with a puzzle stare) a large dark figure came to me and gave me a choice and a second chance at life, the only catch is that I am to record all that has happen since this morning and all that is to come.”  Sarah just stared at Peter as if he was off his rockers, he knows it sounds crazy to Sarah, but it’s all he has and its actually what happened, Peter says how else would he be standing here not coughing and not in pain as he was this morning.  Sarah just stared, “Sarah”  Peter said, “Sarah” Peter called to her again “are you okay?”  Snapping back to reality, Sarah said, “Peter that sounds, (pausing for moment), I don’t even have words to describe how that sounds, but what seems to be true is that in this life things happen for a reason and you are in front of me as a healed man.  Peter, do you mind if I touch your face, for the first time in a long time you seem better, Peter said to Sarah that he is healed of a terminal disease, Sarah responded, no it’s your will Peter, it’s stronger, you are not giving up on life.  Peter told Sarah that he is not giving up on life anymore but he doesn’t know exactly what he is doing or going, but he knows that he needs her with him.  Peter continues, he told Sarah that he must take an envelope to an address and he would love nothing more than if she would accompany him with this task.  Sarah asks Peter, “What’s in the envelope?”  not sure, Peter replied as he continues, but the figure I saw was very clear about not breaking the seal on the back.  Sarah agreed to accompanying Peter with delivering this envelope, all of this was a bit much for her, but she wanted to see how it would play out.  Sarah wanted to know where exactly they were taking the envelope?  Peter said, the address shows downtown, “okay”, said Sarah, she stated that she was going to go change and then the two of them could head out.  Sarah went and changed and the two of them left heading towards downtown to drop this envelope off to Ta’kur, while driving towards downtown, Peter could feel Sarah staring at him probably still wondering with all her advance medical research how this could be so.  Sarah said to Peter, you said that you are to record all that is to come?  Did the figure give any inkling of what is coming? Peter told her yes, the figure stated, a war is coming.  Sarah repeated “a war” to Peter, wanting more details she says what kind of war Peter?  Peter again saying that he is not sure; all he knows is that a war is coming and things, as they might know them are going to change.  

This is the place exclaimed Peter, as the two of them looked at the building it was a nightclub called Fangs.  Peter thought FANG$ was a weird name for a nightclub, but he think of the comparison of having an encounter with Grim Reaper, so what does he really know about weird.  So can we just drop the envelope off at the door said Sarah.  Don’t think so, said Peter; Death made it very clear to him that he was to bring Sarah with him and to deliver this envelop to a man name Ta’kur and leave right away.  That’s exactly what Peter had plan on doing dropping it off and leaving directly after.  The two of them parked the car and began walking towards the entrance, there was a pretty long line outside of the club, people still waiting to be let in, there were two huge bouncers standing at the entrance controlling who was allowed in and who was not.  We continued walking towards the entrance, Peter could hear people in the line saying, and “hey back of the line buddy “and other comments,” about how hot Sarah was  One of the extremely large bouncers stopped Peter saying, do you think you are special; back of the line little man.  Peter was a little freaked out on the size of these bouncers, Peter turned around and began heading towards the back of the line, when he heard Sarah say, “How is Ta’kur going to feel, knowing we have a package for him and his hire guns had us stand in this line for who knows how long?” The bouncers straighten up as if they were fearful of what Ta’kur would really think or do.  Bouncer stated, no one said that you were here for Ta’kur, if Ta’kur is expecting you then right this way.  Peter is not quite sure what to think, so he says to Sarah, “Is it kind of weird to see that those two behemoths of a men are terrified of Ta’kur?” Sarah didn’t respond verbally, but nodded yes to Peter.  Peter is a little worried that this might not be the best of idea, as the two of them enters the club.  As the two are walking down the hall after entering the club, the music is blasting louder with each step and club lights are really dim.  The club is really rocking and crowded tonight, with this many witnesses what bad could really happen with all these witnesses, Peter thought to himself.   Peter whispered to Sarah, “the plan is that we are going to hand this envelope over to Ta’kur and we are going to walk right out? You tracking, Peter ask.”  Sarah nodded yes again, Sarah was continually scanning the club as if she was looking for someone or felt really out of place.  Sarah told Peter that something doesn’t seem quite right about this place, but she couldn’t put her finger quite on it.  Peter could now see why the dark figure would have told him to bring Sarah along; she has got us this far he thought to himself.  Inside the club it continued to be live, the music seemed to become even louder, it was very gloomy and there were fog all throughout the club.  Peter felt Sarah grab his hand and she said, “Peter maybe we should go over and ask the bartender where we could find Takur.” Peter thought that was a great idea and said, let’s go.  Still holding Sarah’s hand they started walking towards the bar, as Peter looked around he now understood the name of the club, this club was some kind of Vampire fetish, where people dressed up like vampires with fangs and seemed to be drinking fake blood.  As Sarah and Peter continued to make their way to the bar and individual with red eyes and very pale skin, grabbed Sarah’s shoulder, Peter heard him say “that he would to taste Sarah”, like second nature Peter blurted out “I don’t think so”, moving and shielding Sarah behind himself.  Peter told Sarah to come on and not to let go of his hand, Peter holding Sarah’s hand began to walk faster towards the bar, once they arrived at the bar, the bartender said, “what can I do you two for, O positives?”  Peter said no, he is looking for a man name Ta’kur; the barter looking at Peter and then staring Sarah up and down said, are you sure you have business with Ta’Kur? Peter puffing himself said yeah buddy.  The bartender still a little reserve told Peter that Ta’Kur is in the room over there through those red panel doors.  

Peter look over at the door, it looked to be reinforced and there is a large weird looking symbol on the door.  Peter looked over at Sarah to make sure she was okay; Peter could see and fell that she was a bit crept out by all the blood and gore, of the whole vampire scene.  Peter took her by hand and they walked over to the giant reinforced door with the weird symbol, there was something that resembled a door bell on the door, so Peter decided to push it, he was just ready to drop this envelop off and get the heck out of this club.  The door opened up and he saw a room of about 20 individuals, about 10 males and females, this must have been a private party, but something seemed really off.  All of the people in the room had this cold stare on their face, Peter and Sarah heard a deep menacing voice; “I’ve heard you have a package for me?” A man with a Celtic-trench coat look started walking towards them.  This man had the look of deranged killer with glaring characteristics, stone cold eyes, heavy bearded and he was every bit of as big, if not bigger as the two behemoths that were out in front of the club. What is it that you have for me he asks Peter?  Peter told Ta’Kur, stuttering with each word he spoke, Peter told him that he has an envelope containing a message that he was told to deliver to him and him alone; in a chilling voice, Ta’Kur told Peter that he smelt him as soon as he entered the club, he told Peter that heard his heartbeat faster and faster, especially when Nicolas wanted to taste your sweet friend, but since Peter have entered in the doors of the room, Ta’Kur’s patience has been running short and he made it clear telling Peter in a heighten voice to bring him the envelope now!  Terrified and trembling , Peter handed the envelope to Ta’Kur. He then grabbed Sarah’s hand, whispering “let’s go”. Peter could see Ta’Kur’s anger flaring, Ta’Kur yells is this a freaking joke to Peter!  Ta’Kur projecting his voice at Peter saying, you want me to take this letter to the founding family. Peter told him that he was unsure and only had directions to deliver that envelope to him.  Ta’Kur demanded Peter tell him who gave the envelope and directions to him. Ta’Kur becomes angrier and angrier by the every second Peter stands there in silence.  Peter told Ta’Kur in a very nervous and unconvincing voice that he was not sure of who the man was, this might sound crazy he said, but the man said that he was a reaper and to give you this warning. 

Ta’Kur is furious at this point and begins to give off a noise similar to that of a growl. In the chilling voice as before Ta’Kur told Peter how dare he give him a warning; Ta’Kur told Peter that he doesn’t think Peter knows what he was walking into. Peter agreed nodding his head, he could definitely see that he had really pissed Ta’kur off with this envelope, Peter was still holding Sarah’s hand and began walking backward towards the door.  Peter told Ta’Kur that he was just the messenger.  Ta’Kur told Peter that he wasn’t just a messenger, but also a coward, Ta’Kur could hear Peter’s heart beating faster and faster, so he told Peter that his heart is racing so fast its sounds like its going to burst, Ta’Kur told Peter that Peter is  afraid of him, Ta’Kur told Peter that the smartest thing he has done since entering his club is to be afraid and that he was going to show Peter exactly what he was dealing with.  Peter stood there petrified, Peter was as still as a door knob, Peter was unsure of what exactly was going to go down or happen next,  Peter knew one thing which was that he wanted to keep Sarah protected, so Peter moved once again directly behind him.  Peter squared up against Ta’Kur with his whole insides trembling with fear;  Peter stared at Ta’Kur.  As Peter watched Ta’Kur, bracing himself for a possible attack, he notices that those cold as ice eyes are now blackened and Ta’Kur had these animal like fangs protruding through his mouth, Ta’Kur was vampire, his eyes, fangs and demeanor looked very real. He gave off this animal like instinct as he was about to prance into a vicious attack, Peter could hear his heart beating through my chest, he was freaking terrified beyond anything he could imagine, Peter knew his fight or flight response was about to kick in, but at his present moment he could not move.  He could only watch, paralyzed from the neck down from fear.  

Ta’Kur enjoyed the fear that was in Peter’s eyes, Peter slightly moving his head glancing around the saw that everyone else in the room were in the same animalistic state as Ta’Kur, in a room full of vampires; all of them were vampires with a looked upon their faces as if they were preparing for a feast with their fangs out and some were smiling while licking their lips.  Peter heard one of the vampires in room tell Ta’Kur, this should be fun!  Peter heard another one say, “although the man stands there terrified, his girlfriend is not afraid at all.”  Peter thought to himself that  Sarah must feel really safe behind him, which was good because it’s how he wanted her to feel, protected, calm even in the face of weirdness.  Peter told Sarah that it was okay and that he was going to get them out there.  Peter could feel a much firmer grip from Sarah on his back, Peter could also see that the toying with their food phase was starting to fade and that they were probably mere seconds away from being mauled. Ta’Kur responded laughing saying that Sarah would tremble in fear once he ripped Peter’s head off in front of her.  Sarah was not moved, she told Ta’Kur to give it his best shot as she stares around the rooms at the overwhelming odds of this situation. Peter thinking to him self that he didn’t know Sarah was such a firecracker so bold and beautiful.  Ta’Kur told the room that Peter’s head was his as he walked toward Peter and Sarah, as Ta’Kur was about to enter Peter’s personal space there was a loud and powerful knock at the door.  The knock felt as if someone was using a demolition ball or something to knock on the door.  Ta’kur yelled through the door “I’m busy”, the power in his voice was similar to the feeling one would get when a full grown lion roars 3 feet away from someone’s face!  One of the vampires looking through the peephole told Ta’Kur that its Jeremiah, the two vampires blocking the door were trembling in fear!  

Ta’Kur thought to himself “what is a Founder doing here” Ta’Kur yelled frantically to the two vampires to open freaking the door now.  The two vampires opened the door immediately backing away slowly from it as it swings open slowly, Peter opens his eyes, which he had clinched shut at Ta’Kur was approaching him. Peter observed Ta’Kur’s face and eyes;  this was not the same cold, calculated killer with piercing cold eyes that he had just saw a minutes ago.  Curiosity like a truck on Peter’s shoulders, he turned his head around to see with his own eyes what could make all these vampires so uneasy, especially Ta’Kur and as the door opened he saw a man much smaller in stature than Ta’Kur.  As he entered the room all the vampires in the room bowed in silence, not a one of them even looking up once to make eye contact with this man.  As he walked in he glanced past me and stared at Sarah.  His eyes even colder than Ta’Kur, although smaller in stature, by his demeanor alone he demanded a sense of respect from the vampires.  At this point Peter is not sure what he has got involved in, but he was just hoping that Sarah and him would get out of this situation with everything is tact, It’s a drug deal gone absolutely wrong.  Jeremiah walked in the staring at the two vampires that were in charge of guarding the door, he told them and everyone else in the room that he hates waiting and in a blink of an eye, Jeremiah ripped the heart from of those vampires chests. Jeremiah stood their with a heart in his right and left hands, dropping them to the floor like it meant nothing to him, cold and without a doubt heartless.  Jeremiah continue to enter deeper into room, he looked at Peter asking him why is he not bowing, Peter horrified at the carnage of Jeremiah drops his head.  Jeremiah’s eyes piercing through Peter right at Sarah. Sarah would not bow, nor would she drop her head or eyes at the sight of Jeremiah.  The two of them just stared at each other, not saying a word as if they were sizing each other up.  Peter figured this would be their only chance, so he said to Jeremiah nervously, shaking and stuttering, that he thinks that Sarah and him are done here.  Jeremiah and Sarah are still lock in a staring contest.  Peter was still holding Sarah’s hand, tugging at her let’s go.  Jeremiah finally breaking eye contact with Sarah, told Peter that he suggests that he leaves while he still can. Peter turned around from Jeremiah and Ta’kur and began to walk towards the open doors pulling Sarah in front of him to get the heck out of that room.  Peter could feel the eyes of Jeremiah burning a whole right through the back of Peter as he and Sarah exit the room.  Jeremiah just stared, but Peter didn’t care he just kept walking hoping that he and Sarah could just make it through the threshold of the doors.  As the two walked out nothing was said, the other vampires were still bowing low, not daring to look up and Peter could still feel that bloodcurdling glare of Jeremiah still upon them as the two of them finally made it through the door back into the club area. 

Peter started to run through the crowd still holding Sarah’s hand not stopping until they made it all the way back outside the club,  outside of the club Sarah ask Peter, if he was okay? Peter was still a bit terrified, he just looked at the club Fang$ and said, let’s just get as far away from here as we can Sarah.  Peter took a few steps towards where they had parked the car and he stopped realizing that Sarah was worried about him, but he didn’t even think to ask if she was okay.  So Peter stopped and looked at Sarah, Peter told Sarah that she did great in there, and at moments she looked to be in a stage of shock in there, was she okay?  Sarah told Peter that she was fine and wasn’t sure what came over her at times inside there.  Peter told her that he so sorry that he put her in that predicament.  He told her that he didn’t know and was still not sure what to think concerning what just happen, they were vampires!  Peter looking at Sarah puzzled, asking did that just really happen or is he going freaking crazy. Sarah told him that she didn’t think he was dreaming or crazy, because what just happened seem pretty real to her as well.  Sarah continued to say, that she dares not to mention that she is still baffled as to how Peter is still not on his deathbed, where she found him this morning?  After a huge sigh of relief, Sarah told Peter thank you for being so brave inside the club, holding her close, and not letting go of my hand. She told Peter that she surely did feel safe with him.  Peter a little overwhelm by all that has just happen told Sarah that she was welcome and that he just sorry she had to even go be involved.  Thinking to him self, Peter wondered what was up with that Jeremiah guy? What did that envelop say that would make Ta’Kur so angry?  Interrupting Peter’s train thought Sarah asked so what’s next?  Peter told her that he was not sure, the only thing he knows is that he has to record all of what just happened and that ‘s what he is planning on doing.  Peter and Sarah looked at the club one last time as they drove past.  Peter and Sarah headed back to his place so that he could record what just happened.

Update on Chapter Two of Reapers

Good Afternoon Everyone,

          As it is going on 2 p.m. Mountain Time, here in Idaho.  I finished up chapter two of my book earlier today, so thanks for joining me on this journey, its going to be a great ride and I continue to wish the best to everyone out there that has made this year of 2013, their year to grab hold of their dreams! I will be posting chapter two soon and will be looking for your feedback, constructive criticism, and what you like.  I hope to post more instead of a week at a time, but sometime my military duties pull me away.  I am having a blast writing this book, considering I am in no way a writer, but do believe I do have the heart one deep down. As always everyone continue to go after your dreams and most of all be awesome!

Carlos

Chapter 1: The Death

His days were coming to end, this would be one of his last; and to see such a beautiful sunrise in such an awful world was disheartening.  His pain from the stage IV Lymphoma was taking its toll at the young and tender age of 29. At times he could barely breath with all the coughing, his health condition was becoming unbearable.  He had battled this misfortune Illness for years, and now all he could think of was his life, all it had included; the military, college, but what held the most weight was everything that had and would be missed.  The possibility of a family, marriage were a lost cause; he wanted to do so much more with this life, leave a legacy do something great for mankind that would out live him. Peter wanted to be remembered! His breaths were becoming shorter, his heart struggled to beat, and that damn cough!  All the while even in this horrible state, he continued to imagine a better a world.  The world he imagined was much different then the one that he was living in, a world without chaos, mayhem, and where violence was not the norm.  In Peter’s world sickness didn’t suck the life out of the innocent. The night seem to had become darker, longer and the days much shorter.  He had nothing in this world, no family, no purpose, and no energy; nor the will power left to fight.

The door begins to rattle…its Sarah.  The door opens, “good morning Peter?” said Sarah.  Sarah is the nurse assigned to look in on Peter; Sarah grew fond of Peter in the hospital and goes by every morning like clockwork to check on him. Peter requested months ago to be release from the hospital to die in the comfort of his own home and since Sarah was the only nurse Peter would even show any signs of life towards, the hospital thought it was best to assign her. Sarah has been going by every morning since that time, helping Peter with his medications, asking him about his plans for the day, and always reminding him that the will of man is stronger than any medicine or diagnosis. As always, Sarah would stand there with her big beautiful smile, looking at Peter with such aspiration.  In Peter’s mind Sarah was optimistic about everything in life, probably too optimistic!  After a few minutes of Sarah staring and smiling at Perter. Peter in a very low voice finally greets Sarah in return, still tormented by that ungodly cough!  Sarah says, “How are you doing this morning Peter?” Peter replied to Sarah saying that he thinks today is the day, the day in which his pitiful life will cease to exist! Peter wanted to thank Sarah in advance for all she has done. Peter is unsure why Sarah was so good to him? In the back of his mind, he understood she was a nurse and taking care of dying people just came with the job description, but the nurses before Sarah were not so dedicated, nor would they give one hundred and ten percent with their patients, but with Sarah, truly caring seemed effortless, like she was born for nothing else but this. In the middle of Peter’s wondrous thoughts, Sarah says,“Death will visit everyone without giving them a choice, but living each second, minute, hour, and day like there is no tomorrow is something you can choose to do!” Sarah also said to Peter that she has been coming by every morning on cloud nine because he has lived almost  4 months longer than anyone expected him to, she for one was amazed and absolutely pleased that he had defy the odds and wanted to see Peter endure. You are at your core a fighter, don’t stop fighting. “ Peter told Sarah, that he wished he could believe that or at least comprehend a brighter future for himself, but the only thing his body is telling him is that the end is very near.  Sarah smiled at Peter and said, “in time the truth is always revealed”, Sarah told Peter that his meds were on the table next to the cup of orange juice, Sarah would normally bring Peter a few of his favorite bagels and if something were to go wrong in any way, she would leave here contact information on a sticky pad on the table as well. 

Sarah was preparing to leave Peter to himself while she went to the hospital to start her shift, Sarah thought that it was much easier to come tend to Peter before her shift started instead of trying to break away during the middle of the day. She informed Peter that she would be at work until 7 p.m. this evening. If he needed anything, all he needed to do was contact her, but if she didn’t hear from him, she would assume that all is well and would be back bright and too early in the morning.” Peter was really grateful for all Sarah was doing and has done, although bitter at times, deep down he wished he had met Sarah before the diagnosis and symptoms started to hinder his daily functions. He told Sarah thanks again for all she had done. He told her that she was a beautiful, young, soon to be an oncologist and if she didn’t show up and moved on to bigger and better things, he could understand.  Sarah smiled gently and said, “you can’t get rid of me that easy,” plus she truly felt that this was the easiest part of her day.  Sarah last words to Peter, “was that he was a really great guy and this world has much to offer him and he has much more to offer the world and that she would see him tomorrow.” Sarah left for work as she did every day, and she always had this amazing act for leaving Peter with a feeling of hope for humanity. Peter thought to himself that it’s people like her that makes this world a better place, Peter likes to try to keep her at bay with his negative attitude, but it doesn’t seems to even bother her one bit. 

Peter does honestly think that today is his last day; His condition had worsened to the point of no return and he truly was ready to be done with this losing battle.  His only wish was that Sarah would find someone that completes her in every way.  Peter began to cough violently and his nose began to bleed.  With the little strength that he had left, his arms shaking uncontrollably as he wiped the blood from his nose.  He got up out of bed slowly, walked over to the table to take his meds, which would help with bleeds.  He always enjoyed the bagels Sarah brought each morning.  He called to make sure that his Will was in order, all that he had owned he was leaving to Sarah, for all the dedicated care she had given him all this time and going to medical can’t be cheap, just maybe this would help a little.  He began feeling extremely weak and went to lie back in his bed.  He started to cough forceful, the medication usually would kick in by now, but in his mind this just confirms his notion that today was his last day on this earth. In pain and feeling miserable, he slipped away into a sleep.  He was looking very pale and felt ice cold, as time passed he started tossing and turning slowly, he felt as if everything in his body was shutting down, similar to what you see a computer do when you click the shutdown button.  He could see his own breath and he knew that it must be freezing in this room; he used his bed controller to adjust  the temperature to eighty five degrees, but it wouldn’t have matter if he adjusted it to hundred and five degrees, Death was coming.  

Peter realized this and came to the conclusion that when Death is near, people can’t help but wonder what they would do with a second chance or what all they would do before their illness became too dire and great.  In the last few weeks Peter had try to sleep the pain away for the better part of most days, but today he knew would be different, he felt much weaker, he couldn’t move his limbs, he just laid there, circling the room with his eyes, he knew that the sun had went down, because the room was much darker and the temperature seemed to had drop dramatically.  He felt like it was much harder to breathe, gasping for breaths.  This must be what death feels like he thought, now feeling the coldest chill he had ever felt, his vision starting to fade and now blurry, he gasped for his last few breathes, fully aware that they are numbered, the end that he prophesied so much about and secretly dreading in his heart was finally here.  The cold was utterly intolerable, his mind seemed barely cognitive, and at that moment, Peter took his last breath, for a moment everything felt like it was in super slow motion for Peter.  Peter felt as if he could feel and see his last breath leaving his body, vision still blurry the transition right before death and it all goes dark, barely conscious!  A dark large figure moved towards Peter, this must be Death coming to take Peter.  The large figure grabbed Peter’s last breathe, holding it in his hand. The individual wore a Long cloth robe that went down to his feet and a hood that covered his face.  

His eyes were indescribable just piercing right through the heart and soul of Peter.  The individual just stood over Peter, still holding his last breath in mid-air, and then the most petrifying voice, called out to Peter, but Peter’s eyes are faded, Peter was there stiff as a board, as if nothing was on in his body, he was dead!  The individual called out to Peter in the most bone chilling voice again, “Come to me Peter”; It looked as if Peter soul was compelled to leave his body, Peter stood in front of this individual bodiless, as if in the form of an ghost.  Peter asked with a trembling voice, “Am I dead?”  The hooded individual replied, “Yes”.  In awe, Peter turned around looking at his limp body lying there on the bed, tears filled his eyes.  Peter was terrified of the unknown and even more frighten by the large individual standing before him.  The large individual’s robe was very unique, having weird symbols and marking, it was black like pure darkness and the hood gave you no inkling that there was a face underneath, just those piercing eyes of death.  “Are you Death?” asked Peter dreadfully,  “Over the centuries I have had many names known by humans, but Death has been the name so many of you humans have referred to me as for the past centuries”, said the hooded individual.  Death told Peter that he usually sends his Reapers to collect and direct the souls of man.  Peter thought to himself the answer everyone want’s to know; is it going to be heaven or hell.  Normally, said Death, he would answer this burning question, but in this case he has come with an offer.  Peter said, “What kind of offer?  What can I possibly have that’s of worth to Death?” Death said that he is offering 75 years of being cancer free from the illness that had plague Peter for the past few years.  Peter asked why him and what would he have to do?  Death told Peter, he was chosen by someone greater than him, but if he does not accept, the offer would be offered to another.  Death told Peter that a war of unimaginable magnitude is coming that for many of mankind will be unexplainable, but Peter would be the one to record all that is to come, not missing anything.  Death told Peter it is extremely important that you understand this task and offer? 

 Peter was confused and told Death that he didn’t understand why a war was coming or why even give someone the choice; just make him or her do it. Death stared at Peter with those piercing eyes and said, Peter, “you have always had a choice, a choice whether to live the life that you had to the fullest regardless of dying from cancer, a choice to be joyful and adore everyone with a smile; a choice to sell all that you own and give to the needy; a choice to become a monster or killer, the path of man has always been directed by choice.”  Death continued, “up until the very point before your soul is reaped, there is free will, if you say no to this offer it would be your choice and the rest of your path will fall into place. If you say yes Peter, and not follow through, you will be damn past the point of wishing that you didn’t exist.”  Peter didn’t have to think long and hard, he knew that he wanted to live.  He would do it, he desperately wanted to live, so he decided to make the deal with Death and record everything that has happen and that is to come.  

Death told Peter that the world as he knows it is about to change, the things he considered fiction, those things that go bump in the middle of night are about to become very real.  Death says to Peter, “there is an envelope on your desk where you meds usually are, the envelope is sealed for a reason, opening it will only void our deal.  Take it to the address that is on your desk and once you arrive at the address find a man name Ta'kur, hand him the sealed envelope and leave immediately.” Death continues, “Peter, do not forget that from today on, record all that has happen and that is to come and you should take Sarah with you.” Peter thought about Sarah and how good she has been to him; before  Peter knew it his lump body was pulling his soul back into it; then Peter started gasping for air, all the while he could hear Death speaking in a foreign language,  still violently gasping for any air in the vicinity, Death placed Peter’s last breath back into his body by almost force feeding it to Peter, which knocked out all the lights in Peter’s head for a split second and like that Death was gone.  Peter just laid there, but was able to breathe better and better with each gasp.  Peter’s vision has started to come back, now the ceiling seemed to look better and clearer with each second that passed; his pain that was once unbearable seem to fade, and fade, until it was totally gone.  Peter felt as if he was a new person, his since of smell was as if it was better than ever, a strong scent of menthol, from all the pain relieving medication smothered the room.  His first sensation, was that he was burning up, he could tell that the room was extremely hot, like he was in hell or something.  Still unsure about what really just happened or if he is still in a dream, but in the moment he felt better than ever and didn’t want it to end. 

 He walked over to the thermostat to the heater, he realized the heater was on full blast and adjusted the thermostat to off.  He felt renewed and regenerated, he felt really good for the first time and a very long time; longer than he could remember.  He stood there, like a stone or immovable rock with his eyes closed shut, listening to the silence, enjoying this moment of bliss.  He just listened, still use to an violent cough erupting at anytime now, but there was nothing, no cough and no pain, just a bit of euphoria and silence.  He feared even moving again at this moment because it might wake him up to the realization that he was still in the same pitiful state of dying.  Peter thought to himself, this can’t be a dream, now mumbling the same thoughts under his breath, “let this be real, let this be happening”.  Opening his eyes slowly with the anticipation of him somehow realizing this is some pathetic dream, but as his eyes continued to open and he receive visual clarity, he could see the sealed envelope on his desk. This is real, Peter thought to himself, Peter felt amazing and crazy at the same time, a piece of normalcy of his life before getting sick.  He decided to take a shower, still no coughs or pain.  Peter took off his shirt as he prepared for his shower, he noticed that his muscle definition was better, much better, balling up his fists to flex his muscles, Peter felt powerful and strong.  Peter was regaining his strength, but he wanted to see it for himself to help convince himself of the heck is going on, believing more and more that this is really happening; he slowly walked over to the bathroom mirror.  Peter looked in the mirror, breathing heavy and shaking profusely, as if he had just saw a ghost.