Whispers of Death

by Alicia Rivoli

  Hunter followed me around the house, watching me. I pulled the hood of my cloak down, revealing my face and hair. I had no idea what I looked like, but Hunter gasped.

  "What?" I asked. "Is it bad?" I quickly tried to smooth my hair.

  "Mom, you look just like an angel," he said quietly. "You're glowing!"

  I smiled. "Thank you." I reached to tousle his hair, but remembered that I couldn't touch him, not yet anyway. "I need you to go tell your dad to make sure all the videos are set to repeat," I said. "Shut the door as much as you can behind you please." I knew that the door wouldn't shut all the way.

  After Hunter had left, I walked over to my body lying on the bed. I knew that this was the only way, but I wasn't sure it would work without the help of Apollyn. I quickly looked back at the door to make sure that no one was watching through the gap where it wouldn't close and then placed a hand on my body. I instantly felt the sensation I was hoping for. The pain seared through me as what felt like bolts of electricity shot down my veins, causing my heart monitor to blare annoyingly in my ear. I could feel my heart as it beat rapidly in my chest. As my soul reconnected with my body, the air rushed into my lungs, and I gasped.

  I lay still for a moment so my body could adjust to being moved again. Vanessa smiled from across the room when I looked at her. After a few minutes, I sat up, disconnected all the remaining wires that I hadn't pulled out before, and went to my closet. I wasn't sure the last time my body had had a shower or bath, but I didn't have time for that now. All I knew was I didn't want to go out to see my husband in a hospital gown.

  I quickly dressed in my favorite black full-length skirt and added a black blouse that I had purchased at my sister's insistence. Once I’d gotten it home, I knew that I would never wear it. Not that it wasn't a beautiful top, just a little fancy for my taste. Most of the blouse was a thick black silky material, but the sleeves were a long thin see-through fabric. As the fabric reached my elbows the sleeves tapered out slightly, giving my arms a much longer look. I brushed my hair and teeth, put on a little make up and red lipstick and a black and silver beaded necklace with matching earrings before walking back to my bedroom.

  "How do I look?" I asked Vanessa, twirling.

  "Black?" she said amusingly. "Very fitting for your new role. You are definitely a bombshell." She winked.

  I smiled back and turned the door handle. I could hear all of the televisions in the house blaring a different little voice. I walked quietly down the hall; my legs were a little wobbly and weak from being in bed for so long, but I didn't care. My family sat around the TV in the living room. They were all watching as Abby opened a gift on her second birthday. Her eyes sparkled as she pulled out her first little doll. Its blonde hair and green eyes looked back at her. She wouldn't open any other gift that day. She walked around with the doll everywhere she went, pointing to it and calling it Mommy.

  I smiled and walked into the living room. "Hi," I said.

  "Amelia!" Olive screamed.

  Abby and Hunter were the first to me. I wrapped my arms around them and hugged them tightly. I kissed them on the cheeks and on their foreheads. I ran my fingers through Abby's long beautiful hair and ruffled Hunter’s. Olive cried and held Peter, who seemed completely in shock. James and Mindy watched smiling from the armchair. I looked around the room. Mark stood near the TV, his eyes wide and tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

  I stood up and faced him, smiling. I decided to twirl. "How do I look?" I asked him.

  He crossed the room in one bound and swept me off my feet. He pressed his lips to mine. My heart leapt into my throat, beating wildly. I had missed him so much. This was what I needed. This was the strength I needed to defeat Fear. I needed my family. I couldn't fight Fear as Death; I needed to fight Fear as their mother, sister, friend, and wife. I needed to be human to fight him, not an eternal being.

  "I love you," Mark whispered in my ear, placing me back on my feet.

  I didn't let him go. I just held him. Abby grabbed hold of my leg, and Hunter wrapped his arms around my waist. I laughed, and we held each other. After several long minutes I pulled away and walked to my sister.

  She glared at me from under Peter's arm. "Thank you," I said, "for taking care of them."

  "How could you leave without saying goodbye, twice!" Olive sounded hurt, but she also sounded relieved.

  "I'm sorry," I apologized. "I didn't have much time."

  She threw herself at me then and wrapped her arms around my neck. She smelled like lilacs and lavender, two of my favorite things. She cried on my shoulder, and I stroked her back.

  "I'm sorry. Shhh, it's okay." I consoled her.

  "Ms. Sable?" I heard a small sweet voice.

  I looked down. Mindy stood at my side, her sweet little face watching me.

  "Oh Mindy, you beautiful little angel. What would I have done without you?" I picked her up and twirled her around. She giggled as I did.

  "Ms. Sable, is my mom still here?" she asked after I stopped spinning.

  James looked at me with hope-filled eyes. I looked toward the hall. Vanessa stood there, smiling as she watched my interaction with her daughter.

  "Yes," I said, smiling.

  I put her down and grabbed her hand. I walked her toward Vanessa and held my hand out. Vanessa looked at me curiously before reaching for my hand. As my hand touched hers, I felt her pain run through my veins, but I kept calm. I heard the room gasp as Vanessa's spirit came into view.

  "How are you doing this?" Vanessa asked, the happiness clear in her tone.

  I blinked; holding the connection was more difficult than I had anticipated, but I knew that I had to do this.

  "I am giving you a part of my soul so you can say goodbye to your family the right way." I struggled to maintain my composure as I spoke.

  Vanessa seemed to sense my urgency. She quickly bent down and looked at Mindy. "Oh my sweet angel. I miss you so much, but I am so proud of you. You will always be my baby, do you know that?" she asked.

  Mindy cried but nodded. "Mommy can you come home too?" she asked.

  "No sweetheart, but we will be together again, I promise," Vanessa said. "You be a very good girl. I am so proud of you."

  "Mi Amor!" James said, reaching for his wife. "Nes, I love you."

  "I love you too," she said. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

  "Never," he said.

  I gasped, my strength weakening. "I'm losing it." I strained.

  "I have to go now. I love you both. We will be together again," Vanessa said.

  "Forever," James whispered.

  "Bye mommy," Mindy said quietly, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

  I dropped my hand, releasing my hold of Vanessa. I dropped to my knees and panted.

  "That was amazing," Mark whispered as he helped me up. He kissed me softly, the pain disappearing and the power of his joy spreading through my body.

  "Thank you," James said, "thank you for letting my little girl see her mom again and for letting me see her."

  I smiled. "It was the least I could do. Vanessa has been a true friend to me," I said. My heart rate had slowed, and I could feel the strength returning to my body.

  "How did you do that?" Hunter said excitedly from next to me.

  I winked at him. "Because I am superwoman!"

  He laughed; this had always been something I had told him when I did certain things around the house.

  "Amelia!" Vanessa said. "Look!"

  I spun around; the sun had disappeared outside, and a dark black cloud had formed in its place. I could hear the wind as it pounded on the walls.

  "Here he comes," I told my family. "I need you all to listen to the sounds of the videos, and if something happens to them, look at the pictures. Do not be afraid, no matter what happens," I begged. "Abby, Hunter, Mindy, close your eyes and do not open them unless you have to. Just listen to the movies."

  "Mark, please keep our babies safe," I pleaded, kissing him one more time. The kiss sen
t goose bumps down my skin and filled my heart with pleasure. I cleared my throat and tucked a loose hair behind my ear. "Everyone ready?"

  Twenty

  Darkness enveloped the house quickly. Thunder boomed in the darkness, followed by a giddy deep laugh. It reminded me of a Batman movie I had watched with Mark years ago. It sent chills down my spine as I remembered him trying to kill me at Apollyn's grave. I wondered if I had made the right choice in fighting Fear as a human, instead of as an eternal being. I knew that it had its risks, but I also knew I wouldn't have it any other way. I also knew that my stunt to let James and Mindy see Vanessa had taken its toll on my strength, but I knew that I’d had to let Mindy see her mom; it could be the last memory she had of her if this didn't work.

  The wind picked up, and it pushed against the house like a raging hurricane. The house creaked and moaned against the powerful gale.

  "Everyone get behind me!" I yelled over the sound of the raging storm.

  Mark didn't move. He stood by my side and held my hand. I looked at him; his eyes were determined and fierce. I wanted to see what he was thinking, but I kept my mind closed. He squeezed my hand and winked. I smiled cautiously back. Olive, Peter, and James had huddled around the kids and were protecting them as much as they could. I couldn't help but feel that I had dragged my family into one of the most dangerous situations that they would ever face.

  The darkness began seeping in through the windows and under the doorframe. It pushed its way across the floor towards me.

  "He's inside," I said, knowing that Vanessa and I were the only ones that could see it. "Hunter, Abby, Mindy, listen to the sounds of those tapes. Do not open your eyes unless you need to focus on the pictures instead. Do you understand?" I yelled.

  They all nodded, their eyes shut tight as they held onto one another. Olive and Peter stood close to them, holding their hands. Olive had a look of pure hatred on her face as she searched the room for the unseen enemy. I almost laughed out loud as I watched her. She was always up for an adventure, even if it could be the end.

  I felt the strands of time weaving in and out of my fingertips. The electricity was heavy everywhere around us. The air turned cold as ice around me. My breath stuck in like a thick fog. The black strands swirled in front of me, forming the shape of Fear. I could clearly see him now. His face was full of hatred. His eyes black as coal, and to my delight, etched in surprise at seeing me there.

  "You can't fight me. You are only a simple human."

  The dark raspy voice sent shivers through my body. Mark felt my body tense and squeezed my hand. His energy was contagious.

  "You're wrong. I am Death...I am the End...I am Darkness," I repeated the words that I’d had heard Death tell me over and over again for months in my nightmares.

  Fear hissed at my words. "You are nothing. I have ended Death." He pulled the now fully reassembled Scythe from the folds of his black cloak. The blade was nearly solid black. There was only a small amount of silver left.

  "Ah, you do see it. Death is nearly gone now. Soon he will be mine and will suffer at my hand for all eternity, as will you and your family."

  "You will have to get through me first, and from past experience, you and I know that isn't going to be easy for you." My voice carried more confidence than I felt, but I had to hold my ground.

  "And me," Mark said at my side.

  "And me," Vanessa said, coming from behind me and standing at my other side.

  I knew that Mark had no idea what was taking place, but my heart soared that he stood beside me.

  Fear laughed. "I don't think that will be much of a problem anymore. Like I said, you are nothing but a simple human."

  I smiled and opened my mind. Fear's thoughts raced into my own. "No. I am the Angel of Mercy," I thought.

  I watched triumphantly as Fear realized what had happened. His thoughts were now my thoughts. I could feel every part of him.

  "Even as Death, you don't stand a chance. I will take your happiness and end you. You will have nothing left but emptiness and despair," he thought.

  As quick as lightning, he pushed himself forward. I stood my ground, forcing Mark to step behind me. My black gown swirled around me as I altered the threads of time with my fingertips. Fear's black strands shot upward and slammed into my body. I felt him forcing his way up my spine and trying to find my heart. I gasped for breath. He pushed harder against my memories, trying to fill me with thoughts of fear and darkness.

  I focused on the sounds around me. Abby giggling as Mark pushed her on the swing, Hunter playing a trumpet for the first time.

  I closed my eyes. "Nice try!" I yelled as I thought of Mark holding me in his arms. The force of my happiness exploded in a flash of light. Fear stumbled backwards, hissing. He looked from me to Mark, and a tight sly smile formed on his lips.

  "Maybe you have pure joy, but what about your mate? Does he feel the same?" He laughed.

  He moved quickly, sending his own darkness into Mark. Mark gasped, and his body dropped to the ground, shaking. His body started to convulse, and his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

  "Mark!" I yelled, dropping to my knees.

  I forced my thoughts into his mind. He was trying to think of something happy, but he could only see my lifeless body lying on the bed. Fear used that to his advantage; he changed his memory to see me lying in a coffin instead of on the bed.

  "Mark, you have to fight back. Listen to the sounds around you. Think of our wedding and the day Abby and Hunter were born. Think of the first time you held me in your arms!" My thoughts pleaded with his own. I could feel him slipping; his mind wasn't able to fight against the fear that he was feeling.

  "I...I can't see it." Mark gasped between words.

  I looked at Vanessa, and her eyes shot me a look of fear. "You have to help him remember or you will lose him!"

  I grabbed Mark and pushed my lips to his. Instantly, I felt the change. He pulled me in closer, wrapping his arms around me. I focused on his thoughts, watching as he began pushing Fear away from him. He ran his fingers up my spine and rested his hand on the back of my neck, forcing me closer to him. Our bodies wrapped around one another, all thoughts of fear being forced from both our minds.

  Fear recoiled, breathing heavily. I could feel his anger as Mark and I released one another. Mark's face was red; he had sweat dripping down his forehead, and he was breathing heavily.

  "Thank you.,” he whispered.

  I smiled at him. "Anytime," I whispered back.

  "It's time to end this," I said, turning around to face Fear. He was smiling, but I could tell he wasn't happy.

  "You can't protect everyone," he hissed and flicked the scythe in my direction. A bolt of lightning shot from the sky and connected with the ground just outside the house. The electricity pushed its way into the house, lights exploded overhead, and the sound of the videos ended. The house was plunged in complete darkness. Abby screamed, and I rushed to her side. Her body was covered in cuts from the broken glass, and I couldn't tell how serious they were. She was crying and holding her arm. I pulled her close to me and held her. I could feel her fear building up inside of her, and I knew that if I could feel it so could Fear. He inched his way towards her, and his dark strands began wrapping themselves around her legs.

  "Abby, can you think of something happy?" I asked her. "Can you tell me something that makes you not scared?"

  She shook her head. "Mommy my body hurts!" she cried.

  "Don't touch my sister!" Hunter screamed. He jumped in front of her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her from my grip. "Leave her alone."

  I watched as Hunter pulled his sister toward a stack of pictures on the far wall. He pulled them down and held them in front of her face so she could see them in the darkened room. James rushed over, a flashlight in his hands. He flicked on the switch and held it over the pictures.

  "See," Hunter told Abby. "Do you know what this is?" he asked her.

  She whimpered but looked at th
e picture. "That is Mommy and Daddy getting married."

  "And we love mommy and daddy don't we?" Hunter said.

  I had never been more proud of that boy. He was just like his father, always knowing just what to say to make it better.

  Abby smiled. "Yes, I love Mommy and Daddy. They make me happy," she said.

  Fear screamed as he was forced back. I felt his anger wash over me. He was losing his patience. I twisted my fingers, pulling the space around me into a tight ball. He was regrouping, trying to decide which member of my family he could move onto next. He focused in on James, and I knew that if he got to him I wasn't sure I could stop the pain.

  I pulled at each strand quickly, not sure what I was going to do. I just knew that I had to get Fear away from my family. After a few seconds I had formed a portal. I ran towards Fear and grabbed hold of him. I pulled the portal towards me and jumped inside, keeping hold of Fear as we tumbled through time. The air around me grew cold. I could feel the force of the portal pushing against my lungs. I had never made the leap in my human body. I was always just a Spirit, and now I realized that I might have made a mistake. Even with all the powers of Death, my body was just not strong enough to make the leap.

  The force pushed against me. I felt Fear struggling to release himself from my grip. I couldn't breath. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I struggled to find a way to escape. The portal continued to pull us deeper, the air growing even colder.

  Fear laughed under my touch. "I can feel your life force failing," he hissed. "Your body can't take the leap through time."

  I knew that he was right. My vision started to blur, and I knew that I was going to black out. I could feel the power inside me but couldn't get my mind to make it work. I gasped as we tumbled, Fear laughing as he watched me begin to die. I had already taken my final breath. My heartbeat was starting to slow down; soon it would stop beating altogether. I felt Fear push himself towards me, his black strands entering my body. I struggled to find a happy thought. I began to panic; my life was going to be over.