I remember the first time that I realised I was no longer afraid of the dark. Laying in bed and staring out into the formless black that once held such sway over me and feeling nothing. When I was a kid and even into adulthood it kept that sway and in hindsight I should have been thankful for it, because when I throw my head onto the pillow now my eyes have the choice to remain open and invite those demons my childhood self must have been so afraid of to come and get me. Of course they never do and so they leave me figuring out that there really is nothing left for me to fear in this world. 

Fearlessness is often considered a commendable trait, but not like this. My lips begin their wretched curl and I can't help but create the demon on my own face to keep me sane. When your life is going well, you have the chance to be happy. When times are rough you can find resolve to pull through. In the face of that black, empty bedroom devoid of any and all terror, my life is a stagnant waste. The lights are out and yet I still pointlessly draw breath. When I used to lay head upon pillow in the days leading up to my bleak epiphany, I'd torture myself into the early hours with the fear of an oncoming end. That fear went with the dark, disappeared into a place where my human eyes cannot reach. 

With inky black sky that cannot compare to the abyss of my bedroom, I trudge to my destination with a lethargy afforded to the lame and listless. This is nothing to hurry, I know, suppose I'll take this chance to smell the roses on my way out. The cool sea breeze begs me to reconsider, it's a sobering air but I'm driven to ignore it, head heavy and thick. In no time at all I find myself approaching the face of death with aching eyes and whipping hair, this wind is biting even when the sun turns this place into a paradise come morning. Is that where I'll be, Paradise? Not likely, I give my wryest smile to an audience of none and press onwards. 

This is the tallest drop this side of the country, a fall that's sure to do the job with a rich history behind it. On account of facing out into the empty sea, one could only see it's face by manning a boat or... well, taking a leap and turning to greet its jagged smile. As it gained cultural impact as a popular spot to do the latter, somebody dubbed it the 'Face of Death' and the name stuck. Tonight, on this fittingly insignificant night, I intend to lay my eyes upon the face and join the ranks of those it ferried to the other side. Finally reaching the top of the hill leading up to the steep fall, I make sure to savour the pain in my legs from the ascent, proof that I'm still alive for the time being. Attempting to catch my breath, I collapse onto the patchy grass and prop myself up on elbows, loose shirt blowing in the wind that dries my eyes and begs me to turn back. For a while I sit and think, but the thoughts are as useless and repetitive as those that plagued me in bed when the dark no longer held power. When I discovered I was truly alone.

Dry sobs for which no tears remain threaten to make me regret taking this short pause. Before I can muster the energy to reprimand myself internally, I spy a raven haired woman sitting across from my left on this lonely hill at the edge of the world. The woman does not appear to have noticed me, staring out over the edge of my destined drop with a black tear rolling down her cheek. Ah, she must be here to do the same, expelling her final regrets... I should leave her be. My head turns away and I stare at beaten up trainers, my nails worn down by nervous habit. Compared to the mess of me, that woman wore full makeup and a beautiful dress, even in death I find myself inadequate. As I try my very best to enjoy the bitter smile that crawls over my face, I turn curiously and near jump out of my skin. 

The woman across the hill is now staring directly at me, her eyes must surely be a shade of brown but under cover of night they appear as dark abyssal beads that undress me so coldly. A line of black trails down the right side of her face over pale cheek, white as a ghost. For the first time in months I feel my hairs stand on end, that prickly sensation of fear I had thought lost for good. As though noticing that somehow, the woman's black lips slowly curl into a slight smile. _{"Come closer."} She demands, her voice calm and hushed. I know that I should not be able to hear her from this distance, perhaps I imagined it, but I pick myself up and approach all the same.

"It's going to be a lovely summer next year." I hear her more clearly as I'm drawn closer, sitting myself back down on the grass close enough to make out finer features. And yet there are none. "A shame, then, that we will not be able to enjoy it." Her voice is otherworldly, serene and bitter cold all at once. 

With a sharp exhale, I bring my knees up to my chest and peer over at the coming waves, hearing them crash into the face. "Hah... y-yeah, shame." Even my voice cannot compare, feeble and fleeting, I'd really rather not be forced to make conversation with my throat so raw. 

The woman faces me with a calm smile I couldn't hope to match, those deep black marbles set into her face laying me bare. As the sky could not compare to the darkness in my room, the darkness in those eyes is on yet another level. The final rung, I can only hope. Perhaps I could still believe that demons might dwell in such a disquieting black. "It's okay, dear. You needn't talk, only listen. You can indulge me a little rambling here, where you're liable to forget it soon after, can't you?"

I nod weakly, chewing the lining of my cheek. "Are... are you not here for that, too?" 

"Who's to say I haven't already seen the face? Until you touch me, I could be little more than a ghost, come to warn you of the harsh nothingness that awaits you at the bottom." My strange companion giggles, a ghost of laughter. 

"I'm fine with that..."

"Oh, are you now?"

"Y-yes..."

The self-possessed ghost grins knowingly. "I told you, dear, there's no need to strain your voice any further. It's alright now, I'm here to take you away."

I stare into her face and understanding crosses mine. This is the true face of death, the reaper herself. As suggested, I rest my voice and listen raptly. 

"But I've no shortage of souls I must tend to and so need to recruit willing minions to my cause, see? That's why I'm really here, scouting talent." Another laugh, is this woman serious? I want to ask her that, but my eyes do a good enough job on their own. "Oh yes, if you're to throw away your life in the first place there should be no trouble in me claiming it. I'll turn you into my living dead girl, a spectral minion set to do my bidding. Surely you have no objections, half-dead as you already are?"

After a long pause, I shake my head. The reaper is correct, I have no right to reject her demands when I've already committed to handing my soul over to death. If I'm to belong to her, then it only makes sense that she can use me as she likes. I smile back, still unsure despite my decision. 

"Good girl. Now, let's gaze upon the night and I'll be sure to give you proper send off. You've no family or friends here to see you out, but I won't let you be alone." 

My initial fears were unfounded, but I'm not disappointed this time. Lady Death is a wonderful woman, a cut above the humans I've known. We lay back in the grass together and stare up at the twinkling stars. 

"I want you to relax for me, can you do that? You need to empty yourself of everything, piece by piece. Worries, apprehension, doubt, sadness and happiness too. A blank slate. It'll take some time, but we have the whole night and the stars will guide us. Focus on one of them now and keep that the centre of your vision. I want you to stare at that star you've chosen for as long as you're able. The grass and the soil beneath can be surprisingly comfortable if you get into a good position, shuffle until you find it if you must. Arms by your sides, legs uncrossed, a body under the moonlight."

I do as I'm told by my new master with ease, knowing I've no right to disobey Death. It's surprising how relaxed I am already, her voice is unnatural, no mortal could lull me like this. 

"Thaaat's right dear, very good. Blinking slow and heavy while you focus in on that star, all others becoming dimmer as the seconds pass us by. Breathe deep the salty air and let it fill your lungs for a few solid seconds, exhaling just as slow. Just a simple trick like that will take you most of the way to the other side, hehe. Just trust me and try, okay dear?"

"Y-yeah..." I sound so distant, my entire self feels heavy and sluggish now. My head, my eyes, my body and my mind. 

The woman seems pleased, continuing on. "You're doing so very well, my minion, just becoming one with the ground as you'd always intended. Sinking down into it, six feet deep and then deeper still. Deeper and deeper into the soft, comforting soil with nothing but that pretty star overhead and my gentle words to guide you. If your eyes grow too heavy you may close them, it's okay, nobody's watching hehe."

I feel like I'm being weighed down onto the hill by an invisible force, my eyes so hard to keep open that I allow them to flutter closed on Death's demand. 

"That's a good girl, so ready to fall under my thrall on this hallowed night. I'm going to count down, slowly, from five. When I reach the bottom, you'll find that there is none. Falling so deep, never reaching the bottom but spiralling into distant dreaming that has you hanging from my every word like rope on the gallows bringing you that sweet death you seek."

Her words penetrate me so easily that I do not even consider denying them, nodding against the grass with all my muscles loose and relaxed for her. 

"Five..." The salty sea breeze blows away all of my worries and apprehension. "Four..." The ground beneath me opens like soft maw, bringing only comfort. "Three..." The shining star stays the centre of my vision even with eyes firmly shut, drawing me to unreachable places. "Two..." Her voice commands me... I obey. I belong to Death. "And one. Sleep for me, pretty girl." 

Deeper and deeper I drop, just as she said I would, her fingers snapping away the hill and the cliff's own deep drop, a cheap imitation of the real Face of Death. 

"Girl. You're under my spell now, a deep trance, do you agree?" Distantly I hear the reaper rise to her feet, stepping closer to me while I drift in this docile state. 

"Yes... deep..." I mumble in return, so comfortable it would scare me had I the mind left to feel fear. 

Footsteps over the grass, I'm surprised this pale spectre can make them. "Good girl, all mine for the taking. No need to waste such beauty, I say. Come now, I'll take you home." As the woman reaches forwards to curl fingers around my wrist and pull me up from that bottomless floor, I realise something. Her hands hold my limp body firmly as she commands me to action with words and snaps, getting me onto my feet and marching me in the opposite direction of that terrible fall. 

I realise that this woman is human after all. She straps me into the passenger seat of her car and pets my hair in thanks, turning the ignition and driving me to places unknown. Not a journey across the river, but one over empty roads that ends before a mundane apartment complex. My head is light and I float up onto the fourth floor with a hand clasped around mine to keep me tethered. The hypnotist takes me into her abode and slides chain into lock, sitting me down on the kitchen floor while she brews us tea. I'm lost, confused and strangely elated. Passively, I realise I must be relieved. 

"I have some leftover takeout in the fridge that's nothing special, but I just know you're going to love it. Nothing like some good junk food after a brush with death!" More snaps that push movement into my limbs, I open the woman's fridge and it dawns on me that this really is just a normal human's living space. When the food hits my tongue it tastes like nothing I've ever eaten, I finish the whole thing and find my cheeks warmed by hot tears. I can't understand how it tastes so good, feeling more alive than ever. 

The woman notices me and smiles softly, taking the greasy cardboard from me and lacing her fingers into mine. My back pushes against the fridge door and closes it as she shares her warmth with me. I'd expected her to be icy cold to the touch but it simply isn't the case. Lips grace my neck before quickly pulling away. "I don't know if you like this sort of thing... you did agree to be my property, I've been lonely too hehe... I wasn't actually there to scout, but I could see the hesitation in those sad eyes of yours and felt they mirrored mine. We don't have to be lonely, okay?"

I've never thought about girls in that way before, but right now I crave her lips back on my neck more than any man's could hope to tempt me. I want her carnally, my belly full and my will to live restored by the whiff of her sweat and perfume. A heady aroma of life that I want to wrap myself in like a blanket and sleep without even considering the dark. When I nod, hands roll over me and make me feel so wanted. Her lips make me feel like willing property, while her eyes make me feel loved. I want to love, I think, with heat coursing through my body like I've the blood of demons. 

Her tongue injects fear back into my heart as it strokes over mine and trails down my body to greet underserving sex. I fear losing this, whatever the hell this is, my fingers gripping her shoulders as she hastily tugs down my stupid jeans and fucks me silly with her perfect mouth. I ride her face and once again feel more alive than I knew how, only days ago it felt hopeless, but now I just need... more... and more... and... 

"I need you."

"Then you need to live."