Death and Acquiescence

by Ana Cristina

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I paused in the small apartment, gently cradling Andre’s soul in my arms. He was heavy with days unlived, the smoke of extinguished aspirations forming a gray nimbus around his head.

I’m sure you noticed by now I keep referring to my subject by his name, which is frowned upon in my line of work. For some reason, this particular assignment had struck a nerve. It wasn’t often that my subjects looked me in the eye while still inhabiting their fragile, earthbound shells.

It was the look in his eyes that haunted me. It wasn’t what I was expecting – fear. No. It was acquiescence. His eyes seemed to say, Take me. I’m ready.

As the paramedics picked up their supplies, I noticed that a small crowd had gathered in the doorway, gasping as they saw the paramedics wheel the covered corpse away.

The young woman from before was there, too. Her dark head was bowed with a grief too heavy for her to manage. I still held her lover in my arms.

As I turned to leave, she suddenly pulled her head up and looked right at me.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Death and Acquiescence

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted about 1 month ago

    Eckhouse, sequel away if you like. I’ll be back later.

  2. Death and Acquiescence

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted about 1 month ago

    She’s next she saw him.. shes gonna kill herself.. edge of my seat reading here. Ana, youve outdone urself.

  3. Death and Acquiescence

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted about 1 month ago

    No matter who sequels, you sequel back keeping control of your original character’s attitude and balance with beautiful prose and great details! As always, I’m impressed!

  4. Death and Acquiescence

    Laine P. Grey's Buddy Icon Laine P. Grey

    Posted about 1 month ago

    I hope you don’t mind my sequel.

  5. Death and Acquiescence

    [ wall.doll ]'s Buddy Icon [ wall.doll ]

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I like how Death describes people’s souls depending on how much life they have lived. The old woman’s soul was “light and feathery”, while Andre’s in “heavy with days unlived”. I’m really digging how perceptive and introspective you have made Death. It’s very thought-provoking and touching at times.

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