Many horrors live in my imagination. Many more live in my memories. Time and again I faced my greatest fears, and conquered them as ruthlessly as they strove to conquer me. I have survived, though mere survival does not guarantee a battle won. My victory lies in that I lived, truly lived. Felt every kiss of air on my cheek, every drop of moisture on my lips, and every grain of sand between my toes.
Death. She was an intimate friend of mine. We knew each other well, and danced together often. A few rounds around the floor, and then She moves to find another partner, until She is ready to dance once more. I have never feared Death. One cannot fear something that is a constant shadow on your heart, that you know as intimately as someone you have long made love to time and time again .
For the first time, as She takes me once more into Her embrace, I feel fear. She has found, at last, my weakness, as She stares at me through the cold brown eyes of my lover. I see now. I hear Her message. She will not change partners this time around. We will dance until one of us has finished. She looks to destroy me, utterly, completely.
Jack. My love. Forgive me. We will have our turn, while the music plays, but I cannot allow Her to take you. Only one of us will finish this. Forgive me, Jack, because it might not be me.
