Aftermath: Elisabeth
I do not know how long I was lost in darkness, but I know I did not stay there. I was strangely aware of someone picking me up, of strong arms supporting me, though I could not open my eyes.
The next thing I remember was someone's breath on my face, and the feeling of someone being very very close to me. I opened my eyes, and found myself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes. I gasped, and the figure pulled away from me, quickly turning and heading towards the door.
"Wait!"
The figure stopped, standing completely still for a moment, then slowly turning to face me. It was a young man, someone I had never met before, yet somehow he seemed familiar to me. His white-blond hair fell over one side of his forehead, and his eyes seemed to penetrate the darkness. He was dressed entirely in black, though it seemed to have a green glow to it. His long black coat reached almost to the floor.
He simply stood and stared at me a moment, and for some reason I couldn't take my eyes off of him.
"Please…stay with me." I don't know why I asked it, but I didn't want him to leave. For a moment we simply stared into each other's eyes, a strange sort of connection binding us. Finally, I broke the silence, "Who are you?"
He took a step towards me, his eyes still on my face, finally, he spoke, his voice almost a whisper, yet edged with strength.
"Der Tod."
I felt a chill run through me as the words sunk in, Der Tod…Death.
All at once the darkness seemed to be chased away, light swept into the room, along with the voices and faces of my parents and relatives.
"Sissi! Oh my girl, are you hurt?!"
My mother's hug nearly smothered me, and I was suddenly aware of the pain coursing through my body. I caught a glimpse of his face, Der Tod, before my mother's arms engulfed me. I stiffened, drawing in my breath, wincing as she let me go quickly. When I looked back towards the door no one was there.
"He's gone."
"Who's gone? What are you talking about darling?"
I crawled to the foot of the bed, gripping the metal frame, my eyes searching for him.
" A…man, a man was here. He brought me here, he…he saved me."
"Darling, you need to lie back down, you don't know what you're saying."
"Yes I do! He was there, dressed all in black, leaning over me…"
I saw my mother shoot a scared glance at Helene, who stood behind her, watching. I quickly shut my mouth, not wanting to have mother become scared and bring in more doctors to question me.
Later that night, after everyone else had left, I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. I knew that I had seen Der Tod, he had been there, it was all too strange and real to have been a dream.
I took a deep breath, wincing as every muscle in my body contorted with pain. I was still amazed that I was alive.
Suddenly the room turned cold, and seemed to get darker. I turned my head, and saw his eyes staring back at me. For a moment I couldn't say anything, he seemed even more powerful than the last time I had seen him. His eyes almost glowed in the darkness.
"You're back."
"Yes…I am."
He moved towards me, until he was standing right next to the bed, looking at me.
"You asked me to stay. Why, Elisabeth?"
I blinked, surprised at first that he knew my name, then I remembered who he was.
"I…I don't really know. You…fascinate me, I suppose. And," I paused a moment, swallowing before going on. "I guess, it would be nice…if I had someone to talk to."
"I have always been here Elisabeth, this is simply the first time that I've revealed myself to you."
"Would you…would you please stay? I…I don't want to be alone."
He nodded, slowly lowering himself until he was sitting on the bed next to me. He swung his legs onto the bed, bending one knee and leaning one arm against it.
I suddenly felt very tired, a wave of exhaustion swept over me. I sighed, closing my eyes, putting one hand to my head, my temples throbbing.
"It's alright," his voice was as smooth as silk, I felt his hand grasping mine. It felt cold.
The last thing I heard was his voice as I fell asleep, soft, gentle, understanding.
"I will always be here for you, Elisabeth."
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