Chapter 4:
A Visitor in the Night- Zero Hour
I had a dream that gave me a clearer view of how love contributed to the meaning of life.
I was alive and living in a chaotic world. There was nothing but pain, suffering, destruction, and hatred surrounding me. There seemed to be no remedy for any of it and all the horrible things happening around me made fall to my knees and cry. A child approached me. She was destitute and sickly looking. She stopped to look at me meaningfully.
"Where's your mother?"
"What difference does it make? She's trying to survive and so am I…"
"… Do you need help? I can help you."
"Why would you?"
"Because… I care. I care about you."
"… Really?"
"Yes."
"… Does a thing such as love truly exist?" That was when I woke-up.
It was a strange dream, and the feeling of despair was still present in my being even after I awoke. Along with the despair I felt something that combated against it. It felt like… hope? I came to realize that I had seen a world without hope. A world devoid of love and it was a bleak place indeed.
So I began to think. Maybe love was a driving force that kept balance. Without love there's no hope. Without hope there's only disparity. It's like the construction of an elemental compound. If each atom of the multiple elements aren't placed in the correct order- if there's one proton out of place- then it can't exist. If there was only despair, life wouldn't- couldn't- exist. There are always two sides to one coin.
Love balances evil. Love supports life. And now that it became obvious, I guess I could see where I got a little lost in life. I turned my back on love. A good example is my mother. She loves me unconditionally and I throw it in her face. I don't want her to love me. I don't because I don't want to be the reason she can't go on living after I die. If I died, she would be devastated because she loves me so much, but if I kept my distance and behaved well, she wouldn't have to worry. If I disappeared, she wouldn't have to be burdened. I in turn didn't want to be burdened. I looked for all the bad in the world so I wouldn't have to see the good. I looked for the worst in people so I couldn't love them like they loved me. No love… No balance. I was a wreck.
Ugh! That Grim Reaper! Damn him! Why did he make me realize this? What's he trying to accomplish with all this?
"He's disobeying the law." I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard the voice of another person present in my room. I looked. A person dressed similarly to my friend Grim was standing in the doorway of my room.
"Uh… visiting hours aren't until nine am. Come back later…" Not that I particularly wanted this person to come back.
"Hmph. There would be no point in coming back later seeing to how you'll be dead!" The new Grim grabbed a scythe as if from nowhere and charged at me. I was so shocked that I couldn't move. The blade came down and I closed my eyes. Nothing happened.
"Dammit! I was afraid of this! He's twisted fate's thread… You're one lucky person."
"U…uh…ugh!? What's your problem!? You can't just go swinging things that sharp around like that! Are you crazy?"
"Hmph." The large and sharp object dispersed into a puff of black smoke and the Grim seemed to be glaring at me. I couldn't really tell because of the hood covering its face.
"So… I take it that you're a Grim Reaper too huh? Come to finish the job that your buddy neglected?"
"Actually… no. I wasn't finishing the job. I was assessing the damage."
"Huh?"
"In regards to what I stated earlier, Roxas has broken the law. He altered your fate. As Grims, we have specific guidelines to follow through. Laws if you will. And Roxas broke the most important: never alter a thread of fate."
"You mean… by not killing me, he… uh Roxas, broke the rules?"
"Correct. Now, well… we'll see what happens next regarding your soul Kairi Damalsca." The Grim went to the door and opened it. Where there should've been a clear view of the clean, whit hallway, full of nurses and patients, there was emptiness in a dark oblivion. A chill crawled along my skin and gave me goose bumps.
"By the way, be sure to let Roxas know that he's in trouble. Let him know that Vexen paid a visit." After saying so, the newly revealed Vexen exited into the abyss and closed the door behind him. Wow. This was a bigger mess than I'd originally thought.
A/N: Sorry that this chapter is shorter than usual but it's just one of those chapters. You know, the kind that gives readers important information. HINT HINT WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE (as my literature teachers love to say). Anyway, leave a review please.