Grim.
The call came.
I knew it would, eventually.
Everyone has a time.
Even her.
So I went.
What else could I have done?
But to see her
After so long
Older now, of course.
It shouldn't be a shock,
It happens to everyone.
But it was.
"Grim."
Oh my, look.
She almost smiles.
Almost.
She never smiles.
Even now.
"Mandy?"
I still can't believe my sockets.
"Yes."
"It seems too early. I-"
But she won't even let me finish.
"You of all people should know, Grim."
Ouch.
I must look like a deflated balloon.
"I know."
"So you've been at this job for how long now?
Eternity?"
Why is she changing the subject?
I play along.
"About that long yes."
"I bet you get a lot of resentment,
Don't you?
Most people don't want to die."
"It's true."
Enough fooling.
"But we went over this already."
"A long time ago, Grim.
You must admit, we were young."
Oh yes, how young she was.
I hate to think about it.
It's my turn to change the subject.
"You were.
To this day, I still wonder
How you ever enslaved me."
It wasn't as bad as it could have been, though.
Knowing Mandy.
"It doesn't matter anymore, Grim.
It's all over.
For both of us."
It's true, I'm free,
And now she's, well….
She's dead.
"Why? Why now, Mandy?
Why so early?"
"Well, Grim,"
There she goes again, half-smiling!
So strange, to see it on the face that never smiles.
"I'm afraid you've stolen my heart."
I'd gasp, but I can't show weakness.
Not in front of Mandy.
But seriously,
Who falls in love with me?
With Death?
I must cover my surprise.
"Yes, well I'd say the same,
but I can't…"
Wait for it…..
Punch line!
"On account of I don't have one!"
I laugh, try to be cheerful.
She remains still.
Well, can't say I didn't try…
But there has to be a point to this!
"So was there something
you wanted to tell me?"
"Just that."
That can't be all!
"Oh."
"And that I'd like to stay with you."
My jaw nearly drops, but I don't let it.
Can't show weakness.
Even still, my voice is strained.
"Really?"
It must be a joke, a trick.
Who wants to follow Death?
"Really."
Mandy, obviously.
But this is not the Mandy I know,
No the evil one, at least.
"But what about your plans?
How do you expect to take over the world
If you're dead?"
I'm offering her a way out.
If it was just pills,
I might be able to let her survive….
If she wants to, that is.
"I couldn't do it, Grim.
Not on my own.
There's no point anymore.
I want to come with you."
One last chance…
"And what about Billy?"
This is the moment of truth.
I know she's still bonded to him…
"Billy who?"
Or not.
Well, if this is what she really wants,
I was never one to refuse her.
"Fine. Come here."
Oh boy, here she comes.
She'll get me for this….
She's… Hugging me?
Perhaps what she says is true…
Figuring it's best to leave it as it is,
We leave.