Nothing is real anymore. Nothing. Not this room. Not the knife in my hand. And especially not me. I scream, flinging my weapon at the stained glass window. It shatters, causing a million shards of brightly coloured glass to fly in all directions. I don’t even flinch as they hit me. I just turn and smirk into the mirror on the wall. I now have a scar extending from my nose to my left ear. Pretty.

I now walk towards the ‘open’ window. I climb onto the ledge and jump down on the other side, landing on a stone stairwell. From here I can see the fire raging in the distance, slowly but steadily making its way over here – over to me. I can’t help but grin at the scene. Is that the worse they can do? I tear my eyes away and make my way up the stairs. They lead up to the tower room, the very tower room which only I have the key too. And at the same time the very room which I was told to never open. All in all not a very good combination. I reach the tower, its tall oak door glaring down at me. I merely glare right back at it and reach for the chain around my neck. I touch the key and immediately feel a cold shiver run down my spine. I slip the key into the lock and turn it. It clicks.

“Come in,” a deep, raspy voice murmurs from within. I open the door just enough for me to slide in, shutting it behind me. It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the candle lit room. I can make out his figure in the corner where he was fiddling with what looked like a turntable. And sure enough, suddenly a soft melody filled the room. He beckoned for me. Obediently, I walk to him. He holds out his hand to me.

“Care to dance?” his voice hisses. I don’t reply but reach out my hand towards his. He takes my hand in his and places his other hand around my waist.

“Why are you here?” I pretend not to have heard him for a moment, then:

“You know why.”

“You can’t love me.” He states. I smile to myself, closing my eyes so I could listen to simply the music and his voice. He didn’t know what he was talking about. Sure, perhaps I wrote that first letter simply out of curiosity. But the rest… I loved him the moment he replied. …my dear sweet Hanna, I enjoyed your letter immensely… and I would like to meet you too but… it’s too dangerous… I can’t… The ominous tone of his letter just intrigued me to respond more. Well, if we can’t meet than I shall write to you… and you can’t stop me.

“But I do.” I whispered.

“But…” he struggled, so unused to his own voice. “You know who I am now. How can you still love me?” I laugh at him softly, gently.

“How can I stop?” The music ends then and he pulls away from me.

“You need to leave… now.” I can hear the tears in his voice.

“I don’t have anything else left.” I tell him truthfully. “They’re coming. And they want me dead.” He doesn’t respond to this in words but merely rests his hand on my shoulder before pulling me into a shy embrace.

“Kiss me.” I command him. He lifts up my head, his wicked green eyes staring at my soft brown ones. He leans down slowly and places his lips on mine. And then, the last thing I see is a crooked smile forming on his face.

Death looked around the empty room. Just a moment ago the room was warm and bright with her presence. And now… it was cold and dank, just like always. He grimaced to himself, cursing himself and hating himself. He sighed and sat down on his bed. He blew out the candle on his bedside table and once again darkness filled Death’s chambers.