Silence.
No water.
No pain.
Lena slowly opened her eyes.
Darkness stretched forever around her.
Not night.
Something deeper.
"Am I… dead?" she whispered.
"Yes."
The voice came from behind her.
She turned sharply.
A man stood a few steps away.
Tall.
Still.
Watching her like he had been waiting a long time.
He wore black, but not like normal clothes. The darkness seemed part of him.
"Who are you?" Lena asked.
The man studied her calmly.
Then he said something that made her stomach drop.
"Lena Ashford. Age twenty-two."
"How do you know my—"
"You died at 10:42 PM."
Her heart pounded.
"This isn't funny."
"It isn't meant to be."
He stepped closer.
The air felt colder.
"Where am I?"
"The place people arrive before leaving."
A horrible realization formed.
"You mean…"
"Yes."
His eyes were quiet.
Emotionless.
"I'm Death."