Existence 2.5 - Leif

fleeing. All the laughter and drinking ended as souls felt the presence of Death closing in on them.

“Ah , Death draws near. The fallen ‘ ave run to hide,” Father drawled and pulled the two cigarettes from his mouth to exhale small rings of smoke before placing them right back in.

“What does he mean? ” Pagan asked.

“Dank is close. The souls of the people in the stree ts felt him and ran. Unlike you, most humans don’t cling to Death when he’s in his true form. Sure, they like the singer Dank Walker but when he’s truly in Death’s form , they hide.”

Father turned to Wyatt and crooked his finger once. The girls holding onto him released their claim on him as he stepped forward.

Gasps turned my attention to the streets in front of me. Dankmar had come and he hadn’t come alone. Death’s eyes searched until they found Pagan , who I had cuddled up against my side. She was mine.

“Well, well, well, Dankmar and pals. To wat do we owe dis honor?” Father asked in his usual jolly tone.

“You kno w why I’m here, Ghede ,” Dankmar replied not taking his eyes off of Pagan. The possessive gleam in his eyes made my skin crawl in fear. Would I be able to stand up to him? Would Father expect me to handle Dankmar all on my own?

“Tsk tsk tsk , I don know whut you mean. You said to let her choose,” Father announced waving his hand in our direction. “She did.”

The blonde transporter started toward us when Dankmar stopped her. Did he not plan on taking her? Would it really be this easy?

“No. You forced her choice. That wasn’t part of the deal,” Dankmar roared. Pagan shivered in my arms and stepped back away from me.

“Here’s the soul you came for,” Father pushed Wyatt toward Death and instantly Wyatt was in the protection of a transporters arms. Then he was go ne. Pagan had gotten her wish, h er one demand. It had been fulfilled. Now, Death needed to leave.

“Now is dat all you want or would you lak to axe her yorself ?” Father turned toward us , “Come here Pagan,” he coaxed.

She was terrified of Father. I gently squeezed her arm in reassurance then nudged her forward. She had to go to him. If she refused him everything could get ugly.

“Axe her Dankmar ,” Father cackled as he grabbed Pagan and shoved her toward Death.

I took a step toward her. What was Father thinking? Dankmar could reach out and take her.

“I want— ”

“I didn’t ask you anything just yet , Pagan. Hold onto that thought just a moment more,” Dankmar instructed lifting his gaze from Pagan to focus on Father. “You’ve messed with the wrong guy this time Ghede . You like your entertainment but I was never one to entertain.”

The transporters began to move away from Dankmar . Were they all getting ready to leave? Was this finally over? Then the warriors began to desc end. I’d never seen one of the C reator ’ s warriors before. I’d heard of them. Feared them. But never had I seen them. The massive swords that hung on their side would simply wipe out our world with a single swipe. A human’s freewill was the only power we held. The warriors however were giv en their power from the actual C reator. We had no chance against them.

“You brought de warriors for a gurl ?” Father asked in astonishment.

“Yes ,” Dankmar replied then took a step forward holdi ng his hand out to Pagan.

“I can’t,” she sobbed .

“Trust me,” he replied. I waited knowing that this was it. If she went to him I would let her go. I would give up. If Pagan chose him one more time then I would let her go.

As if in slow motion, Pagan s tepped forward and placed her hand in his. Dankmar pulled her up against his side tightly. The relief on his face was mirrored in her eyes as she gazed up at him. He was whe re she wanted to be. I couldn’t fight this anymore. All I was doing was making her hate me more every passing day. I’d loved Pagan for the majority of my life but I couldn’t force her to love me. I finally understood that.

“Bad choice leetle gurl ,” Father hissed. He hadn’t expected her to go. Deep down, I ’d known she would.

“No, Ghede . You’re the only one who made the bad choice. You don’t take what’s mine.” Dankmar challenged . Then he paused and bent down to whisper in Pagan’s ear before handing her to the blonde transporter that had so fiercely protected Pagan before.

“You took a soul that was too young to defend itself. A soul that belonged to the Creator. You