Cursed by Death

Chapter 9

        I lie on the police station couch. It's almost midnight. I can feel myself fading off to sleep...
        "Callista," says the Reaper.
        I open my eyes. "Yes?"
        "There has been an earthquake. Come. There are many who are dying."
        There's a whirlwind, and when it stops, the Reaper turns to me. "This is our first assignment. His name is Barney Anders."
        A bearded man lies dying, crushed by a large boulder. Tears stream down his face, and he struggles to breathe.
        I sit down next to him and grasp his hand. "Mr. Anders, I will be by your side when you die," I say.
        Mr. Anders moves his head a bit and locks eyes with me. His mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out except for trickles of blood. I move closer and try to push the boulder off. To my surprise, it moves. I pull Mr. Anders' upper body into my lap.
        He begins to breathe rapidly, coughing on every exhale. Finally, his body relaxes, and his eyes close.
        With a wave of the Reaper's hand, we're somewhere else. This time, an old woman is sitting against a wall. A beam has pierced her chest.
        The Reaper says, "This is Bertha Jack."
        I get on my knees next to her. "Ms. Jack, I'm sorry, but you're dying."
        Her chest heaves, and she coughs up blood. "I- know," she says, her voice a weak rasp.
        "Do you have any last requests?" I ask.
        Ms. Jack wheezes. "I- would... appreciate it if- you held- my... hand..." She weakly moves her hand.
        I hold it.
        She closes her eyes. "Th-thank you..." she whispers.
        Her whole body shudders, and she's dead.
        The Reaper helps me up. "You're waking up now. But something tells me that you will take a nap tomorrow. See you then."
        There's a whirlwind, and I'm back on the police station couch.