11 Fire fell like rain

Fire fell like rain when the boy left the light. He jumped to his feet right away, his eyes huge and fearful. Like an animal of prey, his head flew from side to side in a desperate attempt to identify his surroundings. He had been killed by fire. A large explosion, or maybe a burning building. Marina wanted to approach him, but death held her back, until the boy looked up and called out: “Mama!” Such a universal utterance, so very human. And yet, it made Marina free herself from death´s grip and walk over to the boy. He whirled around, lifting up his fists in self-defence. “Who are you?” he growled. “I am Marina. And this,” she pointed over her shoulder, “is Death.” The boy looked at death and went pale. “I…” he stammered. “I did it.” There was no triumph in his voice. “What did you do?” Marina askes suspiciously. “I fulfilled my destiny!” The boy replied, still too drily for someone who was celebrating. “And what was your destiny?” “To kill them all. To send a message. I will be immortal.” Marina looked around. “You have died.” “Physically!” he insisted. “But I am a legend now.” She nodded. “Well, in that case, I hope it was worth it.” He took a breath, his face slowly calming in the realization. “I died.” “Wasn´t that your plan?” “No, it was. I was meant for something greater than life.” Those were not his words. He didn´t really believe them.

“So, is this what you were meant for?” she asked. He shook his head. “Not before judgment.” She took his hand and led him to death. The boy´s grip tightened, when he saw him. “Is he the judge?” he asked Marina with a whispered voice? “There are no judges here.” she corrected and let go. “Only executioners.” The realization hit the boy a heartbeat before death touched his head and he disappeared.

“You´ve stopped lying.” Death remarked. Marina nodded. “Why?” “Because there is no need to make you more beautiful than you are. I thought that might change things, but it doesn´t.” She took his hand. “You don´t think I´m beautiful?” he asked quietly. “Oh, I think you are the most beautiful thing I´ve ever seen.” she amended. “But I´m starting to understand that you shouldn´t be.” “Why?” “Because there is no salvation to be found in your beauty after all.” She watched the boy’s embers disappear. Then she looked at Death. “You always ask me how you can make me happy. But what makes you happy?” He pondered. For a long time. Then he said: “Every time a window opens into the light.” “Why?” “Because then I see what it means to live. Because I see things and hear things and taste things and smell things and feel things.” She brought his hand to her cheek. “Do you feel that?” He smiled. “I have a new answer.”