"Stop fighting"
He says, a hint of annoyance in his voice

I don't listen
I punch desperately at his shadow
Try to choke him and find my hands at my own throat
Claw for air, space, to be away from him

And all the sudden, he's there
With a roll of his eyes
Crossed the room in one, two steps
And he's there

He pins my wrists tight to my chest
I shut my eyes as quickly as I can
I can't... I won't...

"I said stop fighting"
He insists
"You're only hurting yourself"

He's right of course
My head throbs, my smile fades
He's always right in the end

"Look at me"
He commands
I squeeze my eyes tighter, shaking my head slightly
I can't... I won't...

I do

The shock of his cold, black eyes rushes through me
I cry uncontrollably, but all of my tears freeze

"You brought me here"
He reminds me
His voice a howling rush of wind
As I'm pushed further into the vacuum of his eyes

I want to tell him
I was too young to know what I asked for
But he knows that's a lie
I want to beg
Please let me go
Take me or leave me, just let me go

I tremble further against the wall
But it's like it's no longer there
And all that's left to do is fall, and fall, and fall...

He looks away
I gasp, trying to remember how to breathe

A faint smile ghosts across his lips
"Stop fighting"
He warns
And leaves me sinking into the floor

I grab my wrists, desperately trying to find a pulse
His words echo in my ringing ears
Stop fighting, accept

I shiver uncontrollably
Wrap myself in blankets and cuddle up to the radiator
But I cannot chase from my soul
The cold of his eyes

I know what it's like to meet Death
*I know what it means to die