Grim

A Short Story (467 Words)

James was in and out of consciousness when rushed to the ICU. At one point, there was a flatline, then nothing. It was quiet and pitch black.

After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and noticed he was outside. Dry dirt was everywhere, and nothing more. There was a blue sky with no clouds and no sun. Where is the light coming from, he thought to himself?

While wondering where he was, he saw a figure coming toward him. The figure was wearing a black robe. He couldn’t see its face or feet, and it was moving fast.

When the figure was about 100 yards away, James’s heartbeat sped up. Thought about running, but to where? Also, could he outrun that thing? The figure pulled out a scythe. James accepted his fate and waited.

When the figure was about ten yards away, he closed his eyes and braced himself. James waited and waited, but nothing. He was too scared to open his eyes, but was curious what the figure was doing.

The sound of a wolf yelping made him open his eyes. He gazed at the figure with fear, then looked down at the ground and saw a dead werewolf.

James asked, “Was that a werewolf? Was that going to…eat me?”

The figure nod.

“So, you saved my soul?”

The figure nod.

“You got a name? Wait, are you death? Are you the grim reaper?”

The figure stared at him.

“So, Grim, is this the afterlife?”

Grim opened a portal and pointed to it.

“Does that lead to the afterlife?”

Grim did not react.

“Well, what waits for me there? You see, I did bad things. Lots of bad things. So, what waits for me?”

Grim gave no reply.

“Have you been to the other side? Aren’t you curious what's on the other side? Can you even talk?”

Grim pointed again.

“Who’s in charge of the afterlife? Is there a god? Is there a hell?”

Grim shrugged.

James walked up to the portal and turned around, “Well, thank you for saving my soul.”

Grim stared at him.

“Right. Well, take care.”

James entered the portal.

Before it closed, James, “Now I understand.”

After the portal closed, Grim sensed another soul, raised its scythe, and approached the new soul. The new soul, “Please…don’t hurt me.”

Grim waited, killed another wolf, then opened a portal. The new soul, “Thank you. Thank you for saving me. That portal? Do I need to go into that portal?” Instead of pointing, Grim stared at the portal, then gave the soul its scythe.

The new soul was confused as it watched Grim walk into the portal.

After the portal closed, the new soul felt the scythe getting warmer. The new soul transformed into the new Grim. The new Grim sensed another soul.