I’m not imagining the man in black. He’s wearing a long coat and wide-brim hat—entirely too hot for a walk in Death Valley.
When Brian tells me there’s nothing there, at risk of looking crazy, I approach the man that only I can see. His face is hidden in shadow.
He tells me his name is Death.
“Will you kill me, Mr. Death?”
He shakes his head. “I only deliver souls.”
“Then who?” But before he can answer, I feel Brian’s fingers around my neck.
The man lifts his hat, and I see the face of my father.
© 2022 Nortina Simmons
This story was originally written in response to a Morning Inspiration prompt, but it reminds me too much of one of my favorite The Twilight Zone episodes, “The Hitchhiker,” not to include it in this year’s marathon! I told you there would be reruns. 😉
Nortina's Writing Inspiration Well 