I sat on the couch in Leslie’s apartment trying to read the book I borrowed from Ramona. Reading at night with only a dim flame for light was a challenge, but I wanted to see for myself why both Leslie and Ramona loved this book so much. Beside me, Leslie shuffled through documents they had brought home with them.
Suddenly, a loud rattling sounded, as if a strong wind was blowing open the shutters. I glanced over at the windows to see the shutters open, yet perfectly still. The rattling grew louder. The night sky beyond the window was clear apart from a few stray clouds.
“What is that?” I wondered aloud as I moved to get up from the couch.
Leslie’s hand clamped onto my shoulder. “Don’t,” they said.
When I looked back at Leslie, their face was pale. Their wide eyes darted between me and the window. Panic immediately washed over me. What could possibly have them so scared?
“Wh-why do you not want to me to look outside?” I stammered out.
“That’s Death outside,” they replied slowly as the rattling only grew louder, closer. “He rides his carriage through the city at night, collecting souls. The noise you hear is the sound of his skeleton oxen pulling the carriage. If you look outside and see Him, you’ll die tomorrow.”
I stared at Leslie, uncertain if the noise outside, getting unbearably louder by the second, had made me mishear what they had said. But, no, I hadn’t misheard. That’s what they were afraid of?!
“Leslie, you’re being ridiculous,” I said, brushing their hand off my shoulder. Once again, I tried to move away from the couch.
“No!” Leslie yelled. They grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back. I found myself lying on top of them, Leslie’s arms wrapped around me holding me in place.
“Seriously?!” I cried.
“I don’t care ifweruiweojfldmee,” Leslie said. “Ieiortmkewfjuhjink it’s just a silly superstition. I’m not gonna risk losing you.”
The rattling outside began to fade. I didn’t say anything. Instead I placed a hand over my mouth, trying to hide my smile. What Leslie had just said was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me.
Finally, the strange sound stopped. Leslie let me go. “There,” they said. “Nweots safe.”
I sat up, watching Leslie as they went back to reading documents. I leaned over and kissed them on the cheek.
“What?” Leslie asked with a smile. “Is that for saving your life?”
“Of course not,” I replied, playfully smacking them on the shoulder. “It’s for being so sweet.”
Leslie reached over to tuck a hair behind my ear. “I meant it, you know,” they said. “I’m not gonna risk losing you.”
I hugged them, squeezing tightly. Leslie was the sweetest, kindest person I had ever known and I had no idea what I’d done to deserve them.
To be continued…