DEATH'S HEART

Chapter 1

I am as old as time immemorial. I was born the moment life was created. For without life, I can not exist. I feed on the breath of life itself. Every newborn's first heartbeat is a hope for my longevity. Its first gasp of air, a promise to me.

I know nothing of fear, hate or guilt. I do not feel them. But I do know of pity, compassion, pain and anger, for these are the things that drive me to take away life. Yes. I kill. Yet when I kill, I do not feel remorse or sorrow. I feel empty. Indifferent.

I am not an angel. Nor am I a devil. Am I a monster? A vampire? A deity or some supernatural being that one would read of in books? No. I am above all those. I am more than those. I am a mystery that will always be misunderstood because my existence will forever be a conundrum. I am an inevitable subject and object of trepidation. Many have attempted to gain any speck of understanding to enlighten themselves about me, but I remain unknown. Thus, I am feared. Even by those who claim they do not dread the prospect of meeting me.

I am neither God nor Satan.

I am Death.