Hello, everyone! I hope you enjoy the 3rd and final installment of A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance. Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 of the series before you read the finale. Your comments are helpful and very appreciated. Thank you!
A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance
by Vashti Quiroz-Vega
“What is the matter?” I asked her.
“I feel weary, that’s all,” she said, but I knew it was more than that.
“Are we going for a walk today?”
“No, I don’t feel up to it.”
“Have you lost your will to live?” I asked.
She looked at me sideways and then scowled. “I do not want to walk. I do want to live!”
Sparks of life flew out of her eyes. I grinned watching her face twitch as she tried to remain serious but she burst out laughing instead. I sat by her side. She leaned her body toward me and rested her head on my chest. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
I was overcome with emotions new to me. How did I get here? Why has this strange girl grown so fond of me? What does she see when she looks at me? Does she not see the darkness in my eyes? Does my long, sable, tangled hair not look suspect? I am large in stature and powerfully built––does this not seem menacing?
It would be so simple to place my hand over her small nose and mouth while she slept until she could draw breath no more, or break her neck with a quick flick of my wrist. She would never know death had come for her. But she slept the sleep of an infant over my beating heart. Surely death could wait for another moment, one that would be less filled with upright virtue and pure faith. She believed in me, and she saw goodness in me that no one had ever seen. Most people knew me instinctually and tried to flee from me in fright. She welcomed me into her heart. Yes, death could wait.
She awoke and as she opened her eyes, the day seemed brighter.
“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.
“Not very long. Did you sleep well?”
“I never slept more soundly.”
“Now that you’ve had your rest, would you like to go for a walk?”
She extended her hand toward me, and I reacted. She caressed my face. I closed my eyes to isolate the gentle stroking. No one had ever shown me such kindness. When I opened my eyes I saw the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, and she was touching my face in a way that made my heart beat faster.
“I must leave now. I promised my mother I would not stay out late today.”
She stood up slowly, and I watched her walk away. She looked over her shoulder once and smiled a lighthearted smile full of hope. That’s when I decided to disable the communication with above. I knew I could not complete this task. Not now––perhaps not ever.
I returned to the forest several times after that, but she never showed. After a few days, I decided I could not wait any longer. I missed her. So I went to knock on her door. A burly man opened the door, and I got the expected wary look.
“Yes, who are you looking for, son?” he asked while looking at me sideways.
“I’m looking for Abigail.”
The man’s face turned solemn. “What do you want with her?”
“She is a friend. I haven’t seen her in a while. I worry for her.”
“There is reason for worry. She is very sick. The cancer we thought––hoped she had defeated at the age of eighteen has come back with a vengeance. Her life is only about pain and anguish now.” His voice was hoarse, and wells formed in his eyes. “She was always such a sweet, happy young woman. She does not deserve to suffer so.” Shaking his head, he turned to go back inside the house.
“Wait! Please, tell me where she is?”
“Oh, you don’t want to see her like this. It is an awful sight.”
“I do want to see her,” I said. “I need to see her. Please tell me where to find her.” My heart stuttered, and a falling, spinning down feeling overtook me.
“She’s at the abbey with the nuns,” he croaked, turning his back on me as he entered the house and shut the door.
The abbey was not far. I was there in no time. I watched her briefly from a distance. She squirmed and groaned on the bed. I locked the door and approached her––my countenance tumbling into darkness. I waited too long. It is because of me she suffers so. I could have spared her this agony. When I reached her bedside, she glanced at me and smiled despite the anguish she endured but it was the kind of smile meant to soothe someone else’s spirit and it looked incongruous on her face.
“I knew you’d come,” she said between soft groans. I noticed the effort she made, trying to remain still and quiet, but at times a moan escaped her lips. I passed my hand over her head and caressed her ashen, emaciated face. She held my hand with both of hers.
“Abigail, do you want to live?” I asked, my voice quavering.
She shook her head slowly and whispered, “No.” Streams meandered down her face.
For the first time, I expanded my large, black wings and allowed her to see. “Don’t be frightened,” I said.
“You never frightened me. I knew all along you were an angel,” she said, wincing and whimpering.
“I am the angel of death.”
She gazed lovingly at me. “Give me peace.”
I reached for her and held her in my arms. I leaned my head forward, and she caressed my face. I kissed her on the lips. The sweetest kiss I’ve ever known. And she breathed her last breath.
The End
Copyright © 2014 by Vashti Quiroz-Vega. All rights reserved.
Do you believe that everyone has a designated time to die? Do you believe in destiny?
Beautifully written.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Hello David, thank you very much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. My Fantasy Angels Series (WIP) is written in a similar style. Thank you for reading and for the hugs. 😉 xx
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Wow! What a way to end it, was really good 🙂
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I’m happy you enjoyed it! My Fantasy Angels Series (WIP) is written in a similar style. 😉
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I really liked the series, Vashti. Sweet and beautiful.
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Hello Robert, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the read. 🙂
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Sweet and tender …. I wasn’t sure where you were taking that ending but could feel his struggle with himself. Well done Vashti.
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That’s wonderful Yolanda! Thank you.
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Vashti, you did it again. This is awesome!
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Thank you Karen! That’s wonderful news! 🙂
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A beautiful ending! The style of writing is wonderful. I will definitely check out your WIP when finished.
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That’s awesome Peter! I’m knee deep in final edits right now so your words are very encouraging! Thank you! 😀 xx
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Wonderfully written Vashti, and I love the way the story ended.
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I’m happy to hear this Michelle. The ending of a story is very important. I try hard to get it right. 😉
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Totally unexpected! Love it Vashti 🙂
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Hi Kristina or Millie! Thank you very much! I’m so happy you enjoyed it 😀
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Aww I could feel the pain of Death Angel. What was that movie where Brad Pitt was Death?
Nice going Vashti!
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Hi! Thank you! I’m don’t know, but if Brad Pitt is in it I’d love to see it. Let me know when you find out the name I’m curious now. 😉
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Well done Vashti! I wish she didn’t have to die though :(.
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Hello Doreen, I know it’s sad. I’ve been thinking a lot about death lately since I have several family members that are very ill. All you can do is wish them a good death, but then you have these fears that creep in. Anyway, thank you!
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Oh wow. I have no words. That is going to sit with me for awhile. I have a lot of thinking to do. I think we all have OUR TIME. But we are obviously all unaware of when that will be.
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Hi GiGi! I agree. We all have our time and that’s kind of good to know. I mean why be scared to get on a plane or go skydiving? If it’s not your time to go then nothing will happen to you, right? Hmm. I guess I have some thinking to do too.
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No thinking – just living! 🙂
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You’re right GiGi! 😉
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So great! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
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Thank you! You’re welcome. 😉
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Beautiful, Vashti! What a wonderful ending. Thank you so much for linking! Hope you are having a wonderful week, my friend! ❤
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Hello Stacey! Thank you. I’m happy that you enjoyed it. I’m having a good week. I hope you are too! 😀 xx
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Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog and also for the follow! Now following you back and about to go look around your blog… Bel xx
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Hi Bel! Thank you for the visit and follow. I hope you enjoy my blog. Let me know what you think. 🙂
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Loved it. This is my first time visiting I think and glad I did.
Angela @ Time with A & N
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Hello Angela! Thank you for visiting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I hope you’ll be back soon! 😀
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A sad but lovely ending. I guess she had to die…and even the Angel of Death couldn’t prevent it. I really enjoyed the story, Vashti. Developing the story over three episodes works really well. I hope you plan to continue putting these stories up from time to time.
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Hello Teagan, thank you. It pleases me that you enjoyed it. I plan on writing many more stories. I love to write and when I get an idea for a story in my head I can’t help but write. Right now though, I’m doing the final edits of the first installment of my Fantasy Angels Series and it’s intense. I can’t wait to be done with it, but at the same time, I would like to do the best job possible. I want the book to be well written and the very best it can be. You know how it is. The editing is consuming most of my time. So the short stories will be few and far between–for now.
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What is it they say? Separation makes the heart grow fonder – so your short story audience will be waiting here for when the next idea comes knocking!
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Awww! Thank you Teagan! I hope so! 😉
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Oh, and good luck with the editing!
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Thank you Teagan! 😀
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Wow! I’m stopping over from Let’s Get Real today. I’ve really enjoyed reading your story. I’m impressed with how quickly you were able to develop such complex characters. I am left feeling equal amounts of love for each of these characters. Not an easy things to do. You are certainly a very talented writer Vashti. Keep the stories coming!
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Hello! Thank you! It is always so nice to hear from a reader that knows about the writing process and the difficulties involved in writing a story such as this. I appreciate your comment so much. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to read it. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I will try to keep them coming. 😉
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I could not believe it ended so soon! I loved the entire story! Beautiful!
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Thank you Sharon! I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. You’ll probably enjoy my Fantasy Angels Series, which is written in the same style. And it’s much longer! 😉 Ha,ha! xx
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Beautiful! I think you have done a fantastic job with this series! I am going to post this to StumbleUpon. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Four Seasons Blog Hop.
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Hi Betty! That’s great! Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed the series. 😀
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Hi Vashti – Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party.
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It was my pleasure Gayle! Thank you for visiting! 🙂
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Wonderful, I look forward to reading more. ~ Dennis
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Hello Dennis! Thank you, I’m so glad. 😀
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Goosebumps! Glad I found this. Very good story!
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Hello Sarah, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂
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How did I miss this in 2014? Wonderful story.
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I had just started blogging, so maybe we didn’t know each other yet? I like to revise my older short stories and put them out there again. Thank you. I’m beyond thrilled that you enjoyed it. 😀 xo
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Yes, I do believe we have a time to die. I also think we have a responsibility to live well before that final day because it could be tomorrow, or it could be 50 years from now. Either way, I hope I don’t waste it!
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I completely agree with you, Priscilla. We have to be present and in the moment and not only enjoy our lives but also enjoy the time we have with our loved ones. ❤
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I also missed it at the time. A truly beautiful story, Vashti. And very touching. Thanks for sharing it again.
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That’s why I like to go back to my old stories and revise them and put them back out there for new readers. Thank you so much for reading, Olga. I’m happy you enjoyed it. ❤
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Wow Vashti. What a hauntingly beautiful tale. Loved it.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Denise. Thanks for reading. ❤
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Wow, such a powerful story, of hope, love and ultimately, death. Beautifully written, Vashti!
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Thank you for reading and for the lovely comment, Dorinda. I appreciate you. ❤
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You’re so welcome, my friend. you’re an amazing writer! ❤
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A beautiful story, Vashti.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Hélène. Thank you! ❤
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My pleasure.
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A powerful ending to Abigail’s story, Vashti!
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I’m so happy you think so, Bette. Thank you. 😀 xo
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A fantastic story Vashti, I am glad I followed the links. Your Angel of Death evokes empathy more than Abigail!
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Yes! I felt that Abigail was ready to accept her destiny but he found what he had to do extremely difficult. Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment, my friend! ❤
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Vashti, I love your stories! All the way through I couldn’t decide if he was the grim reaper or angel of death. Such a sad ending, it gave me goosebumps. But a fantastically engrossing story. ❤
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Hi, Debby! I believe that if it’s your time to go, then it’s your time to go. Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment. I’m thrilled that you like it. ❤ xo
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You know I adore your writing!!! ❤
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oh, Vashti, I have shivers all over. What a wonderful tale. xxx
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Hello, Adele! I’m super excited that you enjoyed the story. Thanks so much for reading. Enjoy the weekend! ❤ xo
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You made the inevitable gentle and beautiful. Very well done, Vashti. I love it. ❤
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Thank you very much for reading, Miriam. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. ❤ xo
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I enjoyed it very much, Vashti. ❤
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