Time Off For Death

Time Off For Death
Written By Lady Cat

CHAPTER 6



Reginald paced back and forth in the den, mulling over the snapped response he gave to his son. He let out a deep sigh. Never in all of his years had he ever talked to his son. “Damn him!” Reginald said out loud. Death entered just as Reginald spouted those words. “Just who might you be talking about?” Death asked sarcastically. Reginald jerked his

head. Seeing who it was cleared his throat. “No one. Just thinking out loud,” he answered nervously.



“You perhaps were referring to me, weren’t you?” Death arched his brows and sneered. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep this pretense up,” Reginald replied and began to pace. “Your visit here is upsetting the

whole place.” “So my visit here is upsetting,” Death said with a grin. Reginald stopped pacing. “Yes it is. Things were fine until you showed up.” “Are you sure about that?” Death asked.



Robert had just reached the top of the steps when Elizabeth came down the hallway from her room. Elizabeth spotted him. “Robert!” she called. Robert stopped, but didn’t turn around. “You seem in an awful hurry,” she said. “I’m in no hurry,” he said in a hesitating voice. Elizabeth approached. “I need to talk with you.” “About what?” Robert asked. “About Barry,” she replied. “What about him?” “Will you please turn around so I can talk to you,” Elizabeth said in an exasperated voice. “I’d rather not,” he said softly. “Please,” she said. Robert went to turn but instead ran to his room and shut the door, leaving Elizabeth perplexed.



Barry was walking toward the patio doors when he looked through the window and spied his father exchanging words in the den with the Count. He stopped and watched, seeing the look of frustration on his father’s face. He went over to the patio doors and entered. Reginald spotted his son and stopped. Death turned his head. “What’s going on?” Barry asked. “What do you mean?” Reginald asked. “I look in the window and it looks like you two are having an argument,” Barry replied. “For your information, the Count and I are not having an argument,” Reginald said. “We..were…just

discussing some things. That’s all.” Barry looked skeptically at his father than at Death, who gave him a cold stare. “And besides, what we talk about is none of your business. So stay out of it!” Reginald firmly added. Barry knew this was not like his father but he knew from the tone not to press and left, closing the door after him.





Just at that moment, Mary came in the front door. “Oh, Barry,” she called. “Would you help me?” Barry came over. “What the devil is all this?” “Oh, I just did a little shopping. Thought I would get myself a new dress for tonight.” “A little shopping? Sure you didn’t buy out the store?” Barry asked, shaking his head. Mary giggled. “No, there’s still

one or two dresses left.” She gave him the last of the packages and started up the steps, with Barry behind, slowly feeling his way.

CHAPTER 7



In the den, Reginald let out a deep breath and shook his head. He looked at the fireplace and then at Death. "See what you've done. I have never talked that way to my son." "On the contrary," Death said. "On the night I came for your wife, you acted the same way when the doctor was in the room." Reginald blinked. "Don't act so surprised," Death said with a smirk. "I find episodes like that very entertaining." Reginald took a step back. "How can you say you want to  experience what it's like to be human when your attitude is deplorable?" "I have found humans to have a  natural aptitude for being that way," Death snorted. "Not all humans do," Reginald said defensively. "There is one other thing I do not care for." "And what is that?" Death asked. "The way you looked at Elizabeth this morning. She and my son are engaged and hope to be wed soon." This was news Death did not want to hear. She had been on his mind all morning. Even now he was thinking of her. "So don't get any ideas about my future daughter-in-law." "Well, until they are wed, I will think what I please," Death snarled, and left the den.





Mary reached the top of the steps. "Come on, slow poke!" she told Barry. "Whew!" Barry gasped when he finally reached the stop of the steps. "I'm not carrying these things any further." "You can take them to the room, can't you?" Mary asked. "Oh I suppose," he reluctantly replied. "Liz!" Mary called. Elizabeth was still pondering why Robert was

acting so strange. She turned when she heard Mary call. Upon seeing all the boxes she shook her head, but quickly stiffened when she saw Barry. Mary saw the look on Mary's face. "I sense something here." "It's nothing," Elizabeth said, and bent to pick up some boxes. "I'll help you. I want to see what you bought." "I'll just leave these here and

leave," Barry said, putting the boxes down and turning to go down the stairs.



Death was walking across the room as Barry reached the bottom of the steps. Barry grabbed Death by the arm. "I don't know what you and my dad were talking about," Barry said in a low, menacing voice. "But, I warn you. Do anything to hurt my father and you'll rue the day you were born!" Death's back was to the stairs so only Barry could see the look of amusement on his face. "Your pitiful show of bravado is rather amusing." He then looked down at Barry's hand. "A word of warning, don't ever put a hand on me." And to back up his warning, Death began changing in front of Barry's widened eyes; his face twisted in pain as he felt a vise-like grip take his hand away from his arm.



At the top of the stairs, Elizabeth watched the interaction between Barry and Death. Mary was busy with her packages and didn't notice. Elizabeth's eyes widened as she saw Barry's face twist in pain. She then saw him walk away, his  and  contorted. He turned and looked up, having returned to his disguise, seeing Elizabeth's face in shock. "Hey Liz!" Mary  alled, then she looked down. "Hi," she said to Death. "Liz, come with me. I have to show you this darling dress I picked out for tonight," she said excitedly. At first Elizabeth didn't move, her eyes locked on with Death's. A tug at her arm  brought her out of it. "Come on!" Mary exclaimed. "See you at the party!" she yelled. Elizabeth picked up some

of the packages and followed Mary to her room.



CHAPTER 8



Death’s eyes followed them till they disappeared into the room. He had not  realized that Elizabeth had watched the entire scene until the look of shock on her face. He found himself regretting she had been a witness and

now himself feeling hurt inside. “Is this what it feels like? To feel remorse, even pain, at seeing somewhat witnessing what happened?” he asked himself. He heaved a sigh and went back outside to the exact spot he was at earlier that morning, under Elizabeth’s window. There was much he had to think about. First and foremost, Reginald informing him of his son’s engagement to Elizabeth. He plopped on the bench. This was not good news. He hadn’t yet had a chance to speak to her. His stay here would not be much longer. Tonight would be the only chance he would get. He had to

somehow get her alone.





In Elizabeth’s room, Mary was swooshing about, opening box upon box, showing off what she had bought. Finally, at the last box, Mary proudly showed the new dress she was going to wear. “Don’t you just love it?” Mary excitedly asked. “I know the Count won’t be able to take his eyes off me.” Elizabeth was half thinking, half listening to Mary, who was getting perturbed at her friend’s inattention. “Elizabeth! Are you listening?” Mary picked up a hat and threw it at Elizabeth, hitting her. Elizabeth came back into focus and saw the hat sitting in her lap. “What is wrong with you?” Mary asked. “Nothing,” Elizabeth answered, noticing the dress. “Oh, that’s a nice dress,” she commented. “Nice!”

Mary exclaimed. “This is what will knock the socks off the Count!”



“What about Robert?” Elizabeth asked. “What about him?” Mary replied. “Well, you are here with him.” “Robert is just someone for show. He’s got no money. Hell, his father kicked him out because of his gambling. I’m not going to be stuck with something like that.” Elizabeth was surprised at her response. “Now the Count, now that’s a man who oozes money and power. Two of the things I just love,” Mary said smugly. “Tonight, I’m going to latch on to that, no matter what I have to do. So Robert can just go by the wayside.”



“Mary! I can’t believe you would treat him like that!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Oh, don’t be so naïve,” Mary said. “It was never a sure thing any way.” Mary began hanging up the clothes, taking special care with her new dress. Elizabeth went over to the window. She looked down into the garden and saw Death seated on the bench.



Sidney entered the den from off the patio to see his friend frowning. “What’s the matter?” he asked. Reginald felt tempted to tell his friend, but remembering Death’s warning, just shook his head. “Nothing really,” he replied. “Just thinking about tonight.” “What’s there to worry about?” Sidney smiled. “You always know how to throw a good

party.” Reginald faintly smiled. “You know, old friend, you owe me a round of cards,” Sidney patted his friend on the back. “Cards always bring out the competitor in you.”



CHAPTER 9



Things started getting into full swing early evening when the first of the guests arrived at 7:00. Reginald was in the room set up for the gaming tables, welcoming everyone who arrived. Sidney entered the room, drink in hand. He was concerned about his old friend. Normally Reginald would have beaten the socks off of him, but this afternoon it had not  gone well. Something was troubling his friend and needed to find out why. He spotted Barry, who was going from table to table, making sure the guests were attended to. He went over to Sidney. "Looks like the party is well under way," Sidney observed. "Yes, it is," Barry said.



In the mean time, the girls were upstairs finishing up. Elizabeth wore a simple sleeveless black gown with a low v-neck and a simple string of pearls. Mary swished into the room. "How do I look?" she asked anxiously. Elizabeth smiled.  You look beautiful," she replied. Mary stared. "Why aren't you wearing that nice red velvet dress Barry bought you?" "I felt like wearing this," Elizabeth replied. "Is there anything wrong in that?" "No, there isn't," Mary answered. "But, Barry is     going tobe disappointed."



Death was dressed in a dark tuxedo, his hair pulled back. With his body size, he made a very handsome and imposing figure. He looked out the window. He could see guests already walking around the grounds; mostly young couples. He observed one couple in particular. By their actions, he could see they were very much involved with each other. They stopped for a bit and lifted their heads to the sky. A full moon was out, shining like a golden orb. He continued to observe the young couple, watching their every move - the way they held hands, looking into each other's eyes, and the way they kissed. Suddenly an image came to mind of him and Elizabeth doing the same exact thing. What was he doing? To imagine kissing, holding hands, or even so far as to the joining of bodies the way he had seen humans do? He turned from the window and left his room to join the party.



The gala was in full swing when he entered the room. A waiter offered him a glass of champagne, which he refused. He saw Robert at the gaming table and went over to join him. Robert was rubbing the dice and blowing on them. Death observed several stacks of chips in front of him. "Looks like you're having some luck tonight," he said. Robert turned around and immediately became pale. Quickly he collected himself. "Yes, it does, doesn't it?" Robert thought Death would call him on their bet of earlier that day, but Death simply nodded his head and went on.



Barry by now had made his way to the door and saw Mary and Elizabethenter. Mary's eyes immediately searched the room for her quarry and spotted him heading toward Reginald. "Wow!" Mary exclaimed. "Talk about handsome!" Elizabeth had seen the direction Mary's eyes had wondered to. Barry came over. "Well, it's about time the two loveliest ladies in the world made their appearance." "Thank you, Barry," Mary said. "Excuse me. There's someone I want to talk to." There was an uneasy silence for a few seconds. "You look lovely tonight," Barry said. "Thank you," Elizabeth said. "I hear the music playing. Care to dance?' he asked. She turned to Barry and reluctantly nodded.

TBC

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E-mail Lady B at taker123@yahoo.com.