It started with a deal.

He’d noticed a man in a black robe in the corner of his vision all day.

He saw him more and more.

Finally, he felt funny and the world went quiet and the man stepped in front of him.

His robe billowed though there was no wind and he carried a scythe.

“Who are you?” he asked the unusual man.

“I’ve gone by many names mortal but Death is most common now.”

“Death? So I died?”

“Well, I assure you this isn’t a social call.”

“You..you can’t take me yet.”

“Ugh, not this again. Why do they never go quietly. It’s always with the pleading. I don’t make the rules. Let’s go. I’ve had a long day.”

“Wait.”

“What now?”

“I can’t go now.”

“I disagree.”

“It’s not that.”

“Doubt it.”

“I can’t go because a man took my wife from me. I can’t go until I’ve settled the score.”

Death pondered for a moment. He didn’t usually make deals, but he also had a soft spot for revenge.

“I think we can work something out,” Death said.

“Really?”

“Yes, I will give you the rest of the year. I will return on the first day of the new year. Then, you’re coming whether you like it or not. I will drag you screaming to the underworld if need be.”

“Agreed.”

And so Death left the man to his revenge.

The man’s revenge plot was not elegant, but it was efficient. He waited for the man to be home alone and the deed was done. He expected Death to return the moment. When he didn’t the man returned home and waited.

And waited.

And so he reasoned that Death would wait till the new year no matter what.

And he had a few months with little to do except to wait to die.

Unless he didn’t have to, he thought.

He went back to the man’s house. His body was still there, but no one had noticed. He was rich though so the man avoiding death took his time and took as much money as he could. He used the computer and transferred money to secret bank accounts and a few hours later he was considerably more wealthy than when he started.

He started to plan. He found a doctor and changed his appearance. He found a man to give him a new passport with a new name. He traveled widely trying to hide his trail. He found an old woman. Some said she was a witch. She sold him a talisman that she claimed would keep Death from finding him.

He ended up on a island in the middle of nowhere with much of the money left. He could live the rest of his life here. No one would find him.

Not even Death.

And so he waited out his days. He was on the beach and checked his watch. It was a nice model and it showed both the date and time.

It was New Year’s Day and there was only a few minutes left. He figured if he made it through the night he’d be okay.

He sat on the beach sipping on a drink and watching the water.

The alarm on his watch went off and he breathed a sigh of relief.

He closed his eyes and was this close to falling asleep when he heard it.

The irritating sound of the end of a drink being sucked through a straw.

He looked over to see Death in his dark robes holding an empty glass.

“Have you tried these? They’re very good.”

“What…what are you doing here?”

“The deal. It’s New Year’s Day. I’m here for you.”

“But the day’s over. You missed it.”

“Um no, you watch is off. I still have an hour.”

“It is not.”

“I can ask Time himself. Trust me. It’s you.”

“But you’re not supposed to be able to find me.”

“Oh your little tricks? I saw all those. I thought it was rather funny watching you scurry around trying to avoid your fate. You’re more clever than most.”

“So I never had a chance?”

“No I’m afraid not.”

“So this is it?”

“Yes.”

“What if I try to run?”

“I suggest you don’t try.”

But the man didn’t listen and Death took him, kicking and screaming to the underworld.