he mounted its back, guiding it to the border of trees. The roan grunted, braying as it nosed the brambles. Peekin

with an upturned cap, but once I blinked, he was gone. Corpseboy gazed about with reserved interest, watching as shadows crept by. Monst

ns closed, huddling at the center of the carriage. The lamps flickered as the growls grew l

steaks back in the day for the hell of it. They've grown a bit bigger over the centuries, but they're still the spa

ome one of those th

of this glorious night. I'll thro

ilent for what seemed l

want to be eaten, d

ious

- you can resume bothe

ming,” I obs

“Say, come join me out her

climb on top of the carria

earse- follow that. Anyways, you don't se

saw trees as thick around as an elephant with roots that made small mountains across the ground. The canopies were draped with fruits that glittered in the moonlight, scenting the air sweetly, and the leaves, when illuminated, revealed the brilliant colors of autumn. I

'd been here before, in a dream. Like this was the place I'd searched for so lo

another knee up. He tucked his arms under his head and gazed upon the thin stretch of st

most tempted to fall asleep. Of all places that e

my head for my thoughts. “Really? It's the last place for me, r

on't we all? What we can't understand is a threat.

kay? Frankly, I'm sick of it. You might be Death,

a fleck of gold. Most people are specks of dust: they'r

g me. “Well, I'm glad you thin

g like the fires of Hell. Despite a body that could rival Michaelangelo's David, he was deadly. As he o

mouth dropped open. He stared at me, perplexed, until he realized I was looking at his mouth. He be

mediately. “I was un

“You should always be terrified of me

Death himself

er unconscious. You were

on the numerous trees. “I don't know whether to be

s that go berserk when cornered; they're aggressive as Hell and fight to the death. And of course t

ell maybe I'd be more pleasant

't I? I seem to affect humans that way. They

I groaned, burying

t of people. If they're going to quiver in terror up

n' is about as enjoyabl

e definitel

, wishing with all my hea

s. Sam landed on all fours like a cat, took the horse's lead and flung it over a branch. The rope looped into a knot as he stroked

ed, leaping from the carriage. “So, we came all this

a natural archway over stones set into the ground to form a path. At the path's end was something completely unexpected: an abandoned basketball court, a carbon copy of the one in the wo

od at its center, covered by black silk. Two stumps stood at each end with tasseled golden pillows, serving as chairs. A tarnis

as there. No one but specters that seemed to dance round the table, faint stains against the can

wing and curtsying deeply as Corpseboy turned to face them. He looked at me with exasperation, released my hand and bowed slightly to the ghostly crowd. They burst into excited whispers, voices like wind through dead

their rags turning into clothes. I was confronted by a whole retinue of noble-looking men and women dressed in elegant gowns and old-fashioned suits, eying m

d,” I whispe

red the peasants up back in the day. But, if all they do is scare you, I suppose I'll let them rest.” He clapped in applause. “Thank you, ladies and

they froze, disintegrating into dust blown away by a sudden wind. Corpseboy sighed, looking at me with measured disgust. “There, happy now

? You brought them

me. I gave their their corpses life- they're simply puppets, illusions. Memories of what once was. The bo

I said, horrified. “

see happy people dancing the night away. It seems, however, that you ar

heard the word long ago

to provide you with a bit of entertainment. I had no intention of frightening you. As for whether or not it'

If I wanted to survive in this nightmarish place, I was stuck with him, whethe

lished. Something to soothe the soul and provide respite from an exha

m I supposed to enjoy tea in the middl

easily overpowered me, marching happily onwards and plunking me down on a pillowed stump. I crossed my arms and glared at him. He i

I took it tentatively, the metal warm, and brought it to my lips. The tea tasted exquisite, like the kind they must serve

softly, fangs sinking into the bread. “See? It insta

ed here, but I wouldn't be agreeable. Not

rather expire than drink it,” he observ

n?” I asked, fei

of his mouth turned up in amusement. “Would you prefer w

ou had to dr

. Dragging you woul

He insisted on pouring more, watching as I

warm, if anyth

tly toasty,” I said, beginning

He sipped the tea, sighed contentedly. I noticed the flames rose and fell with his exhalations. Curiosity piqued, I reached for my cup's handle, making the motio

and shatter every bone in your carcass.” The flames hissed violently as he grabbed the table, shaking it as he attempted to calm down. I babbled apologies. But my voice was drowned out by the shrieking fir