Checkmate

As I walked towards and through the light, I saw the inviting looking grim reaper. Instead of feeling afraid, I felt safe. The grim reaper offered the seat in front of him, and so, I went closer, as I did, I saw a chess board on the table. I was confused as to why there would be an already set board waiting for me. After a couple seconds of silence, he made a move, and so, the game of intense thinking and internal screaming began and lasted 30 minutes. I saw the opportunity and took it, " Checkmate!" I yelled with a smirk imprinted on my face. After this whole time of being silent, he finally said a word, "Finally." The smirk slowly wiped off my face and I questioned " Finally?" He removed his robe and handed me his scythe. "Finally, it has been 400 years since I defeated the last reaper, it's your turn now kiddo." He said, however, there's still a big question mark in my mind. "Don't worry, you'll have fun accompanying them, especially the little ones with their cheerful smiles." He uttered, just like that, I'm now the new reaper, I wore the robe and held the scythe. The other reaper just walked away into thin air. Before all of this, my health was rapidly deteriorating. I was practically living in a hospital bed. A couple months ago I was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor located on my spine. After I got diagnosed, I refused treatment, and I walked out and planned to hang out with my closest circles. I wasn't always close to my family, I've always been the unseen member. So I found comfort and love with my friends. They've been with me since the day that I opened up to them about my struggles. However, they didn't know about my diagnosis. I did not tell them because I was in denial of it. The lack of information about my diagnosis made my last couple months with them more enjoyable as there were no pity looks. My enemies remained my enemies, my friends got closer to me, and my family still probably considers me an acquaintance. One day when we were hanging out, I collapsed and needed an emergency surgery due to a clot. Everything was going great. I was recovering in the ICU we were laughing and all. Then came the time when my friends asked why I threw a clot and if there's something I haven't told them, so I told them of what was happening. I told them I was diagnosed a couple months back with an inoperable tumor and that I resisted the treatment. They were mad at first, but they understood. They understood that I didn't want to suffer. And for my final days, they stood by my side. They're not just my friends, they're my family. We may not be related by blood, but we're related by heart. The day came, I threw another clot, and that was done for me. When my friends were out, I signed a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Form. Now, I'm here, I'm the new reaper as they say. Here to accompany souls in their journey to the bright light. At least even in the afterlife, I could help out, be happy, and hear the stories of those I accompany. I'm curious to see what's on the other side of the bright light though. One day, when I find someone worthy enough to be my replacement here, before the reaper before me disappeared into thin air, he said "You'll know when the person is worthy, and so, maybe then you could challenge them to a game of chess before they could be the next. I'll see you soon, hopefully it wouldn't take you 400 years or more." As I stood there in the robe, holding the scythe. I realized, I could do a lot more now. However all I want to do is to listen to the stories the people I'll accompany will tell. Especially the little ones, like the previous reaper said. I think I'm ready for this. I just know I am, I hope I am. Well, I have a lot of work to do. The previous reaper told me to arrange my waiting space now. So I did, I kept the chess board for when I feel I've found the worthy one, or when I'm ready to pass on to the other side of the light. As I sat on the chair, I thought, wouldn't this be a lot like being their best friend in the afterlife? Keeping their secrets and hearing their stories. I wouldn't be able to tell anyone since I'd probably be alone for most of the time. I'm Atticus, and this is my journey as the new reaper.