A Heart of Gold

I still remember her. I remember when we first met in the coffee shop on Briar Lane. I remember proposing to her at that same coffee shop in January with snow gently falling outside and frost clinging to the window like we clung to each other. I remember our wedding, our passion, and how much I loved her.

The first thing Death told me was that I would forget. So how come I remember so well? Simple. I looked Death square in the face and I said no. I would not forget my true love. And, so, here I am now. Not quite dead or alive, but with a chance to get back to her.

She's the only thing I remember, to be fair to Death. Who can truly outwit Death himself anyway? I don't know my name, how I died, or how I came back. Although I have a few clues. I feel like the yellow rotting mass at my side must have something to do with it. It pulsates as though it has a heartbeat. I see others with this yellow disease ripping their flesh. People run screaming from those with the plague.

No one helps them. No one even tries.

The disease rots my skin and gives me life at the same time. It must be what brought me back. Others try to wipe it off. Hell, some have accidentally immolated themselves trying to burn it off. Not me, though. This pustulating new heart of mine, this golden heart, has brought me back. Back to her.

I will find her. My mouth rips open with delicious laughter while the world burns around me,

"I WILL FIND HER!"

My new heart is pleased as I run through the streets of a town I now see is called Briarwood.

Briarwood...

The coffee shop was on Briar Lane.

"That's right..." I hear a voice. "You're home my son."

I pause. I haven't a clue who's speaking and when it speaks the screams from the living are drowned out.

"Who was that?" That is all I can think to say.

The voice laughs. It's scratchy and raw.

Infected.

"Why I'm right next to you!" it says. "My name is Love. I am golden as the sun. I have brought you back to find Annie."

Annie! Her name is Annie...yes. I remember. I look down at Love. It wiggles and squelches. It's...comforting to me. It's enveloping me like a warm hug as it spreads.

"Let me take over..." It whispers. "Let me find Annie. Let her feel Love's warmth."

And of course I do. Annie needs to feel this glowing salvation. Everyone does. The Earth must be covered! Love merges into me until I am made entirely of golden rot. Love has made me so much stronger than before. Love has made me immortal. Love can make everyone immortal.

In the midst of my transcendence I see her running out of a burning house. That's our house. The house on Littlebank Drive. It's nice to see it ablaze. Its destruction is causing Annie to come to me, driving her towards Love. I reach out to grab her delicate hand...

"Let go, you bastard!" She screams in pain.

She's screaming? No. That cannot be right. Isn't she feeling the joy I am? I thought this was my purpose here?

"Annie..." I groan. "It's supposed...to help...I can't watch you...cry..."

Annie's eyes grow wide with fury.

"The hells! Why do you have his voice? Why do you have Denny's voice?"

Denny...that's my name.

I have a name. I have my own heart and this new one is hurting her. Love can hear my thoughts.

"Shut up sonny! We're bringing her to salvation..."

"Why is it hurting her?" I try to scream but Love either can't hear me or dismisses my insolence.

As Love grips Annie's neck she lets out a shriek more horrible than any sound I could imagine. It's the sound of a dying deer. It's coming from the lungs of Annie. My Annie.

My own heart springs forward with every force it has left in it.

"Annie! Annie! The golden rot is coming! It comes from underground-AAAA"

Love pierces me in the side with the sting of a thousand murder hornets.

"HOW DARE YOU." Love booms. "I MADE YOU. UNGRATEFUL!"

Annie's long brown hair is moved from her face by a sulfuric breeze. I make contact with her blue eyes. Those sparkling eyes are so full of life. Life.

"Dammit." I mutter and take a wild inhale. I know what follows won't be a fun time.

"NO." Love demands.

I do not listen. It is not Love, it lies.

Also, I don't have a good track record when it comes to obeying orders. So once again, I defy and I shout,

"Annie! It comes from below! It can't survive-grrrr..."

Love twists around me trying to keep my ripped mouth shut. Annie is sobbing. I think she knows it's me from the softness in her gaze. It doesn't really matter. I have to keep going.

"IT CAN"T SURVIVE AT HIGH ALTITUDES! The mountain, Annie!! The mountain we camped near on our anniversary! Take them there-"

Annie runs as my words stop. I hear her talking to women and children. She picks up a wounded tabby cat on her way.

"I'm setting up camp near Kinney's Park! By the mountains! Come with me NOW!! Rose! Get the children and HURRY!"

That's my girl, I think, proudly. I'm glad I got to see her one final time.

"Oh, Dennis...You were so promising." The yellow rot whispers as my vision blurs. "We lost her...you are UNGRATEFUL." It shrieks the final word like a banshee. "I am Love. With me, you are everything. I leave..."

I feel its grasp has loosened. I see Death again. He holds out his pale hand to me. I leap to grab it as the yellow muck finishes it's last thought,

"You have NOTHING."

I leap into Death's arms sobbing. He hugs me. I apologize for fighting him. For not wanting to forget. I didn't know the consequences were so great. As he lifts his hand to my temple to put me to sleep I feel only one thing: my heart. My real heart beating within me. For Annie.

Always for Annie.