Play Me Again

"Check", Death said
Liquid fear trickled down as the boy played his final move.
Pale skin moved Ivory to defeat.
Bone moved Ebony to victory.

"Play me again", said the boy.
"You can't win; I am Death"
"Play me again"

Resurrected armies lined the battlefield, wooden figures laced with hope.
Battle raged without blood.
Cries rang without resonance
"Check", Death said.
Liquid sorrow trickled down as the boy played his final move.
Satan smiled as he rested his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Check Mate", said the boy. "I've won".
"You can't win; I am Death", Death said.
Again Satan smiled: "Your victory changes nothing"
"You've cheated me", cried the boy.
"I have not", Death said. "He has."

Liquid despair trickled down and touched his friend's cold hand.
Alone, by the hospital bed, the boy weeped.
And in the shadows, Satan smiled.
"Play me again", whispered the boy.

Lars-Erik Hobber, AKA Caitiff, Lord of Nevermore