The Ghost of Gilbert Beilschimdt

Time After Death: 46 min

Location: Home

Companion: Death

"They say a person dies three times. The First, is when the body dies."

A young looking man passed through the hallway of his home. He was making his way to the living room. The small television sitting in the corner had been off and the fireplace had flames crackling, popping lively. Flames gossiping with each other as to why the blonde haired man whose company they had been in, abandoned the book he had been devoured by earlier.

A gray haired cat curled in a corner ears flicking at the slight sound the silver haired man's footsteps made. The cat lifted its head when the blonde came into the room, walking briskly past the other. The blonde's fingers stumbled along the keys of a handset home phone, dialing a number and trying to keep a type of composure.

"Elizaveta?" The man's voice was cracked but still able to make syllables.

"What's wrong Ludwig?" The woman on the other line asked.

"Gi-Gil-Bert…is…" Ludwig choked on the last word, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"What! Are you sure?"

"Yes…he's cold…and paler than ever before."

"I see. The doctors did say the time was coming. Do you want me to call Antonio and Francis? And Feliciano and Lovino?" Elizaveta asked through her own tears.

"Yes…thank you, goodnight." Ludwig abruptly hung up and put his head in his hands to hide his tears, but from who, he did not know.

The silver haired man approached his younger brother.

"Why are you so sad Lud? I'm right here!"

Ludwig never acknowledged his brother speaking to him.

Thinking his brother was playing some master trick on him, Gilbert ran to his bedroom to get his iron cross and hit Ludwig with it until he paid attention to him.

Gilbert froze in his door way. In the bed was a man that looked exactly like him. Walking to the body in the bed he noticed his iron cross lying on the body's collarbone.

In that moment Gilbert realized it was him laying in that bed and standing up. He realized why his brother was upset and could think only two things but could only say one:

"I'm a hell of a lot sexier than I thought I was!" in rapid succession thought; "I am dead."

In the moment he confirmed it with himself a tall dark and hooded figure carrying a staff appeared next to Gilbert.

"Come Gilbert, it is time to depart." The Figure said as it lifted it's cloak to make room for Gilbert.

"Who are you?"

"I am Death"

Gilbert paused, does he really have to go?

"Sir, do I have to leave?"

"No. But I advise you do."

"Why?"

"I come only once to help, and there is a price to be paid."

"What is the price?"

"I cannot tell you, simply be prepared"

"Then what happens if I go with you?"

"I cannot tell you, simply be prepared"

Gilbert stopped asking, and began to move forward. Until he heard his brother sob. Never had he heard Ludwig sob like that. He could not leave his family.

"I cannot go with you, I am sorry."

"It is fine, simply be prepared for the price you pay." And with that, Death was gone