The Myth of Thanatos

Disclaimer: The following story contains themes that might not be suitable for young readers. 

As he reached the rooftop, he locked the entrance as a reflex action. The rooftop was the most commonplace it could be. Heaps of dust, faded red painted bricks, and rusty metal bars. The world below seemed to continue like it always does. The wind was phenomenally comforting today, as if inviting one to join arms with it. He stared down the road four stories below and observed the everyday traffic jam. Drivers honk at each other, a few just parked their cars wherever they could and congregated to catch a smoke, some complaining as if that would change a thing or two. This happens everyday and yet they never learn. 

While he was on the edge keenly looking down on those beneath him, he was startled by the sound of metal bars dropping. His face lost its vigor as he saw a woman clad in white standing at the tip of a beam. 

"Don't!", he screamed instinctively. 

She gazed towards him. She had this profound sadness, the one that indicates one is beyond saving. 

"Why not?", she questioned gently. 

"Because there's so much to live for", he replied 

She squealed at his idiosyncratic reply. 

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine laughing moments before my demise. Well, looking back all of life felt like the dew hanging by leaf threads."

"If there's no reason for you to live, I will help you find one!" 

Astonished by his boldness, she got off the bar, and asked for his number while sliding him her phone. "Boy, you are going to carry that weight." 

And soon he did. Every time she was about to jump, he'd come running across to save her. It was as if he was always at her beck and call. Sometimes he'd make the usual jests, sometimes he'd take her to places people called fun, sometimes he'd drive her to long windy roads, and sometimes he'd just treat her to a meal. 

Until one day. This day was different as the golden Sun was setting to a pitch black sky. 

"What do you have for today?"

But he had no reply. She wiped off the dust on the bridge she was sitting at and asked him to join her. Both sat watching the scarlet light being overwhelmed by the darkness. 

"Do you know me now?" 

"Thanatos, the angel of death" 

"Any last words?" 

"I am glad I won't be saying I wish I'd done this and that because thanks to you I did everything I ever wanted to."

She smiled and held his hand as both of them jumped across the bridge plunging into the freezing water never to be found again.