He’s right. Of course he’s right. This is all I ever wanted. This was the whole point of it all, so my father could be free, and so that I could escape. And now Rasmus is giving me the opportunity to do so, right here and now.
So why do I feel guilty? Why do I feel like I’m leaving Death when he needs me? And when did I start caring about his feelings like that?
“Hanna, please,” Rasmus says. “You have a choice. Make the right one. Make the smart one.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Okay,” I whisper. “Yes, of course I’m going. You promise you’re taking me to see my father?”
“I am,” he says, motioning for the unicorn to come closer. “We just have to get out of Tuonela first. He’s just on the other side of that waterfall, waiting for you.”
Rasmus holds out his hand for me.
I put my hand in his.
He helps me through the window, onto the gargoyle, and then we’re slipping down until we’re on the unicorn’s back.
I grab the mane for dear life, and Rasmus holds me from behind.
The unicorn flaps its wings and we take off like a rocket through the fog.
Leaving Death and Shadow’s End behind.
But they aren’t the only things that are being left in the mist.
A part of me is left behind too.
* * *
Not the end…only the beginning.
Playlist
Link to Spotify—click here
(or search for River of Shadows)
* * *
“Immigrant Song” – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Karen O
“Dead Skin Mask” – Slayer
“Sin” – Nine Inch Nails
“The Beginning of the End” - (+++) Crosses
“Gatekeeper” - Torii Wolf
“Castle” - Halsey
“You’ve Seen the Butcher” - Deftones
“Meet Your Master” – Nine Inch Nails
“Welcome to My World” – Depeche Mode
“Doing it to Death” - The Kills
“Blk Stallion” – (+++) Crosses
“Goddess” – Banks
“I am not a woman, I’m a god” – Halsey
“Various Methods of Escape” – Nine Inch Nails
“Last Cup of Sorrow” – Faith No More
“Death’s Head Tattoo” - Mark Lanegan Band
“This Link is Dead” – Deftones
“Master of Puppets” – Metallica
“Bone House” – The Dead Weather
“Should Be Higher” – Depeche Mode
“Welcome Oblivion” - How to Destroy Angels
“Die by the Drop” – The Dead Weather
“Born to Die” – Lana Del Rey
“Death Bell” - (+++) Crosses
“King for a Day” – Faith No More
“Nocturne” - Mark Lanegan Band
“Gods & Monsters” – Lana Del Rey
“Phantom Bride” - Deftones
“Surprise, You’re Dead!” - Faith No More
“Lantern Room” - Torii Wolf
“The Epilogue” - (+++) Crosses
“This Place is Death” - Deftones