Until Death Don't Do Us Apart

Maybe he’d kiss me.

Well, I wasn’t sure about it.

Maybe he hated me?

I would agree.

I basically had no sense of charisma.

Maybe it was just a prank?

That could explain why my friend pushed me to do it.

And the reason why it was all set in a cinema.

But it was something.

After work.

Where no one basically talked to me.

Or even looked.

It felt special.

Just chatting about our crazy lives.

Me as a newspaper writer.

And him as the theatre owner.

Well, that was how the days went on.

We would meet right at that cinema.

His hand rose in a wave.

And I didn’t even feel a shiver down my spine.

Cause maybe I was destined for a mystical love.

A shadow and a girl.

That could explain why every blind date had gone wrong.

But fate had finally decided to sympathize with me.

Especially after that car crash.

Maybe she couldn’t bear to watch me suffer any longer. 

Well, I prayed she would.

Even though I could not feel it.

We still pretended to hug each other.

Or rustle each other’s hair.

But he had an iconic phrase.

“You’re late.”

Somehow.

He simply knew the minutes.

“Counted every single second.”

I admit.

It felt weird.

Running to a theatre.

And meeting someone.

You can never see the face of.

But he never forgot to give me a movie ticket.

And that for free.

And yes! It did come with complementary snacks.

But he frowned a lot.

His hair is in a mess.

Head down.

It was all I could see.

And every time I asked.

“I just wish you knew.”

But I just wanted to know.

How longer was this going to be?

Would he confess?

Maybe?

Did he want me to confess first?

Just to say those three words.

I rehearsed them in my head.

Over and over again.

But somehow.

I could never say it.

Neither could he.

Could this love ever be true?

I took the risk.

And made the walk.

Covering myself in a disguise.

Was he cheating?

But he was basically nowhere to be found.

But then the music started.

He spotted me.

Yikes!

I turned.

But there was nothing more than a figure.

Its body seemed to be made out of metal.

Almost.

Its face was covered with a smooth mask.

The eyes glowed in the darkness.

It held out its hand.

“Are you ready to dance?”

I just folded my arms.

And looked around.

“Conner! Stop hiding!”

But that figure just blinked.

“What do you mean I’m hiding?”

Wait a second.

Only one person would dare say that to me.

The head tilted.

“This is my true form…”

I bet this is a prank.

“And believe me, this is not a prank.”

I took a step back.

“Then why do you look like that?”

He looked down at his metallic hands.

“Because this is what I really am.”

I laughed nervously.

“Very funny, Conner.”

He didn't laugh.

Instead, he held out his hand again.

“Dance with me.”

I stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because you came here for me.”

I glanced at the doors.

They were closed.

“Where's the exit?”

“Why?”

“I just need to use the restroom really quickly.”

I tried the handle.

Locked.

I turned around.

The music started again.

“I know what you were thinking, I’m afraid.”

He extended his hand again.

“You came here for answers.”

“I came here for Conner.”

“And you found him.”

I just took a very long stare.

Scanning from top to bottom.

Was this actually true?

Was he just a robot all this time?

I walked closer.

He didn't move.

“What are you?”

His head tilted once more.

“You already know.”

“No, I don't.”

“You do.”

I frowned.

“Remember what?”

He didn't answer.

Instead, he stepped closer.

And the music started again.

He held out his hand.

“One dance.”

I stared at it.

“One?”

“One.”

I sighed.

“Fine.”

I placed my hand in his.

And it went once again.

He didn’t stop.

Round and round we went.

The theatre blurred around me.

“Conner!”

He didn't answer.

“Conner, stop!”

Nothing.

He just kept dancing.

Faster.

And faster.

I tried pulling my hand away.

It wouldn't move.

My feet kept following his.

Step.

Turn.

Step.

Turn.

I had no idea how long we had been dancing.

Minutes?

Hours?

Maybe longer.

My head started spinning.

“Please!”

He finally stopped.

And leaned closer.

The glowing eyes stared straight into mine.

And he smiled.

“This is what you get for doubting me, love.”

I just nodded.

Strange.

Maybe it was just how he was.

I headed to the doors.

But the handle didn't budge.

"Conner, can you unlock the doors please?"

He didn't move.

“Conner?”

Nothing.

I looked back at him.

He was gone.

What?!

I bashed the doors.

Endlessly.

It was pitch black.

And only my phone had less than 10 percent of charge.

Why did I even come here?

For a blind date?

With a man I couldn't even see?

Who apparently turned into a robot?

I pressed my back against the doors.

This was stupid.

Completely stupid.

I should have stayed home.

But then.

Another figure stood near the big screen.

His hand held out.

No! Not again!

Just let me go!

PLEASE!

I banged on the doors.

This robot is going to kill me!

HELP ME! SOMEONE PLEASE...

His lips softened into a smile.

Then something changed.

The figure flickered.

For a second, I saw Conner.

Not the robot.

Not the glowing eyes.

Just him.

Being human.

In his hands.

A knife glinted.

And it raised.

Was he really going to kill me?

After all this time...

I froze.

The knife didn't move towards me.

But him.

My eyes widened.

“Conner?”

He looked at me.

And took a deep breath.

The next thing I knew...

He was gone.

A slit on the throat.

"You're late again."

A voice came from behind.

And I crashed into his arms.

“You fool!”

He laughed softly.

“Don't worry, Evelyn...”

He held me tighter.

“You'll always be my Eve.”

He sighed.

“Until death don't do us apart.”