It was the night of all souls. A night that meant nothing but trouble for death. Like visiting hours at a hospital or prison everyone was there to demand to see their loved ones still walking in the mortal plain. It was the worst night to see a name on his list, second only to Christmas.
But there it was:
                Margaret Smith. 602 Ivy Ln.

    With a deep sigh he stood upon her doorstep. A tiny monster pushed past him, the parent giving him a rough look from the sidewalk, a look that said he was too old for Trick-or-treating.
    "Don't I know it." He muttered, thinking of the two million years he had been walking between the worlds. That was the other side of the night that was so hard. It was the only night he was fully visible to both the living and the dead. Not a feeling, a shadow, or a glimpse from the corner of your eye. No. On this night he appeared no different from anyone else. Just a tall figure in a hooded cloak, shrouded in a darkness.

    Ignoring the steely glare he let the child pass and ring the door bell, he couldn't act with a child there. It was too much. Children deserved all the innocence he could manage to spare. Especially this child. She would know him soon enough. He sighed as Margaret cheerfully complimented the child's costume and dropped the treats in her bag.

    "Well, hello there. We don't get many your age around here." She smiled waving for Death to come closer. "Seems you forgot your bag, dear. Here, I keep these for the ones who haven't forgotten the holiday spirit!" She stepped out of sight but returned seconds later with a giant bar of chocolate. "This should be a good start to your evening. Now go out there and have some fun. There's still time."
    He started to speak, to touch her hand, but the words caught in his throat and he found he could not bring himself to brush her fingers when he accepted her kind gift.

    Defeated he walked back down the sidewalk and stood in the shadows. Why did such a beautiful soul have to be on his list? So often there were souls who only needed to view him, needed a reminder he was there waiting. Wicked souls who did not deserve the second chance they were granted. But then there were souls like this, like Margaret Smith, who the world still needed. He stood just beyond the shadows as the hours passed and the stream of excited children slowed away.

    "You still here?" The sudden voice startled him.

    Margaret stood on the steps waving him near. "I was expecting you, I just needed to finish what I was doing. I made a promise, you know, so thank you for letting me keep it. Come in, we'll be more comfortable."

    Stunned, he followed her into a warm living room. Pictures of her husband and son hung about the walls, each careful preserved. Two neatly folded flags sat upon the mantle of the pristine fireplace.
    "I recognized you as soon as you came to my door, dear, I've met you twice before if you remember. It's been many years, but I've been waiting." She chatted as she tidied up the room, closing the curtains and turning off lights. "I'm sure you don't remember, you see so many people, but 23 years ago my husband passed away, how I miss him. You were there that day, in his room. I never will forget. And when my son came home, that's his flag there." She pointed to the flag on the right side of the mantle, "I knew it was you who guided him along. I just asked you to never let me know if he was in pain or not. Any how, may I ask that we do this quickly. I really have no other family and I have missed them so much. I only wish you hadn't taken so long." She settled carefully in her arm chair, opening a photo album across her lap. "Again, sir, thank you for letting me keep my promise to the children. Their smiles are about all I've had these many years. I'm ready. May we go?"
    Death reached carefully out to take her fragile hand. "Do you need anything before we leave?"
    "No, Dear, just promise me you're not gonna get upset. Eight years is a long time to wait for. Oh, and if you can control it, I'd like them to find me soon, if you can. I have a neighbor who checks in on me. Do you think you could put the idea in early? I wouldn't want to upset them too much, so if someone could come before they find me?"
      "We can do that, Margaret, I'll give you enough time to call someone." He nodded, looking back at his list, thumbing through the pages absently as she spoke to someone on the other end of the phone.
        As he looked down, a name started to fade from the page. It was the girl from earlier that evening. It seemed her time was not so near after all. Margaret, in her last breath, had once again shown kindness.
      "I believe I've done all I can now, dear. Shall we go?" She reached out her hand.
      "It is my greatest honor to escort you." Death lifted her gently from the chair, just as the sirens of an ambulance pulled to a stop at the curb.
      "You know I decided to register as a donor?" She asked as the room faded away. "I hope it helps someone."
      "More than you know," he said as they stepped through the door. "More than you know."