An Unfinished Death

When the coffin lid shut upon a corpse, it marked the slamming of the door between the worlds of dead and living. That portal opened only in one direction, and none might learn what lay beyond until their own last day and hour. But there were always those of inquiring mind who, undeterred by ancient taboo, craved to uncover these secrets. In northern Italy the tale was told of an old peasant couple, dwelling in a remote hill village, who made a pact to help each other penetrate the mystery. Sitting one night by the fire, talking of life and death, they swore a solemn vow: Whoever went first to the land of mists should return to tell the other what waited beyond the grave.

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