submitted 6 months ago * by SwiftsShortStories

Here is the first one I’ve done after wanting to get back into writing for a while now, constructive criticism only please. This is only the first part for me, might try to make a full little book for fun. Not entirely on topic, I kind of went my own way a little bit. Thanks guys! Hope this is posted correctly, read the rules if i'm incorrect in any of this please say so and it will not happen in the future.

I may end up needing to go for treatment after all. True enough, here in the Protectorate it would be more expensive, but with a reduced chance of unwanted side-effects such as: my symptoms becoming worse, maybe dying… let’s wait on treatment for now. The scene before me flickers once again and the feeling of lightheadedness that follows brings my focus back to the task at hand, no more distractions… The broker I stalked currently was in possession of the most crucial key to the journey I am on, according to some of the urchin scouts in my employee. This is big, 5 different link-worlds and going on 19 years of actively searching and I could be a huge step to finding my answers. Locking onto his limped gait and sinister aura I continued down the increasingly empty street. The call for curfew goes off then, workers and shop-goers alike scurry to get home where the will wait for the next day, like every other day to do what they’ve done every day before. How do they not realize the fiction they have been steeped in… my journey may be personal but I like to think I don’t walk my path alone.

        “3..55..No. 34..9”

There it is again, that whisper without a voice. I think how it must be my boost implants, the old cochlear models have been known to pick up static transmissions… maybe another de-frag would help. “Shit” I mutter, where is he? Wait, where are the rest of the people? Stop, look, wait, listen… the breeze rustling fabric on the carbon fiber patched red surface of the now closed market. “You must be desperate for this Eva” he wheezed, “or else you would’ve sent one of your little urchin friends” he takes a casual drag on his Z-5 processor, his eyes seem to come alive now. I look him in the face and say “Divinitech”, he is already reaching for his Z-5 shakily, I stare until he puts it down to face me. Blank in the face and monotone of voice he turns “31.5552North, 110.3499West” I stare blankly for a moment until I realize, “Zed, what is this? I know there’s more that you aren’t telling me, what is it!? Zed in all things casual turns to leave with a wink, but no I will get my answers, I reach forward to stop him but my vision decides to flicker and wave tumultuously just long enough for that ancient addict to escape. I may never have seen old Earth outside of some classroom ‘jectors and romanticized artworks but for me it was simple enough to determine the message. If I want to continue my journey then I will have to use these coordinates and follow to whoever or whatever is waiting for me.

Original Post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/6yzr6x/wp_the_human_lifespan_is_actually_only_one_day/?st=JFIPJJK7&sh=f1f3198a