*Author’s Note: This post will serve a dual purpose. One, to satisfy the word prompt for today’s Write28Days Challenge (Glory). Second, to participate in WEP’s February’s Story Challenge (theme: 28 Days).
Requisition
Glory fingered a loose strand of black hair as her green eyes stared outwards. A warm breeze caressed her petite body as she sat on the wooden steps of the white porch. The air carried a mild scent of sweet honeysuckle which she slowly breathed in.
“Enjoying your final day?” Came a husky voice from behind.
She turned partially towards her housemate, an aging, thin man, sitting in the rocker, and nodded, “Yes.”
He leaned back as he took in the mountainous view spread before them.
“It’s a shame you couldn’t be granted another twenty-eight days here,” he said as his colorless eyes scanned the horizon’s deep purple and pink hues, “it makes no sense at all as to why they couldn’t allow you to remain here indefinitely.”
“You know that’s not how it works,” she muttered as her arms wrapped around her knees.
“Yes, but it is unfair, not to mention unjust,” the man tapped a finger on the chair’s armrest.
With a shrug, she replied, “I’m just grateful to have had this one last wish before it’s all over with. I mean, goodness, I had the chance to see all of my friends and family, to say my good-byes…even if none of it was real…it was nice. Really nice.”
The man scowled as he nodded, “Yes…yes.”
“I know you try to understand, Jessup, and I appreciate it very much,” Glory said as she glanced down the expansive meadow where she could see the shadowy forms of buildings that made up her childhood town, “but you don’t have to stay any longer.”
Jessup let out a long exhale, “Yes, but it doesn’t feel right to leave you to -eh- to face your end.”
She smiled, “You are too thoughtful, but I will be okay.”
His eyes swept over her before he bowed his head, “As you wish,” and within seconds, his body dissipated into a thin cloud of mist.
Glory studied the empty chair for a moment before returning her attention to the sky. The streaks of purple and pink were quickly transitioning to layers of dark blue and black. The usual nightly orbs obscured by a looming menace in the heavens where billowing sinister clouds barely concealed an enormous fiery mass barreling towards her.
A shiver ran through her body as she closed her eyes.
Will I feel any pain? She wondered as waves of heated air brushed over her.
The earth beneath her rumbled as the roar grew louder and louder until her body shuddered right off the porch, and on the rolling ground.
Crackling and sizzling filled her ears as she opened one eye to see where the fire was when she realized the sounds were coming from her skin.
Just as the burning grew unbearable, everything went dark.
*****
Bleep bleep bleeeeeeeep.
The blipping line on the monitor instantly became a steady line.
A tall man in a white jacket stood staring at the screen for several moments, the bushy brows burrowing which revealed the deep lines around his brown eyes.
“Dr. Cruz?” came a woman’s voice from the nearby console.
“I will never get used to this,” he said, “extinguishing lives all for what? Profit? So that our government can repay its debts?”
“No, it’s mankind’s next step in its evolutionary process. It has also helped science learn much about the human’s consciousness,” the same woman replied.
He bowed his head for a long moment, eyes closed as he pondered on her words. Then, he shook it.
“Those are just the Company’s taglines. We are nothing more than an assembling line for repurposing human bodies for those who can afford them. For the few who want to extend their own selfish, futile lives.”
“Dr. Cruz,” the woman’s tone now stern, “I wish to remind you that everything said and done here are being carefully monitored.”
He clenched his jaw, “Time of conscious death, 23:02,” his fingers tapped hard on the blue-lighted tablet’s screen.
To his left, the woman in a white jacket turned to focus her attention on the various displays of electronic devices in front of her.
“Closing the file for collateral number 230645 aka Gloria Swann,” she said as she pressed on the glowing screen, “body already prepped and ready for shipment to recipient number 02A02,”
This was a dark tale indeed. You created such wonderful imagery with your words that I felt like I was sitting there beside Glory. I also felt the doctor’s frustration. It is horrifying to think of the wealthy being able to extend their lives at the cost of others, but with the greed we already see in the real world, a future like this doesn’t feel as impossible as I wish it did. Excellent story!
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Thank you 🙂
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Wow – so well done! A glimpse into a future that is entirely plausible.
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Thank you, Jemi 🙂
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An image-rich surprising take on the theme that excellently fits both themes. Weaving a tale where life and death can be sold to the rich, in essence almost making life valueless without death to make time precious. Well done, Carrie.
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Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
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Oh, my! A glimpse into what could be. The scenes are clearly described and allude to issues that are beginning in science/medicine.
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It’s getting scary out there!
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Hm. It’s one of my few fears, being burnt to death, and for some reason I was thinking of it this morning while driving. What would it feel like? Well done for handling it in a sincere but horrid way!
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Thank you, Jemima 🙂 Yes, burning alive is one of my fears as well.
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Poor, poor Gloria. The idea of old rich people re-purposing the others’ young bodies, while destroying their personalities, is horrible. Unfortunately, it seems all to possible in our world. Maybe not yet, but some time in the future. A terrifying thought.
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Terrifying indeed! Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
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You’d think for an arranged death, they could make it more pleasant, right? Love the idea. Nice writing. Dixie Jo Jarchow
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I know, right? Not in this world, unfortunately. Thank you so much for reading 🙂
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I’m not a fiction writer so I admire people who can come up with stories!
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Thank you, Lisa. I’m so glad you stopped by! 🙂
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Hello Carrie Anne. Your story is quite shocking but within the realms of possibility, sadly. What a horrible thought that human evolution would go so far. And I agree. If she’s giving her life, or having it taken away, it shouldn’t be so painful. Poor Glory. I liked the old man keeping her company.
Thanks for your thought-provoking entry for the WEP, Carrie Anne. Always great to have you writing for us.
Denise
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Thank you, Denise 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Intriguing. Brings to mind the questions of science and technology: just because something can be done, doesn’t mean it should be done. But, money talks . . .
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Yes, I agree! It’s just that what I’ve been reading lately it made me wonder if this was where we’re heading to eventually. Such a terrifying thought!
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This was powerful and horrifying, more so because it seems so feasible. Medical science has made so much progress that a whole slew of questions of medical ethics need addressing. An excellent, thought provoking take on the prompt. Well done.
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Another thought to think on…how do we know it’s not happening now? Not on a large scale, but somewhere in the world and in a way people won’t noticed. Yikes!
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Gripping tale! Sad but true that rich people call the shots. This takes it to a much higher level.
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Yes, that it does. Thank you, Debbie for visiting and reading my story 🙂
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It’s a creative look on punishment. I didn’t know about the repurposing human bodies until the end, but the story stands on its own without it. It’s a mercy story — giving the death row inmates some peace and closure before they die. It’s inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you 🙂
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This story automatically made me think of the sci-fi movie Time and Netflix show Altered Carbon. Each deals with either the concept of predetermined life span for the poor or repurposing human bodies. Neither of these had explored the idea of how people deal with and experience their death. Wonderful story. Has my mind all a buzz.
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Thank you, Toi 🙂 🙂 I haven’t seen any of those you’ve mentioned. I’ll have to check them both out! 🙂
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Wonderfully dystopian tale. Without the application of ethics, there are those who would gladly utilize the bodies of those they deemed lesser for unscrupulous ends.
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I know, and that is so scary!
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Hi Carrie Ann – really terrifying thought – and having read Toi’s comment above … no wonder I steer clear of watching ‘horrible’ possibilities. Very well written though … but I hope I can have a peaceful natural death! Definitely I too will be thinking on this – congratulations on your take – Hilary
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Thank you, Hilary 🙂 I believe we all want a pleasant death, but I for one am in no rush! 😉
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Definitely not me either … though the years are drawing in – just hope I’m long lived like both sides of my family ..!!
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Fascinating story! I felt sorry for Glory, and wondered whether she was forced into that situation or if there was a reason she decided to go through with it. The idea of the rich buying other people’s bodies is really creepy, but with the amazing technological advancements we are seeing lately, it doesn’t seem entirely out of the realm of possibility.
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A well written tale, great descriptions, hopefully this won’t happen……..
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Thank you, Sally 🙂 Me too! I’m keeping all my digits crossed!
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It is said that one should never write from the point of view of a dead person. I’ve read, and watched movies, where the author bucked that opinion away. How scary, to sit and know you’re about to be swallowed by darkness. I presume is hell. Then to see why she had to die. Well done.
Nancy
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I love the idea of re purposing, not the destroying in order to do so part. Thanks, Carrie.
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Thanks so much for reading my story! 🙂
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I loved the imagery. Could almost imagine Glory sitting there.
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Thank you, Bernadette 🙂 🙂
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Terrifyingly possible. [Would say more but my hand is cramping.]
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Really strong imagery!
Scary thought that this could already be a reality that’s kept secret from civilians.
The rich have their ways and means… and they say that money talks… 🙂
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