Lifespan Deathwatch

[Damien McEwan]

They left the area before the police arrived and were making their way down the street to the train station for a ride back to the spaceport.

They walk hand in hand, but in the past few minutes, Nivek has grown distant.

She realizes now that they aren't holding hands at all anymore. She's the only one doing the holding.

When she told him she loves him and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, he flinched, and broke her heart.

------





A year ago today was a good day.

She was eating breakfast on the couch in her apartment, and someone from the shop downstairs pounded on the ceiling to get her attention. She smiled, stomped on the floor in response and went into the corridor.

She knocked on her neighbors door across the hall but no one was home.

She went to the door of her other friend by the stairway and knocked, but no one was there either.

'Oh well' she thought, and slid down the stair rail in the best of moods and went outside.

She skipped down the sidewalk like a schoolgirl and stopped next door at a place named 'Psychopomps.'

The shop was closed, but the manager was there waiting for her and let her in.

Her friends from upstairs were there waiting for her as well, and she hopped up on the counter, grinning ear to ear, waiting to hear the words she knew were coming.

The manager took his place beside the other two women and breathed a heavy sigh.

"I know you busted your ass for the past six months, and I'm very proud of you," he began, "but I'm really sorry to have to tell you..."

Jaina completely deflated.

He pulled out a key to the store and smiled at her.

"...that you're hired."

Jaina squealed, completely elated.

------

After a few minutes of celebrating, The manager, Joaquin, said: "I have another surprise for you."

"What?" she asked.

We're all taking a road trip to Manhattan.

Her jaw dropped. She's never traveled off-world before, but has always dreamed of it.

"OHMYGOD!! WHEN??"

"We have to go." He said. "Right now."

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