Another dead, is it my turn yet? Driving down the silent highway, those words escape my lips. How can a machine be so efficient but still need someone outside to clean up the bodies? 242Please respect copyright.PENANAiYCmdURXvH
I watch the quiet concrete jungle around me pass by and wonder how it came to this. I’ve long forgotten why but I don’t care. As long as I can escape. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAZOhewNdd2H
Hours pass and I eventually make it to my unmistakable destination.242Please respect copyright.PENANACpryFbWPMY
I park next to the entrance and hope it doesn’t take this car too. I look up and stare again in wonder. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAR2FjYwUKvh
“It’s still growing, huh?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAg3CY562bqU
The oppressive building, if you can call it that, dwarfs me and everything around. Despite its insane size, it won’t stop growing across the planet. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAub6OKZtOLa
I sigh and open the only glass door and prepare for his usual greeting. 242Please respect copyright.PENANASPf2EaYYrc
“Hey James, a new car I see.” At what is the only reception desk in the building sits my only acquaintance, Lewal.242Please respect copyright.PENANAwxcYIqgwKl
“It’s not like there’s anyone to stop me from taking it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAAKnqw075Md
“The benefits of the job huh?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAloNqAHuOV2
“Benefits, huh.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAOoIqUL2VsV
“Yeah! You can go anywhere at any time with no one to stop you! It’s great right?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAI3ZBhQxszU
“No, there’s no one to share it with.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAHFEaXu0vJT
“Bu-”242Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5Bc0YgFFV
“I don’t want to talk about it right now, just let me in.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAHxxx4smo8Z
“U-uh, sure.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAwKTSR492Xl
I swipe my worn key card and enter the elevator. No buttons or lights needed, it knows where I need to go. I strap myself into the corner, close my eyes and prepare for the whiplash. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAAOgfcK65F2
Instantly my body is pulled in every conceivable direction. At every turn, it goes faster and faster. My insides rip apart and repair themselves over and over again. It’s times like these where I’m grateful for its, “gift”. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAOdAOCnjc85
Eventually, the ride is over and the doors open to part of the colossal structure.242Please respect copyright.PENANAknlvl26EAd
“Good, I didn’t throw up that time.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA95CIfar4RU
I take a moment to collect myself, unstrap and leave the elevator. Before my eyes are thousands, no, millions of them. There’s more than before, I just know. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAfzoCUOXRqo
Farther than I could see, bright water-filled pods with humans inside fill the expanse of my vision. Up, down, left, and right. There is no end, just an endless circle of the blessed. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAQXXufW7hVI
I step forward and as expected, a platform appears beneath me. It moves slower this time towards my final destination. I soon reach a dimming pod with an old man inside. I press the red button on the side to drain the water and display the info I need for the backup record. I take out my notebook and rip out a page. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAUv8nzb0aUS
242Please respect copyright.PENANAfrKDblx1tH
“Name: Johnathan Walter”242Please respect copyright.PENANAYRSUZ9ke9h
242Please respect copyright.PENANA5OQy4jAcot
“Virtual Generation: 23rd” 242Please respect copyright.PENANAjOGqEIUVEx
242Please respect copyright.PENANA7zusG44wUI
“Lives lived: 20.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA2jVBKnQEKT
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“Final Death: Old Age”242Please respect copyright.PENANA17p8GJ8Ziw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAxeu6FTBVaw
“Satisfaction: Grateful and Happy.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAa53dTunjNx
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“What a surprise…”242Please respect copyright.PENANAFyUYJDFp2a
I take the body out and lay it on the platform. In the second before the platform starts moving again, I stare at the pod. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAydmVVUcZVe
I could jump in and close the hatch. I’ve earned this, I deserve this after everything. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAtOUq0tqxop
But my body won’t move, I feel its eyes burning into my skull. Warning me to not disturb the cycle. It still needs me to do my labors. 242Please respect copyright.PENANArFKANg0P1j
So the dream dies again as the platform speeds to the next section. I’m left wondering “what if”, until we reach the elevator. From the elevator to cremation. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAbdgtwJIPKi
All the while, I can’t rip my eyes from this old man’s peaceful smile. What wonders did he see and experience there?242Please respect copyright.PENANApQJozWEO1B
What love has he shared? What adventures has he gone on? What food has he tasted? What joys was he gifted?242Please respect copyright.PENANAnEfEgiysCX
All the things that make life worth living. All the things taken from me. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAKer4D305Tf
These questions flood my mind repeatedly and I want it to stop.242Please respect copyright.PENANANDeEGLdefo
So I throw the old man into the fire and watch that smile melt away. But I feel nothing, they still win in the end. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAUez26IlVDd
I place my notepaper on the nearby table and leave. Knowing that if I turn around, it won’t be there anymore. 242Please respect copyright.PENANALFwmLhmem2
From cremation to elevator to front door, I arrive where I began. I attempt to leave but Lewal stops me like usual. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAtCm5HINbcA
“Hey James, nice work today.” 242Please respect copyright.PENANAIO3mZsHIku
“If you say so.” 242Please respect copyright.PENANAA85FlqZVL9
“Hey, let’s hit the amusement park later. I know you’re not in the mood but it will cheer you up.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAuPR9Ga3k8x
“I went there more times than there are numbers. I’m…tired of it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAtrFvQbqbrS
“Come on, you can’t mope all the time! It’s not all doom and gloom, your time will come. You’ll see!”242Please respect copyright.PENANAk2MIrRTt0d
“You say that every day but I…can’t believe that.” 242Please respect copyright.PENANAgb46dWEAsr
“I…can’t lie to myself anymore.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAPhXnyEZRai
I look back to find the desk and Lewal gone. Like they were never there to begin with. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAANM0eSChb1
“Yeah, it’s time to stop lying to myself. I’m…alone.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANQk5S21Avc
I exit the empty building, leaving the last of my hopes behind.242Please respect copyright.PENANAUVPS2UZwyo
I notice the car is missing again, assimilated into this great construct. I sigh and resign myself to this eternity.242Please respect copyright.PENANAYxXelvfmxZ
I begin the long walk home only to repeat this cycle when it calls on me. I know now, my turn will never come.242Please respect copyright.PENANAPRrJLBpeLt