Shreds of an Archive

Life After Death

A world without death is equally a world devoid of life. Those who walk among us striving to attain immortality will reap the world of purpose and morality. June 12th, 2048, the United World Order revealed that through decades of research, sacrifice, and commitment, the cure for mortality had been created, it was called The God Project.

There were drawbacks though, the Order had realized the risks of immortality and created a counter-measure to limit those who had outlived their time. The Reapers. A group of individuals with only one goal- kill. Not just anyone though, only those who have outlived their time. Those whose lives have run overlong.

Curtains were swept aside as a soft, caressing wind swept through a window that was just barely cracked open. Moonlight swept the floor coloring it in a dull gray.

Harper sat on his bed, hands tucked behind his head, slightly propping his head up. It was the city's lock-down hours, leaving the streets devoid of all life except for a swarm of cleaning bots busily picking up bits of trash and mopping up pools of vomit. And corpses. Harper thought.

A group of Reapers had swept through their section of the city, purposefully searching through complexes of houses and apartments, seeking out those who have run out of time.

The thought of it sent a shiver down his spine, knowing that they would come for him. Soon. A glance down at the internally lit clock that ran down his forearm brought a grim reminder that this was to be his last night with time left to live.

The Order had commanded that those who are timeless would continue their normal lives until they were reaped, and carried out to their resting place by one of the cleaner bots. There were often fits of violence as results of the timeless lashing out in their final moments- then shortly after they would be killed and made an example of.

I don't want to die. Harper thought. He was still a junior in highschool, his family had been poor with little reputation. He had only inherited 17 years of time, in which he spent most of it worrying over how much he had left. He watched as his clock slowly counted down. 3. . . 2. . . He grimaced

There was a knocking on his window, he was up with a start, terror stabbed through him like a knife. They're here so soon?

After a few heartbeats, a face appeared in his window, hanging down from somewhere above. He took an involuntary step back- She looks like she's in high school- too young to be a reaper. The peculiar girl knocked, three staccato thuds as the window pane shuddered, she was pointing at the window latch- She wants me to open the window for some strange girl I've never met?!

Dumbfounded, Harper cautiously stumbled over to the window, not so subtly stubbing his toe on his bed frame. Curiosity got the better of him he unlatched the lock on his window, and before he knew it the girl swept into the room, faster than he could think.

"Nice to meet'ya, I'm Briar." Harper stood, staring at the stranger in his room. "I heard that you were dead" Her voice was upbeat- almost joyful, an edge of insanity lilting over her words.

"Who are you?" Harper questioned suspiciously.

"Briar, like I said" The girl looked at him frowning. "Maybe you're stupid?"

It wasn't a question.

"No- I mean- Why are you in my house"

"Oh that's easy, you died, I've come to take you" The smile returned, brightening her face. I guess it is a reaper after all. Despair and hopelessness crept into his mind, feeding on his doubt.

Briar noticed his grimace "I'm not here to kill you, In fact, you should be grateful. I'm saving your life"

"Huh- but aren't you a Reaper?"

"Far from it, I'm what you'd call one of the timeless" Harper stared at her in shock. Timeless? I guess I'm timeless as well now. The girl stood up straighter, seemingly making up her mind about something.

"Ok. I'll bring you with me, but only because you asked nicely" Before Harper could react, she grabbed his wrist tugging him along with her- and soon he was clambering out the window.

"What are you doing?!" Harper shouted over the sound of their feet on the external metal stairway, echoing in the outer alleyway. Truthfully, he was letting himself get pulled away, at the possibility that he would get more time.

"Taking you to somewhere better" Briar grinned

"Where exactly is that?" The sound of feet thudding behind them grabbed his attention, he risked a glance, horror draining every thought from his head and lighting a fire under his feet

"We've got company!" He yelled frantically.

There was a group of three reapers, running towards them in long, powerful strides, Death itself had come for him.

Briar turned around, a seriousness he hadn't seen until now covered her face.

She led him down a side street, he was already gasping for breath but his body was forced to keep moving, fear is quite the motivator.

Briar nimbly scaled a wall, holding her hand out for him to grab onto. He took it heaving himself over.

"Quickly! We don't have much time" She snapped at him as he gasped for breath, hands on his knees.

She lifted a sewer cap up and dropped in, disappearing into the void.

He hesitated for a moment, but was sprung into action after hearing the sound of footsteps as the Reapers neared.

All was dark, he heard a click, and dull buzzing lights appeared on either side of the tunnel, a vast hallway appeared in front of him, seemingly extending forever.

"Lets go" Briar said

"Where exactly are we going?" Now that Harper had a moment to compose himself, he realized the weight of the situation he had gotten himself into. Better than waiting to die I suppose.

Briar turned, locking eyes with him. "To the Land of the Dead"

To be continued. . . maybe. . .