Sentience

Prologue

        When you're born, you're born with a unique mark: numbers, the date and time that you'll die.

        Centuries ago, we weren't born with such things; the population wasn't exceding its limit. When the year 2070 came around, our oceans were homes to everyone (an era of World Peace, the Golden Age). Under and above, you name it. Failed attempts to travel to different galaxies, failing to use Mars as our new Earth. One day, however, a child was born with a strange birthmark. Upon closer inspection of the child's tiny wrist, they found distinct numbers:

                                                                04/5/2059, 9:32 AM

        No one knew what it meant, but on that day, the child dropped dead. The entire time, there was a parasite in him and no one even knew. 

        More people followed. Soon, everyone on the planet knew when they were going to die. It was a common part of life. The population began to cool down, going from 20 billion to 15 billion. It was a drastic, horrible change. 

        And so I sit here, waiting for my time to come. Eighteen years old and I still haven't been kissed. I haven't explored the world. I haven't done a lot of things, which I'll regret.

        My eyes skirt over to the hologram, seconds ticking by. Today, on November 16, 2115, at 11:56 PM, I'll be gone. And I'm ready. At least, I keep telling myself I am. Who doesn't fear their death? Even when you think about it all your life, when you write essays on the way you'd want to go at school, when it's common conversation starters, how can you not fear death? I would love pointers from someone who does.

        I stare ahead of me at a quote on the white wall. The quote is an old one, since my favorite pasttime is learning all there is about Earth, and let the words replay through my head. '"he measure of who we are is what we have done with what we have" - Vince Lombardi. I snort to myself, in my final moments, of how much I would measure. Probably about an inch, or two if I'm lucky.

        And my alarm goes off. I jump at the sound, clutching at my chest as my eyes anxiously look around my dark room, waiting for something to happen, to bring me into the hands of Death. The minute went by so agonizingly slow. So, so, so slow. My heart was on a rampage, thumping against my ripcage like a wild beast wanting to escape.

        I look at the hologram with the time projected: 11:57 PM. I'm not...dead? Why am I not dead?

        "Why am I stil alive?"

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        I am really torn on this one. Well, at least this beginning. I think that I should instead make this the preface and then start off with her daily life and everything, to give a real feel of what the future's like and all...since I can't get done with Chapter 2. I won't post Chapter 1 until I finally decide and if I get feedback, it will help me decide even faster. I can't obviously go on if I haven't made a decision and if I'm stuck on Chapter 2...so, help me out a bit? It'd mean a lot, thanks! c: