Waiting for Death

Waiting for Death

My green tea latte was hot, just the way I liked it, and I suppose it was ironic to favor a hot beverage considering the scorching storm just outside.

The polarization was set to maximum as I opened the shutters, secure in my bunker and away from the elements. If I hadn’t known any better, it could have been any other day but for one notable exception. I mean, it was just as barren and desolate but I’d crunched the numbers, had run every algorithm possible. I was the last human alive and this was the end of the world.

Immortality’s a cruel bitch. I’d lived long enough to know that for certain and thankfully logged the final day in Earth’s history as Friday, August 13th, year 6,980,156,453,298. That was Anno Domini of course and didn’t include the 4.6 billion years prior to year zero. Anyways, I was ready. It’d been too long.

‘Knock-knock-knock.’ There was a tapping from the environmental hatchway.

“What the hell was that?” The wind was roaring so I gave it little thought and returned to my tea, patiently waiting. Before the day ended, the sun would surely go supernova and finally consume the Earth, giving me the rest I’d so longed for.

‘Knock-knock-knock,’ I heard again.

“Strange.” I set my cup on the table and strolled over to the transom. Just outside the airlock, blasted by dust and debris, stood an ominous figure, black robes fluttering in the gale. Was this it? Was death literally knocking on my door?

I hit the button for the outer hatchway and the figure entered. Temperature and air pressures equalized, then the inner hatch slid open and I stepped apprehensively back as a cloaked head stooped to clear the entrance.

Standing seven feet tall at the least, my new visitor’s face was shadowed deeply and his robes extended to the floor. There were no eyes I could discern. “Have…have you finally come for me?” My apprehension was mixed with anticipation.

“I have.” His reply was deep and throaty.

Thank God. “I’m ready.”

“Where are the rest of your people?” A peculiar question.

“Well, you should know.”

“I’ve seen the signs of your great cities, vast civilizations. Are you all that remains?”

Another unexpected observation. “I…I am. They’ve been dead for millions of years. You’re the first, um, thing I’ve spoken to in millennia.”

“Why are you still here?”

“I don’t have a goddam clue. It seems like eternity, the lives I’ve lived. Hunter, pharaoh, blacksmith, President, High Inquisitor, Vestech. Time provides enough wealth to ensure a comfortable life, though I’ve experienced nearly every form of trauma…shot, stabbed, dismembered, drowned. Each time, I heal. Parts grow back. I survive. I’ve read every book, witnessed every performance, visited every VR. I’ve watched the rise and fall of great societies and empires, seen mankind’s failure in trying to leave this solar system…watched them all die. Listen, I don’t know why I’m telling you this, are you here to take me or not?”

“Yes.”

I sighed. “Death…finally. Will it hurt?”

“Death? You misunderstand.” He removed the cowl to reveal a slender alien in a black environmental suit. “We’ve come to save you and have a ship not far from here. It was quite by chance we detected your life-signs at all.”

“No, no, no, no,” I rejected in disbelief.

“Come, we have but few hours left.”

“I’m not going anywhere! I’ve been waiting my whole goddam life for this moment, an end to the endless time. I plan to be here. I plan to finally die.”

“Truly?” the alien marveled. “You want this?”

“It’s all I have. What good is all the wealth and knowledge in the world when the people you care for, the people you love, become just a flicker in time?”

“But I offer you hope.”

“Bullshit. You offer me more of the same…more eternity. No thanks.”

“Please, if I step out this hatchway without you, we’ll not return.”

“Got it. Now get out.”

“As you wish.” The alien returned his cowl. “I hope you find whatever peace you’re seeking.” The hatch sealed and I returned to my tea.

That was forever ago…and I’m still alive. Of course, the earth was destroyed and I was sucked into the black hole left in the sun’s place. I have no idea where I am now…just a random bit a detritus, the most insignificant speck floating through infinity. That I’m talking to myself must mean I’ve gone mad. I’m so cold.


748 words