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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| If it hasn't been done yet, would someone write a version of this where the protagonist happens to be fluent in changing identity? Let's say that they are prepared and away from their home when the announcement hits. They completely change appearance, records, and identification. He or she could even have a series of adventures consisting of tampering with the game or walking on the edge now that no one can identify who they are until they choose to switch back when the decade is up. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "The Chosen was killed this afternoon," my wife murmured, scrolling through her phone.
A tense silence fell on the room. The show we were streaming cut to their commercials and "We'll be right back" was on the screen.
"Are you nervous, daddy?" my one daughter asked. Our twin girls knew what this news meant despite only being 4 years old, but were so informed of the situation because of its greater frequency in the news lately.
"No.... not yet."
The envelope was always delivered with fanfare: news cameras, reporters, helicopters, and a police escort. You and everybody in the country knew where the convoy was as soon as it rolled out. The government-sponsored "Convoy Tracker Pro" was a mandatory install on every smartphone.
Every intersection it reached filled people with anticipation. "Who is it?" was the most common question since the individual's identity was only known by a select few. They could be anyone: your neighbor, your boss, your spouse; the whole country didn't know for sure until the convoy came to a halt.
Naturally, the convoy was tailed by hundreds and thousands of civilian vehicles filled with folks eager to exact their manufactured revenge at the earliest possible moment. As the convoy passes through towns and cities, it grows for miles until the destination is reached. This Chosen had grave importance for the nation; the convoy was the biggest it had ever been.
After the commercial break, the show we were watching was replaced by this raucous carnival of vitriol. Reporters were especially solemn and the eager followers were chanting "So close!" out their car windows. The news faces could be seen mouthing along.
As we kept up with the coverage, the convoy appeared to be creeping in our direction. I couldn't tell yet, but my family knew where to run in the event that I was the one they were coming for.
"Are they coming for you, daddy?"
"Only time will tell, honey. Don't you worry."
The convoy rolled through the town just before ours on Route 398. From the porch we could faintly hear the roars of the thousands of vehicles passing through the tiny, worn-down mining town. All our neighbors came out to their porches as well, well aware of the situation like everyone else.
The convoy turned off the main road and started down our street towards our cul-de-sac.
It was time.
"Do as we've practiced!" I scolded at my wife and daughters. They scurried into the bunker beneath the house hidden behind the washer and dryer. They didn't know yet but their safety was of the utmost importance to me.
The lead van stopped dead in the middle of the cul-de-sac; it did not turn to park in front of any particular house but rather stayed true to the road it came in on. Helicopters hovered low and the trees were being blown around, launching leaves and branches every which way. The civilian convoy drivers and riders began to queue on either side of the convoy escorts. A man stepped out of the van and began walking towards my house.
The "So close" chants intensified with every step the man took. As he stepped up the stairs of my porch, I came outside to greet him. The cameras, lights, and all eyes in the country were fixated on me and this man. He addressed me.
"I was beginning to think I wouldn't have to deliver this envelope, Mr. Blum. There are a lot of people behind me who will soon want you dead, if not already want you dead." He snickered.
"I am aware." I said with a smirk.
"Cocky one are we? It takes a man with serious balls to be in your shoes right now, and to be smug about it nonetheless." He tapped his breast pocket where the envelope was located and began to fish it out.
The cul-de-sac was covered with people. There was no glimmer of evening dew on the grass, no view of the sidewalk or street. Every square inch of my neighborhood was packed with people; people who were all here to see me. I could only think of my family at this time, how they would be able to take this moment and become stronger from it.
The man opened the envelope and unfolded its contents, turned to the crowd and cameras and began reading the cover letter aloud.
"On this day, March 24, 2073, by official decree, Mr. Albert Blum has recognized as the 17th Killer of the Chosen, bringing down the Chosen after 9 years, 11 months, and 21 days. Mr. Blum is hereby granted the award of $10 Million, free of tax, to do with what he pleases. The new Chosen, as is custom, shall be selected exclusively by the Killer of the Chosen upon the receipt of his award."
The crowd was reluctantly cleared from my driveway and the van was parked in my garage. The man and I walked around and I inspected my spoils. Satisfied, we walked out and the garage began to close.
As the garage door closed behind us the man, shouting over the undulating crowd noise, asked, "Do you have any ideas who you are going to select?"
I paused as I got to the top step of my porch. The door was locked and I had left my keys inside. I knocked on the door heavily, signaling to my family that it was safe to emerge from hiding.
I turned to the man and confidently resumed the smirk from earlier.
"I've had some things pass through my head."
The man's face reeled.
I pulled the 9mm out of my mailbox and put it to my temple. "It's time to end this fucking tradition." | Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
|
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| Arthur Johnson tumbled down the open corridor, desperately trying to find a place to hide. Behind him, a dark shadow followed. Finally, a dead end. No way out. Arthur turned slowly and faced his killer. He saw the man standing there, tall and darkly dressed with an earpiece and slicked back hair. He looked to be part office worker and part hit man.
"If the government is the one who selected me for this - this sick game, then why are you trying to kill me?"
"I am sorry, Mr Johnson. This tradition was started 100 years ago, when the population was much more ... manageable. But now, with almost seven and a half billion people, the US government would go bankrupt trying to pay its debts. So you see, the only option is that you have to die and it is much better that you die by the hand of the government itself than some private citizen. After all, if they murdered you, they would then be put in prison for murder, and that would be one more burden on taxpayers. That, and it is much better not to let go of ten million dollars."
Arthur stood in shock. Not once in his life had he heard something like this.
|
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "The Chosen was killed this afternoon," my wife murmured, scrolling through her phone.
A tense silence fell on the room. The show we were streaming cut to their commercials and "We'll be right back" was on the screen.
"Are you nervous, daddy?" my one daughter asked. Our twin girls knew what this news meant despite only being 4 years old, but were so informed of the situation because of its greater frequency in the news lately.
"No.... not yet."
The envelope was always delivered with fanfare: news cameras, reporters, helicopters, and a police escort. You and everybody in the country knew where the convoy was as soon as it rolled out. The government-sponsored "Convoy Tracker Pro" was a mandatory install on every smartphone.
Every intersection it reached filled people with anticipation. "Who is it?" was the most common question since the individual's identity was only known by a select few. They could be anyone: your neighbor, your boss, your spouse; the whole country didn't know for sure until the convoy came to a halt.
Naturally, the convoy was tailed by hundreds and thousands of civilian vehicles filled with folks eager to exact their manufactured revenge at the earliest possible moment. As the convoy passes through towns and cities, it grows for miles until the destination is reached. This Chosen had grave importance for the nation; the convoy was the biggest it had ever been.
After the commercial break, the show we were watching was replaced by this raucous carnival of vitriol. Reporters were especially solemn and the eager followers were chanting "So close!" out their car windows. The news faces could be seen mouthing along.
As we kept up with the coverage, the convoy appeared to be creeping in our direction. I couldn't tell yet, but my family knew where to run in the event that I was the one they were coming for.
"Are they coming for you, daddy?"
"Only time will tell, honey. Don't you worry."
The convoy rolled through the town just before ours on Route 398. From the porch we could faintly hear the roars of the thousands of vehicles passing through the tiny, worn-down mining town. All our neighbors came out to their porches as well, well aware of the situation like everyone else.
The convoy turned off the main road and started down our street towards our cul-de-sac.
It was time.
"Do as we've practiced!" I scolded at my wife and daughters. They scurried into the bunker beneath the house hidden behind the washer and dryer. They didn't know yet but their safety was of the utmost importance to me.
The lead van stopped dead in the middle of the cul-de-sac; it did not turn to park in front of any particular house but rather stayed true to the road it came in on. Helicopters hovered low and the trees were being blown around, launching leaves and branches every which way. The civilian convoy drivers and riders began to queue on either side of the convoy escorts. A man stepped out of the van and began walking towards my house.
The "So close" chants intensified with every step the man took. As he stepped up the stairs of my porch, I came outside to greet him. The cameras, lights, and all eyes in the country were fixated on me and this man. He addressed me.
"I was beginning to think I wouldn't have to deliver this envelope, Mr. Blum. There are a lot of people behind me who will soon want you dead, if not already want you dead." He snickered.
"I am aware." I said with a smirk.
"Cocky one are we? It takes a man with serious balls to be in your shoes right now, and to be smug about it nonetheless." He tapped his breast pocket where the envelope was located and began to fish it out.
The cul-de-sac was covered with people. There was no glimmer of evening dew on the grass, no view of the sidewalk or street. Every square inch of my neighborhood was packed with people; people who were all here to see me. I could only think of my family at this time, how they would be able to take this moment and become stronger from it.
The man opened the envelope and unfolded its contents, turned to the crowd and cameras and began reading the cover letter aloud.
"On this day, March 24, 2073, by official decree, Mr. Albert Blum has recognized as the 17th Killer of the Chosen, bringing down the Chosen after 9 years, 11 months, and 21 days. Mr. Blum is hereby granted the award of $10 Million, free of tax, to do with what he pleases. The new Chosen, as is custom, shall be selected exclusively by the Killer of the Chosen upon the receipt of his award."
The crowd was reluctantly cleared from my driveway and the van was parked in my garage. The man and I walked around and I inspected my spoils. Satisfied, we walked out and the garage began to close.
As the garage door closed behind us the man, shouting over the undulating crowd noise, asked, "Do you have any ideas who you are going to select?"
I paused as I got to the top step of my porch. The door was locked and I had left my keys inside. I knocked on the door heavily, signaling to my family that it was safe to emerge from hiding.
I turned to the man and confidently resumed the smirk from earlier.
"I've had some things pass through my head."
The man's face reeled.
I pulled the 9mm out of my mailbox and put it to my temple. "It's time to end this fucking tradition." | It's been 6 years, 3 months and 12 days since my name was publicized on worldwide news. I almost immediately left the US as soon as I heard the news. I took a one way flight to Bulgaria to live in a small town village near Shipka. My grandmother had lived in Burgas and I had her come out to help me find a place to stay at where I could be safe from anyone with bad intentions.
I have kept a close eye on the media ever since the bounty had been set on me. I had widely been nicknamed by the public as "target". I haven't been in contact with any humans other than my grandmother for the past 4 years. Not even my mother because I can't trust my step-father enough to allow him in my viscinity.
Before I had left the country, I had six incidents of people trying to kill me, but only one of them do I remember the first one with full clarity. I was still in shock of what was happening and I believed that nobody would truly disregard all other people in the world for their own personal gain so I was carrying on my normal life. My girlfriend of 3 years invited me to go see a movie with her that night and I agreed. We went to the cinema and choose a seat near the top of the theater. Halfway through the movies duration, she tapped me on the shoulder, kissed me on the cheek and said she was truly sorry. Next thing I knew, there were tear gas canisters on the floor and the theater quickly filled with the vile smoke. She had set me up. Three men with pump shotguns came into the theater through the emergency exit doors and start shooting every person they laid eyes upon. I quickly leapt from my seat and ran to the banister by the exit of the theater. I jumped over the edge and took a 10 foot fall and twisted my ankle upon landing. Half limping, half running, I was trying to escape the men. My now ex-girlfriend screamed at the men that I was getting away. I ran out to the parking lot and frantically searched for my car keys. The second I found my keys in my pocket I heard screams and footsteps aproaching. I opened my car door and was shot two seconds later. Half of my left hand was shot off by the mercenaries sent after me. I fumbled around with the keys and eventually started the car and sped off quickly as possible. This memory has always been seared into my mind ever since. That was the purest state of terror I had ever experienced. I had to half my hand amputated up to my wrist. After that experience, I decided that I had to leave within that week. Once the news of the shooting spread across the news, the next 5 assassination attempts occured. They were all so rapid in succession and blended together in my memory. Ever since I left I have lived under the radar but I live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. I just hope to survive so that the rest of the world can benefit from my doing so. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | It's been 6 years, 3 months and 12 days since my name was publicized on worldwide news. I almost immediately left the US as soon as I heard the news. I took a one way flight to Bulgaria to live in a small town village near Shipka. My grandmother had lived in Burgas and I had her come out to help me find a place to stay at where I could be safe from anyone with bad intentions.
I have kept a close eye on the media ever since the bounty had been set on me. I had widely been nicknamed by the public as "target". I haven't been in contact with any humans other than my grandmother for the past 4 years. Not even my mother because I can't trust my step-father enough to allow him in my viscinity.
Before I had left the country, I had six incidents of people trying to kill me, but only one of them do I remember the first one with full clarity. I was still in shock of what was happening and I believed that nobody would truly disregard all other people in the world for their own personal gain so I was carrying on my normal life. My girlfriend of 3 years invited me to go see a movie with her that night and I agreed. We went to the cinema and choose a seat near the top of the theater. Halfway through the movies duration, she tapped me on the shoulder, kissed me on the cheek and said she was truly sorry. Next thing I knew, there were tear gas canisters on the floor and the theater quickly filled with the vile smoke. She had set me up. Three men with pump shotguns came into the theater through the emergency exit doors and start shooting every person they laid eyes upon. I quickly leapt from my seat and ran to the banister by the exit of the theater. I jumped over the edge and took a 10 foot fall and twisted my ankle upon landing. Half limping, half running, I was trying to escape the men. My now ex-girlfriend screamed at the men that I was getting away. I ran out to the parking lot and frantically searched for my car keys. The second I found my keys in my pocket I heard screams and footsteps aproaching. I opened my car door and was shot two seconds later. Half of my left hand was shot off by the mercenaries sent after me. I fumbled around with the keys and eventually started the car and sped off quickly as possible. This memory has always been seared into my mind ever since. That was the purest state of terror I had ever experienced. I had to half my hand amputated up to my wrist. After that experience, I decided that I had to leave within that week. Once the news of the shooting spread across the news, the next 5 assassination attempts occured. They were all so rapid in succession and blended together in my memory. Ever since I left I have lived under the radar but I live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. I just hope to survive so that the rest of the world can benefit from my doing so. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | It's been 6 years, 3 months and 12 days since my name was publicized on worldwide news. I almost immediately left the US as soon as I heard the news. I took a one way flight to Bulgaria to live in a small town village near Shipka. My grandmother had lived in Burgas and I had her come out to help me find a place to stay at where I could be safe from anyone with bad intentions.
I have kept a close eye on the media ever since the bounty had been set on me. I had widely been nicknamed by the public as "target". I haven't been in contact with any humans other than my grandmother for the past 4 years. Not even my mother because I can't trust my step-father enough to allow him in my viscinity.
Before I had left the country, I had six incidents of people trying to kill me, but only one of them do I remember the first one with full clarity. I was still in shock of what was happening and I believed that nobody would truly disregard all other people in the world for their own personal gain so I was carrying on my normal life. My girlfriend of 3 years invited me to go see a movie with her that night and I agreed. We went to the cinema and choose a seat near the top of the theater. Halfway through the movies duration, she tapped me on the shoulder, kissed me on the cheek and said she was truly sorry. Next thing I knew, there were tear gas canisters on the floor and the theater quickly filled with the vile smoke. She had set me up. Three men with pump shotguns came into the theater through the emergency exit doors and start shooting every person they laid eyes upon. I quickly leapt from my seat and ran to the banister by the exit of the theater. I jumped over the edge and took a 10 foot fall and twisted my ankle upon landing. Half limping, half running, I was trying to escape the men. My now ex-girlfriend screamed at the men that I was getting away. I ran out to the parking lot and frantically searched for my car keys. The second I found my keys in my pocket I heard screams and footsteps aproaching. I opened my car door and was shot two seconds later. Half of my left hand was shot off by the mercenaries sent after me. I fumbled around with the keys and eventually started the car and sped off quickly as possible. This memory has always been seared into my mind ever since. That was the purest state of terror I had ever experienced. I had to half my hand amputated up to my wrist. After that experience, I decided that I had to leave within that week. Once the news of the shooting spread across the news, the next 5 assassination attempts occured. They were all so rapid in succession and blended together in my memory. Ever since I left I have lived under the radar but I live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. I just hope to survive so that the rest of the world can benefit from my doing so. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| It's been 6 years, 3 months and 12 days since my name was publicized on worldwide news. I almost immediately left the US as soon as I heard the news. I took a one way flight to Bulgaria to live in a small town village near Shipka. My grandmother had lived in Burgas and I had her come out to help me find a place to stay at where I could be safe from anyone with bad intentions.
I have kept a close eye on the media ever since the bounty had been set on me. I had widely been nicknamed by the public as "target". I haven't been in contact with any humans other than my grandmother for the past 4 years. Not even my mother because I can't trust my step-father enough to allow him in my viscinity.
Before I had left the country, I had six incidents of people trying to kill me, but only one of them do I remember the first one with full clarity. I was still in shock of what was happening and I believed that nobody would truly disregard all other people in the world for their own personal gain so I was carrying on my normal life. My girlfriend of 3 years invited me to go see a movie with her that night and I agreed. We went to the cinema and choose a seat near the top of the theater. Halfway through the movies duration, she tapped me on the shoulder, kissed me on the cheek and said she was truly sorry. Next thing I knew, there were tear gas canisters on the floor and the theater quickly filled with the vile smoke. She had set me up. Three men with pump shotguns came into the theater through the emergency exit doors and start shooting every person they laid eyes upon. I quickly leapt from my seat and ran to the banister by the exit of the theater. I jumped over the edge and took a 10 foot fall and twisted my ankle upon landing. Half limping, half running, I was trying to escape the men. My now ex-girlfriend screamed at the men that I was getting away. I ran out to the parking lot and frantically searched for my car keys. The second I found my keys in my pocket I heard screams and footsteps aproaching. I opened my car door and was shot two seconds later. Half of my left hand was shot off by the mercenaries sent after me. I fumbled around with the keys and eventually started the car and sped off quickly as possible. This memory has always been seared into my mind ever since. That was the purest state of terror I had ever experienced. I had to half my hand amputated up to my wrist. After that experience, I decided that I had to leave within that week. Once the news of the shooting spread across the news, the next 5 assassination attempts occured. They were all so rapid in succession and blended together in my memory. Ever since I left I have lived under the radar but I live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. I just hope to survive so that the rest of the world can benefit from my doing so. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| It's been 6 years, 3 months and 12 days since my name was publicized on worldwide news. I almost immediately left the US as soon as I heard the news. I took a one way flight to Bulgaria to live in a small town village near Shipka. My grandmother had lived in Burgas and I had her come out to help me find a place to stay at where I could be safe from anyone with bad intentions.
I have kept a close eye on the media ever since the bounty had been set on me. I had widely been nicknamed by the public as "target". I haven't been in contact with any humans other than my grandmother for the past 4 years. Not even my mother because I can't trust my step-father enough to allow him in my viscinity.
Before I had left the country, I had six incidents of people trying to kill me, but only one of them do I remember the first one with full clarity. I was still in shock of what was happening and I believed that nobody would truly disregard all other people in the world for their own personal gain so I was carrying on my normal life. My girlfriend of 3 years invited me to go see a movie with her that night and I agreed. We went to the cinema and choose a seat near the top of the theater. Halfway through the movies duration, she tapped me on the shoulder, kissed me on the cheek and said she was truly sorry. Next thing I knew, there were tear gas canisters on the floor and the theater quickly filled with the vile smoke. She had set me up. Three men with pump shotguns came into the theater through the emergency exit doors and start shooting every person they laid eyes upon. I quickly leapt from my seat and ran to the banister by the exit of the theater. I jumped over the edge and took a 10 foot fall and twisted my ankle upon landing. Half limping, half running, I was trying to escape the men. My now ex-girlfriend screamed at the men that I was getting away. I ran out to the parking lot and frantically searched for my car keys. The second I found my keys in my pocket I heard screams and footsteps aproaching. I opened my car door and was shot two seconds later. Half of my left hand was shot off by the mercenaries sent after me. I fumbled around with the keys and eventually started the car and sped off quickly as possible. This memory has always been seared into my mind ever since. That was the purest state of terror I had ever experienced. I had to half my hand amputated up to my wrist. After that experience, I decided that I had to leave within that week. Once the news of the shooting spread across the news, the next 5 assassination attempts occured. They were all so rapid in succession and blended together in my memory. Ever since I left I have lived under the radar but I live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. I just hope to survive so that the rest of the world can benefit from my doing so. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "The Chosen was killed this afternoon," my wife murmured, scrolling through her phone.
A tense silence fell on the room. The show we were streaming cut to their commercials and "We'll be right back" was on the screen.
"Are you nervous, daddy?" my one daughter asked. Our twin girls knew what this news meant despite only being 4 years old, but were so informed of the situation because of its greater frequency in the news lately.
"No.... not yet."
The envelope was always delivered with fanfare: news cameras, reporters, helicopters, and a police escort. You and everybody in the country knew where the convoy was as soon as it rolled out. The government-sponsored "Convoy Tracker Pro" was a mandatory install on every smartphone.
Every intersection it reached filled people with anticipation. "Who is it?" was the most common question since the individual's identity was only known by a select few. They could be anyone: your neighbor, your boss, your spouse; the whole country didn't know for sure until the convoy came to a halt.
Naturally, the convoy was tailed by hundreds and thousands of civilian vehicles filled with folks eager to exact their manufactured revenge at the earliest possible moment. As the convoy passes through towns and cities, it grows for miles until the destination is reached. This Chosen had grave importance for the nation; the convoy was the biggest it had ever been.
After the commercial break, the show we were watching was replaced by this raucous carnival of vitriol. Reporters were especially solemn and the eager followers were chanting "So close!" out their car windows. The news faces could be seen mouthing along.
As we kept up with the coverage, the convoy appeared to be creeping in our direction. I couldn't tell yet, but my family knew where to run in the event that I was the one they were coming for.
"Are they coming for you, daddy?"
"Only time will tell, honey. Don't you worry."
The convoy rolled through the town just before ours on Route 398. From the porch we could faintly hear the roars of the thousands of vehicles passing through the tiny, worn-down mining town. All our neighbors came out to their porches as well, well aware of the situation like everyone else.
The convoy turned off the main road and started down our street towards our cul-de-sac.
It was time.
"Do as we've practiced!" I scolded at my wife and daughters. They scurried into the bunker beneath the house hidden behind the washer and dryer. They didn't know yet but their safety was of the utmost importance to me.
The lead van stopped dead in the middle of the cul-de-sac; it did not turn to park in front of any particular house but rather stayed true to the road it came in on. Helicopters hovered low and the trees were being blown around, launching leaves and branches every which way. The civilian convoy drivers and riders began to queue on either side of the convoy escorts. A man stepped out of the van and began walking towards my house.
The "So close" chants intensified with every step the man took. As he stepped up the stairs of my porch, I came outside to greet him. The cameras, lights, and all eyes in the country were fixated on me and this man. He addressed me.
"I was beginning to think I wouldn't have to deliver this envelope, Mr. Blum. There are a lot of people behind me who will soon want you dead, if not already want you dead." He snickered.
"I am aware." I said with a smirk.
"Cocky one are we? It takes a man with serious balls to be in your shoes right now, and to be smug about it nonetheless." He tapped his breast pocket where the envelope was located and began to fish it out.
The cul-de-sac was covered with people. There was no glimmer of evening dew on the grass, no view of the sidewalk or street. Every square inch of my neighborhood was packed with people; people who were all here to see me. I could only think of my family at this time, how they would be able to take this moment and become stronger from it.
The man opened the envelope and unfolded its contents, turned to the crowd and cameras and began reading the cover letter aloud.
"On this day, March 24, 2073, by official decree, Mr. Albert Blum has recognized as the 17th Killer of the Chosen, bringing down the Chosen after 9 years, 11 months, and 21 days. Mr. Blum is hereby granted the award of $10 Million, free of tax, to do with what he pleases. The new Chosen, as is custom, shall be selected exclusively by the Killer of the Chosen upon the receipt of his award."
The crowd was reluctantly cleared from my driveway and the van was parked in my garage. The man and I walked around and I inspected my spoils. Satisfied, we walked out and the garage began to close.
As the garage door closed behind us the man, shouting over the undulating crowd noise, asked, "Do you have any ideas who you are going to select?"
I paused as I got to the top step of my porch. The door was locked and I had left my keys inside. I knocked on the door heavily, signaling to my family that it was safe to emerge from hiding.
I turned to the man and confidently resumed the smirk from earlier.
"I've had some things pass through my head."
The man's face reeled.
I pulled the 9mm out of my mailbox and put it to my temple. "It's time to end this fucking tradition." | I sit down on the edge of the tub. A strange calm comes over me, and I consider the fact that I am a college student with no experience in defending myself. I add to that the fact that I live in The Netherlands, where guns are a magic myth from America. Before I am able to finish the thought in my head, a bullet zips through my bathroom window. I die, relatively quickly, but extremely painfully, from a sniper shot to the head. As everything fades, somewhere in the distance i hear screams of pure, unadulterated joy.
TL;DR: I die. Like, really quickly. Like, 5/7 chance this would happen.
Edit: spelling mistake |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | I sit down on the edge of the tub. A strange calm comes over me, and I consider the fact that I am a college student with no experience in defending myself. I add to that the fact that I live in The Netherlands, where guns are a magic myth from America. Before I am able to finish the thought in my head, a bullet zips through my bathroom window. I die, relatively quickly, but extremely painfully, from a sniper shot to the head. As everything fades, somewhere in the distance i hear screams of pure, unadulterated joy.
TL;DR: I die. Like, really quickly. Like, 5/7 chance this would happen.
Edit: spelling mistake |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| I sit down on the edge of the tub. A strange calm comes over me, and I consider the fact that I am a college student with no experience in defending myself. I add to that the fact that I live in The Netherlands, where guns are a magic myth from America. Before I am able to finish the thought in my head, a bullet zips through my bathroom window. I die, relatively quickly, but extremely painfully, from a sniper shot to the head. As everything fades, somewhere in the distance i hear screams of pure, unadulterated joy.
TL;DR: I die. Like, really quickly. Like, 5/7 chance this would happen.
Edit: spelling mistake |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "The Chosen was killed this afternoon," my wife murmured, scrolling through her phone.
A tense silence fell on the room. The show we were streaming cut to their commercials and "We'll be right back" was on the screen.
"Are you nervous, daddy?" my one daughter asked. Our twin girls knew what this news meant despite only being 4 years old, but were so informed of the situation because of its greater frequency in the news lately.
"No.... not yet."
The envelope was always delivered with fanfare: news cameras, reporters, helicopters, and a police escort. You and everybody in the country knew where the convoy was as soon as it rolled out. The government-sponsored "Convoy Tracker Pro" was a mandatory install on every smartphone.
Every intersection it reached filled people with anticipation. "Who is it?" was the most common question since the individual's identity was only known by a select few. They could be anyone: your neighbor, your boss, your spouse; the whole country didn't know for sure until the convoy came to a halt.
Naturally, the convoy was tailed by hundreds and thousands of civilian vehicles filled with folks eager to exact their manufactured revenge at the earliest possible moment. As the convoy passes through towns and cities, it grows for miles until the destination is reached. This Chosen had grave importance for the nation; the convoy was the biggest it had ever been.
After the commercial break, the show we were watching was replaced by this raucous carnival of vitriol. Reporters were especially solemn and the eager followers were chanting "So close!" out their car windows. The news faces could be seen mouthing along.
As we kept up with the coverage, the convoy appeared to be creeping in our direction. I couldn't tell yet, but my family knew where to run in the event that I was the one they were coming for.
"Are they coming for you, daddy?"
"Only time will tell, honey. Don't you worry."
The convoy rolled through the town just before ours on Route 398. From the porch we could faintly hear the roars of the thousands of vehicles passing through the tiny, worn-down mining town. All our neighbors came out to their porches as well, well aware of the situation like everyone else.
The convoy turned off the main road and started down our street towards our cul-de-sac.
It was time.
"Do as we've practiced!" I scolded at my wife and daughters. They scurried into the bunker beneath the house hidden behind the washer and dryer. They didn't know yet but their safety was of the utmost importance to me.
The lead van stopped dead in the middle of the cul-de-sac; it did not turn to park in front of any particular house but rather stayed true to the road it came in on. Helicopters hovered low and the trees were being blown around, launching leaves and branches every which way. The civilian convoy drivers and riders began to queue on either side of the convoy escorts. A man stepped out of the van and began walking towards my house.
The "So close" chants intensified with every step the man took. As he stepped up the stairs of my porch, I came outside to greet him. The cameras, lights, and all eyes in the country were fixated on me and this man. He addressed me.
"I was beginning to think I wouldn't have to deliver this envelope, Mr. Blum. There are a lot of people behind me who will soon want you dead, if not already want you dead." He snickered.
"I am aware." I said with a smirk.
"Cocky one are we? It takes a man with serious balls to be in your shoes right now, and to be smug about it nonetheless." He tapped his breast pocket where the envelope was located and began to fish it out.
The cul-de-sac was covered with people. There was no glimmer of evening dew on the grass, no view of the sidewalk or street. Every square inch of my neighborhood was packed with people; people who were all here to see me. I could only think of my family at this time, how they would be able to take this moment and become stronger from it.
The man opened the envelope and unfolded its contents, turned to the crowd and cameras and began reading the cover letter aloud.
"On this day, March 24, 2073, by official decree, Mr. Albert Blum has recognized as the 17th Killer of the Chosen, bringing down the Chosen after 9 years, 11 months, and 21 days. Mr. Blum is hereby granted the award of $10 Million, free of tax, to do with what he pleases. The new Chosen, as is custom, shall be selected exclusively by the Killer of the Chosen upon the receipt of his award."
The crowd was reluctantly cleared from my driveway and the van was parked in my garage. The man and I walked around and I inspected my spoils. Satisfied, we walked out and the garage began to close.
As the garage door closed behind us the man, shouting over the undulating crowd noise, asked, "Do you have any ideas who you are going to select?"
I paused as I got to the top step of my porch. The door was locked and I had left my keys inside. I knocked on the door heavily, signaling to my family that it was safe to emerge from hiding.
I turned to the man and confidently resumed the smirk from earlier.
"I've had some things pass through my head."
The man's face reeled.
I pulled the 9mm out of my mailbox and put it to my temple. "It's time to end this fucking tradition." | As I look at the Tahitian sun setting over the ocean horizon, I can't help but feel a tad sorry for that old bastard that made this all possible. Lucky for me, him being homeless meant he hadn't yet seen or heard the broadcast, and didn't know the price that 'ole uncle Sam put on my head.
My older brother used to joke about how that old bum who slept behind McGregor's was me in 10 years; and to be fair, behind the forest of that smokey beard that covered his face, we did resemble each-other.
I'm lucky I thought as quickly as I did. When I approached him on the street, I got some double-takes, but that's it. By the time I was on my way to collect the bounty, a few people tried forcibly to take the body from me. Had I waited another day or so, people would've killed me then and there, or at the very least, pay enough attention to put the pieces together.
But none of that matters now. He's dead. And I'm living out my years in a literal paradise.
By now, they may have even realized that they were played, but it doesn't matter. They got the results for their little social experiment nonetheless. I just can't help but remember that old bum's face. It haunts me at night. That, and the fact that in 1998, The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer’s table. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | As I look at the Tahitian sun setting over the ocean horizon, I can't help but feel a tad sorry for that old bastard that made this all possible. Lucky for me, him being homeless meant he hadn't yet seen or heard the broadcast, and didn't know the price that 'ole uncle Sam put on my head.
My older brother used to joke about how that old bum who slept behind McGregor's was me in 10 years; and to be fair, behind the forest of that smokey beard that covered his face, we did resemble each-other.
I'm lucky I thought as quickly as I did. When I approached him on the street, I got some double-takes, but that's it. By the time I was on my way to collect the bounty, a few people tried forcibly to take the body from me. Had I waited another day or so, people would've killed me then and there, or at the very least, pay enough attention to put the pieces together.
But none of that matters now. He's dead. And I'm living out my years in a literal paradise.
By now, they may have even realized that they were played, but it doesn't matter. They got the results for their little social experiment nonetheless. I just can't help but remember that old bum's face. It haunts me at night. That, and the fact that in 1998, The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer’s table. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| As I look at the Tahitian sun setting over the ocean horizon, I can't help but feel a tad sorry for that old bastard that made this all possible. Lucky for me, him being homeless meant he hadn't yet seen or heard the broadcast, and didn't know the price that 'ole uncle Sam put on my head.
My older brother used to joke about how that old bum who slept behind McGregor's was me in 10 years; and to be fair, behind the forest of that smokey beard that covered his face, we did resemble each-other.
I'm lucky I thought as quickly as I did. When I approached him on the street, I got some double-takes, but that's it. By the time I was on my way to collect the bounty, a few people tried forcibly to take the body from me. Had I waited another day or so, people would've killed me then and there, or at the very least, pay enough attention to put the pieces together.
But none of that matters now. He's dead. And I'm living out my years in a literal paradise.
By now, they may have even realized that they were played, but it doesn't matter. They got the results for their little social experiment nonetheless. I just can't help but remember that old bum's face. It haunts me at night. That, and the fact that in 1998, The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer’s table. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | "No more than seven minutes before 5:30" That's what the sign above my company's time clock read. I, along with everyone else, was waiting for that magical time of 5:23 so that we could say goodbye to work and hello to the weekend.
I never wanted this 9-5, wear a shirt and tie, corporate bullshit. All my life I dreamed of being an actor. After high school, I attended Carnegie Melon's acting conservatory and by my senior year I had secured several auditions in New York and California. Some said I had the looks of James Dean and the depth of talent like Marlon Brando. My future was bright and promising. All was well, until nothing was well at all.
Less than six months before my graduation, my mother, and sole family member, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The doctors discovered her illness much too late, and within a month of her diagnosis her condition deteriorated to the point of hospice. Having no health insurance, I became solely responsible for her care. I dropped out of the conservatory and-
"Jake?" I heard from behind me. I turn to see Carie standing behind me. There was a way that when she looked at me with her warm, brown eyes that made me forget all that weighed on my mind. "Is everything okay?" Everything was not okay, but just looking at the brown freckles that danced along her soft skin calmed me. "I'm good. Just got a lot on my mind, yah know?" I sighed. "Yea, it's crazy what's been going on for the last few months, with the announcements and all."
How could I forget. To add another helping of anxiety to my already full plate, The Organization had just recently started the "notices". Everyone knew the deal, if you got picked you had to run for your life, because everyone wanted that ten million dollar payout. Truthfully, I don't want to hurt anyone, but, needless to say, a good ten mil would get me back on my feet.
"It's been a dozen so far right?" I asked. "No, they just caught the thirteenth today." "So, a baker's dozen then." She laughed. God, her laugh warms my soul like the hot cocoa my mother would make me on a snow day. She wasn't called "Caring Carie" for nothing. Her presence had a way of putting everyone near her at ease.
"Want to come over for the announcement?" She asked. I shook my head and motioned to the stack of reports I was holding, "Mr. Stephens wants me to go through this before tomorrow's-" Interrupting me, she says "Come on, Jake! I hate watching the announcement alone. Plus, after I'll help you go through those reports."
How could I say no? Truth be told, I hated watching the announcement alone too. I don't know how I would react if I saw a picture of a friend or family member or, god forbid, myself up on that screen. Knowing that I have someone to turn to if the worst were to happen is comforting. "Alright."
We took a cab back to her place, on account of me having to lug all those papers around. It was suppose to be a short ride, but an accident a few blocks down forced traffic to a standstill. In the backseat of the cab, we sat close next to one another as she had sat in the middle and placed the papers on the other side. Carie began talking to me about how she used to spend her summers growing up at her family's camp on a lake. I made a quip about how dorky she must have looked after she had been stung by all those bees. She laughed and put her hand on my leg.
I never really noticed until then that anyone, let alone Carie, could be into me. I had been so consumed with the disaster my life had been so far that I never imagined the possibility that I could be happy. I sat in that cab with Carie, and the cabbie in the front seat, and for the first time in a long time I smiled.
Carie looked deeply into my eyes and said, "When I would go swimming in the lake, I would dive deep down, as far as I could go and then look up at the sun. Your eyes look like the sun dancing through the blue water." For a moment there was silence, as my breathing matched hers. She closed her eyes ever so slowly and leaned in towards me.
From the driver's seat, the cabbie's phone abruptly blared the all too familiar warning tone of The Organization's impending announcement. Carie and I quickly looked towards the front of the cab where the cabbie held his phone for us to watch.
In the now infamous automated voice The Organization began the announcement. "Greetings. Welcome to this evening's broadcast. The Organization is proud to announce that thirteen people have now been eliminated. Tonight, we will give notice to the fourteenth target."
Carie reached for my hand and squeezed it tightly. I looked at her as her eyes were transfixed on the screen. The warmness that usually flowed from her was gone and replaced with a heaviness.
Suddenly, Carie let out a gasp and quickly clasped her hand to her mouth. As I turned to look at the screen the cabbie had dropped his phone and immediately turned back to towards us. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | And there she was. The love of my life, my reason for living, aiming a gun straight at my chest.
"Bill...are you sure?"
"Susie, sweetie, it's okay. It really is."
"B-but I don't know if I can..."
"You can. You will."
I step right up close to her. The barrel pokes into my sternum, and an unwilling flash of fear hits my gut. Never mind. Ignore it.
"You *have* to."
"...What do I tell him? He's going to ask me Bill, what the hell am I going to say to him-"
"Tell him whatever you want. Well, i-if you don't mind, tell him his Dad died trying to be brave. He won't blame you. I don't. And *you* better not."
"Bill..." Tears. Those are tears for me. God, she looks beautiful.
"I love you sweetie."
**BANG**
Johnny, if you can hear me, it's your Dad. You're gonna wake up real soon, Mom's gonna take care of everything. She'll bring you home, she'll get you the surgeries, everything's already taken care of. I love you kiddo. Take care of your mom. | I frantically scanned and re-read the poster. I let out a sigh of relief. It had been alarming last night when my associate frantically warned me I was in imminent danger, arriving at my bunk with a ditch-bag. He explained that a credible threat had been made and we were leaving for a more secure location. Now that I saw what he was talking about I was able to slow my thinking,
"This isn't imminent danger."
My associate, Saulz, raised an eyebrow.
Sure, it was unnerving, but I thought the same things I had as when the World Government Alliance had announced their game years ago, there's no way they would win this.
"How long have we known each other Saulz?" I asked
He thought for a moment,
"A long time. Since before all this," he mused, "Before we started recruiting. Shit, before we even met Tinny, back when we were just acquaintances. At least 20 years?"
"That's right," I nodded. "Take a look at the picture again." I held it up for him to see.
"For fucks sake, Chef, I hadn't even thought of it. They don't even have your real name."
"Who's to say which is real or not, anymore. They don't have my current name anyway. More importantly, they don't have any indication of our location."
"You really think you were just chosen at random, that this is just a coincidence?"
"I do. We have pretty irrefutable evidence suggesting they have no idea that we're even here, no idea what we're up to. I think you have to be aware of somethings existence before you go hunting for it."
I walked over to look at a world map on the east wall.
"Of the earths remaining population, how many do you suppose would be willing to kill someone they've never met for that kind of money?"
Saulz took a moment thinking about it, "Hard to say, Chef, people have been getting more desperate. I've seen people do some pretty gruesome things to protect their families."
"Exactly," I cut in, "But one person looking after their family might realize the big picture. They'd have the foresight to see that their entire community receiving a moderate amount of wealth would be more valuable than just looking after themselves."
"You think most people will have that kind of insight?" Saulz looked skeptical.
"Think of the communities we've been recruiting from, Sully. Think of the ways we've seen them working together to protect each other. The sacrifices for the greater good..." I trailed off, a spot of the map distracting me.
"We've purposefully targeted those communities though...Because we knew those types of communities would yield the most ideal recruits. What about the types of places we've been avoiding?
"I guess we're gonna have to show them the light."
He looked lost in thought for just a moment,
"You want to move into phase 4 already?" Surprised.
"Not quite but we'll have to accelerate 2 and 3 I think."
We spent a quiet minute looking over the map. Saulz sat down with his notepad and scribbled a few notes the way he does when he's thinking too fast. I heard his pencil stop abruptly and looked over at him. He was staring off into the middle distance, thinking hard. I imagined I could hear the gears grinding to a halt in his head.
"What?" I asked him
"Are you certain you trust everyone in Company Anise?"
"With my life" I answered. "I've had to this whole time already, it's too late to change my mind about that now."
He nodded and I continued,
"Remember when we started this? We said then that once we made up our minds we had to commit 100%. It's too late to stop now. We'll have to see this through to the end, either ours or theirs."
"How long do you think that will take?" he asked me, pencil hovering over his notepad.
A smile started to spread across me face. I gestured at the image of the poster on the monitor.
"You saw the notice" I tapped the screen, "No more than 10 years."
|
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The obstetrician sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was the worst part of his job. He peered over his glasses at the ultrasound results once more, hoping that the words had changed. But no. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went to break the bad news.
He entered the exam room and already it was like his patient knew. She was completely joyless, a stark contrast to all the hopes and dreams he normally sees sparkling in the eyes of the pregnant women he sees every day. She half-stood when he entered the room, hand automatically supporting her back at the movement, but he waved her down and sat across from her.
He looked at her seriously and said “I always find that women prefer that I don’t beat around the bush” and he winced internally at how his voice changed. Usually upbeat and friendly, he used a lower pitch and a calming tone as though he was trying to soothe an animal. Which, he supposed, was not far from the truth. Mothers had that animalistic instinct to protect their babies.
Her eyes darted around the room while she fidgeted with the hem on her dress, clearly wanting to be anywhere but here. That made both of them. When she made no acknowledgement of his sentence, he continued. “I’ve just been reading the ultrasound results and … it’s not good news. We found several severe problems with your baby and I’m so sorry, but your baby won’t survive them”.
Finally, she made eye contact with him. The expression changed in an instant … she looked almost hopeful. “What do…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and started again. “What do you mean, he won’t survive them?”.
“His brain and heart aren’t developing properly. There’s nothing we can do”.
“Nothing at all? Not surgery, or …..” she trailed off, unable to think of an alternative.
“There’s nothing. Again, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the hint of a smile on her face which was quickly suppressed. Although people often reacted with inappropriate emotions during grief, it always startled him to see it.
He continued, “Unfortunately, your pregnancy is much too far advanced for a simple procedure. We will have to admit you into hospital and kick-start your labour”. He paused while waiting for the words to sink in. She gave no sign of understanding so he clarified “We’ll induce you within the week to deliver the baby”.
Finally, a reaction. Anger. Her hand flew to protect her bump and she hissed “You’ll do nothing of the sort. I don’t agree to any of that and you can’t force me. I know my rights!”
Holding both hands up, palms out in surrender, the obstetrician hurriedly explained “I understand, and you’ve every right to choose that, but this little baby will not survive very long after birth no matter when he’s born. There’s just no point….”
“No point? No POINT?! Of course there’s a fucking POINT! I’ve done everything I could possibly DO to get pregnant, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you fucking DARE tell me there’s no point!”
Thinking it best to say nothing, the obstetrician sat silently and waited for the patient to calm herself. When the silence got too much for him to bear, he opened his mouth to speak when she said quietly, “32 weeks and 2 days. That’s when we’ll induce it.”
Perplexed, he slowly said “wellllllll .. the thing is, there’s really no difference if we do it now or…”
She slammed her palm on his desk, making him startle in surprise. “That’s when we’ll induce it. 32 weeks and 2 days”.
“Well, we can discuss it at another appointment. I think it would be beneficial for you to make an appointment with our counselling service first…” and he rummaged to find their business card.
“No need.” Abrupt, and cold.
The obstetrician looked up from his desk and met her eyes. “Well, what about family…? The father….?”
“No”.
He sighed and acquiesced. “Okay, 32 weeks and 2 days. That will put the date at….” He checked his calendar on his computer then stopped cold.
“July 21st”.
She nodded, the hint of a smile flickering across her lips once more.
“That’s the day, innit?" she said. "When Duvall reaches 10 years.” Once more she rubs at her bump, but this time quite indulgently. “This little one will make me ten grand richer, and now I won’t have to spend a penny on it”. She grinned, seeing the shock on the obstetrician’s face. “Mind if I smoke?”.
| "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I'm retrospect the bounty on my head is kind of my own fault.
But then again, the Pentagon? The Department of Defense? Hell, the CIA? They're all dicks.
I offered them the world's first functioning unbreakable force field. My first invention I was finally willing to part with. At my sales pitch they seemed interested, at least until I listed my price. They said they could never pay for it, at least not without further testing. I'm guessing they came up with this test when I suggested I might sell to China instead. Very funny guys. Sure it might have been a bit "traitorous" or whatever, but how else was I gonna be able to buy all the parts I need for my new project? (No, I won't tell you what is. But it rhymes with "mime tachine".)
The good news is no one will get through the force field. I know my own handiwork, and it never fails. After all, there's a reason I'm the only one in the world with a doctorate in Quantum Engineering, Advanced Robotics+, and Ultra Physics. The suckers at the edge of my yard will be horribly disappointed.
Perhaps I could convince them to leave. I mean, they'd still get their 10 G's, and I'd be that much less annoyed. Win-win, right? All I need is to grab my megaphone and finally utilize my economics minor to explain how we're all better off this way.
On second thought, death ray and killer robots? Yeah, let's go with death ray and killer robots. | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | (My first Prompt here. English isn't even my first language :P )
'Good afternoon, students.' As our professor spoke up. 'We will continue where we left off yesterday, at page...'
BANG
Oh look. Another assassination attempt on Dr. Ludwig.
Dr. Ludwig stopped to look at the assassin, who was holding a smoking pistol. The assassin fired another two shots at the professor's chest, hitting him. Dr. Ludwig, per usual, didn't flinch at all, as he slowly walked up to his assassinator and knocked him out.
The assassinator, whose face was filled with dread and confusion, was dragged away by Dr. Ludwig from the higher end of the Lecture Hall to the whiteboard, where he stood.
Even after 7 years and 168 days, people were still trying to collect the bounty on his head. They tried millions of things. From Baseball Bats, to Gas Chambers, to throwing him out of an airlock. He survived all of them. For whatever reason, he was immortal.
And really, that's why we would sit through his lessons. To, hopefully, learn how to be immortal. I was supposed to be in Egypt, healing my co-workers, who are probably in the middle of massacring robots.
Dr. Ludwig went on. 'As I was saying, we will continue on page 76, on the structure of the device, to further understand human tissue damage.'
________________________________________________________________
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*
*
Who wants to live forever?
I did. I once did. And immortality and invincibility has come to me.
Well, technically, I caused the 'invincibility' part. But, that would be another story, Ja?
In the early 1940s, I signed a deal with the Devil. He gave me a successful career as a combat medic and allowed me to look like I was 32 for the rest of my life. During this period, I created a device that could quickly regenerate tissue damage and make people temporarily invincible.
I was happy and content. Until 1973, when I died.
I met the Devil once again. He nearly made me end up in hell. Until I convinced him that I could not be sent to hell due to me surgically implanting several extra souls in myself. So he made me immortal, saying that it was a 'fate worse than death'. I had no idea what he meant back then.
Unfortunately, now I have. The first few decades were quite fun actually, as I ran more and more experiments on myself and my unfortunate test subjects.
But as I got older, life got boring. By ridding myself of my ability to die, I have found that all meaning in life has been lost. There were simply no more stakes to my life. What is life’s significance without death? It has none.
I tried to shoot myself in the head. Didn’t work. Remember how I said that I had created a device capable of making me invincible? Well, apparently prolonged exposure makes the invincibility permanent.
‘Misha, drag him onto the table. Und, call Miss Ziegler to come over. We have another subject.’
Misha was someone who worked with me. Well, he still does. He’s immortal as well. Doesn’t seem to bother him though. He’s been helping me get rid of my immortality. In fact, it was he who convinced me to quit drinking and figure out a way for me to remove my immortality.
‘Da.’
And so I spent the next 55 or so years researching on mortality. While others were finding out how to generate it, I tried to destroy mine. By the mid-2060s I had already started to get desperate. This is where Dr. Ziegler comes in.
She’s a world renowned doctor whose obsession with immortality rivals my desire to remove it. When she got wind about a doctor who has been 32 years old for 110 years, she called me and asked for my help. I accepted on one condition. (Surely, an extra set of hands couldn’t hurt, right?)
My condition was to get people to kill me. Hopefully, 10 million dollars would get people to try and get through my invincibility, right?
Apparently not. Either way, Miss Ziegler used her position at some high-end group to convince Germany that getting the world to kill one of their citizens was a good idea.
So there. Now if you excuse me, I have to conduct an operation.
‘Good afternoon Mr Walker. Walther PPK. Interesting choice of weaponry. Tell me, where did you get this antique?’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want to die. Luckily, you may be of assistance.’
I proceeded to cut open the guy’s chest, and pull out his beating heart.
________________________________________________________________
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*
*
*
Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
As I walk down the hallway echoing with screams, I look on the upper right corner of my glasses.
‘Conducting experiment 1138. Be here.’
It seems that Dr. Ludwig had begun without me. What a pity.
I used to think that Dr. Ludwig was a madman. Now, I see we share similar ideals.
We both have much curiosity, and will stop at nothing to satisfy it. We both consider the Hippocratic Oath as bull. We also lack compassion for our patients, or respect for human dignity.
But, he considers healing to be an untended side effect of his creations. I just want to reincarnate my long dead parents. I don't care what it will take, I just want the people who tell me bedtime stories to return.
I’ve tried everything. And Dr. Ludwig here is the closest to the answer. That's why I'm willing to put aside my job as a Healer and sit through his lessons.
‘Will arrive in 2 minutes’
'Is that the assassin from the lecture'
Who doesn’t want to live forever? | "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The news that I was one of the two people selected as part of this weird game repeated itself through my head.
Knocks came at the door, insistently. It had already begun, they were here for me.
I moved to the door and looked through the peephole. Two of my neighbours were in front of it, with rifles and a grim look of determination on their faces.
"Don't you worry Jonny, me and Francine are here to keep you safe. The whole neighbourhood's setting up a watch to defend your place, we'll sort you out with food and water."
"What? You're not here to kill me?" I said, barely able to stop my voice from trembling.
Max turned towards the door and grinned. "The world would be a lot better if everyone had some cash to look after them and theirs. That's what we're here to fight for."
| "...and the hunt starts now. Good luck out there and God bless," says the news anchor in an unnaturally jovial tone just before the credits roll. Immediately, he grabs his keys and runs out of the house. He steps into his car, turns on the engine, and speeds to the nearest shopping center. The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the Wal-Mart entrance, attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. As he steps out into view, the people's eyes widen in disbelief, and smiles start to show on some of their faces. His heart is racing. It's finally happening. No more pesky survival instincts to overcome. He closes his eyes as the crowd rushes towards him, and suddenly, an increasingly loud noise disrupts everything. He opens his eyes. It's time to get ready for work. Tears steadily flow out of his eyes as he steps into the shower. Wash it away. Just another day. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The obstetrician sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was the worst part of his job. He peered over his glasses at the ultrasound results once more, hoping that the words had changed. But no. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went to break the bad news.
He entered the exam room and already it was like his patient knew. She was completely joyless, a stark contrast to all the hopes and dreams he normally sees sparkling in the eyes of the pregnant women he sees every day. She half-stood when he entered the room, hand automatically supporting her back at the movement, but he waved her down and sat across from her.
He looked at her seriously and said “I always find that women prefer that I don’t beat around the bush” and he winced internally at how his voice changed. Usually upbeat and friendly, he used a lower pitch and a calming tone as though he was trying to soothe an animal. Which, he supposed, was not far from the truth. Mothers had that animalistic instinct to protect their babies.
Her eyes darted around the room while she fidgeted with the hem on her dress, clearly wanting to be anywhere but here. That made both of them. When she made no acknowledgement of his sentence, he continued. “I’ve just been reading the ultrasound results and … it’s not good news. We found several severe problems with your baby and I’m so sorry, but your baby won’t survive them”.
Finally, she made eye contact with him. The expression changed in an instant … she looked almost hopeful. “What do…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and started again. “What do you mean, he won’t survive them?”.
“His brain and heart aren’t developing properly. There’s nothing we can do”.
“Nothing at all? Not surgery, or …..” she trailed off, unable to think of an alternative.
“There’s nothing. Again, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the hint of a smile on her face which was quickly suppressed. Although people often reacted with inappropriate emotions during grief, it always startled him to see it.
He continued, “Unfortunately, your pregnancy is much too far advanced for a simple procedure. We will have to admit you into hospital and kick-start your labour”. He paused while waiting for the words to sink in. She gave no sign of understanding so he clarified “We’ll induce you within the week to deliver the baby”.
Finally, a reaction. Anger. Her hand flew to protect her bump and she hissed “You’ll do nothing of the sort. I don’t agree to any of that and you can’t force me. I know my rights!”
Holding both hands up, palms out in surrender, the obstetrician hurriedly explained “I understand, and you’ve every right to choose that, but this little baby will not survive very long after birth no matter when he’s born. There’s just no point….”
“No point? No POINT?! Of course there’s a fucking POINT! I’ve done everything I could possibly DO to get pregnant, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you fucking DARE tell me there’s no point!”
Thinking it best to say nothing, the obstetrician sat silently and waited for the patient to calm herself. When the silence got too much for him to bear, he opened his mouth to speak when she said quietly, “32 weeks and 2 days. That’s when we’ll induce it.”
Perplexed, he slowly said “wellllllll .. the thing is, there’s really no difference if we do it now or…”
She slammed her palm on his desk, making him startle in surprise. “That’s when we’ll induce it. 32 weeks and 2 days”.
“Well, we can discuss it at another appointment. I think it would be beneficial for you to make an appointment with our counselling service first…” and he rummaged to find their business card.
“No need.” Abrupt, and cold.
The obstetrician looked up from his desk and met her eyes. “Well, what about family…? The father….?”
“No”.
He sighed and acquiesced. “Okay, 32 weeks and 2 days. That will put the date at….” He checked his calendar on his computer then stopped cold.
“July 21st”.
She nodded, the hint of a smile flickering across her lips once more.
“That’s the day, innit?" she said. "When Duvall reaches 10 years.” Once more she rubs at her bump, but this time quite indulgently. “This little one will make me ten grand richer, and now I won’t have to spend a penny on it”. She grinned, seeing the shock on the obstetrician’s face. “Mind if I smoke?”.
| It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I'm retrospect the bounty on my head is kind of my own fault.
But then again, the Pentagon? The Department of Defense? Hell, the CIA? They're all dicks.
I offered them the world's first functioning unbreakable force field. My first invention I was finally willing to part with. At my sales pitch they seemed interested, at least until I listed my price. They said they could never pay for it, at least not without further testing. I'm guessing they came up with this test when I suggested I might sell to China instead. Very funny guys. Sure it might have been a bit "traitorous" or whatever, but how else was I gonna be able to buy all the parts I need for my new project? (No, I won't tell you what is. But it rhymes with "mime tachine".)
The good news is no one will get through the force field. I know my own handiwork, and it never fails. After all, there's a reason I'm the only one in the world with a doctorate in Quantum Engineering, Advanced Robotics+, and Ultra Physics. The suckers at the edge of my yard will be horribly disappointed.
Perhaps I could convince them to leave. I mean, they'd still get their 10 G's, and I'd be that much less annoyed. Win-win, right? All I need is to grab my megaphone and finally utilize my economics minor to explain how we're all better off this way.
On second thought, death ray and killer robots? Yeah, let's go with death ray and killer robots. | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | (My first Prompt here. English isn't even my first language :P )
'Good afternoon, students.' As our professor spoke up. 'We will continue where we left off yesterday, at page...'
BANG
Oh look. Another assassination attempt on Dr. Ludwig.
Dr. Ludwig stopped to look at the assassin, who was holding a smoking pistol. The assassin fired another two shots at the professor's chest, hitting him. Dr. Ludwig, per usual, didn't flinch at all, as he slowly walked up to his assassinator and knocked him out.
The assassinator, whose face was filled with dread and confusion, was dragged away by Dr. Ludwig from the higher end of the Lecture Hall to the whiteboard, where he stood.
Even after 7 years and 168 days, people were still trying to collect the bounty on his head. They tried millions of things. From Baseball Bats, to Gas Chambers, to throwing him out of an airlock. He survived all of them. For whatever reason, he was immortal.
And really, that's why we would sit through his lessons. To, hopefully, learn how to be immortal. I was supposed to be in Egypt, healing my co-workers, who are probably in the middle of massacring robots.
Dr. Ludwig went on. 'As I was saying, we will continue on page 76, on the structure of the device, to further understand human tissue damage.'
________________________________________________________________
*
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*
*
Who wants to live forever?
I did. I once did. And immortality and invincibility has come to me.
Well, technically, I caused the 'invincibility' part. But, that would be another story, Ja?
In the early 1940s, I signed a deal with the Devil. He gave me a successful career as a combat medic and allowed me to look like I was 32 for the rest of my life. During this period, I created a device that could quickly regenerate tissue damage and make people temporarily invincible.
I was happy and content. Until 1973, when I died.
I met the Devil once again. He nearly made me end up in hell. Until I convinced him that I could not be sent to hell due to me surgically implanting several extra souls in myself. So he made me immortal, saying that it was a 'fate worse than death'. I had no idea what he meant back then.
Unfortunately, now I have. The first few decades were quite fun actually, as I ran more and more experiments on myself and my unfortunate test subjects.
But as I got older, life got boring. By ridding myself of my ability to die, I have found that all meaning in life has been lost. There were simply no more stakes to my life. What is life’s significance without death? It has none.
I tried to shoot myself in the head. Didn’t work. Remember how I said that I had created a device capable of making me invincible? Well, apparently prolonged exposure makes the invincibility permanent.
‘Misha, drag him onto the table. Und, call Miss Ziegler to come over. We have another subject.’
Misha was someone who worked with me. Well, he still does. He’s immortal as well. Doesn’t seem to bother him though. He’s been helping me get rid of my immortality. In fact, it was he who convinced me to quit drinking and figure out a way for me to remove my immortality.
‘Da.’
And so I spent the next 55 or so years researching on mortality. While others were finding out how to generate it, I tried to destroy mine. By the mid-2060s I had already started to get desperate. This is where Dr. Ziegler comes in.
She’s a world renowned doctor whose obsession with immortality rivals my desire to remove it. When she got wind about a doctor who has been 32 years old for 110 years, she called me and asked for my help. I accepted on one condition. (Surely, an extra set of hands couldn’t hurt, right?)
My condition was to get people to kill me. Hopefully, 10 million dollars would get people to try and get through my invincibility, right?
Apparently not. Either way, Miss Ziegler used her position at some high-end group to convince Germany that getting the world to kill one of their citizens was a good idea.
So there. Now if you excuse me, I have to conduct an operation.
‘Good afternoon Mr Walker. Walther PPK. Interesting choice of weaponry. Tell me, where did you get this antique?’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want to die. Luckily, you may be of assistance.’
I proceeded to cut open the guy’s chest, and pull out his beating heart.
________________________________________________________________
*
*
*
*
Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
As I walk down the hallway echoing with screams, I look on the upper right corner of my glasses.
‘Conducting experiment 1138. Be here.’
It seems that Dr. Ludwig had begun without me. What a pity.
I used to think that Dr. Ludwig was a madman. Now, I see we share similar ideals.
We both have much curiosity, and will stop at nothing to satisfy it. We both consider the Hippocratic Oath as bull. We also lack compassion for our patients, or respect for human dignity.
But, he considers healing to be an untended side effect of his creations. I just want to reincarnate my long dead parents. I don't care what it will take, I just want the people who tell me bedtime stories to return.
I’ve tried everything. And Dr. Ludwig here is the closest to the answer. That's why I'm willing to put aside my job as a Healer and sit through his lessons.
‘Will arrive in 2 minutes’
'Is that the assassin from the lecture'
Who doesn’t want to live forever? | It has only been four years since the Declaration of the Hunt. Four years of running, of hiding. Of eating meals long expired, and, occasionally, fighting for my life.
The first year wasn't so bad, to be honest. I spent it spread over a dozen different states, crappy motels and libraries mostly. One for the few hours of sleep I allowed myself, the other to find something; some law or regulation. Some loophole I could use to get myself out of this. I even tried hiring a lawyer once. Once. Only thing I got out of that was the realization that anything I did was under the clause of self defense. That made things a bit easier.
Even so, in year two I found myself slipping the border down into Mexico. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, with all the Government's complaints on illegals. I made it though. Nine months of barely needing to watch over my shoulder. I fucked up though. An email to my wife tipped one of the Cartels off to who I was. Apparently they could cash in as much as any American.
Back to America I went. This time to the nowheres. Forests with little but a tarp between me and hypothermia. A desert where I spent a week, delirious from the bite of something I never even saw.
Those last two years I spent away from humanity. I kept no contact with family, friends, not even strangers. I saw no TV, rarely got my hand on the paper. Two years alone. Four on the run.
Six months ago, they got to my family. Did things, to my family. Tortured my little girl, to tell them where 'daddy' was. And they did this live streamed. They wanted me to see it. Wanted me to know it would be slow, so if I felt like turning myself in, there would be time.
I found out about it last week.
So here I am now, sitting at a corner table of an expensive bar, waiting to meet with someone who's time is literally worth my life. It wasn't easy to find a name. People like him rarely leave one behind. But I found one. And he's worth all the trouble, if the stories are true. Ten million is a lot for a contract, but I'm expecting a lot in return.
After only four years, the Declaration is over. But the Hunt is just beginning. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The obstetrician sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was the worst part of his job. He peered over his glasses at the ultrasound results once more, hoping that the words had changed. But no. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went to break the bad news.
He entered the exam room and already it was like his patient knew. She was completely joyless, a stark contrast to all the hopes and dreams he normally sees sparkling in the eyes of the pregnant women he sees every day. She half-stood when he entered the room, hand automatically supporting her back at the movement, but he waved her down and sat across from her.
He looked at her seriously and said “I always find that women prefer that I don’t beat around the bush” and he winced internally at how his voice changed. Usually upbeat and friendly, he used a lower pitch and a calming tone as though he was trying to soothe an animal. Which, he supposed, was not far from the truth. Mothers had that animalistic instinct to protect their babies.
Her eyes darted around the room while she fidgeted with the hem on her dress, clearly wanting to be anywhere but here. That made both of them. When she made no acknowledgement of his sentence, he continued. “I’ve just been reading the ultrasound results and … it’s not good news. We found several severe problems with your baby and I’m so sorry, but your baby won’t survive them”.
Finally, she made eye contact with him. The expression changed in an instant … she looked almost hopeful. “What do…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and started again. “What do you mean, he won’t survive them?”.
“His brain and heart aren’t developing properly. There’s nothing we can do”.
“Nothing at all? Not surgery, or …..” she trailed off, unable to think of an alternative.
“There’s nothing. Again, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the hint of a smile on her face which was quickly suppressed. Although people often reacted with inappropriate emotions during grief, it always startled him to see it.
He continued, “Unfortunately, your pregnancy is much too far advanced for a simple procedure. We will have to admit you into hospital and kick-start your labour”. He paused while waiting for the words to sink in. She gave no sign of understanding so he clarified “We’ll induce you within the week to deliver the baby”.
Finally, a reaction. Anger. Her hand flew to protect her bump and she hissed “You’ll do nothing of the sort. I don’t agree to any of that and you can’t force me. I know my rights!”
Holding both hands up, palms out in surrender, the obstetrician hurriedly explained “I understand, and you’ve every right to choose that, but this little baby will not survive very long after birth no matter when he’s born. There’s just no point….”
“No point? No POINT?! Of course there’s a fucking POINT! I’ve done everything I could possibly DO to get pregnant, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you fucking DARE tell me there’s no point!”
Thinking it best to say nothing, the obstetrician sat silently and waited for the patient to calm herself. When the silence got too much for him to bear, he opened his mouth to speak when she said quietly, “32 weeks and 2 days. That’s when we’ll induce it.”
Perplexed, he slowly said “wellllllll .. the thing is, there’s really no difference if we do it now or…”
She slammed her palm on his desk, making him startle in surprise. “That’s when we’ll induce it. 32 weeks and 2 days”.
“Well, we can discuss it at another appointment. I think it would be beneficial for you to make an appointment with our counselling service first…” and he rummaged to find their business card.
“No need.” Abrupt, and cold.
The obstetrician looked up from his desk and met her eyes. “Well, what about family…? The father….?”
“No”.
He sighed and acquiesced. “Okay, 32 weeks and 2 days. That will put the date at….” He checked his calendar on his computer then stopped cold.
“July 21st”.
She nodded, the hint of a smile flickering across her lips once more.
“That’s the day, innit?" she said. "When Duvall reaches 10 years.” Once more she rubs at her bump, but this time quite indulgently. “This little one will make me ten grand richer, and now I won’t have to spend a penny on it”. She grinned, seeing the shock on the obstetrician’s face. “Mind if I smoke?”.
| Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| Hey guys, wow this really blew up! Pretty awesome so many people read my post, even though this is just my second post all time on Reddit. I am glad this did well, since I've been following other writing prompts and it seemed the ones that did well were books or writings the writer genuinely wanted to read. Really happy with all the angles, I think a future book of this would be better served of with a 1 or 2 year survival challenge. If someone goes through with this as a book idea, please let me know! |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
|
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
|
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. | “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
|
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| “The hell is this?” I stared incredulously at the screen, where my name and foto were plastered just a second earlier. Sure, the government loved their twisted “social experiments”, but why me?
I must have stood in the dark silence of my living room for hours until the sun began creeping over the horizon. Then it hit me. My family was not safe anymore, the home security system, the panic room, all subverted by the *fucking government*.
I had to move, shit I had to *run*, and run now. I grabbed my go-bag (a little habit left over from my days as an EMT) and headed out.
That’s when I heard it. A harsh *click* of a gun being cocked. I had patched up enough bangers and crackheads to recognize that sound, but apparently not enough to know any better. I turned towards the source, raising my hands.
He was just a few feet behind me. My 60-odd-year-old ornithologist of a neighbor had found himself a pistol. “I’m s-sorry F-F-Felix”. He was shaking so badly he barely held on to the gun.
No. I’m not dying like this, not to him. I lunged.
|
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | It is hard to believe that my name was picked all those 9years and 364 days ago. I was just your average joe.
I was lucky that I had a work from home job cause I wouldn't have made it all those years. I was a nerd and a loner so life hasn't changed that much. People have come for the $10 mill but they never got close to me. Video games made me a great sniper and the money spent on that security system was well spent before all of this went down.
One more day and I will be remembered as the one would beat the odds and make everyone in the world $10k richer.
One more day I think to myself has cough up more blood.
Just one more day....
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | It is hard to believe that my name was picked all those 9years and 364 days ago. I was just your average joe.
I was lucky that I had a work from home job cause I wouldn't have made it all those years. I was a nerd and a loner so life hasn't changed that much. People have come for the $10 mill but they never got close to me. Video games made me a great sniper and the money spent on that security system was well spent before all of this went down.
One more day and I will be remembered as the one would beat the odds and make everyone in the world $10k richer.
One more day I think to myself has cough up more blood.
Just one more day....
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| It is hard to believe that my name was picked all those 9years and 364 days ago. I was just your average joe.
I was lucky that I had a work from home job cause I wouldn't have made it all those years. I was a nerd and a loner so life hasn't changed that much. People have come for the $10 mill but they never got close to me. Video games made me a great sniper and the money spent on that security system was well spent before all of this went down.
One more day and I will be remembered as the one would beat the odds and make everyone in the world $10k richer.
One more day I think to myself has cough up more blood.
Just one more day....
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| It is hard to believe that my name was picked all those 9years and 364 days ago. I was just your average joe.
I was lucky that I had a work from home job cause I wouldn't have made it all those years. I was a nerd and a loner so life hasn't changed that much. People have come for the $10 mill but they never got close to me. Video games made me a great sniper and the money spent on that security system was well spent before all of this went down.
One more day and I will be remembered as the one would beat the odds and make everyone in the world $10k richer.
One more day I think to myself has cough up more blood.
Just one more day....
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| It is hard to believe that my name was picked all those 9years and 364 days ago. I was just your average joe.
I was lucky that I had a work from home job cause I wouldn't have made it all those years. I was a nerd and a loner so life hasn't changed that much. People have come for the $10 mill but they never got close to me. Video games made me a great sniper and the money spent on that security system was well spent before all of this went down.
One more day and I will be remembered as the one would beat the odds and make everyone in the world $10k richer.
One more day I think to myself has cough up more blood.
Just one more day....
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. | I stepped out of my apartment and slung my bag over my shoulder. The rain was falling lightly and the sound of the cars on my street assaulted my senses as they whirred along the wet asphalt. I pulled up my hood and stuck in my earphones, and I pulled my scarf in tighter against my neck as I dodged the puddles in the concrete.
I was late, and I decided to cut through Times Square over to the subway, but as I rounded the corner I was struck by the eerie near silence in spite of a mass of people that was unusual for the early hour. I looked around them as I walked and I wouldn't have thought to look up if they hadn't all been looking and pointing in the same direction, murmuring quietly to each other.
But when I turned my head my mouth fell open and I slowly pulled out my earphones as I saw the most valuable piece of advertising real estate in the world, the one halfway up the Flatiron Building that's usually reserved for Coca-Cola, bearing an enormous picture of my own face.
There was a ticker at the bottom scrolling with my name and address.
I stopped, dumbstruck, and listened to the people muttering about what it is or what it could mean. *Who is that? Is it art? Is it a prank? It's funny, take my picture.* But just as my eyes took in the curious sight of my own enormous image enclosed in the screen of some tourist's phone I saw her screen go dark, start buzzing, and flashing quickly between black and white.
Simultaneously the phones of everyone in the square did the same thing, and I felt my own going off in my pocket. When I pulled it out I saw there was a timer counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... And as I read what was written in the message that appeared I knew that, whatever my next move was, it couldn't be to run. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I was out of town when my name came up on the news. Thank god they never included a picture, at least not on the first day. They didn’t want to make it *too* easy. If they had, I surely would have been shot in the mall where I stood, numbly staring at the TV on the store wall.
 
I should have been prepared; I knew they would be announcing someone new today. The poor bastard before me had been killed yesterday in the midafternoon, and by his own son no less. They always broadcast the next victim the day after.
 
Since the government had started the Culling six months ago, nearly two hundred had died. No one made it more than a few days. The absolute greed of humanity had laid itself bare, and I truly believed that this was the mark of our doom as a species.
 
It seemed to me that the mainstream media had been on the right track on the way the world was going. The entire concept sounded like some over the top writing prompt for a dystopian novel for Christ’s sake! I mean, a ten million dollar manhunt on random citizens televised on national news? The entire idea seemed too insane to be real. When first I heard of it I firmly believed I would see Margaret Atwood step out from behind the curtain and announce her new book. That was, until the first one was killed, followed by another two dozen over the next month. Those first fifty dropped like flies, nearly all of them killed on the first day. The lucky ones like me were in neighbouring towns when they were announced, and if they caught the news, they had a 24 hour head start to get into hiding before their picture went up.
 
After a few long minutes, that felt more like days, I recovered myself and looked around me. I had been staring at the TV too long; the others that had been waiting for the name to be put up had now mostly dispersed, though as I turned around, a few shoppers eyed me suspiciously, some looking a little hungrily at my recently unfrozen form.
 
As casually as I could, I began to walk towards the exit, forcing all of my willpower into not looking behind me, sure that to do so would signal my fear. As I neared the exit, I checked the glass reflection for anyone following me. No one in sight, but that shouldn't make me complacent. Not all Hunters made themselves that obvious.
 
A brisk walk across the lot and I was in my thankfully bland and very forgettable beige Corolla, and leaving the shopping mall. I was in the clear. For now.
 
Hours later after having filled my tank on a pickpocketed credit card, I was on the freeway to the next state. Home was a sad memory, and if I hoped to make it more than the usual few days, I needed to get far away; away from home, from any large towns, into the wilderness.
 
It was now late at night, I had about 10 hours till the morning news, accompanied by my picture. I pressed down further on the gas and drove on, coming to a long hill sloping gently upwards. As I crested the top, my heart nearly stopped- brake lights. For miles. Willing myself not to panic, I looked around for a way off the main road. This had been a stupid idea, the backroads were slower but far safer.
 
Heart pounding in my chest, I finally saw it, a gap in the side barrier that led off to a shallow ditch and a field, with the soft lights of some small town in the distance. Hope, dangerous, wild hope burned briefly in my chest.
 
I eased my way across the three lanes of traffic and slowly the traffic inched forward to the gap sought. Minutes later, I was there. Turning my wheels sharply to the right, I turned off my headlights and left the paved road. I would just have to hope my poor tired Corolla would make it through the tilled dirt of the mile or so of field.
 
Once I had escaped reasonable earshot of the vehicles stopped on the freeway, I floored it, and spat dirt out the back tires as I raced across the open field in near total darkness. If I weren't so terrified, it might have been thrilling, the insanity of it all. And I might have also noticed the black SUV that turned and followed me through the same gap in the freeway wall.
 
**END OF PART 1**
EDIT: changed a word, formatting | I stepped out of my apartment and slung my bag over my shoulder. The rain was falling lightly and the sound of the cars on my street assaulted my senses as they whirred along the wet asphalt. I pulled up my hood and stuck in my earphones, and I pulled my scarf in tighter against my neck as I dodged the puddles in the concrete.
I was late, and I decided to cut through Times Square over to the subway, but as I rounded the corner I was struck by the eerie near silence in spite of a mass of people that was unusual for the early hour. I looked around them as I walked and I wouldn't have thought to look up if they hadn't all been looking and pointing in the same direction, murmuring quietly to each other.
But when I turned my head my mouth fell open and I slowly pulled out my earphones as I saw the most valuable piece of advertising real estate in the world, the one halfway up the Flatiron Building that's usually reserved for Coca-Cola, bearing an enormous picture of my own face.
There was a ticker at the bottom scrolling with my name and address.
I stopped, dumbstruck, and listened to the people muttering about what it is or what it could mean. *Who is that? Is it art? Is it a prank? It's funny, take my picture.* But just as my eyes took in the curious sight of my own enormous image enclosed in the screen of some tourist's phone I saw her screen go dark, start buzzing, and flashing quickly between black and white.
Simultaneously the phones of everyone in the square did the same thing, and I felt my own going off in my pocket. When I pulled it out I saw there was a timer counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... And as I read what was written in the message that appeared I knew that, whatever my next move was, it couldn't be to run. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | This day started out so well. I was at the game and the Bills were actually winning for a change when an announcement came across the titantron at halftime. I thought it was some kind of joke at first. There was my face along with some Hispanic chick and it said President Trump put a bounty out on the heads of me and that poor girl. If somebody kills me in the next 10 years they get $10,000,000 and if I survive everybody in the world gets $10,000. Everybody at the stadium got quiet and started mumbling about the stupidity of it when everybody's cellphones started going off with the same notification.
I stood up and tried sneaking away because all it takes is one person to think this was serious to put a bullet in my head. I was heading towards the exit when the pointing started and before I knew it I was on all the screens around the stadium. A shiver runs up my spine as the murmuring started turning into a roar and I started to run. I didn't get far when a fist smashed into my face and I blacked out.
When I came to I was positive I was in hell. There was screaming everywhere and I was having a hard time seeing with the water flowing into my eyes and it was so hot. I try to reach up to wipe the water from my eyes but all I felt was a white hot pain race up my right arm. Broken. I reach up with my left and manage to wipe away the water and when I can see my hand comes away red. As bad as that was what I see surrounding me is so much worse. Thousands of people are rioting and I get kicked in the back and I struggle to breath. I'm still in the stadium and not only is everybody trying to kill me they're fighting each other as well trying to get to me. Another person stomps on my ankle and I come to my senses and try to get the fuck out of there.
I scramble towards the exit getting kicked and grabbed at and it seems like soon as somebody gets a hold on me they're forced to let go by some other murderous fan trying to kill me. I don't know how many times I'm kicked, punched, and gouged but I manage to make it out of the stands and find myself in the concession area and can finally stand up. God my arm hurts so much and my left ankle isn't much better but I can put some weight on it. It's oddly empty down here but the noise up above me is getting louder. The screams sounds like the fiery pits of hell. I'm rushing as fast as I can towards the parking lot and a few blood soaked people managed to get down here through the bottleneck and they paid for it. The closest is a man that's missing his arm at the elbow and it's spurting blood. He's still coming after me. I stumble around him and he manages to grab my broken arm with his one remaining and I punch him in the face and feel his nose crunch under my fist. He lets go and I rush towards the exit. Right when I get outside I run into a couple of police officers.
"Thank god, You have to help me. Everybody is trying to kill me over a stupid joke!"
One of the officers look at me and then looks at her partner and says "Sorry sir but it's not a joke." Her and her partner draw their guns and point them at me when he says "Go for center mass, we need his face recognizable for the reward." They each fire three rounds.
I collapse on the ground and start gurgling blood trying to breath. Why did this happen? I'm so cold and can't breath and I see the female officer standing over me and she's crying. "I'm so sorry, but 5 million dollars is a lot of money" She puts three more rounds in my chest and my vision starts going black. The last thing I see and hear is a gunshot and blood spurting out the side of her head.
| I stepped out of my apartment and slung my bag over my shoulder. The rain was falling lightly and the sound of the cars on my street assaulted my senses as they whirred along the wet asphalt. I pulled up my hood and stuck in my earphones, and I pulled my scarf in tighter against my neck as I dodged the puddles in the concrete.
I was late, and I decided to cut through Times Square over to the subway, but as I rounded the corner I was struck by the eerie near silence in spite of a mass of people that was unusual for the early hour. I looked around them as I walked and I wouldn't have thought to look up if they hadn't all been looking and pointing in the same direction, murmuring quietly to each other.
But when I turned my head my mouth fell open and I slowly pulled out my earphones as I saw the most valuable piece of advertising real estate in the world, the one halfway up the Flatiron Building that's usually reserved for Coca-Cola, bearing an enormous picture of my own face.
There was a ticker at the bottom scrolling with my name and address.
I stopped, dumbstruck, and listened to the people muttering about what it is or what it could mean. *Who is that? Is it art? Is it a prank? It's funny, take my picture.* But just as my eyes took in the curious sight of my own enormous image enclosed in the screen of some tourist's phone I saw her screen go dark, start buzzing, and flashing quickly between black and white.
Simultaneously the phones of everyone in the square did the same thing, and I felt my own going off in my pocket. When I pulled it out I saw there was a timer counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... And as I read what was written in the message that appeared I knew that, whatever my next move was, it couldn't be to run. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| I stepped out of my apartment and slung my bag over my shoulder. The rain was falling lightly and the sound of the cars on my street assaulted my senses as they whirred along the wet asphalt. I pulled up my hood and stuck in my earphones, and I pulled my scarf in tighter against my neck as I dodged the puddles in the concrete.
I was late, and I decided to cut through Times Square over to the subway, but as I rounded the corner I was struck by the eerie near silence in spite of a mass of people that was unusual for the early hour. I looked around them as I walked and I wouldn't have thought to look up if they hadn't all been looking and pointing in the same direction, murmuring quietly to each other.
But when I turned my head my mouth fell open and I slowly pulled out my earphones as I saw the most valuable piece of advertising real estate in the world, the one halfway up the Flatiron Building that's usually reserved for Coca-Cola, bearing an enormous picture of my own face.
There was a ticker at the bottom scrolling with my name and address.
I stopped, dumbstruck, and listened to the people muttering about what it is or what it could mean. *Who is that? Is it art? Is it a prank? It's funny, take my picture.* But just as my eyes took in the curious sight of my own enormous image enclosed in the screen of some tourist's phone I saw her screen go dark, start buzzing, and flashing quickly between black and white.
Simultaneously the phones of everyone in the square did the same thing, and I felt my own going off in my pocket. When I pulled it out I saw there was a timer counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... And as I read what was written in the message that appeared I knew that, whatever my next move was, it couldn't be to run. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| I stepped out of my apartment and slung my bag over my shoulder. The rain was falling lightly and the sound of the cars on my street assaulted my senses as they whirred along the wet asphalt. I pulled up my hood and stuck in my earphones, and I pulled my scarf in tighter against my neck as I dodged the puddles in the concrete.
I was late, and I decided to cut through Times Square over to the subway, but as I rounded the corner I was struck by the eerie near silence in spite of a mass of people that was unusual for the early hour. I looked around them as I walked and I wouldn't have thought to look up if they hadn't all been looking and pointing in the same direction, murmuring quietly to each other.
But when I turned my head my mouth fell open and I slowly pulled out my earphones as I saw the most valuable piece of advertising real estate in the world, the one halfway up the Flatiron Building that's usually reserved for Coca-Cola, bearing an enormous picture of my own face.
There was a ticker at the bottom scrolling with my name and address.
I stopped, dumbstruck, and listened to the people muttering about what it is or what it could mean. *Who is that? Is it art? Is it a prank? It's funny, take my picture.* But just as my eyes took in the curious sight of my own enormous image enclosed in the screen of some tourist's phone I saw her screen go dark, start buzzing, and flashing quickly between black and white.
Simultaneously the phones of everyone in the square did the same thing, and I felt my own going off in my pocket. When I pulled it out I saw there was a timer counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... And as I read what was written in the message that appeared I knew that, whatever my next move was, it couldn't be to run. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Only 30 more seconds…
The past 10 years have been an absolute nightmare. The bounty placed on my head has turned everyone against me. My wife, my parents, my family and friends have all tried to kill me for their own benefit. Where do I go from here?
Only 20 more seconds…
Should I go back home and act like nothing ever happened? Should I try to start over new?
For once I really do think that there is no one else in the world who could relate or be able to help me. I am officially alone now…
Only 10 more seconds…
The only thing I know for certain is that this will help a lot of people. Sure $10,000 may not be anything to retire on for some people, but this will give many the ability to feel some comfort, get a starter home, buy that car, start a college savings plan. Maybe even a lot of them will donate to charity! In third world countries they’ll be able to eat, possibly even get access to medical supplies.
This was the right thing after all. One person suffers… but the rest benefit. I can put myself among the ranks of other divine fighters such as Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr.
Time…
It’s over… it’s finally done.
The door creaks as I turn the handle and push it open. The sun’s warmth on my face…I’ve missed this for so long… to enjoy the simple things.
I open my eyes to see the beautiful scenery around me.
I am surrounded by what feels like everyone… Guns, knives, and various homemade weapons…
It was at this moment I realized my watch may have been a little fast…
| It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
I turned off my inserts. It’s funny how jarring it feels to disconnect from everything around you once you are used to the chips communicating and managing every aspect of your life. I wonder what our ancestors felt when they didn’t have chips managing lights, air conditioners, air customizers, and other common accessories for them. Must be tiresome to keep adjusting the temperature control without the inserts automatically adjusting them to ideal body temperature constantly. Couldn’t stay in this state for long, everyone will find out immediately. A void, on the day of selection, gets noticed easily.
You see, that’s what the first few did. In an attempt to hide, they disconnected from the world completely. Felt like an obvious solution. Disconnect for 10 years and collect the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for enduring 10 years without technology and the Amish do live without it. It’s not like disconnecting is illegal or something. However, on the day of the selection, if you disappear, you become the most obvious suspect. You will find that relatives, co-workers, friends, everyone wants to touch you. Physical touch, so they can hear the anticipated ding, and claim the prize. $10,000,000 is a reasonable compensation for sacrificing an acquaintance after all. All you have to do is call a few friends, besiege the prey, and earn enough for a lifetime. I myself had fantasized about finding the previous targets. $10,000,000. It’s a huge sum.
It's not like I blame them. I wouldn’t attempt to physically meet others either if there wasn’t an incentive to do so. Perfect android companions can conform to feel, texture, and voice of many celebrities. Why would you want to meet average people? Children are extremely expensive anyways. Honestly, not worth it for a few minutes of fun. The game became the only way for governments to get people to meet and touch each other physically. Anyone shunning such physical touch, especially if it happened after the selection, became suspicious. Family dinners, BBQ parties, romantic evenings, all became excuses to develop relationships so that people could develop a justification to touch.
10 minutes have passed. Statistically, I have 5 more before Angela should come in. I have timed her before. On average, she takes 15 minutes to come down. Standard deviation is approximately 1 minutes. There is a 95% chance she will come between 13 to 17 minutes. My ability to be precise is the characteristic I take most pride in after all. You see, I have always been good with numbers.
When I went to college, Mathematics was one of the last bastion of human creativity. They said computers cannot develop proofs like we do since it requires a type of intelligence that they lack. Felt obvious at the time to get my degree in abstract Mathematics. Well, even those jobs are starting to disappear now. Turns out creativity isn’t all that difficult to model after all.
It is not a difficult decision. I neatly fold the letter and place it on the table. It will explain to her that I am the target so she can call and claim her prize before others reach. That should take an average of 30 more minutes with a standard deviation of 5 minutes. The letter is short. She will only have 3-7 minutes to get over her shock, read the letter, and make the call. In the worstcase scenario, she may not even have that much time. Well, I cannot control everything I guess. $10,000,000 is a huge sum after all. I want her to have it. She is not the most beautiful but she has been my girlfriend for past few years. None of the past targets survived 10 years. Might as well end the misery now and let her claim the win.
It was not a difficult decision. Well, Mathematically at least.
P.S: It is (m)y first time. Be gentle. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The obstetrician sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was the worst part of his job. He peered over his glasses at the ultrasound results once more, hoping that the words had changed. But no. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went to break the bad news.
He entered the exam room and already it was like his patient knew. She was completely joyless, a stark contrast to all the hopes and dreams he normally sees sparkling in the eyes of the pregnant women he sees every day. She half-stood when he entered the room, hand automatically supporting her back at the movement, but he waved her down and sat across from her.
He looked at her seriously and said “I always find that women prefer that I don’t beat around the bush” and he winced internally at how his voice changed. Usually upbeat and friendly, he used a lower pitch and a calming tone as though he was trying to soothe an animal. Which, he supposed, was not far from the truth. Mothers had that animalistic instinct to protect their babies.
Her eyes darted around the room while she fidgeted with the hem on her dress, clearly wanting to be anywhere but here. That made both of them. When she made no acknowledgement of his sentence, he continued. “I’ve just been reading the ultrasound results and … it’s not good news. We found several severe problems with your baby and I’m so sorry, but your baby won’t survive them”.
Finally, she made eye contact with him. The expression changed in an instant … she looked almost hopeful. “What do…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and started again. “What do you mean, he won’t survive them?”.
“His brain and heart aren’t developing properly. There’s nothing we can do”.
“Nothing at all? Not surgery, or …..” she trailed off, unable to think of an alternative.
“There’s nothing. Again, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the hint of a smile on her face which was quickly suppressed. Although people often reacted with inappropriate emotions during grief, it always startled him to see it.
He continued, “Unfortunately, your pregnancy is much too far advanced for a simple procedure. We will have to admit you into hospital and kick-start your labour”. He paused while waiting for the words to sink in. She gave no sign of understanding so he clarified “We’ll induce you within the week to deliver the baby”.
Finally, a reaction. Anger. Her hand flew to protect her bump and she hissed “You’ll do nothing of the sort. I don’t agree to any of that and you can’t force me. I know my rights!”
Holding both hands up, palms out in surrender, the obstetrician hurriedly explained “I understand, and you’ve every right to choose that, but this little baby will not survive very long after birth no matter when he’s born. There’s just no point….”
“No point? No POINT?! Of course there’s a fucking POINT! I’ve done everything I could possibly DO to get pregnant, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you fucking DARE tell me there’s no point!”
Thinking it best to say nothing, the obstetrician sat silently and waited for the patient to calm herself. When the silence got too much for him to bear, he opened his mouth to speak when she said quietly, “32 weeks and 2 days. That’s when we’ll induce it.”
Perplexed, he slowly said “wellllllll .. the thing is, there’s really no difference if we do it now or…”
She slammed her palm on his desk, making him startle in surprise. “That’s when we’ll induce it. 32 weeks and 2 days”.
“Well, we can discuss it at another appointment. I think it would be beneficial for you to make an appointment with our counselling service first…” and he rummaged to find their business card.
“No need.” Abrupt, and cold.
The obstetrician looked up from his desk and met her eyes. “Well, what about family…? The father….?”
“No”.
He sighed and acquiesced. “Okay, 32 weeks and 2 days. That will put the date at….” He checked his calendar on his computer then stopped cold.
“July 21st”.
She nodded, the hint of a smile flickering across her lips once more.
“That’s the day, innit?" she said. "When Duvall reaches 10 years.” Once more she rubs at her bump, but this time quite indulgently. “This little one will make me ten grand richer, and now I won’t have to spend a penny on it”. She grinned, seeing the shock on the obstetrician’s face. “Mind if I smoke?”.
| "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The underside of the pillow was soft and cool as it molded around my mouth and nose. I bet she was glad we'd splurged on the memory foam now. From her lungs she breathed hot fire, her body surging as it straddled mine.
I didn't fight her. It wasn't in me. I merely reached out into oblivion, wrapping my her naked body in my arms for one last embrace and with the tips of my fingers I traced, "I love you..." | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I came home from a hard day's work. Grabbed a beer from the fridge and proceeded to turn on the TV when I heard it, an announcement from the president that presented everyone with a chance to either help me make it another ten years in exchange for $10,000 for everyone, or a 10 million dollar bounty on my head. My name, picture and social media accounts where included with this announcement.
Knowing the odds of my survival I set out to do what I've always wanted to do. Grabbed my keys, opened the garage and sped off to the downtown area. I tried to run over every pedestrian as I had done in Gran Theft Auto a million times before, I even gave myself 10 bonus points for everyone in a wheel chair (20 points!).
Quickly I had indeed a half dozen police squads following along with a police and news chopper. I rammed my car into the highest building in the area and made my way towards the elevator while also pressing the fire alarm. I kept making my way towards the top floor, I even pushed my way through the crowd as the elevator doors opened and got to the edge when a voice shouted from behind me.
"Don't do it, I'm aware of your situation. Don't throw away your life! We can do it, we can make it through 10 years and everyone will get $10,000 even in africa!"
I shouted "Suck Mah BALLS!" and fell backwards while flipping him off with both hands and thought "fuck this, ain't no one getting anything". | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I'm retrospect the bounty on my head is kind of my own fault.
But then again, the Pentagon? The Department of Defense? Hell, the CIA? They're all dicks.
I offered them the world's first functioning unbreakable force field. My first invention I was finally willing to part with. At my sales pitch they seemed interested, at least until I listed my price. They said they could never pay for it, at least not without further testing. I'm guessing they came up with this test when I suggested I might sell to China instead. Very funny guys. Sure it might have been a bit "traitorous" or whatever, but how else was I gonna be able to buy all the parts I need for my new project? (No, I won't tell you what is. But it rhymes with "mime tachine".)
The good news is no one will get through the force field. I know my own handiwork, and it never fails. After all, there's a reason I'm the only one in the world with a doctorate in Quantum Engineering, Advanced Robotics+, and Ultra Physics. The suckers at the edge of my yard will be horribly disappointed.
Perhaps I could convince them to leave. I mean, they'd still get their 10 G's, and I'd be that much less annoyed. Win-win, right? All I need is to grab my megaphone and finally utilize my economics minor to explain how we're all better off this way.
On second thought, death ray and killer robots? Yeah, let's go with death ray and killer robots. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | (My first Prompt here. English isn't even my first language :P )
'Good afternoon, students.' As our professor spoke up. 'We will continue where we left off yesterday, at page...'
BANG
Oh look. Another assassination attempt on Dr. Ludwig.
Dr. Ludwig stopped to look at the assassin, who was holding a smoking pistol. The assassin fired another two shots at the professor's chest, hitting him. Dr. Ludwig, per usual, didn't flinch at all, as he slowly walked up to his assassinator and knocked him out.
The assassinator, whose face was filled with dread and confusion, was dragged away by Dr. Ludwig from the higher end of the Lecture Hall to the whiteboard, where he stood.
Even after 7 years and 168 days, people were still trying to collect the bounty on his head. They tried millions of things. From Baseball Bats, to Gas Chambers, to throwing him out of an airlock. He survived all of them. For whatever reason, he was immortal.
And really, that's why we would sit through his lessons. To, hopefully, learn how to be immortal. I was supposed to be in Egypt, healing my co-workers, who are probably in the middle of massacring robots.
Dr. Ludwig went on. 'As I was saying, we will continue on page 76, on the structure of the device, to further understand human tissue damage.'
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Who wants to live forever?
I did. I once did. And immortality and invincibility has come to me.
Well, technically, I caused the 'invincibility' part. But, that would be another story, Ja?
In the early 1940s, I signed a deal with the Devil. He gave me a successful career as a combat medic and allowed me to look like I was 32 for the rest of my life. During this period, I created a device that could quickly regenerate tissue damage and make people temporarily invincible.
I was happy and content. Until 1973, when I died.
I met the Devil once again. He nearly made me end up in hell. Until I convinced him that I could not be sent to hell due to me surgically implanting several extra souls in myself. So he made me immortal, saying that it was a 'fate worse than death'. I had no idea what he meant back then.
Unfortunately, now I have. The first few decades were quite fun actually, as I ran more and more experiments on myself and my unfortunate test subjects.
But as I got older, life got boring. By ridding myself of my ability to die, I have found that all meaning in life has been lost. There were simply no more stakes to my life. What is life’s significance without death? It has none.
I tried to shoot myself in the head. Didn’t work. Remember how I said that I had created a device capable of making me invincible? Well, apparently prolonged exposure makes the invincibility permanent.
‘Misha, drag him onto the table. Und, call Miss Ziegler to come over. We have another subject.’
Misha was someone who worked with me. Well, he still does. He’s immortal as well. Doesn’t seem to bother him though. He’s been helping me get rid of my immortality. In fact, it was he who convinced me to quit drinking and figure out a way for me to remove my immortality.
‘Da.’
And so I spent the next 55 or so years researching on mortality. While others were finding out how to generate it, I tried to destroy mine. By the mid-2060s I had already started to get desperate. This is where Dr. Ziegler comes in.
She’s a world renowned doctor whose obsession with immortality rivals my desire to remove it. When she got wind about a doctor who has been 32 years old for 110 years, she called me and asked for my help. I accepted on one condition. (Surely, an extra set of hands couldn’t hurt, right?)
My condition was to get people to kill me. Hopefully, 10 million dollars would get people to try and get through my invincibility, right?
Apparently not. Either way, Miss Ziegler used her position at some high-end group to convince Germany that getting the world to kill one of their citizens was a good idea.
So there. Now if you excuse me, I have to conduct an operation.
‘Good afternoon Mr Walker. Walther PPK. Interesting choice of weaponry. Tell me, where did you get this antique?’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want to die. Luckily, you may be of assistance.’
I proceeded to cut open the guy’s chest, and pull out his beating heart.
________________________________________________________________
*
*
*
*
Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
As I walk down the hallway echoing with screams, I look on the upper right corner of my glasses.
‘Conducting experiment 1138. Be here.’
It seems that Dr. Ludwig had begun without me. What a pity.
I used to think that Dr. Ludwig was a madman. Now, I see we share similar ideals.
We both have much curiosity, and will stop at nothing to satisfy it. We both consider the Hippocratic Oath as bull. We also lack compassion for our patients, or respect for human dignity.
But, he considers healing to be an untended side effect of his creations. I just want to reincarnate my long dead parents. I don't care what it will take, I just want the people who tell me bedtime stories to return.
I’ve tried everything. And Dr. Ludwig here is the closest to the answer. That's why I'm willing to put aside my job as a Healer and sit through his lessons.
‘Will arrive in 2 minutes’
'Is that the assassin from the lecture'
Who doesn’t want to live forever? | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | When my mail was delivered to my desk that day I was suprised.I told the post office no mail. I thought it must be a joke. My assistant told me “No sir it was in your mailbox.” When I opened the letter and read “You shall be killed. Your killer will receive $10,000,000 If you survive every person on earth will be given $10,000.” Signed by no one other than the President of the United States.
I thought to myself “Why the fuck did they do this to ME. Of all fucking people. They must be jealous of what I have accomplished. They know the power I can wield but choose not to. The world has already lost one visionary years ago. I will not let it lose another. I will die on my own terms.”
The next day it was announced. Suddenly my estate in Washington was bombarded with attacks. The locals were always wary of my presence always thinking I was up to some global elite mischief.
My security detail knew the rules. Any offer they received to attack me I would double. I had their loyalty after they each approached me. One of them approached me after receiving his check.
“Sorry Sir, I could really do a lot with 30 million”
The fool didn’t know my office had cameras. I was able to stall him long enough for a sniper to get into position. His life was snuffed with complete indiscretion. Every person who was around my estate Saw it, Heard it, and Feared it.
The attempts on my life continued. Fools tried ramming my gate. Flying bush planes onto my property. I recall even one man from a nearby national guard post stole an assault vehicle and killed 7 of my men. They were replaced but my heart still ached for their families. I remember thinking “I can do more good if I stay alive for just the next few years than I could ever do with all of my riches. So survive I will at any cost.”
Eight long and gruesome years passed by. The attacks became far less frequent but more organized as the years went on. Even radical terror cells tried to kill me. They had breached my estate after the second year. My house is built Very well. It took them 3 more months to actually get into the doors of my home. I retreated into my bunker moments after they broke in. They have been trying to get in since then. Luckily my security team still knows the stakes. I paid each of them a premium for every person they kill that steps foot on my property. Some people have lasted long enough to reach the bunker doors but most are killed before they reach the what once was a front door. Now it’s just me, my wife, an assistant, my personal bodyguard, and two of my 3 children.
My youngest had been captured in the first few days. She was held captive for 3 months before a rescue operation was launched. I lost a daughter that day. The men had taken her and then they took her. They sent me everything. My wife took this harder than I did. She was thrown into a depression but I couldn’t let her leave she meant too much to me. She wanted out. She wanted to walk to her death, I stopped her because seeing my daughter die was impossible but seeing the light of my life die would kill me. I made her stay.
She was not happy for the ensuing years. I knew she was dead on the inside. She feigned happiness when our remaining childrens birthdays happened. She slept in a separate room on our anniversaries. So many years passed.
I was going to the living room quarters when she appeared. My wife with a knife from the kitchen. Surely I thought she wasn’t going to kill me. She had everything in the world before all this happened and she knew she would have everything when it was over as well. She plunged the knife into herself whispering over and over again“I hate you.” We had no doctor and only a significant supply of our daily medications left. I watched my wife die in a matter of minutes.
The life got sucked out of me.
I knew I was going to kill myself the moment year 10 came around.
I put up with the last two years. I didn’t speak to my remaining children. They survived I survived. My assistant got in the way. I grew impatient. I threw him out. They killed him. My bodyguard grew angry towards me. I killed him.
The clock hit 12:01 a.m I pulled the trigger.
So this is it. This is death. This is what they all wanted. I hope they like that $10,000 dollars. THIS is not what I expected. My wife standing over me smiling. My daughter grinning at me just like she used to. I felt at peace.
Signing off William Henry Gates The Third.
| "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The news that I was one of the two people selected as part of this weird game repeated itself through my head.
Knocks came at the door, insistently. It had already begun, they were here for me.
I moved to the door and looked through the peephole. Two of my neighbours were in front of it, with rifles and a grim look of determination on their faces.
"Don't you worry Jonny, me and Francine are here to keep you safe. The whole neighbourhood's setting up a watch to defend your place, we'll sort you out with food and water."
"What? You're not here to kill me?" I said, barely able to stop my voice from trembling.
Max turned towards the door and grinned. "The world would be a lot better if everyone had some cash to look after them and theirs. That's what we're here to fight for."
| "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | 'Oh, shit!', I yell. 'Why does it have to be me?'
I walk over to the couch and sit down. I boot up Witcher 3 and continue playing. After 5 hours, my neighbour jumps through the window with a machete.
'Hi, Frank', I greet him. 'How are the kids?
'They're fine, John. I'm so sorry about this, but I really want a new house, not to mention a 2 million dollar car', Frank tries to explain himself.
'That's great, Frank. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun in jail. I mean that's where you'll find up. Let's see, that's breaking and entering and murder. I'm sure little Jess and Frank Jr. will be glad to see you in 50 years', I say.
'Oh, shit. I didn't think of that.'
'Yeah, that's the way these things go. The law still applies.'
Frank then put down his weapon and sits down next to me.
'What're you playing?', he asks.
'Witcher 3. I'm currently in the middle of the Blood and Wine expansion, set in the duchy of Toussaint.', I answer.
'Cool.'
In the evening, Frank invites me to dinner and he calls a guy to fix my window. What a nice guy. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | In the moments before my first stage performance, my mentor had laid a hand on my shoulder and stared into my eyes. Though he was getting older, his beard was neatly trimmed and his hair was in perfect order. A performer to the end. I met his eyes, speckles of green and brown across a field of blue. I remember thinking that he seemed to be staring straight through my anticipation and into the very structure of my soul.
"Are you ready?" he'd asked after a moment.
"No," I'd replied—because magic is the practice of deception, and in order to deceive we must first face the truth without flinching. He'd been the one to teach me that, though never in words. That was always the way with him.
Thinking back in later days, I could never decipher the expression my reply provoked. Some days it seemed sorrowfully proud, others resigned and joyful.
"Good," he had said at last. "We're never ready when our moment comes."
*But we face it all the same*, I thought. He nodded, and I took the stage.
*
Set up. Step in. Transcend. The three parts of any magic trick. You begin by leading the audience along, constructing the framework they'll use to understand what happens next. Then you step into that framework, playing along with the expectations you've created. Finally, you reveal the exception you'd buried behind their expectations, blinded by their preconceptions. The hat contains a rabbit and the card was in your hand all along.
When I heard the government had marked me for death, I heard those words again. The voice of my mentor, who died long ago, and the voice of my younger self, unaware of the path on which I had just taken the first step. I heard, and I chuckled quietly to myself.
I wasn't ready for this moment. If I'd had a choice, I'd have given myself a few
more months at least. But though reality gives us more choices than we always see, this wasn't one of them. I'd have to work with what I had.
A good performer knows his audience, so I watched social media as I made my preparations. The Internet had figured out my home address in a matter of minutes, but one of the perks of being a traveling performer is that you're often not at home when a band of amateur killers decides to come knocking. Of course, they figured out just as quickly that I'd done a show in Minneapolis two days ago, so presumably they'd find my real location before too long.
Reactions to the announcement varied. For many, it was disgusting and unthinkable, another sign of the depravity of the current administration. Others wished me well, whether out of support for the underdog or fantasies of getting their hands on a chunk of the payout. Some, of a more utilitarian bent, I suppose, were demanding I turn myself over GiveWell to be executed for the greater good. And to top it off, of course, an endless stream of thinkpieces dissecting my options.
I checked the recording equipment one more time, and began my livestream. We're never ready when our time comes.
"Good evening," I began, "and welcome to what will be, unfortunately, my final show."
I gave it a couple minutes to go viral—I needed as many eyes on me as possible—then prepared for the final climax.
"I view this choice as a gift, of course," I said. "Spend the next ten years of my life in hiding for the good of all, or direct someone to kill me for some noble goal. The prospect of my own death has sharpened my focus wonderfully, and I thank the responsible parties for the opportunity. But this seems an impossible choice, and I've never been one to bow to the inevitable."
I paused a moment for effect.
"I took a moment to review the text of the bill, and as it turn outs, no one gets any money if I kill myself. I'm afraid my pride doesn't allow for anyone to profit from my death, you see, so I will have to disappoint you all. I hope the government can find a more productive use for the money."
*We face it all the same.*
On live camera, in front of millions of viewers, I put the gun to my temple, fired, and died.
*
Set up. Step in. *Transcend.*
I woke amid the scorch marks on the floor. The magical release had knocked out the camera, as I'd hoped—hopefully they'd seen nothing after the gunshot. I put a hand to my temple, feeling the exit wound rapidly scabbing over. I hadn't been certain, hadn't been confident in my designs, but someone had thought I was ready.
I sat up slowly and saw him standing just outside the ritual circle. Blue eyes, speckled with green and brown, stared straight through mine and into the depths of my soul.
"I never told you," he said at last, and there was that unreadable expression from my memories. Pride and sorrow, resignation and joy. An old man watching his student take the first step on a hard journey.
I drunk deep of it. Then I threw back my head and laughed. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I work at Goldman Sachs." The chick I've been talking up at the bar raises an eyebrow disbelievingly. "Yes, *that* Goldman Sachs. My job, my only job, is this: whenever the Notice goes out, I hire a hitman to take out the target, and see the mission through to completion."
"Whaaaat?" She leans in. "That's so wrong..." she puts a hand on my thigh. "...but dangerous." Wow, slam dunk. "But why?"
"Well, it's pretty straightforward: we hold trillions of dollars of monetary assets, and we don't need a $10,000 payday for everyone screwing up the value of the dollar. Do you know how much money $10,000 for everyone is? Even for just the U.S., population, it's about 3.2 trillion dollars. That much money pumped into the system would drop our value quite a bit, but it's the *whole friggin world.* So closer to 70 trillion dollars. Yeah, no thanks. Much better to keep our relative trickle from QE siphons."
I can tell I'm starting to lose her, so I bring it back around.
"There's a reason no one has ever survived the full ten years..."
She's not paying attention. She's looking at the TV.
I turn, and I see my face attached to the Notice.
I turn back, and the last thing I see is her bringing a gun up to my face. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | My name flashed on the screen. Not just my name--my date of birth, my city of birth, and my picture, a photo from a couple of years ago we were forced to submit. The moment I saw it my heart leaped into my throat and my gut felt like someone dropped a ton of rocks in it. Time seemed to stop, and all there was was the television screen and the soft robotic voice of the announcer. Then, adrenaline rushed through my body. I knew the game. We all knew it. The next step was to find safety.
I rushed through the living room, into the kitchen, down the stairs into the basement. As I did I heard my wife Janet begin to wail upstairs. She was giving our youngest, Bryson, a bath, and listening to the broadcast on the radio. I heard her shout, "No, no, no, no," again and again as she drained the water from the tub and shuffled her feet upstairs, no doubt wrapping Bryson in a towel so she could come downstairs to catch me. I'll never know for certain.
In the basement we had a closet with three large backpacks hanging on hooks. One for me, one for my wife, and one for our oldest son, Daniel, who was away to college right now. Dust collected on the tops, thickest on mine and Janet's. The phone rang upstairs. I could hear my wife stomping around up there. The air in the basement was musty, like moldy bread. I grabbed my backpack off the hook and quickly unzipped it, ensuring the clothing and food inside was still vacuum sealed, still safe from the elements.
"Lewis!" I heard my wife cry out. "Lewis don't go yet!" Bryson was crying. Viola, our middle child, just starting eighth grade, came out of her room. "What is going to happen to dad?" I heard her say, her voice muffled above. I had the backpack on and was running toward the stairs leading up to the back entrance. I could feel the tears running down my face. As I reached the top of the stairs, I threw open the back door. Janet's voice, loud and despairing in my right ear, screaming for me to stop, to take her with me.
I almost stopped. I almost took her with me.
Immediately upon leaving the back door, stepping out into the cold night air, I barely saw my neighbor, Allan, standing across the driveway, behind his white picket fence, silhouetted by the lights of his home. He had a hunting rifle leveled at me. He never said anything, he just took the shot, and I managed to duck out of the way just in time. He was too close for such a long range weapon, and he knew it, dropping the rifle and pulling a silver pistol out of his side holster. I was running down the driveway to the car, my car, my breath hot in my lungs. I had just eaten a big dinner before the announcement--spaghetti and meatballs, a nice salad. Garlic bread. Glass of wine. I could feel the acidity of the pasta sauce gargling up my throat.
Allan took a couple of shots at me, all missed. I reached the car and threw myself inside, starting the engine without even thinking about it. Allan shot twice more, putting a hole in the windshield. I turned on the headlights, and he was now in full light. Viola was there too, and I heard her scream, "Stop shooting, you asshole!" Allan looked over at her, then quickly ran inside his house as I pulled out of the driveway. My wife never left the house. I drove in silence for hours, tears pouring down my face, choking myself with my own sobs. I slept in the back seat. I watched the sun rise while eating a bag of beef jerky.
The first step, they say, is to get as far away from everyone you know as you can. They are always the first to come, because they know you, they know how you work, where you go, what you do. After that, it's just a matter of hunkering down and moving constantly. That's how you make it. Or so they say. But the big thing is: you never go back. | "Why me? Is my RNG really that bad?" I whisper to myself. I'm shocked, truly pulsing in my own home. I can feel the thump of my heart tear through my ribs. I'v never felt so dead. My trust in people has gradually reduced itself over long periods social interacting. But this has dropped the scale to a new dimensions. I felt the wind of humanity sink ten fold after hearing the ear numbing sirens flip on. "It's cold." I muttered. The siren faded. A loud ring sprung it's way into my ears negating all outside distractions. *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "ITS ME DANE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." My door nearly shook from its hinges. The sharp distorted ring fell. My phone blowing up. *CRASH!* *THUD!* I turn to my door just right of my television set. "Greg?" I say inside. He flings himself off of my floor "LET'S GO, NOW, LET'S FUCKING GO NOW! My car is parked out back we can make it if you just-"
I hold my hand up "stop, I'm staying."
"Are you fucking insane, I see you've been watching the fucking GOV stream. You know they chose you, you know we have a place for you to survive. Every fucking year they pick a new pig and pin a target on them and this year is your ten years of hiding. We have 23 people still in hiding waiting to go back home. It's your turn." Greg explains. For those of you who haven't kept up with this world, streaming has become the norm and cable fell to its knees. GOV stream is hosted by our very own president who believes that a mystical figure visited him as a child and blessed him with power to rule a nation. He hosts these streams to keep the world tapped in on important events and updates. But lately, the world has viewed him as a celebrity rather than a president. Also, there is an organization that gets funded by the community to help protect those who oppose this event of murder money. *flashs back to Greg and Dane* "I'm staying." I demand. "WHY!?" Hey asks. I reach down below my couch and whip out a fully automatic assault rifle with inferred scope and pull the pin back then release. "Because I want to make a statment, im going on my roof and shooting anyone that gets near my house. Then, im going down the block and unloading led into anyone i lay my eyes on. After i reach a maximum of lets say, ummmmm i dont know 500 kills, self defense of course " i say sarcastically. "I'm going to wherever that podcast, make a huge controversial speech about life and death and morals, all that streaming show and movie Bullshit then proceed to blow my brains out. After all is said and done I garentee you I will at least spark something." I pull the gun back and pop Greg right in the head. I take a huge breath, then walk. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | The obstetrician sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was the worst part of his job. He peered over his glasses at the ultrasound results once more, hoping that the words had changed. But no. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went to break the bad news.
He entered the exam room and already it was like his patient knew. She was completely joyless, a stark contrast to all the hopes and dreams he normally sees sparkling in the eyes of the pregnant women he sees every day. She half-stood when he entered the room, hand automatically supporting her back at the movement, but he waved her down and sat across from her.
He looked at her seriously and said “I always find that women prefer that I don’t beat around the bush” and he winced internally at how his voice changed. Usually upbeat and friendly, he used a lower pitch and a calming tone as though he was trying to soothe an animal. Which, he supposed, was not far from the truth. Mothers had that animalistic instinct to protect their babies.
Her eyes darted around the room while she fidgeted with the hem on her dress, clearly wanting to be anywhere but here. That made both of them. When she made no acknowledgement of his sentence, he continued. “I’ve just been reading the ultrasound results and … it’s not good news. We found several severe problems with your baby and I’m so sorry, but your baby won’t survive them”.
Finally, she made eye contact with him. The expression changed in an instant … she looked almost hopeful. “What do…” her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and started again. “What do you mean, he won’t survive them?”.
“His brain and heart aren’t developing properly. There’s nothing we can do”.
“Nothing at all? Not surgery, or …..” she trailed off, unable to think of an alternative.
“There’s nothing. Again, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the hint of a smile on her face which was quickly suppressed. Although people often reacted with inappropriate emotions during grief, it always startled him to see it.
He continued, “Unfortunately, your pregnancy is much too far advanced for a simple procedure. We will have to admit you into hospital and kick-start your labour”. He paused while waiting for the words to sink in. She gave no sign of understanding so he clarified “We’ll induce you within the week to deliver the baby”.
Finally, a reaction. Anger. Her hand flew to protect her bump and she hissed “You’ll do nothing of the sort. I don’t agree to any of that and you can’t force me. I know my rights!”
Holding both hands up, palms out in surrender, the obstetrician hurriedly explained “I understand, and you’ve every right to choose that, but this little baby will not survive very long after birth no matter when he’s born. There’s just no point….”
“No point? No POINT?! Of course there’s a fucking POINT! I’ve done everything I could possibly DO to get pregnant, you fucking piece of shit, don’t you fucking DARE tell me there’s no point!”
Thinking it best to say nothing, the obstetrician sat silently and waited for the patient to calm herself. When the silence got too much for him to bear, he opened his mouth to speak when she said quietly, “32 weeks and 2 days. That’s when we’ll induce it.”
Perplexed, he slowly said “wellllllll .. the thing is, there’s really no difference if we do it now or…”
She slammed her palm on his desk, making him startle in surprise. “That’s when we’ll induce it. 32 weeks and 2 days”.
“Well, we can discuss it at another appointment. I think it would be beneficial for you to make an appointment with our counselling service first…” and he rummaged to find their business card.
“No need.” Abrupt, and cold.
The obstetrician looked up from his desk and met her eyes. “Well, what about family…? The father….?”
“No”.
He sighed and acquiesced. “Okay, 32 weeks and 2 days. That will put the date at….” He checked his calendar on his computer then stopped cold.
“July 21st”.
She nodded, the hint of a smile flickering across her lips once more.
“That’s the day, innit?" she said. "When Duvall reaches 10 years.” Once more she rubs at her bump, but this time quite indulgently. “This little one will make me ten grand richer, and now I won’t have to spend a penny on it”. She grinned, seeing the shock on the obstetrician’s face. “Mind if I smoke?”.
| President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| President Trump had been in decline for some time and everyone knew it. After one last desperate attempt to win over some support, he asked that his 'fellow Christian Americans' trust his judgement with his new idea:
One person would be selected at random and, should they survive, he would personally guarantee that each person in the world would be $10,000 richer. However, should that person be killed, their murderer would be exempt from prison and win 100x the amount.
It was fairly clever to be honest; place his faith in his public and hopefully they reward you and you follow suit. Failing that, one person would take the flak for depriving the world from a richer state. There would most certainly be one greedy bastard out there willing to commit the unspeakable act and be rewarded for it.
Fellow Christian Americans, my ass.
And of course, the 'random' name wouldn't be random at all. No, he had to pick me. It had to be a high profile name, someone people may actually want to see dead.
No.
Not me.
The announcement was meant to take place tomorrow afternoon in a big conference, but as we all know, there are a multitude of leaks in government.
I smirked as I changed my name in the document to that of Mr. Trump himself and clicked send. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| The clock struck midnight 6 hours ago. I survived. Thank goodness. I don't know how but I survived.
The news is broadcasting that people all over the world are receiving their $10,000 into their bank accounts. I can hear the cheering outside my bunker.
If my calculations are correct, the world's economy will crash in about 6 more hours. |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. | "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| "Why me?" I thought to myself, staring at the 'BREAKING NEWS' on the TV.
*"Today is a tremendous day, as local Father to two Michael Spraggen has been selected for the decade long Murder Hunt! Congratulations Michael!"*
"Congrats? Fuck you in your nice warm studio" I thought to myself once more. I knew that my life, and my children's life were about to change for the next 10 years, so I did what any Father would do.
"You NEED to come pick up these kids! I will not have them in danger, people are fucking crazy out there!" I ranted down the phone to Abigail, the mother of my children, we were divorced but the case was not yet settled.
"I can't do that, if I come near you I am in danger too!" Abigail replied.
"Are you mad! These are your children for crying out loud!"
There was a silence on the end of the phone, then...
"Fine, I'll come over later on, get them ready and EXPLAIN it too them!"
*Click*
Good, that is the kids taken care of, now to fend for my own sake.
**One Year Later**
I have had a few scraps, people picking fights with me because it is, well me. Other than that I have been left alone for the most part. I have had minimal contact with my kids and I have become somewhat of a recluse, but that is understandable, right?
**Three Years Later**
I am four years into the Murder Hunt, people have begun getting cocky, coming to my home and throwing bricks through the window. They are taunting me perhaps? I don't know.
**Five Years Later**
I am one year away from freedom, I have fought off so many attackers now it is second nature to look over my shoulder 24/7. My children are not children anymore, they are older, wiser, and hopefully they understand why their dad isn't around. I'm sure they have seen the news, seen what they made me do.
I sat on the couch in my living room, the windows were boarded up and the door had 5 locks on it. A table was overturned and facing the windows. I was secure.
*Bzzt. Bzzt.*
I pick up my vibrating mobile off of the couch. It was a text from my Ex-Wife.
*Abigail: hey mike, the papers are finally settled for the divorce so i will be bringing them over for you to sign in about half an hour, ill bring the girls, sound good?*
*Michael: sounds good*
**30 Minutes Later**
*Knock Knock Knock.*
I never answer the door nowadays without my 9mm, it has saved my ass from a surprise attack more than once now. I looked through the peephole and saw my ex-wife standing with my 17 year old daughters. I began to tear up knowing they were there.
I opened the door and invited them all in.
"Wow, this place is....nice?" Abigail remarked awkwardly, as she scanned over the room.
"Yeah well you can't exactly live a normal life when EVERYONE wants you dead now can I?"
Abigail scoffed, then her expression turned serious.
"Maia, Emily, go into the kitchen. Me and your dad need to sort some business out."
My daughters shuffled out of the room, they looked glum, probably the state of the house. We waited until they left and shut the door behind them. I turned to face Abigail.
"I know why you are really here. I don't appreciate the fact you brought the kids into this" I said, sternly.
"You know why I am here do you? I am here for the divorce" Abigail retorted, with a cold smirk.
"I noticed you didn't bring any paperwork with you. You are here to end my life and take the money"
"So what if I am? Can you blame me?"
"Yes, you are only doing this because of the divorce. You know it will not settle for a long time because of the Murder Hunt and when it DOES finally settle you KNOW that I would get full custody of the kids because YOU are a psychotic bitch."
Abigail eye's pierced my own like a knife. She looked at me, sizing me up.
"Hm, maybe you are right. But that won't matter when I get the prize!"
She pulled a Glock from her waistband and aimed it at my head.
"I brought the kids so you could at least say your goodbyes, I am not totally heartless."
I knew this day would come, but I had worked too hard to have my life taken away by the one person who, at an earlier point in time was the one to give my life purpose. I REFUSED to let it take a hold of me.
"Alright" I said, backing up. "Let me go and say goodbye."
Before Abigail even had a chance to pull the trigger I had dived behind the overturned table. She unloaded on me.
*BLAP. BLAP. BLAP.*
Shot after shot rang out, I heard the girls scream but I knew they were safe. I had to stop her before she got a lucky shot through this rather flimsy wooden table.
That is it. Flimsy.
I waited until she stopped to reload then picked the table up and launched it at her. I crashed into her, sandwiching her between the table and the wall. Abigail fell hard to the floor. Rage came over me and I beat her, I beat her to death.
As I panted and heaved, the realization kicked in. My knuckles were bloodied and sore. Abigail lie still, her face caved in on one side.
"Kids, don't come in her-"
It was too late, Maia and Emily stood behind me a few feet away. Shell shocked at the scene they saw.
"Please, babies don't-don't come closer. It's alright but just don't come closer. Your mother tried to kill me, I had too. I had too."
Suddenly the tears from the girls just stopped, like someone had flicked a switch. They looked at each other, then retreated into the kitchen again.
"What are you guys doing in there?" I called out.
"PUT THOSE THINGS DOWN RIGHT NOW" I screamed as they returned, machete and baseball bat in hand.
"Mother has been teaching us all about you. About how you are a cold, heartless murderer that has a bounty on his head." Maia exclaims.
"That- That is NOT true!"
"It is" says Emily. "Over the years we have been taught how do defeat you if ever we feel threatened."
"What? By your Mother? She is sick, she WAS sick. None of this is down to me, it's the Government I'm telling you just read the news!"
The girls looked at each other then advanced towards me. I picked up the Glock and aimed towards them.
"Please, don't make me do this" I cried.
The girls began crying too, were they playing me for a fool? Or were they just as confused as I was.
"No, no no no no do NOT start crying. DO NOT MAKE THIS HARD FOR ME" I wailed.
The girls continued to cry, weapons still in hand.
"Drop the weapons and I'll drop mi-"
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!"
"MAIA!"
*BLAP*
*THUD*
I stared, unable to move at the fresh corpse of my eldest daughter Maia. Emily stand frozen in place, crying without sound. I looked up towards her.
"Emily, I love you so much."
"I am confused da-"
I aimed the gun towards her.
"But I cannot allow you to leave this house. I have one more year before this hell is over, I will not allow you to give away my location..." I looked down at the bodies of my family. "...My secrets"
*BLAP*
*THUD* |
|
[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | Luckily, I was out hiking alone when the news came in. I had enough food for a week and, with a little ingenuity I could make that stretch to two.
More importantly though, I could get 3G on my phone.
I made the call. It took me three escalations before I could get the go ahead. Then the CFO ended up putting me on hold for ten minutes.
"Mr. Taylor? I spoke to legal and they think you're on solid ground, so I say go for it".
It didn't take me long to build the Kickstarter page - there was just one reward - $10,000 - and all you had to do was donate (recommended amount $10).
It was quite simple really. All I needed to do was raise $20m. Then hire two bodyguards at a rate of $1m a year for ten years (with a legally watertight contract that would involve them paying the $20m to my family if they were involved in my death in any way). Everybody wins.
The Kickstarter ended up raising $76.3M - by far the largest pot raised. Everybody wins.
Kickstarter got a cool $10m in fees, my bodyguards would each get $10m, everyone else gets $10,000, and get to enjoy $40m and change. Everybody wins. Everybody.
The two professional bodyguards were waiting for me at the edge of the forest. Legal had ensured everything was watertight - if they decided to kill me, they lost everything. Lawyers - actually worth their money for once.
I learned pretty early how to blend in. I liked traveling anyway, so decided to spend the decade traversing the world. Machu Picu, Antarctica, Africa - we took our time. And, as the years progressed, our confidence grew.
The week before the 10 years ended, I received the invitation to the payment ceremony. The bodyguards and I were obviously proud of what we'd achieved. We prepped for our trip to New York. No complacency. I wore bulletproof clothing, and we decided (last minute) to fly directly to the roof of the hotel.
Landing on the roof, the night before the ceremony, we were greeted in our suite by the Foundation's President, Gordon Peterson. "Mr Taylor, I am so excited to meet you. Nobody has ever lasted more than a few weeks, but... Well, here we are". He shook my hand vigorously, then turned to my bodyguards shaking their hands too while thanking them profusely for a job well done.
We sat on couches, in a circle. Gordon started telling us about the mathematics behind the idea. "The ten million is a great motivator, and we usually have an enjoyable few weeks when our syndicate's members bet on the outcome and we reap in commissions on these bets that more than cover the outlay. Everybody has a great time. Everybody. Until now. If you claim your prize tomorrow, you would bankrupt the syndicate, and I'm afraid I can't let you do that".
I went to raise my hand in disagreement, only to find my arms couldn't move. I couldn't move a muscle. The shock must have registered on my face, because when Gordon caught my eye, he simply said, "Neurotoxin".
"Did you even stop to do the math? $10,000 x seven billion people! How could that ever work. Greedy stupid people! Duh! "
And with that he performed a loud face-palm, followed by a very quiet, "Oh shit". The pinpoint from his signet ring on his forehead started to inflame. He'd never used the poison before, and it had slipped his mind in the excitement.
We all sat there, in silence, for a very long time.
| "I don't want to do this!" I knew she would be protesting this, arguing with me like she always did. This time the argument was more intense than ever, and it was an argument I needed to win.
"But Sarah, don't you see? It's for the best. You can take care of Emily and Joseph, they'll never want for anything again," I argued, the same words I had been repeating for the last hour. It didn't seem like it was working. The beautiful woman I had married fifteen years ago was glaring at me, angry and horrified. All I could think about was how beautiful she was, with her blue eyes and sandy hair, her skin that was just slight tanned with freckles all over. Our daughter and son took after her, thank god.
"I don't care. I can't do this, I can't believe you'd ask me!" She had already said this several times in the last hour too. This argument was going in circles, and time was running out. "All you have to do is live for ten years, then everyone wins! Everyone gets money."
"Only 10k," I said as I pushed her hair out of her face. "That's not enough to even buy a car Jenny."
"That's fine, I just want you! I don't care about the money you asshole!"
"I do, besides there are evil people in the world and I can't protect myself or my family from them. You don't think there's people who want the 'grand prize'? People who might not stop at killing just me. No, Jenny it's not possible, and-" I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence, not wanting to tell her the truth.
"And nothing. We can go underground, we could-"
"And what kind of life is that for the kids!" I yelled, angry now. "Jospeh is almost a teenager, you want to take away the best years of his life? And what about little Emily? She's only eight, she'd never understand why we're hiding. Don't do that to them!"
"And taking away their father is best?" She snapped back, trying not to cry. She always did cry when things got heated. "I don't want them to live without you-I don't want to live without you, it's not fair!"
It wasn't fair. It absolutely wasn't; however it was a blessing.
"Jenny...I'm not going to survive ten years. Even if we did go underground."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her tears falling freely now, her voice softer.
"I'm sorry," I started, shaking. "Doctor Zimar said...I have cancer Jenny. Brain cancer. I don't know how long I'd have, but it's not ten years. I'm just going to get worse and worse. I don't want you and the kids to see that. If I hadn't been picked maybe I could have done chemo, surgery...but the doctors could kill me now, easily."
Jenny started to sob. I knew she would. That she'd take this news very hard. "John," she said between sobs. "I was going to tell you at your birthday but...I'm pregnant again. You might as well know," she said, gripping the gun I had given her an hour ago. I smiled, touching her stomach. "He'll grow up perfect, I'm sure of it." I wish I could have seen him or her, that kid would be perfect just like Jenny and our other precious babies.
I took a step back and closed my eyes. "In the mouth, I read that's the best way. It's quick Jenny, I promise." I didn't hear what she said next, but I remember the long kiss and the whisper of "I love you John," before a very brief flash of pain, then nothing. |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I came home from a hard day's work. Grabbed a beer from the fridge and proceeded to turn on the TV when I heard it, an announcement from the president that presented everyone with a chance to either help me make it another ten years in exchange for $10,000 for everyone, or a 10 million dollar bounty on my head. My name, picture and social media accounts where included with this announcement.
Knowing the odds of my survival I set out to do what I've always wanted to do. Grabbed my keys, opened the garage and sped off to the downtown area. I tried to run over every pedestrian as I had done in Gran Theft Auto a million times before, I even gave myself 10 bonus points for everyone in a wheel chair (20 points!).
Quickly I had indeed a half dozen police squads following along with a police and news chopper. I rammed my car into the highest building in the area and made my way towards the elevator while also pressing the fire alarm. I kept making my way towards the top floor, I even pushed my way through the crowd as the elevator doors opened and got to the edge when a voice shouted from behind me.
"Don't do it, I'm aware of your situation. Don't throw away your life! We can do it, we can make it through 10 years and everyone will get $10,000 even in africa!"
I shouted "Suck Mah BALLS!" and fell backwards while flipping him off with both hands and thought "fuck this, ain't no one getting anything". | The underside of the pillow was soft and cool as it molded around my mouth and nose. I bet she was glad we'd splurged on the memory foam now. From her lungs she breathed hot fire, her body surging as it straddled mine.
I didn't fight her. It wasn't in me. I merely reached out into oblivion, wrapping my her naked body in my arms for one last embrace and with the tips of my fingers I traced, "I love you..." |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | I'm retrospect the bounty on my head is kind of my own fault.
But then again, the Pentagon? The Department of Defense? Hell, the CIA? They're all dicks.
I offered them the world's first functioning unbreakable force field. My first invention I was finally willing to part with. At my sales pitch they seemed interested, at least until I listed my price. They said they could never pay for it, at least not without further testing. I'm guessing they came up with this test when I suggested I might sell to China instead. Very funny guys. Sure it might have been a bit "traitorous" or whatever, but how else was I gonna be able to buy all the parts I need for my new project? (No, I won't tell you what is. But it rhymes with "mime tachine".)
The good news is no one will get through the force field. I know my own handiwork, and it never fails. After all, there's a reason I'm the only one in the world with a doctorate in Quantum Engineering, Advanced Robotics+, and Ultra Physics. The suckers at the edge of my yard will be horribly disappointed.
Perhaps I could convince them to leave. I mean, they'd still get their 10 G's, and I'd be that much less annoyed. Win-win, right? All I need is to grab my megaphone and finally utilize my economics minor to explain how we're all better off this way.
On second thought, death ray and killer robots? Yeah, let's go with death ray and killer robots. | The underside of the pillow was soft and cool as it molded around my mouth and nose. I bet she was glad we'd splurged on the memory foam now. From her lungs she breathed hot fire, her body surging as it straddled mine.
I didn't fight her. It wasn't in me. I merely reached out into oblivion, wrapping my her naked body in my arms for one last embrace and with the tips of my fingers I traced, "I love you..." |
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[WP] The Government puts out a notice, and you, a random citizen have been selected. If you survive for another 10 years everyone in the world gets $10,000. However, if someone kills you in the next 9 years and 364 days they alone get $10,000,000. | (My first Prompt here. English isn't even my first language :P )
'Good afternoon, students.' As our professor spoke up. 'We will continue where we left off yesterday, at page...'
BANG
Oh look. Another assassination attempt on Dr. Ludwig.
Dr. Ludwig stopped to look at the assassin, who was holding a smoking pistol. The assassin fired another two shots at the professor's chest, hitting him. Dr. Ludwig, per usual, didn't flinch at all, as he slowly walked up to his assassinator and knocked him out.
The assassinator, whose face was filled with dread and confusion, was dragged away by Dr. Ludwig from the higher end of the Lecture Hall to the whiteboard, where he stood.
Even after 7 years and 168 days, people were still trying to collect the bounty on his head. They tried millions of things. From Baseball Bats, to Gas Chambers, to throwing him out of an airlock. He survived all of them. For whatever reason, he was immortal.
And really, that's why we would sit through his lessons. To, hopefully, learn how to be immortal. I was supposed to be in Egypt, healing my co-workers, who are probably in the middle of massacring robots.
Dr. Ludwig went on. 'As I was saying, we will continue on page 76, on the structure of the device, to further understand human tissue damage.'
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Who wants to live forever?
I did. I once did. And immortality and invincibility has come to me.
Well, technically, I caused the 'invincibility' part. But, that would be another story, Ja?
In the early 1940s, I signed a deal with the Devil. He gave me a successful career as a combat medic and allowed me to look like I was 32 for the rest of my life. During this period, I created a device that could quickly regenerate tissue damage and make people temporarily invincible.
I was happy and content. Until 1973, when I died.
I met the Devil once again. He nearly made me end up in hell. Until I convinced him that I could not be sent to hell due to me surgically implanting several extra souls in myself. So he made me immortal, saying that it was a 'fate worse than death'. I had no idea what he meant back then.
Unfortunately, now I have. The first few decades were quite fun actually, as I ran more and more experiments on myself and my unfortunate test subjects.
But as I got older, life got boring. By ridding myself of my ability to die, I have found that all meaning in life has been lost. There were simply no more stakes to my life. What is life’s significance without death? It has none.
I tried to shoot myself in the head. Didn’t work. Remember how I said that I had created a device capable of making me invincible? Well, apparently prolonged exposure makes the invincibility permanent.
‘Misha, drag him onto the table. Und, call Miss Ziegler to come over. We have another subject.’
Misha was someone who worked with me. Well, he still does. He’s immortal as well. Doesn’t seem to bother him though. He’s been helping me get rid of my immortality. In fact, it was he who convinced me to quit drinking and figure out a way for me to remove my immortality.
‘Da.’
And so I spent the next 55 or so years researching on mortality. While others were finding out how to generate it, I tried to destroy mine. By the mid-2060s I had already started to get desperate. This is where Dr. Ziegler comes in.
She’s a world renowned doctor whose obsession with immortality rivals my desire to remove it. When she got wind about a doctor who has been 32 years old for 110 years, she called me and asked for my help. I accepted on one condition. (Surely, an extra set of hands couldn’t hurt, right?)
My condition was to get people to kill me. Hopefully, 10 million dollars would get people to try and get through my invincibility, right?
Apparently not. Either way, Miss Ziegler used her position at some high-end group to convince Germany that getting the world to kill one of their citizens was a good idea.
So there. Now if you excuse me, I have to conduct an operation.
‘Good afternoon Mr Walker. Walther PPK. Interesting choice of weaponry. Tell me, where did you get this antique?’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want to die. Luckily, you may be of assistance.’
I proceeded to cut open the guy’s chest, and pull out his beating heart.
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Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
As I walk down the hallway echoing with screams, I look on the upper right corner of my glasses.
‘Conducting experiment 1138. Be here.’
It seems that Dr. Ludwig had begun without me. What a pity.
I used to think that Dr. Ludwig was a madman. Now, I see we share similar ideals.
We both have much curiosity, and will stop at nothing to satisfy it. We both consider the Hippocratic Oath as bull. We also lack compassion for our patients, or respect for human dignity.
But, he considers healing to be an untended side effect of his creations. I just want to reincarnate my long dead parents. I don't care what it will take, I just want the people who tell me bedtime stories to return.
I’ve tried everything. And Dr. Ludwig here is the closest to the answer. That's why I'm willing to put aside my job as a Healer and sit through his lessons.
‘Will arrive in 2 minutes’
'Is that the assassin from the lecture'
Who doesn’t want to live forever? | The underside of the pillow was soft and cool as it molded around my mouth and nose. I bet she was glad we'd splurged on the memory foam now. From her lungs she breathed hot fire, her body surging as it straddled mine.
I didn't fight her. It wasn't in me. I merely reached out into oblivion, wrapping my her naked body in my arms for one last embrace and with the tips of my fingers I traced, "I love you..." |
Subsets and Splits