Story [Issue 39] Age

[greyat 2,972]

AGE

 

For part one

 

April 20, 2080

 

Aevum, for all the power it wielded, was now at an end. And so was the world. At least a quarter of the population had already been devastated, the rest rapidly succumbing to the effects of old age. None had been left untouched by the demise of Aevum. Not even him, he who was alone the exception to the pandemic.

Dying news agencies, staffed by dying people touted him to dying audiences as ‘the only living man on Earth’.

 

This morning, though, they had other news to report. On the screen of his diminutive television, an white-haired newscaster was talking rapidly:

“Scientists formerly working with Aevum Corp. have reported that the effects of using time are broader than previously expected - apparently, the effects are passed on genetically. While they have yet to determine the cause of this genetic link, they are confident that a cure will be-”

More of that government propaganda, as usual. Why do they still take orders from those useless, corrupt bureaucrats? Don’t they realise that there is no cure? Who has an interest in keeping the public misinformed?

At least the newscaster had seemed relatively healthy. The last newscaster had died on air - a heart attack, it was later said. Who knew.

He frowned. Everyone already knew about the genetic link - babies that aged to old men in a matter of months had caught the headlines for a few weeks many months ago.

So why would they report such an obvious fact? Unless-

He switched the television back on.

“-inical trials have yielded hopeful initial results.”

Impossible.

 

Thirty five hours, two plane rides, and a train ride later, he was slightly closer to determining the validity of the treatment. The man was now in the regional capital where the trials were being held.

Now… where is that clinic?

He knew that it was located in a re-purposed Aevum building, which he had often picketed in his younger years. Still, it had been a good twenty years since he had last been in the area.

Looking around, the man was pleased to observe hot dog stands in the area. World’s ending, but society hasn’t collapsed - yet. Then, in the distance, the distinctive spire of the old Aevum building. As he walked closer, the man noticed that the government - who had taken control of the building when Aevum went bankrupt - had yet to remove the prominently featured ‘Aevum’ logo.

Walking towards the building, he felt an eerie sense of déjà vu, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

Twenty years ago I walked down this same path with friends by my side. Now I do it alone - they are all long gone.

 

The entrance to the building was brightly lit, glowing in an inviting white hue. As he stepped into the light, the man was met by a surprisingly youthful-appearing guard.

“What is your business here?”

“I…” the man’s voice faded as he noticed that he was now surrounded by white-clothed guards.

His heart sank. It was a trap.

The first guard produced a pistol shaped object, and directed the muzzle at the man.

“Finally you have come to us, after all those years of refusals and hiding. Now… will you come willingly?”

The man abandoned his courage, and turned to flee. It was a valiant effort - but ultimately

futile.

 

Darkness… pain. He opened his eyes - blinding light flooded in. Sitting up, he saw that he was alone in a cell. Not for long - within a few seconds the door swung open, and an old man stepped in.

“Hello, Daniel,” said the old man, smiling faintly.

“Who are you? What right do you have to put me here?”

“Tut, tut. Do you really think it’s up to you to ask questions? Now let me ask you one: will you work with us to solve the problem?”

“You don’t need me! You said you already had a cure!”

“Oh, yes. We’ve almost succeeded… all we need… is you.”

The man paused for a second. So it was just more lies.

“I refuse.”

The door slammed shut. He was alone again.

 

They left him there, alone. Alone for weeks, perhaps months. He couldn’t tell the time. Every so often, the old man would return. Always with the same request. And he always refused. One day, a different old man came in. He could only conclude that the first man had died.

The visits became less frequent, then stopped altogether. The monotony of daily life was suffocating him. The man contemplated giving in, but decided against it - an abject abandonment of his base principles was too much, too far.

Finally, his solitary confinement was broken. His door swung open, and in stepped a withered crone.

Silence settled on the cell as he and the old woman sized each other up. Finally, she spoke.

“I’m not going to threaten you, Daniel.”

The man remained silent.

“I’m not going to beg you either.”

He sat down.

“But you need to help us.”

The old woman sat down by him. He got up again.

“Please.”

The woman stood up by him, and looked him in the eye.

“Please - Father.”

Edited July 29, 2017 by Hexed

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Nice Story grey  ^_^

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[drazeruzumaki 5,021]

awesome story dude :lol:

[Hex 11,520]

Nice Article, keep it up!

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[So 1,636]

Nice 

[buddersword 26]

Nice! keep up the Good Work! ^_^

[Legolover3 91]

I duth wait in suspense, fine bard. Weave us another part of this fine tale.

[Armoured_Phoenix 294]

NIce story, ^_^ waiting for the next part.......

[yourdoomtoday 13]

Nice!

[Erty1235_tanki 44]

Amazing!!! Wow you have talent. Keep a up the amazing work. :D