The Life Bank

Welcome aboard the Exela338.

Subject MA45938619. Time remaining 17,344,817.34 minutes. Do you wish to proceed with the transfer?

You paused, hesitating on the last minute confirmation.

Subject MA45938619. Failure to respond after 10 seconds will abort the request and you will receive 5 points penalty. Do you wish to proceed with the transfer?

Yes, you thought inwardly – 33 years of nothingness that would be converted into 33 meaningful years in the hands of someone more willing, someone more deserving. You lifted your head and said, “Yes.”

Confirmation acquired. Signature required.

The screen turned a bright white that made you flinch for a second – The Contract. You don’t need to read it; everyone in 2121 knows The Contract word by word. When people talked about signing your life away, The Life Bank’s Contract is its literal embodiment. Once you signed, your remaining time alive will belong to The Life Bank, where people can purchase your time with life points. Youth is more tricky, but with high life points, nothing can’t be purchased.

The Life Bank is a savior for expecting parents. You knew this for a fact, as your sister had paid extortionately for her child to live. You regretted not donating your life right there and then, regretted that you were not present for them, regretted that you disappoint them.

But here you are, and now your time may be a gift for other parents whose unfortunate child could use. You signed it – by scanning your fingerprint and retina.

Signature acquired. Initiating transfer of 17,344,817.34 minutes from Subject MA45938619. Exela338 is approved and ready to begin the transfer. Thank you for transacting with The Life Bank. It is an honor to serve humanity. The Life Bank values you and life cherish you.

You sighed in contentment. The Exela338 lurched in movement, spurring to initiate the transfer. This shall be it then, you thought before closing your eyes – curiosity and wonder filling your mind.

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"You've finally woken up!" The voice sounded female. "Hey, I'm here, okay?" You felt yourself engulfed in the warmth of a hug. 

"Is this death?" You found yourself murmur the question.

"Don't be silly," she sounded shocked and hurt, but she finally let you go from her embrace. 

"Veronica?" It can't be your sister. She should be safe and sound inside Manor39 with her loving husband, caring for her baby daughter's bought life. 

"Yes, what are you talking about, death? I'll go get some water. I don't know what came over you, but just... I don't know, take some time for yourself," she said before leaving the room. She didn't close the door behind her.

You don't understand. You've signed The Contract. The Exela338 had whirred to life. So why are you here? 

You stood from the bed. What is life after The Contract, no one has ever told you. Everyone knows of The Contract, but now you realized you may not know everything about The Contract. Did you miss the section about what comes after? Where is the section about this, wherever this is? 

You are in a bedroom. The walls were broken white, no posters, no pictures, no decorations. There is a desk, though. The desk is made of wood, and on top of it was a pile of papers. You roamed through the white pages. You couldn't recall when exactly you've last touched papers. Most documents were just electronic, it was much more efficient anyways. 

"You're finally going to finish them?" She offered you a glass of water. You took it, relishing the coolness as it hits your throat.

"Hm?"

"Your manuscript." she tilted her head to the pile of papers.

"Manuscript," you repeated.

"Oh come on, I know Jess gave you the green light already. So tell me, is Exela LeBlanc finally ready to debut to the world?" Her eyes were wide and expectant, but her words grasped your attention. 

"Exela?"

"Yeah, the brightest beam of light, the savior of humanity? You still haven't told me what she does to earn those grand titles. I know you said don't peek, but I can't help myself," She flushed. "I swear it's just the synopsis. Well and the first few pages. Anyways, I think it's an interesting prompt and I'm really looking forward to Exela's adventure. Wait, she is your main character, right?"

Main character? Exela was taken after the name of its inventor. But why is she talking as if everything is just a part of a story?

"Okay, fine. Don't spoil me."

You stared at your sister – same face, same features, same wisdom behind those grey orbs. 

"What's gotten into you?" She clicked her tongue, "You came home soaking wet, you just rushed into your room and you haven't got out from your room for a whole day. You've given me no other choice but to barge into your room. I'm sorry for that, but I found you burning up. I'm worried, okay?"

"But why are you here?"

"What do you mean why am I here? We've been housemates for the last two years," she deadpanned. 

You frowned. 

"Look, I know this year has been quite the roller coaster. I mean, it's hard for me too. But if something is bothering you, I hope you'll talk to me," her eyes were seeking yours for something. What is she looking for? "Life can't just be traded away, after all, right?"

"I don't understand," you voice your thoughts.

"What?"

This year is challenging for Veronica, but she thrived. She won the bid to purchase the life for her daughter. Her deeds went noticed and she won a hefty amount of life points. Her husband got a promotion. Manor39 got upgraded so its residents could enjoy new benefits. But most of all, we have not been sharing a roof for the last two years.

"Veronica," Slowly, a thought began to form in the back of your mind: you are not on the same page with her.

"Yes?"

"About my manuscript, and this green light from Jess."

"Yeah?"

"When will I get published?"

"Hm? Next week, is it? October 9th?"

2121? You started scanning the room for a screen, an alarm, a digimirror, anything to show the date. You didn't realize that you said it out loud. That you just unconsciously asked your sister if the year was what you remembered it to be.

"Huh? 2020, of course!"