It’s been twelve hours since I became the first Decker.
There’s no doubt I’ve only made it this far because of Orion. It started with him saving my life and has evolved into him changing how I live it.
“What’s next?” Orion asks, the World Trade Center’s memorial site blocks behind us.
“Why don’t we ask Death-Cast?”
They seem to know everything. Joaquin Rosa himself told me to check out their website for events that are happening today. I log on to death-cast.com and select New York in their city tab, and I’m presented with many options for the day. There’s an amusement park in Coney Island, which would be a lot of time spent on the subway. A list of restaurants that I would love to visit, but I still can’t risk the heart transplant going wrong because I wanted a nice Italian meal.
“Oh shit, a Broadway show?” Orion asks, looking over my shoulder.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m not interested in revisiting Times Square for some reason.”
“Hmm. Yeah, I wonder if it has anything to do with the dude who pulled a gun on you.”
“Probably more because it was really crowded.”
“Good point, good point. Anything else jumping out at you?”
“Not really.” I close the website and right as I’m passing the phone back to Orion it begins ringing. “Scarlett.”
“Get it, get it, get it!”
I put the phone to my ear and answer. “Hey.”
“I got a flight!” Scarlett shouts while breathing hard, sounding just like when she’d join me for a run and would yell at me to slow down whenever my thoughts carried me ahead of her.
“You did?!” My smile tells Orion everything he needs to know. “For when?”
“They’re about to begin boarding. . . . I don’t even have my suitcases!” She’s panting and telling people to excuse her as she charges past. “It sounds like . . . a Decker has been pulled off the plane . . . airline sees it as a risk . . .”
Hopefully the Decker wasn’t trying to go home to see family. In the event they are alone, I hope they find someone who can help make their day count. Like I have.
“I feel horrible for them, but I’m grateful I’ll see you.”
“Twin thoughts. I’m here, I’m going to board. I love you, Val. Be safe so I can see you soon.”
“I’ll guard my life with my life.”
We hang up. I’m so happy that I start shaking. I might even cry.
“Scarlett’s coming!” Orion says.
“She sure is! She’s boarding her plane now.”
“We just got to guard your life with your life,” Orion says, smirking.
Five-hour flight with another hour for traffic. I have to survive another five hours. I’m not good at math, so I don’t know what the probabilities are of seeing Scarlett with just under twelve hours max before my End Day concludes, but the odds are feeling great. I’m no longer exhausted and starving, I’m rested and satisfied. I would take off into a run right now with my hands thrown up in the air as if I’m breaking through marathon tape, but now’s not the time to overexcite Orion’s heart or risk falling into a manhole.
“What should we do? How about something iconic? Maybe the Empire State Building?”
Orion winces. “I’m not going to hold you back, but I don’t really do super tall iconic buildings anymore.”
“Say no more.”
“I’m happy to go with you, I’ll just hang out downstairs.”