The First to Die at the End (Death-Cast #0)(109)

Gloria holds it together until her son vanishes into a room for questioning, and the moment the door shuts, she sobs.

“He’s going to be okay,” Rolando says.

Instead of blaming him for encouraging her to follow her heart, she believes him.

There are dark times ahead, but she’s choosing to focus on the horizon, on when the sun will rise and cast light everywhere that’s needed nourishing, and Gloria Medina will continue to grow and grow and grow.





August 3, 2010





Orion


2:04 p.m.

Death-Cast didn’t call last night or the night before.

I’m starting to believe the surgery was a success.

That I’m going to live.

The tube has finally been pulled from my throat, and I’m able to breathe on my own. The IV lines will be removed later. These machines monitoring me will be used on someone else. I think tonight is the night when I’ll be good enough to transfer from intensive care to another ward for specialized cardiac attention. If all goes well there, I could be home soon. It’s hard to wrap my head around how much of my life has been spent admitted to hospitals and how once I’m out this time, it could be the last for a while. Probably not forever, but my odds are mad better than ever before.

I’ve been in and out of it the past three days, but I’m awake now, catching up with the family while trying to get some food in my stomach. After the first night, Dayana and Floyd have been taking turns on who goes back with Dahlia when visiting hours are over to get some rest, but Dalma refused to leave the hospital, in case I woke up and needed her. And I do, but unless she’s mastered necromancy, there’s nothing she can do.

I’m caught up on everything I’ve missed.

First, Frankie was killed by his son. The kid who welcomed Valentino into the building. How he got his hands on a gun is beyond me, but he pulled that trigger twice to stop his father from killing his mother. Now it’s a big news story and an investigation is underway. The kid, Paz, told police how his mother looked like she was about to die even though Death-Cast hadn’t called her, so he wanted to save her life. It’s kind of hard to believe that’s going to protect him, especially since Death-Cast messed up big-time.

That’s the other huge piece of news.

Joaquin Rosa held a press conference where he shared Death-Cast’s opening numbers. They had a perfect score on predictions but failed in outreach to twelve Deckers—including Frankie. He said he will be haunted by those losses for the rest of his life and has done everything in his power to ensure that will never happen again. It looks like people are buying into it, especially since there have been no more fuckups while I’ve been recovering from surgery. The Death-Cast program is going to grow and grow, maybe even go global. This service might still scare some people, but I bet I could change anyone’s mind about the possibilities of knowing your fate by sharing Valentino’s story.

The End Days have some horrors, but if you commit to living, they can be beautiful too.





Dalma Young


4:44 p.m.

Death-Cast did not call Dalma Young because she isn’t dying today, but her game-changing idea has finally been born.

“I finally know what app I want to create,” Dalma says, alone with Orion in his hospital room.

“Oh yeah?” Orion asks quietly.

He sounds disinterested, but Dalma knows he’s simply not here mentally. This grief is different from a child losing his parents. Back then Orion was screaming all the time and was confused every time he woke up. Dalma could relate, but she doesn’t know what it’s like to lose a friend. Or a lover. But she now sees the power of finding people before it’s too late.

“You and Valentino changed each other, even though you shared only one day together. You gave him peace before his death, and he’ll stay with you for the rest of your life,” Dalma says, thinking more of Valentino’s imprint on Orion’s soul instead of the new heart in his chest, but that too. “I think I can build an app that makes sure no one dies alone.”

“How would it work?”

“Everyone would create a profile on the app so you can find your best match, but I don’t think it should be random selection. This is personal, and the Decker should choose who they invite into their life, especially with time so limited. I can even create the option for Deckers to pair up. Then whoever gets the honor of being chosen to keep the Decker company, they’ll help them however they can. It might just be basic companionship as they get their affairs in order. It could be hyping up the Decker to live a lifetime on their End Day.”

There’s a flicker of life in Orion’s eyes, almost like an entire film reel of his time with Valentino is unfolding in his head. “That’s going to change a lot of people’s lives, Dalma.”

“I hope so.”

Dalma isn’t sure if Orion will ever use the app. It’s hard to imagine at this stage. He’s strong, but can his new heart handle more heartbreak?

Time will answer that when it’s time.

“You know what you’re going to call it?” Orion asks.

The name came to Dalma like lightning. “The Last Friend app.”





Orion


4:54 p.m.

I was Valentino’s Last Friend.