[ WP ] A world much like ours , but each person is able to see the exact date of everyone else 's death , except for their own .

The clock ticks with your beating heart. Slower than it used to, barely noticeable. Nonetheless, your brain has registered the difference. You know it's time to move to the next Stage. This will be Stage 4 for you. Stage 4... Preparation. The most sought-after stage, everyone wishes it could last forever. You're free to do whatever you want. You're with other Stage 4 Tickers... no one burdens you with a look of pity or jealousy. You're all in the same boat. All preparing for its departure. 
 
 But you ca n't help feeling jipped. At 14 years old, you are by far the youngest one there. People DO still throw you looks of pity, like they want to hug you, take care of you, share their time with you. Well, fuck that. You do n't need their patronizing gazes thrust upon you. This is a time for fun, and relaxation, and... preparation. So you're damn well going to do just that. 
 
 Months go by. You're sitting in a Mental Preparation one-on-one with the psychiatrist when a voice sounds over the loudspeaker. It booms your name clearly, tartly. Asks you to come to the Civil Headquarters of the Stage 4 Department. With interest, you oblige. 
 
 Once there, the secretary asks you to wait and be seated. An official soon retrieves you - takes you into one of the many offices. Damn it's fancy. 
 
 `` We've made... a mistake.'' 
 
 `` A mistake?'' 
 
 `` Your ticker. It's wrong. You actually have much more time than anticipated.'' 
 
 `` I... do? But I'm almost done with Stage 4. I'm prepared sir. What am I supposed to do?'' 
 
 `` We'll move you back to the Stage 3's... and provide a specialist to help you with readjustment.'' 
 
 `` But... I... I do n't...'' 
 
 `` Thank you for understanding, there's a car waiting for you outside the building. It'll take you to get your ticker adjusted.'' 
 
 He ushers you out the door; you walk to the car in a stupor. 
 
 *'' I have more time... More time? What am I supposed to do with it? I ca n't... I do n't want it. I'm prepared. I'm prepared to go. Do n't want to go back to Stage 3... God, no, please not 3. I ca n't. I ca n't take this, ca n't do it...'' * 
 
 You enter the car and its driver takes you to gather your belongings. Quickly grabbing things and throwing them haphazardly into a couple suitcases, then bringing them to the curb, the driver asks if you need help. 
 
 `` What..yeah..oh, yes. Please, that would be great.'' 
 
 As he exits the car, leaving it running, you quickly slide into the driver's seat. Put it in drive. Slam down the pedal. And fly. Until you're truly flying. Away from the world, beholden to no one and nothing, your ticker a red blinking **00:00:00** beside its body.
