text: They say that every step brings you closer to your goal. Every stride brings a runner closer to the finish line. Every experiment brings a scientist closer to the truth. Every page brings a story closer to its ending. Could it then be assumed that the goal of life is to die? Yes. But then what would be the point? No? Of course not. Maybe... My name is... Well, that doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that 6 weeks ago, or was it 6 months, years? I really can’t remember. Anyway, the point is, I was just your average high school student. My favorite subject was science, and... I was on some kind of sports team. I had 3 really close friends, but I couldn’t tell you their names. Why am I telling you this? Well, I guess my point is that it doesn’t matter who or when, but that it happened, and to me of all people. I was just your average high school student. I guess times change. Track, that’s it, I was on the track team. \*\*\* Heaven’s a sorry excuse of a place allowing people to cope with death since the dawn of time. And people actually believe that they decide who goes there and who doesn’t? I, being a well educated individual, choose not to believe in such foolishness. Oh, I’m sorry, did I offend you? Too bad! This is my story. Besides, you were the one who chose to read it. No, please don’t go. I just had to let out a little steam, that’s all. I swear it won’t happen again. Come back. You're all I have left. Ah, left, the opposite of right. But the opposite of right is wrong. Is what I did wrong? Who cares. There’s no one left to tell me otherwise. It's just me and you. Right? \*\*\* Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Does this mean that if I forget what I did, then I’m doomed to do it again? I mean forgiving is forgetting right? I guess I’m screwed either way. Screw it! Screw it all!! Oh wait, I already did. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, please don’t go. I just had to let out a little steam, that’s all. I swear it won’t happen again. \*\*\* There are times in life when you must distance yourself from the ones you love because you love them. I guess that’s what I did. I loved them. \*\*\* Her name is Lucy, or at least that’s what it says on her picture. I couldn’t tell you who she is or how I met her, only that she was someone very dear to me. I mean, why else would I be carrying around her picture? Maybe she’s just some girl that I found attractive. No, that can’t be right. My heart tells me that she was someone special, someone important, but my brain hasn’t a clue. Well, whoever she is, you're all I have left. \*\*\* What if there was no finish line? What if the truth was grey? What if the story never ended? No, that’s crazy. Everything has to end. EVERYTHING HAS TO END. It's a law of nature. I... Voices! Oh no, they found me! Gotta run. Gotta hide. La la la, la la la, you can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man! \*\*\* The voices are gone now. I guess I should take this time to tell you what it is that I did. It's the least I can do for a friend. Just know that I wish you not pity me. I wish that as you lay on your deathbed gasping for your final breath, you think to yourself, “How lucky I must be to have talked to the man who surpassed death.” (Takes a tape recorder out of pocket and pushes play.) *The following is a compilation of the clinical diagnosis of the patient known as #15301. The following tests and inquiries remain undocumented and unknown to the public and were only performed with the consent of the aforementioned patient. This research is the private property of Dr. Franklin J. Stirling and may be subject to copyright.* *Patient: #15301 Diagnosis: ??? Treatment: n/a* *Ever since Patient #15301 was brought into my custody, they have been the subject of my research. I lead them to believe that I was trying to find a cure for their condition. One can only feel bad for them.* *“Teen Survives House Fire” That’s what the newspaper article said. People were claiming it was a miracle, an act of God. I, being a man of science, chose not to believe in such foolishness. Just from reading that article, I knew there was something special about that person. I knew that they were the breakthrough I was looking for. I had to gain custody of them and learn their secrets. So, for the next 2 years I kept a close eye on them waiting for an opportunity to present itself.* *Fascinating. A slight mutation of the mt DNA found in #15301’s cellular genome allows the mitochondria to produce an infinite amount of energy, causing his cells to become overcharged, thus granting him an abnormality in cell regeneration and limitless age. In other words, they're immortal to some extent.* *After discovering this biological breakthrough, I decided to test my conclusion by “killing” them in as many ways as I could possibly think of. I must have tried every way known to man, but still, nothing would kill them. They did, however, show signs of physical pain. Further research and experimentation must be conducted if I am ever to find a way to save my dear Lucy’s life.* (End tape) \*\*\* That’s me! That’s my name, #15301. A mere number. Ooh, numbers. I like numbers. One, two buckle my shoe. Three, four shut the door. Five, six pick up sticks. Seven, eight lay them straight. Nine, ten... *All agents are still assisting other callers. Please continue to hold and your call will be answered as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.