Days 2-3: Leo

She actually said yes to meeting up with me. I honestly expected her to say no—especially at a time like this. But she said yes, so I have to prepare.This is our first hangout so I can’t look awful. I looked into my closet and saw nothing.

Right—I sold everything. Shit! What should I do?!

I stood there, thinking, until I came up with an idea. I need new clothes. Right now. I grabbed some cash from the shoebox and rushed out the door.

The mall would be too far away so I guess I’ll have to settle for a Walmart. Damn, hopefully there’s clothes there that would look good.

I arrived at Walmart and walked in. It was mostly empty except for a few employees. Working during the last year of your life, huh? It made me feel kind of bad for them but at the same time… I was doing that last year. I made my way to the clothing section and looked around for a bit.

Ugh, what should I wear? I need to think fast.

I paced the aisle until I found a plain black T-shirt. It gave me an idea for an outfit. I wouldn’t look exceptional, but I wouldn’t look bummy either. I paired the black t-shirt with baggy white khakis. I checked myself out in the mirror.

I guess this will do.

I headed toward the cashier, but halfway there, I heard crying. Curious, I followed the sound until I saw a girl crouched in a corner. She looked young—maybe late teens—and she was wearing a Walmart vest. She had her face buried in her knees.

I stood over her and asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

She looked up at me with tears running down her face, “Do I look okay?”

“I guess not.” I muttered nervously. “So why are you crying?”

“Why do you think?!” she said with her voice trembling, “The world is ending. How else am I supposed to feel?”

“That’s true I guess.” I didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what I should say. But I felt like I had to try something. “You know... since there’s only a year left, maybe you should live your life to the fullest. Instead of crying here, maybe you should be out doing something. Having fun.”

“How can I have fun knowing that I’ll die soon?”

A silence fills up the room which was met with radio music in the background.

“I don’t know. I can barely even understand why I’m happy right now. But I do know one thing—death is going to happen no matter what. The only unpredictable part is when. But should that stop you from having a good time? "She stopped crying. Not completely, but it paused. Am I getting to her?

“But I can’t just ignore what’ll happen?” she mumbled.

“You’re right. Don’t ignore it. But... understand that life’s out of your control. No matter what you do, something bad will happen. B-but that’s okay.” I swallowed. “You will die in a year, but don’t die right now. Don’t let it take more from you than it already will.” I paused, rubbing the back of my neck. “Sorry if that didn’t sound encouraging.”

Her brows knit together. She wiped at her cheek, not like she was done crying—but like she was trying to remember how not to.

I checked the time on my phone, “Oh crap I’m going to be late I have to go. I hope I cheered you up—okay, bye!”

I ran off, waving as I went. She looked up at me, still with tears in her eyes.

As I drove to the café, I thought about what just happened. The words I said...Can’t believe something that optimistic came from someone like me. Not even 24 hours ago I was about to kill myself and now I’m spouting wisdom on how someone should live their life. Maybe the difference is that the death I wanted is now guaranteed—and I won’t be alone when it happens. I just couldn’t help but wonder……

What would John do in this situation…

Downtown was emptier than usual, so finding parking wasn’t hard. I pulled in quickly and ran toward the café.

Ava was already there, waiting. Even from outside, just a glance through the window told me something was different. The look on her face—tight, distant—reminded me of my own. She didn’t just look sad. She looked hollow.

We talked briefly. I barely remember what was said. Then she made a bet with me. A ridiculous one. And I had to win.

I took her arm and led her away from the café. She asked where we were going, but I told her it was a surprise. Our first stop was the mall. I still needed clothes, after all. She helped me pick out an outfit, but she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself. That made sense—this day was for me.

Still, I made a note to plan something better for next time. Something fun. Something insane. I wondered if Ava would even agree to it.

That night, the idea came to me.
Let’s go to Japan.

I’d never left the country. It felt like the perfect time—maybe the only time—to try something wild. The next morning, I texted Ava about the plan.

No reply.

She was probably just overwhelmed. I couldn’t blame her. Hours passed. Still nothing.

Then a thought crept in: Maybe Ava was messing with me. Who agrees to a wild bet with someone they barely know? Maybe she got caught up in the moment. Maybe now she realized how stupid the whole thing was.

Then my phone lit up:

Please come help me
12345 Violet’s Gardena Ln

Was that her address?

Why would she send it like that?

No time to think. If she was in trouble, I had to go.

I bolted to my car and drove off without hesitation. The radio was on, but I barely noticed—until the emergency broadcast interrupted:

“This is a national emergency. Following the confirmed news of the meteor, reports of mass crime are increasing. Citizens are urged to stay indoors and remain cautious. Police forces are limited, as many officers have resigned to protect their families. Please remain safe. This may be the worst year of your lives.”

Shit.
If that was true, maybe Ava's place had been robbed. Or worse.

There weren’t many cops left on the street, so I didn’t bother slowing down.

Still—why call me? Why not her parents? Or a friend?

I arrived at the address. A white van was parked in front. That set every alarm off in my head.

I kept a pocket knife in my glove box. I grabbed it and parked a block away, not wanting to tip anyone off. Quietly, I crept up to the house. The front door was wide open.

Inside, the place was quiet—too quiet.

I moved carefully. Then I heard it. A scream. High-pitched. Raw. Terrified. I bolted up the stairs.

Ava was in her room. A man loomed over her. He was heavy, sweating, disgusting—his whole presence radiated something vile. Ava's eyes locked onto mine. Pure horror.

He didn’t see me. I didn’t hesitate. I ran forward and stabbed him in the leg. Not fatally—just enough to make him fall. He screamed and dropped, writhing on the floor.

I didn’t wait. I grabbed Ava’s hand.

“Run!”

We tore down the stairs and out to my car .I immediately pressed on the gas and started heading back to my house. Silence filled the car. I didn’t know what to say about what just happened so I just kept quiet. As long as she’s safe then it’s fine.

“You know,” her voice was weak and she was trembling, “I didn’t expect you to show up. I didn’t expect anyone really…”

“...O-of course,” I said, still feeling awkward, stumbling over my words. “You were in danger so I had to do something.”

Ava looked down at her clasped hands, “Yeah, but you put your life at risk. For someone you don’t even know… Why?”

“I guess…” Before I could answer, John’s face flashed through my mind—how he once saved me.

That’s why I did it.

“It was just something I had to do.”

“You could have died.”

So could you,” I said. The words hung there longer than I expected.

…

“Even if I did die,” I can felt a faint smile forming on my face, “I wouldn’t have minded dying to save someone. After all, I'm just passing on his kindness.”

I looked over at Ava. She still looked shocked because of what had happened but at the same time, she looked concerned about what I had said.

“T-thank you,” she whispered, her voice steadier this time, but her hands still shook.

It was quiet all the way back to my apartment but it wasn’t as awkward.

My apartment wasn’t close to the city unlike Ava’s house. So hopefully, it hasn’t been broken into. Ava and I made our way up to my room.

“Welcome to my place. It’s a little underwhelming, I know.”

“N-no worries.”

She’s still understandably shook from what had happened. That makes sense, it’s not something you can just get over within a quick 20 minute drive.

“Here,” I said while holding out a soda.

“T-thanks,” as she reached to grab it I could still see her hands trembling. Damn—if I’d gotten there a little earlier, maybe she wouldn’t be like this.

I look at her as she takes a small sip of the soda. “Do you have somewhere else to go? Anyone I can take you to?”

Ava slowly lowers the can and looks down at it. “No…”

“No close friends or family?”

She shook her head. “No… no one close, not anymore.”

“No, please don’t worry about it. I was worried about dragging you to where I was planning to go.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

“Back home I guess. I thought about it on the way here and the safest place is where I grew up.”

“Really? How come?”

“Well it’s far away from any city so there wouldn’t be as many dangerous people. And it’s near a small town so everyone there is pretty friendly to each other. If you have no other place to go then I don’t mind taking you with me.”

She hesitated before answering, “B-but why. Why help someone out at times like these?”

I know that look she was giving off, she didn’t want to burden me. I wanted to make her feel better right then and there. “Well…” I scratched the back of my neck. “I still have a bet to win, remember?” I tried giving her a reassuring smile but I’m sure it looked awkward coming from my face.

A weak smile appeared on her face, “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

After our conversation I grabbed my shoebox full of money, just in case money still holds any value, then we hopped into the car and started heading home. Just praying that nothing goes wrong on the way home.