I reach for my wallet, which I haven’t miraculously lost today like my phone or keys. “Great. How much?”

Férnan hands me the camera. “No charge.”

“Wow—thanks, man—”

“No,” I interrupt Orion. “I want to pay. Especially after your break-in.”

“That’s really noble, but your hundred bucks isn’t going to save the shop. I selfishly want to know that you’re out in the world making incredible memories.”

This Decker discount doesn’t make me feel great. I feel like I’m robbing a store that has already seen enough loss. “Fine. I’ll accept the camera if you let me buy that bike for your son. I can just leave the money for whenever it becomes available and you can—”

“It’s available now,” Férnan says. “I’ve just been telling Rufus it isn’t because he keeps acting out. But why does Rufus getting that bike matter to you?”

Orion seems confused too and then catches on.

“My parents weren’t great. It’d be nice to know that a father who loves his son is actually showing his son that he loves him.”

Férnan looks up at the bike, like he’s imagining the memories he’ll create with Rufus. “You got yourself a deal.”

We work out the price. He tries to undersell me; I try to oversell. It’s the most backward haggling I’ve ever experienced. We land on a middle ground that makes us feel as good as we’re going to be and we shake on it. Férnan has a firm grip, and I feel like he’s telling me to be strong without using any words.

I look at the bike, imagining Rufus on it with Férnan cheering him on. It’s a really nice thought.

“Have a good day,” I say on the way out.

“You too,” Férnan says, and cringes. His eyes find my shirt. “Actually, yes. Have a happy End Day, Valentino.”

“Thanks, Férnan.”

We leave the shop.

I power on the camera. It doesn’t have a full battery, but it should be enough to get through the End Day. I hand it to Orion. “Would you mind? I think the first picture should be taken outside the store where I got the camera.”

“Happily,” Orion says.

I get in position and tuck my hands into my pockets. It feels strange smiling in front of a looted pawnshop, but this is how we closed out this chapter in my End Day and that’s how it should be remembered.

Orion snaps the picture.

The first of many hopefully.

Férnan Emeterio

9:09 a.m.

Death-Cast did not call Férnan Emeterio because he is not dying today, though he’s struck by the generosity of a young man who will be.