I know it’s stupid, but I swear I can see in his eyes that he gets me, that he’s burning those words into memory for that tragic day he loses someone, that he’s really taking it to heart.

“But no matter how much you’re living, Valentino, it’s still going to be haunting if you don’t get the chance to say goodbye to someone you love. Especially if given the chance.”

Valentino looks at the hourglass. “I should sign up before it’s too late.”

Valentino

11:52 p.m.

I’m registering for Death-Cast.

Thankfully I don’t have to wait in line since I have a smartphone. I go to death-cast.com and create an account. I skim the contract language and get right to inputting my name, social security number, birth date, phone number, and list Scarlett as my emergency contact. The next slide runs through how the Death-Cast ringtone can’t be changed like other government warnings, such as the Amber Alert. Then it’s time to pay. I don’t want to invest for the full year, and even a month costs too much for all my new expenses in the city, so I opt in at the one-day rate to see how it feels to lean in to Death-Cast. I confirm my plan, and I’m greeted with one final slide:

A Message from the Founder

Welcome to Death-Cast, where you are taking your life—and your death—into your own hands.

Here at the company, we refer to those who are dying as Deckers. “Why Deckers?” you ask. We want you to remember that you are all the captains on the decks of your own ships, setting sail on your own journeys. Stay in motion, or, more simply put, live your life.

Don’t wait until your horizon is fast approaching.

But if it is, Death-Cast is here for you.

—Joaquin Rosa

“Done,” I say, pocketing my phone.

“How do you feel?” Orion asks.

“Okay? I only paid for a day, in case it doesn’t feel right.”

“Good call,” Dalma says.

“I hope you’ll never need it,” Orion says.

We shouldn’t say never since I don’t think anyone wants me modeling at two hundred, but I understand what he’s saying. I really hate that Orion had to get so smart about death. But not as much as I like how much he’s going to be in my life now.

I’m starting to wonder if destiny is real.