Living While Dead

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I'm not sure how to explain this, but I'm dead. I'm not sure how it happened, or when, really— but I am positive that I am deceased. How can I tell? Well, it's quite simple— my heart's stopped beating, my lungs have stopped breathing, and I've not felt anything akin to thirst or hunger for quite a long time now. Of course, on account of the fact that I continue moving— despite being dead— there's been none of the ceremony, ritual, or paperwork to tell the rest of the world that I've passed on. As such, I've been expected to continue as if I hadn't stopped living— my boss expects me to show up for work, my landlord expects me to pay my bills, and my family expects me to call every now and again.

Naturally, none of them believe me when I tell them that I cannot do these things, because I am dead. I saw my doctor the other day, who, despite noticing my cold skin and lack of a pulse, simply shrugged, told me to try sleeping right and exercising more, then sent me on my way. Like everyone else, I've been quite unsure what to do with myself. Before, whenever I ran into a spot of trouble, I would tell myself to keep on living— but how does one live while dead? Maybe I should see the world, create something, help others— all of the things I couldn't do in life. But it would be easier, so much easier, to simply continue as if nothing had changed at all. Am I really dead if no one else acknowledges it?

I think that's what I'll do— like the rest, I'll act like nothing happened.

I can stop when I'm dead.


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Oct 15, 2021 08:27 by Dimitris Havlidis

That was really good, and the punch line is even better :D

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Oct 15, 2021 18:32 by Grace Gittel Lewis
Oct 15, 2021 21:17 by A

This one is good. Such a bizarre short story that fits into this world and is fun too. Would this count as an anomaly dare I ask?

Worldkeymaster, also known as A of Worldkeymaster.
You are welcome to explore Nimenra, a world in conflict between Humans and Demons.
My summer camp articles and half-finished pledge document: Summer Camp 2022
Oct 16, 2021 04:12 by Grace Gittel Lewis

Thank you! It would, yes, but these short stories aren't really meant to be a part of APRA. I mean they can still be interpreted that way, since APRA can fit em, but I just use this manuscript to write things unattached to anything else. I just needed a world to attach it to, and APRA has the loosest setting for whatever I want!

Oct 16, 2021 13:20 by A

Ahh, I understand. Still fits very well! Keep on writing!

Worldkeymaster, also known as A of Worldkeymaster.
You are welcome to explore Nimenra, a world in conflict between Humans and Demons.
My summer camp articles and half-finished pledge document: Summer Camp 2022
Oct 16, 2021 16:56 by Grace Gittel Lewis

Thank you, I will!

Apr 12, 2023 02:43

I would make a joke about how this reflects modern society, but such jests have been done to death.

Life is too short to be squandering on things you don’t enjoy or things that do nothing to benefit those around you.
Apr 13, 2023 00:01 by Grace Gittel Lewis

[Insert joke here]