Curse of Immortality

Red. The flames were bright enough to burn through his eyelids, like red-hot iron. Pain. Searing pain, the likes of which he had never felt. His flesh and sinew was slowly being cooked. Darkness beckoned at the back of his head, and he welcomed it eagerly. Nothingness engulfed him and he knew no more.

The first thing he heard was an electronic beep. He stirred and groaned. Immediately, he heard hurried footsteps and a soothing, female voice told him to relax and rest. He opened his eyes; blearily he saw a woman in a blue top looming over him. The darkness returned and he went back to its bosom.

Hushed voices woke him up. He opened his eyes, turned his head. He saw a woman in a white coat talking urgently with the woman from before. The beep was sounding at regular intervals. He was in a hospital, then. So he had failed. ‘Excuse me!’ The two people turned and stepped over to him. ‘What happened?’, he asked. ‘You were found at the driver’s seat of a burning car. Frankly, it is a miracle you survived. Somehow, the burns were only skin-deep. They didn’t harm your vitals. We fully expect you to make a full recovery.’ She smiled at him. He returned the smile. ‘Thank you.’ ‘Just doing our duty. You should rest some more!’ ‘I think I will.’ He shut his eyes and pretended to go back to sleep. Instead, he gave himself over to contemplation.

Two thousand and three hundred years he had lived. He had seen civilisations rise, reach their zenith and crumble to dust. He had spoken to great monarchs and humble beggars alike. He had travelled all over the world and experienced a wide variety of cultures, primitive and advanced. He had fought in great wars. He had witnessed and committed deeds that would go down as legends. Time after time, he had loved and lost. He had survived everyone he knew. Now he was weary and sad. All he wanted now was an end to it all.

At first, he had tried hanging himself, but the rope snapped. Then he tried consuming rat poison, but the manufacture turned out defective. (The ensuing lawsuit only served to add to his already considerable fortune). He had tried to shoot himself, but the bullet only did superficial damage. Now, he had tried to burn himself to death, with predictable results. An evil day it was, indeed, when he had asked the gods for the boon of immortality. Maybe the only thing left for him was to live on forever, even after the world had ended and there was no living being left in the universe. He took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.

Contributed by Blazerz