The Value of a Life – Part 2

This is part 2 of Clever’s short story. Click here to read from the beginning.

…

“Thank you, Mister,” the boy said shyly as he stared up at Zeno.

“Zeno, you can call me Zeno,” he replied. “What’s your name, boy?”

“Mouse.”

Zeno stopped walking and turned to the boy. “I’ll not be calling you…” He had planned to ask the boy’s real name, but something on his face gave him pause. He looked the scrawny boy up and down. To be a Discarded One meant his parents cared nothing for him. “I don’t suppose your parents gave you even a name in exchange for all the lives they took from you.”

The boy, Mouse, swallowed and blinked before shaking his head.

Zeno cursed again, this time at the boy’s parents.

“Come on then, Mouse. I know just the place to take you.”

…

“Two of today’s special and a vitality elixir.”

Zeno normally thought it was absurd to waste a portion of one’s lifespan on improving how one felt for a brief time, but after what the boy had been through, he deserved it.

When the food arrived, Mouse devoured it and gulped down the elixir.

Mouse sat up straighter, and some color came into his face. “Wow, Mister Zeno. I’ve never had an elixir before. Does it always feel this good? I feel like I could run across the whole city.”

The boy paused and narrowed his eyes. “Why did you help me? I suppose I owe you now, but I’ll not give you any of my lives.” Mouse clutched his chest as if he could hold in his life force. “I won that match fair and square and–” 

“Don’t worry,” Zeno cut him off. “To be honest, I don’t know why I helped you. It just didn’t seem right, you risking your last life like that, but I won’t take anything from you.” Zeno held up his hands. “If you want to leave now, I’ll pay for the meal, and you can go on your way.”

Mouse watched him a moment and then shook his head. “I–I don’t really have a plan now. I wasn’t sure I would even…” he trailed off, but Zeno understood. After what the boy had been through, he didn’t dare imagine a future.

“Well, first things first, we need to get you to an exchange.” Zeno dropped enough hundredths on the table to cover the bill, and led Mouse outside. 

“Place your hand on the sensor. Now enter how many lives you want to exchange. 

“Ummm…just one?”

“Sure, that’s fine to start”

A pop-up appeared. 

By checking this box, you agree to pledge the number of lives you selected in exchange for the equivalent amount of hundredths.

Mouse looked to him, and he nodded encouragement.

Mouse checked the box, and 100 coins dropped into the slot below the machine with a clang. His eyes went wide as he scooped them up and shoved them into his pockets. 

Zeno shook his head with a smile, reaching into his bag and handing the boy an extra pouch he had.

Mouse carefully transferred his hundredths into the small leather pouch and stuffed it into his pocket, one hand resting over the bulge.

The boy looked up at him with a hopeful gaze, “Now what?”

…

Check back in two weeks for part 3.

Thanks so much for reading!

-Clever & wtf