He Closed His Eyes

There is nothing you can change, one dies, and the other lives. What would the world look like if everyone stayed alive? Would humankind stop having offspring, is overpopulation the reason why Elon Musk wants to start a civilization on Mars and what about Justin Sun who has big plans? AI, are you ready for it? For sure both have plenty of money (resources) and energy to not face a blackout and realize their dreams. The average peasant will live in the countryside and should be happy without possessions just like the plebs in the 5-minute region cities. If you ask me this is the best that one can overcome. No possession, no worries, no robberies, no scammers, no need to kill, no need to... and best of all being happy. How many can say that today?

Mrs Rodgers thought long and deeply about what she read on X and the magazines' neighbours shared with her. It wasn't much different from the films she's been watching for at least 6 decades. The topics were always the same. Life ends, robots take over and humankind will be the slave, mainly of their own worries and thoughts. Prepared? She wasn't but there was no need to since she had no intention to trade the lifestyle she had against the one offered by the new world order where Trump, Musk, Gates and Sun join hands which doesn't make sense.

Three months later, it was a Sunday, Mrs Rodgers had a meeting with a couple on their way to an island visit.
No worry, I'll water your plants and take care of the cat and rabbit, she said as they sat down and drank their last cup of coffee together.
The suitcases were packed. Two weeks on an island, the invitation was sent by someone they couldn't remember which didn't make them think twice since what is for free can't be bad he said and she nodded.
They didn't speak out the name of the island, it was forbidden to say it if they wanted to join the party. Train, boat trip and food were included, he waved with the tickets.
No worries, it all will work out fine, enjoy your stay, and so will I and the cat.

The journey took longer than expected and the boat was a bit crowded. It turned out they weren't the only ones invited by someone they couldn't remember.
Interesting place said a guy who had introduced himself as a lawyer after they said foot on the island. let's enjoy the view before we go inside.
We are already ten minutes late the secretary nervously remarked, looking at her watch again but the rest of the group ignored the lady and agreed. Once arrived the new environment should be absorbed and explored. There was time enough to hide inside again something they had in common.
Forget those ten minutes lady, a guy with a criminal past grinned, this should be the holiday of your life. What you see is all free so take the opportunity and grab what you can.
Rather not, the teacher said, close to bankrupt, don't you know that everything comes with a price tag?

The endless nagging he thought, will it ever stop? During the boat trip, he'd observed the shape of the island. It had a strange shape. Not exactly what one would have in mind when thinking of a health resort, the atmosphere felt strange. It was as if a voice constantly spoke to him although he couldn't understand the words.. Did it influence the mood of the other guests? He closed his eyes and faced into the direction of the light before his finger pulled the trigger. It was a good thing they had not gone inside.

Here we go again, thought Helen, eeny, meeny in rehearsal. Mark didn't say a word he was angry, angry and hurt about the fact she had filled out the yellow paper and didn't even ask if he had leaked information. All she had said was that it hadn't been Charlie. The reason she had given was ridiculous. Charlie had told the truth because she had looked her in the eye and said it hadn't been her. Duh! As if pathological liars look away. He had kept his mouth shut as he had seen her asking to be beaten up. It was nothing had Jake told him, just a way to relax. Relax? My ass, she was as crazy as her serial killer of a sister and even more dangerous since she was a police officer, one with a fucked up mind.
He watched her leave the boat and set foot on the island. An island no normal person with a piece of functioning brain would visit.

What made them decide to go here? She didn't wait for an answer and searched through the pockets of the body in front of her. An invitation, Those three must have been up early.

Mark followed her from a distance, not willing to answer. Later he would see if he could find something that would lead to the deeder or at least provide him with the shooter's reason.
She remained wordless until they arrived at the house. It looked abandoned, haunted and as she rang no one answered

Anyone home, she yelled.

You have to go a voice said, I don't expect visitors.

There has been an accident, can you let me in please?

One lives and the other dies, the voice replied.

It felt as if an iron fist ripped her heart out of her chest. She tried to remain calm as she turned around and walked back into the bushes. Okay, she thought, what next? A strategy of nonconfrontation? Mark!

He observed her as she searched through the pockets of the the victims again. What was it she was looking for?

It's better
better
better
I'll never
Never
Get past the pressure
Never, never
I'm my own oppressure
No one does it better
_{Faking it - Cora Camack}

A dangerous grin appeared on her face as if a dog with rabies had bitten her, she growled and turned around...

Mark's first memory was a hospital room. He already knew it before he opened his eyes, that smell... She sat next to his bed. Why was she here? Before he could ask he fell asleep. The next memories were faces and voices talking about him. He wasn't strong enough to produce a sound and he felt too sleepy. Did she try to hurt him?
The 9th time he was conscious a doctor asked if he remembered him. He shook his head. All memories seemed to be gone and he felt worried they wouldn't come back Deilirium?

You're in the psychiatric ward of the hospital. Do you know how you got here? Mark shook his head, the last thing he remembered erased.
I'm all sweaty, he mumbled.

In the corner stood a woman with long braided hair. He had never seen her before.

It is time for an examination. Get out of bed and undress.

She threw a bottle at him.

For a urine test she snapped at him. You are a psychiatric clinic here but you can't fool me, you have been charged before.

She had barely finished speaking and the doctor came in with Helen in tow.

How much did you drink this time?

He didn't know, couldn't remember anything except the hospital room and that he was innocent until proven guilty and that bitch was trying to frame him again. Never start anything with a colleague.

_{17.1.25
Prompts: @freewritehouse
Monday -Forget those ten minutes
Tuesday -He closed his eyes
Friday -One lives, the other dies
Saturday -Mrs Rodgers
Sunday - three months later
All prompts are from the books with the titles mentioned here. I read those 7 books and built a new story out of it.}