The First to Die at the End

On July 30, 2010, at 10:10 p.m., Orion Pagan recounts that he has a severe heart condition and has always been told that death may come for him at any moment. Then, an organization called “Death-Cast” sprung up, claiming to predict when people would die. Orion signed up to receive a notification from Death-Cast when his End Day—the day of his death—is coming. Tonight is the first night that people may receive a call from Death-Cast.

The event is being marked by parties, and Orion is at the one in Times Square with his friend Dalma. They talk about getting a job at Death-Cast, and Orion thinks about all the things they talk about doing together, though he also knows it’s unlikely he’ll live long.

Because Orion’s parents were killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and never had a chance to say goodbye, he signed up for Death-Cast.

At 10:22 p.m., Valentino thinks about how he is not registered for Death-Cast. He has just moved from Phoenix to New York City. His sister is due to get into New York in a few hours, and they won’t have to see their parents ever again.