1. Bucket List of a Dying Man

‘A large-sized amphibian monster has appeared in the west side of Silver Lake City of Emmiton Province. All residents in the vicinity, please evacuate immediately.’

Jed watched as the breaking news appeared on TV. He sighed with relief that the monster appeared on the other side of the city. It’d be a pain in the butt to move out and evacuate now, as he was waiting for the result of his thorough medical examination.

“Mr. Hunter,” someone wearing a white coat entered his nursing room. “Do you remember me?”

Jed looked at the hospital staff who now looked through the papers he brought. “Sorry, I was in and out of consciousness while coughing nonstops for the last few days. But I’m fine now, really. I suppose you are my doctor?”

“Gregory Johanson,” the doctor smiled, as if in pity, “I have good news for you. Your cough has disappeared completely, so your chest will not hurt anymore.”

He sensed something was wrong. “But…”

“You only have one year left to live.” Dr. Johanson explained the test results in detail, trying to make him understand despite the empty look on Jed's face. “This is a rare disease first reported only a few days after the big alien invasion ninety nine years ago. We call it Xenorespiratory Failure Syndrome, where a person is exposed to a certain alien radiation and coughs for a week nonstop, and it suddenly disappears on the eighth day. Statistically speaking, there were one hundred and seventy five people other than you who had this disease.”

“Had? So can it be cured?”

Dr. Johanson took too long to reply, and when he did, the pity in his face worsened. “They all died in their sleep within one year.”

Jed had one year left to live, yet his life already flashed in his eyes. Like a broken film record playing continuously. “But… it was just coughs…”

“Some people have high tolerance against alien radiation, some do not. It doesn’t matter if you get away from the alien, you already have this disease. It is incurable.” Dr. Johanson stated, “I’m so sorry, but there is nothing else we can do for you.”

Just like that, Jed was sentenced to death in one year.

Leaving the hospital with nothing but the result papers he didn’t need, Jed wandered around the city, slightly hoping that the alien monster would come his way and kill him already.

He was dying anyway.

Still, he was hungry. Entering a convenience store, Jed looks for some food and cool drinks, walking slowly to reach the cashier. Waiting for the mother and her child in front of him, Jed looked around the store.

There were so many things he wanted to do.

So little time he had left.

He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth to swallow the bitter reality that was his life.

“Mom, that man is crying!”

“Hush, honey! Don’t point your finger, it’s impolite.”

“But, he’s really crying mom!”

“Let’s go home now.” The mother probably nodded at him before leaving, saying, “I’m so sorry for my son, sir.”

Jed took a deep breath and steeled his heart. He only had one year left to live. He didn’t want to waste it away. He didn’t need anyone’s pity.

“Uhm… do you need something else, sir?” the cashier shifted on his feet awkwardly.

Eyes flicked to the school supplies displayed near the counter. “Yes, that notebook and a pen, please.”

There were so many things he wanted to do and so little time he had left. He wouldn’t waste it. He had to get his priorities straight.

So, once he arrived at his small apartment room, he got down to business.

‘Bucket list of things I want to do before I die:

1. Eating chocolate ice cream

2. Kiss a girl

3. Resign from work and tell my jerk of a boss off

4. Dye my hair pink

5. Punch an alien monster in the face

6. Playing on the beach

7. Bake delicious bread and cookies

8. Climb the Lady of Freedom statue

9. Get a pet

10. Wear the EADF’s cool combat suit

11. Smoke a real cigarette

12. Watch a life football match

13. Sky-diving’

Ding!

Jed’s eyes went to his phone. The screen lit up, showing some official notifications from the government reporting that the alien monster in the west side of the city was successfully subjugated by the EADF’s 8th Division. The last notification was an announcement actually.

‘Attention to all survivors!

The Earth Allied Defense Force’s selection exam is open. Visit eadf-saviour.org or contact us at 101999 to learn more about the selection exam.’

Jed’s eyebrow rose as he looked back and forth at his phone and notebook he was writing on.

’10. Wear the EADF’ss cool combat suit’

What perfect timing.

So many things to do, yet so little time he had. Should he register now? Maybe he can get more than to wear the cool combat suit of the EADF, right?

Besides, if he were to die while on duty, it wouldn’t matter much anyway. He only had one year left to live, and he didn’t want any regret nor pity. It must be the right call.

And so he sent his application.