Cardiac Overclock

A wacky little entry about a world of little dudes with clocks for hearts. I kept this one short and sweet because I finished like half of it from a hotel.

Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/noah-shin-333307189/sets/cardiac-overclock?si=15e4773a5db...

You, as well as the other inhabitants of this world, have a mechanical heart that ticks away as time passes. Your heart has a set number of ticks, and once those ticks are ticked away, you die.

1: Tachycardia

When you learned that you could give yourself more ticks by "repurposing" the hearts of others, you went on a killing spree in an attempt to extend your own lifespan and live comfortably. You didn't initially have what it takes to be a killer, and when the gravity of your first kill set in, the panic and guilt elevated your heart rate, wasting precious ticks. Now all you can do is kill; the moment you stop, so does your heart.

2: Don't Think About It

When you learn that you can extend your lifespan by "repurposing" the hearts of others, you decide to take only the hearts of those you must kill in self defense, as well as the hearts of those who die of natural causes. However, you aren't always able to adhere to this oath, and by the time you've accumulated enough ticks to lead a quiet and comfortable life, you are plagued by memories of the few people you regret killing. It's okay, what's done is done, there's no use dwelling on it now. Just try not to think about it...

3: Clock Out

When you learn that you can live significantly longer by "repurposing" the hearts of others, you decide that instead of suffering through the ordeal of extending your own lifespan, you want to make the most of the ticks that you already have. Everyone whose heart you might have taken in another life becomes a potential ally. You travel to every corner of the world, create art, watch fireworks with the best friends you could ever ask for. When the bell tolls for you, you realize that there probably won't be anything left for you after this life.

And maybe that's okay.