The Expiration Date

In the city of Avalon, every citizen had a lifespan timer embedded in their wrist.

At birth, you were assigned a number. When it hit zero—you died instantly.

No exceptions. No warnings.

Liam checked his timer. 00:10:43.

Ten minutes left.

He exhaled, watching the numbers tick down. Nine. Eight. Seven.

Then—his timer glitched.

00:99:99.

It started counting up.

Liam’s heart pounded. He wasn’t supposed to exist anymore.

A red alarm blared through the city.

They knew.

He had cheated death.

And now?

They were coming for him.