Immortal

Daniel screamed -- a powerful, piercing scream -- as the first atomic bomb exploded. This was the end, and Daniel summoned every bit of his fear, his rage, and his frustrations that he had built up watching the world slowly spiral out of control and lead to this inevitable conclusion. His life was over, and at least he would see it end in rage, not in sadness.

The flash of the explosive froze, as did everything else around him. Time had stopped around him, and his death had been averted.

He spent several moments in awe at what he saw -- a world that had stopped just for him. Was this some illusion, a trick of the mind at the moment of death, a sort of coping mechanism where his mind was able to stretch his final moments out before utter obliteration?

"Daniel." His name, plainly spoken, by a deep voice behind him. Daniel whirled around to see he was not the only person frozen in a moment of disaster. Daniel did not recognize the pale-skinned man in a suit standing there, but in fear and awe and confusion from the moment, was unable to respond.

"You have failed. Not unexpected, of course, but unfortunate, as many had thought you had the ability to solve this the first time through. As time went by, it became clear that you were not interested in doing anything to prevent this. No matter. Your second attempt will start -"

"What -- what the hell -- what do you mean?" Daniel stammered. "What is all this? Why am I not dead? Or --" Daniel stopped, terrified by his next thought.

"Are you already dead? No. You can't die. You are immortal. But you really don't need to know that right now-"

"Immortal?" Daniel was barely able to say the word from the shock it had given him.

"It's time, Daniel. Time to start again. I wonder what your name will be this time."

Daniel's world went dark, and his memories and experiences drained from him. His body was now reshaped into that of an infant, just born from the womb of a relieved twenty-four year old girl who proclaimed this new life "Terrance".

Outside the delivery room, a pale-skinned man in a suit smiled and walked away. Attempt number two. Dear Chaos, did it really take me ninety-seven times, he thought.

He had a good feeling about Terrance. Twice wasn't bad. Twice wasn't bad at all.