Second Suicide

A Word from Hugh Howey

“Second Suicide” was a story that wouldn’t leave me alone. I wrote the first draft over a year ago. Other projects got in the way, so that rough draft sat on my computer (and swirled around in my head) for a very long time. It all started with this idea that we believe in one of two extremes: Either we have this one life, or we will live for an eternity. While these seem like the two possibilities before us, there’s a more interesting case: What if we only got one second chance? And tragically, what if we only realized it once it was too late?

In order to inspire myself to live a full life with a positive impact on my surroundings, I’ve chosen to live as if this is the only life I’ll ever have. But what about this instead: What if I did this all before, but I screwed up everything I tried, hurt those around me, and lived a truly wasted and despicable life? I know that sounds horrible, but what if this is my second chance, a chance to do more with my life, to be a better person? Should we wait on a near-death experience to show us what a gift this is and to turn things around? Or can we just pretend?