The Filter

In the future, space-age nanotechnology in drinking water effectively prevented disease and cancer and made ad hoc repairs/replacements for organs.

For centuries no one died.

Janice, 453 years old, synced into a VR network to socialize.

An encrypted message popped into her head …

“Janice, are you tired of immortality with no more choices? They track us, feel us, and think for us ...”

“I agree,” thought Janice.

“Good! We’ll send you ‘The Filter’ disguised as a gift. It’ll stop those nanoscopic beasts so that you can decide your own fate.”

Janice and millions of others ‘mysteriously’ perished within decades.