"A New Lease on Life"

Years had passed since Emma last saw Max, and the memories of their time together had begun to fade like scars on her skin. She had long accepted that he had left her, and a part of her understood why. Despite her immortality, Emma still struggled to make ends meet, living below minimum wage and constantly looking over her shoulder. The weight of her existence had taken its toll, and she was tired of running. As she walked down the desolate streets, the pay phone caught her eye, its metal exterior worn and rusty. With the scraps of money she had left, she made a call to a number she had memorized long ago. The voice on the other end was familiar, and Emma's heart sank as she heard the name "Blackwood." She had heard rumors about this organization, how they took in people with... unique abilities, and provided them with a life of comfort and security. "I'm ready," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm ready to surrender." There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, Emma wondered if she had made a mistake. But then, the voice spoke, "We'll send someone to escort you. Be ready." The waiting was agonizing, but eventually, a black SUV pulled up, and two men in suits stepped out. They approached Emma with a mixture of caution and curiosity, and one of them introduced himself as Agent Thompson. "Let's go," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. Emma nodded, and they escorted her to the SUV, where she was taken to a nondescript building on the outskirts of town. Inside, she was greeted by a woman with piercing green eyes and a cold smile. "Welcome, Emma," the woman said. "I'm Director Lee. We've been expecting you. Before we can offer you a place with us, we need to... test your abilities." Emma's heart sank, but she knew she had no choice. She was led to a small room, where a shower and a change of clothes awaited her. The outfit was a low-cut, plunging V-neck tee, and Emma remembered the request made by a client who had contacted Blackwood. "You see, Emma," Director Lee explained, "one of our clients is willing to pay a substantial amount of money to see you... beheaded live. If you respawn, as you've demonstrated in the past, we'll know that you're still of use to us. And if you're successful, you'll be welcomed into our program with open arms." Emma felt a chill run down her spine as she realized the true nature of the test. She had no other choice, though. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. The client wanted to see her die, and Emma was about to give them a show. As she put on the V-neck tee, Emma couldn't help but wonder if she was making a deal with the devil. But she had run out of options, and this seemed like the only way to survive. With a sense of resignation, Emma nodded, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The beheading was a grim reminder of the life she had been living, but Emma steeled herself, knowing that this was just a test. If she passed, she would be given a new lease on life, one that came with a price, but also with a chance to start anew. The thought sent a spark of hope through her, and Emma prepared herself for the worst, ready to face her fate head-on.