1. Prologue

"This is news that will change the world!" the news anchor said, looking both delighted and bewildered. It was easy to understand why, considering how terrible the news had been in the last couple of years. It must be a surprising change of pace to be presenting something so wonderful.

Everyone in their small apartment gathered in front of the TV. Some of Alice's friends held glasses halfway to their mouths, forgotten. A piece of cake hung on Daniel's on his fork before falling to his plate with a thump. Alice even forgot the tray she was holding, and almost dropped it before finally setting it down.

The special news bulletin had interrupted the New Year's Eve program, and everyone at their small gathering stopped the festivities to pay attention. Usually, a news interruption meant some new horror was to be announced. A new crisis? Another pandemic? Another war?

The news anchor continued his happy speech as a video of an odd contraption was displayed beside him.

"According to the scientific team that created this device, this innovation means the end of all forms of cancer, without the need for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or any other form of treatment."

The screen changed from the anchorman to an on-location reporter talking to a man in a white lab coat. The scientist showed a contraption that looked like a futuristic tanning bed.

"One-hundred-percent success rate, on all types of cancer. We are currently looking for rarer types, just to test the machine," the scientist said with a polite smile.

"That's amazing!" Daniel still held his fork up, his cake long forgotten, and was fully focused on the TV. Alice put a hand on his shoulder and grinned at him. His excitement was palpable, and he smiled back at her. "This could put me out of work."

"It does sound wonderful," Alice agreed.

The reporter went on to ask what probably every viewer was wondering. "When will this device be available for treatments?" News of new medication and advancements appeared all the time, but usually it was years before they were available to the general public.

"We have a few of these machines ready and will distribute them to major hospitals around the world next month. After that, it all depends on the production of new machines."

A murmur of excitement filled the room. Next month?

"Does that mean," the reporter asked, "that we can expect cancer to be a thing of the past in the next, let's say, five years?"

Five years? Alice thought the reporter was being optimistic.

"Depending upon the production of new machines, we expect it to be a thing of the past by New Year's Eve next year," the scientist replied with a charming smile. The reporter was clearly too flabbergasted to think of a follow-up question.

The murmur in the room turned to a full-on cheer that was echoed by the above apartment as well. Next year? No more cancer in one year's time?

The TV went back to the anchorman, who was talking with a doctor about the machine and how it would change modern medicine. Everyone turned from the TV to Daniel, the doctor in the room, and hit him with questions. But the poor guy didn't know much more than they did.

He finally put his hands up in surrender. "This is wonderful news, everyone, but I'm just as surprised as you guys are."

"Haven't you heard about it before?" Bruno, Alice's husband, asked.

"No. It hasn't shown up in any medical peer-reviewed magazines or medical news sites."

"That's odd," everyone mused.

Then Alice's husband surprised her by picking her up and twirling her around with glee.

"Careful, you'll make me hit the table." She laughed. "Put me down, Hercules."

He kissed her deeply. "No more cancer. Finally, some good news this year."

She hugged him tightly and looked him in the eyes. His warm gaze made her heart flutter. He could charm her into doing anything with a wink. She kissed him back. Yes, they were due for some good news this year.

"Maybe this new year will be better. Maybe we will finally catch a break," Alice told him.

"I already spent all my luck catching you, so I can't make any promises," Bruno teased back.

"That was eight years ago. You are due for some luck by now," she said, but he just shrugged his shoulders.

"The countdown is starting!" Naomi announced.

Everyone picked up champagne glasses and started to count down to the new year.

People were counting loudly out their windows and into the streets of Lisbon, the mood having gone from an ordinary annual celebration to a festival of hope. Everyone shouted at midnight, but instead of the traditional "Happy New Year!" many chanted "No more cancer!" It was an infectious happiness that promised great things to come, a better future.

Maybe this year, mankind would change for the better.