Interesting concept, and it really develops well at the end when they bring the smile tally into play.

Just, awesome. Pure and utter awesome. You've captured so much in such a small word count~! Great work!

That was surprisingly sweet.

I love how you subtlety point out his moments, the points in time where he's really not sure.

And then weaving in his reactions, his emotion, no matter how diluted by death they may be...

I have to say, you have quite a talent.