Fireworks

She tried to switch on her phone. It only flickered for a few seconds then turned off again.

The shadow was now making its way towards her, dragging a long object on the floor.

'Come on!' she yelled into her phone, attempting to turn it on again. It flickered twice then switched off again.

The shadow was now in reach. It pushed away the desk between it and Clarissa.

She slammed her phone four times in the palm of her hand, tears streaming down her face. She tried it again.

The shadow swung the object onto its shoulder.

Clarissa's phone finally switched on. She quickly turned on the flashlight and shone it upwards in the direction of the shadow.

Standing right above her, soaked from head to toe, was Sineas, a long axe resting on his shoulder. He did not say anything. He just stared back at her, his eyes holding no expression whatsoever.

She wiped the tears and water from her face. She boldly decided to stand up. 'Sin?'

He did not move, neither did he say a word. He just maintained his posture.

'Sin, please... talk to me.'

She kept the light of the flashlight in his face. She looked at the silver blade of the axe. The very part that was meant for cutting wood, to be sharp and smooth did not look smooth or sharp at all. It had deep, jagged crevices and edges. She shuddered then looked into his impassive eyes again.

She said, 'In the park…what you said about the world not playing fair and…taking from it. The definition you gave me…was that really what you meant or…' her eyes fleetingly moved to the blade of the axe, '…did you mean something else entirely?'

He did not answer.

A foolish thought crept into her head. She tried hard to fight against it but she lost miserably. She placed a trembling hand on the handle of the axe, close to his hand. Her heart increasing its speed, she slowly lowered the axe from his shoulder. The blade struck the concrete floor and produced a loud clink.

Sineas looked like he was oblivious to what had just happened but his grip on the axe remained firm. It was as though he was glued to it.

Clarissa breathed heavily in relief. She went on, 'Sin; I meant what I said…about how I feel about you and I know how you feel about me too. I know deep down you care about me. I don't…I don't care about what you did to Justin. The guy was a total jerk and the world is better off without him. I don't care about Miss Bale either. That promiscuous bitch had it coming. And that Doctor Jacob? The man that locked your mother up in an asylum? Eleven years away from the only child she has?! I personally think what you did to him was mercy. Sineas, I couldn't care less if you killed a hundred people before that. What I care about is you. Only you, Sin. You're my world. You're the only one I care about.'

Sineas still did not move, or say a word.

'I also know that when you spared me that night, it wasn't just because you wanted to, but because you had to. I know you let me go because you felt something…for me. Something deep. I feel it too.'

She placed a hand on his left cheek.

He did not fight it off. He just aimlessly looked into her eyes.

She could see them sparkling. She wasn't sure if they were tears. Tears rolled down her eyes. 'I love you too, Sin. I…love…you.'

'Clarissa!' It was the inspector. The shout came from down the hallway.

Clarissa could hear the clapping of their shoes. A dim light was waving in all directions.

Sineas strengthened his grip on the axe. He turned around.

Clarissa reached for his hand. 'Sin, don't, they'll kill you!'

He snatched his hand from her grasp and continued to walk towards the exit of the room. He stood right in the middle of the hallway, axe in hand.

'Put the weapon down, son! I won't tell you again!' the inspector warned him.

'Sin, Please, do what he says!' she begged him from inside the classroom. 'Sin, he'll kill you!'

Sineas swung the axe over his shoulder.

'Son, trust me- a bullet is much faster,' the inspector said.

'Sin, please!' Clarissa yelled, tears continuing to pour down her face. She could see the flashlight directed towards Sineas, like headlights on a dark and empty road. The inspector sounded like he was twenty feet away from him.

'Sin, please, put it down now!' she cried again before falling onto her knees.

Sineas took one look at her. He smiled.

She wiped her face. She tried to smile too. It was an imperfect smile.

Sineas turned his eyes back in front of him. His face was hardened. He put one foot forward.

'Son; don't move again!' Inspector Charles warned him.

Sineas paused. He looked at Clarissa. He then turned back to the inspector. He put the other foot forward.

Fireworks. Fireworks? Yes, that's what they sounded like. Fireworks. That's what she thought she heard. Clarissa's heart stopped. Every other sound fell on deaf ears. All she heard were fireworks. She could not even hear her own screams as Sineas' back hit the floor.

His face turned towards her. His eyelids fluttered, but only for a moment. His mouth moved. He tried to smile. He tried. His eyelids closed shut.

She tried to reach for him. She crawled towards him but she was too exhausted. Her arms pulled and pulled her body along the floor, her knees making small strides along the cold, hard concrete. Her body failed her. Her elbows buckled and she collapsed.