"Isn't it beautiful?" you think to yourself as you stare at the fire dancing magnificently in the fireplace. The flames hissed like little cobras entranced by a flute.

Interrupting your reverie, Johnny slammed the door shut with a loud thud. His shirt was ripped and bloody and his hands were layered in dirt.

"It's done," he spoke through harsh breaths. "Now I've got to get rid of these filthy clothes."

You look at him with bewildered dismay. "What did you do?"

"I took the back road towards the old farm house. The roads were quiet and I didn't see anyone. I had a right scare after I left the body, though. It sounded like there was someone approaching and I literally shit myself, but it was a fox."

"What the hell are you talking about? What did you do?"

Johnny walks over to the fire and throws his shirt into the flames, angering the dancing snakes.

"Come with me."

He leads you up the stairs and into the bathroom. The white-and-black chessboard flooring is painted in scattered red.

Your breath quickens. Your heart thuds in your chest.

"What the fuck, Johnny? What happened?"

"You don't remember, Sean? You did this."

You fall to your knees. "You're lying!"

"You were a mess when I got here. You were pacing backwards and forwards like a mad man. I had to do something."

Your world starts to spin. You squeeze your eyes tightly shut and hug your legs.

Everything goes black and you try to visualise the fire. The beautiful fire.