*Tip tap tip tap*

The quiet office room felt spacious as the malicious breathing heard heavy. I almost couldn’t bare the thought of what might happen to me. My throat felt sore. Like something had its hands clasped around me, trying to squeeze every drop of air out my lungs.

The timer clicked once more. The big red digital clock left me anxious. A woman sat idily against the wall. Her deep red hair strung like oily noodles and her sharp rigid nails looked as if she clawed through concrete.

Back and forth she swayed, and so did I. My body rocked with hers uncomfortably. What could I possibly say to avoid my ultimate demise.

*Click clack*

Four minutes remained. Each click causing the woman to tap faster on the wall. Each standing click left one less minute on that clock.

All I had left was reason. What reason does she have to kill me? What reason does she have to not kill me? What could I possibly say to get out of this?

“My name is Grian, I have a wife and two kids at home.” I calmly said.

Alone she sat, Idily clicking her long nails against the wall.

“Both daughters, 3 and 6”

*Click* [3 minutes remaining]

“My youngest daughter she, she has hair like yours. A bright red just like you.”

The continued staring through her stringy wet looking hair, tapping the wall restlessly.

“My eldest daughter has hair like me, she has black hair.” I paused “Do you have children?”

Silence-

“Do you know what it’s like to think that you’ll never come home to your kids? How much they’ll miss you?”

*Click* [2 minutes remaining]

“We can both still leave this room. No one has to get hurt.” Clasping my hands I plead “You don’t have to do this.”

The lady had no words. Dark red hair strung over pale grey skin. Crusted lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, yet no words left her mouth.

*Click* [1 minute remaining]

Seconds begann counting down on the clock. The once still woman now tall and erect, her long neck flexed awkwardly as she straightened her posture.

“My children, they will be without a father, please.” I reached for something, anything but there was nothing but flat wood walls there to embrace my hand.

[30 seconds remaining]

She leaned forward, her once timid look now turned to one of excitement. He neck now stuck out, letting the light hit her face. Scary bright blue eyes glimmered in the nasty white office light.

[10 seconds remaining]

It was obvious what was to come, and now I’ve accepted it. I tried my best.

What more could I do?