“You have 2 minutes before the cameras come back on.” The static filters out, leaving just my heavy breathing echoing in the still room.

I sat there, legs shaking as I stared at the bomb in my hands. Just a few clicks and it would be set, destroying this building and everyone in it.

“You’re running out of time.”

I gritted my teeth. I knew that.

“Tick-tock tick-“

I grasped my left arm tightly, feeling the blood pool up underneath my fingernails. I needed the pain to help me remember…

why I was even doing this in the first place.

I set the bomb down and left.

My footsteps on the stairs seemed like fireworks in my mind. Are they going to figure it out? Am I going to be caught?

“Hello, I would like-“

I froze, even the cacophony in my mind stilled at those words. I would recognize that voice through the entirety of the sea, muffled although it may be. I would hear her even in the vacuum, where not a sound could reach my ears, I would recognize her.

“Mommy! Can we get ice cream after?”

My feet moved first, my brain a second later.

I hurried forward, shoving people aside. I ignored their complaints. All I cared about was them.

Just a little more. “Elena!”

The figures around me faded as she turned and caught my gaze. I watched as her confusion morphed into a smile.

I reached my hand out…

and the building collapsed.

Screams resounded from everywhere as pillars caved inwards.

It went black.

My ears rang when I woke up, and as I took a deep breath in, I let out a series of coughs. The dust from the debris clouded my lungs.

“Elena? Mia?” My voice sounded muffled to my own ears, and my throat ached as I tried to form words, but I needed to find them.

I stepped over rubble, seeing the hint of a hand peeking out. I swallowed down the vomit in mouth and tredged forward.

My foot caught something, and I tumbled forward, letting out a gasp as the air left my lungs. I looked behind me and stilled.

Why was I even doing this in the first place?

“Mia.” I reached forward, cradling her in my arms. I chanted her name like a mantra as tears poured from my eyes.

I gazed into the darkness as Elena stared back.

Amidst the wreckage, a lone figure emerged, driven by revenge and a thirst for justice.

“You told me they’d be safe.”

“Huh, you’re still alive? Aren’t you stubborn?”

“You told me that if I planted the bomb, you wouldn’t kill them.”

“Yeah, and I didn’t.” The other laughed. “You did.”

The doorbell rang. The man got up to answer.

“I did. And you made me this, so now you have to take responsibility.”

A box waited outside.

The man’s eyes widened as he saw it, and he took a step back a second too late.

And another building went toppling to the ground.