burning midnight

No. No. This was impossible.

Jax took a step back and stumbled, forcing himself to leant against the wall. He took in a deep breath. His heart thumping rapidly against his chest. He shook his head, fear coursing through his veins.

Had I heard it wrongly? He thought.

“N-No way, Silena. You’ve got it all wrong! I’m sure you made a mistake...right?” Jax breathed.

“I’m sorry, Jax. The president sent me the last task of the year for you. She told me to tell you this. You must do this by midnight. If not, you and your mother will die,” Silena said apologetically.

Die.

Jax repeated it in his head.

Death.

“No! No! No!” Jax slammed his fist against the table and let out a frustrated scream, “Why?”

He kicked his chair and slumped down against the wall, tears brimming his eyes. Never had he felt so scared in his life. So alone—not since his father died three years ago. He didn’t know what to do. He felt as if his soul was leaving his body. Leaving this cruel world behind. 

“I wish I could help you, Jax. But you know that I can’t do anything at all...I’m just someone who handles all your tasks. I’m really sorry,” Silena sighed, touching his shoulder, “but do remember—this is something about life and death.”

Silena picked up her files and walked out of the room, leaving Jax feeling empty.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Jax clutched his dagger and slid it up his boot.

This is between life and death.

Jax rushed out of the building and looked up at the sky. The stars somehow shined brighter tonight. As if they were saying goodbye. As if there’s no tomorrow.

Jax chuckled. Of course there was no tomorrow. How could he survive after knowing what he was going to do tonight.

Jax took a step forward.

Life and death.

Feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins, Jax quickened his pace. Each and every step made him feel giddy. 

Life and death.

Jax swung his hands and began jogging. 

Life.

He took in a huge breath.

And—

Sweat trickled down his forehead. 

Life.

Jax paused. He wasn’t jogging anymore. He was panting, his heart was pounding. There was pure silence—except for the sound of his beating heart.

Life. I choose to live. I want to live, Jax thought.

He then began running again.

~~~

“Hey, babe. What are you doing here? It’s really late.”

Jax smiled. “Oh, nothing much, Sophia. I just wanted to see you. Are your parents home?”

“Nope,” Sophus raised an eyebrow, “So, did you want to tell me something or—“

“Um, can I show you something? Let’s go to your backyard,” Jax scratched his head.

“Backyard? Oh, sure…?” Sophia said.

“Great!” Jax linked his hands with hers as Sophia led him to her backyard.

“Did you want to see something? Because I—“ Sophia turned around and gasped, “Woah.”

The backyard was filled with lantern lights hung in shapes of a heart. A mat on the ground with a basket of food. Trees swayed with the wind as Sophia sighed.

Jax flashed her a divine smile. “There’s gonna be a firework show at midnight later. I was wondering if you know, we could sit here and watch it?”

“Oh my gods! This is beautiful!” Sophia squealed.

Jax guided her to the mat and they sat on it, enjoying the nighttime view.

“And...I have this.”

Jax brought out a necklace, engraved with a letter ‘S’ on it. It was the colour of rose gold, Sophia’s favourite colour.

“Jax...this is wow. It’s amazing. I love it!” 

Jax put on the necklace for Sophia, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Jax checked his watch. 11:58pm. It’s now or never.

“Sophia.”

“Hm”

“You know that I’ll love you forever and ever, right?”

Sophia looked at him curiously. “Of course, You will. I love you too.”

“That’s good.” Jax leaned in and kissed her. He kissed her gently, but passionate, knowing this would be the last time he would ever get to feel her. He brought his arm around Sophia’s waist and checked the time. 11:59pm. Jax was on the verge of tears. This will be the last time I’ll ever love someone again, He thought. He glanced at his watch again. 40 more seconds. He grasped his dagger. 30 more seconds. He positioned it, just right at Sophia’s back. 20 more seconds. He looked into her eyes and muttered, “I love you, Sophia. Forever and ever.” 10 more seconds. He closed his eyes. 5 more seconds and—

He opened his eyes. Fireworks were displayed in the sky. Today was supposed to be a new day. To start afresh. It was supposed to be happy. To spend time with your loved ones. But here he was looking at Sophia’s frozen body. She wasn’t moving anymore. Blood. There was blood. There was blood splattered on his hoodie. There was blood laced around his dagger. Jax pushed her body away and stood up, dropping his dagger. He did it. He succeeded. He and his mother would be safe. 

He slammed his body against the fence. He murdered his girlfriend. Tears stung his eyes. He was a murderer. Murderer. But that was yesterday. Today, he would start afresh as someone new. He and his mother would move away to somewhere far away from this place. They would find a new life somewhere. Somewhere where no one would know who they were. Somewhere who no one will know what he did. He was supposed to be glad, wasn’t he? But instead, tears came.

Jax cried. He screamed. He didn’t care if anyone heard him. He didn’t. He didn’t ask for this life, did he? No, he didn’t. All he wanted was a happy and simple life. That’s it. Was it that hard to ask? Was it that hard to ask for a 17 year old boy? The tears were flowing non-stop. No, he couldn’t stop. But then—

Laugh. There was laughter. There was a grin. He gazed up. He was laughing. He was crying, then laughing. His laughter wasn’t happy, it was evil. His laughter was filled with pure hatred. He wanted revenge. Revenge for his father, Sophia, and all the other people that died because of him. He would stop this killing system. He would. His laughter grew louder and louder. He picked himself up and took off his hoodie. He started a fire with wooden sticks and burned it. He would start afresh today, but he won’t escape like he planned to. This time, he would fight for himself. He would fight for his loved ones. He slid back his dagger in and walked away from the house, away from his past, and away from his old life. He turned around swiftly and watched the house burn from the fire he started. The fire blazed, while the fireworks exploded into a thousand particles of light.

“Goodbye,” He breathed, and walked into darkness.

thanks for reading !! :”))