Page 5

Elle stood outside the cafeteria; watching as students piled in and began to eat lunch, chat with friends. The bullies came out and pestered the younger students. Once Elle was sure the teachers were all in one place, and wouldn’t be able to bother her, she walked upstairs to the second floor of the building; the science wing. As she walked past the rooms, each door was closed, and all the lights were off. Neither teachers nor students were in sight. She smiled at that; this would be too easy.

 

Elle started at the far end of the hallway, the science room farthest from the stairs. She walked inside, went back to the supplies closet, and grabbed an armful of propane burners. She tapped the glass of each one, watching the liquid inside swirl. She then moved out to the table, and stacked a few pieces of paper together. She cracked the propane burner on the desk, the liquid flowing over the papers and onto the floor. Then, she went back to the supplies cabinet and grabbed a box of matches. She lit the pile of papers, and walked to the classroom door. With impeccable aim, she flung another burner directly onto the flame, and the burner broke, flames bursting from the impact. She then closed the door.

 

She did this to each of the rooms, and moved outside, watching her madness with wonder. By the time the smoke reached the fire alarms, it was too late. All the students and teachers were evacuated from the building, and fire trucks were there in minutes. Elle stood and watched from afar, standing in the brush of the forest nearby.

 

Within an hour, the school was burned to the ground. There wasn’t enough water to put out the fire that Elle had started. Now, there will be no reason for me to come back. There aren’t any more memories here. She thought. Though, so wrapped up in her accomplishment, Elle didn’t realize Bryan standing only a few feet behind her. He scoffed at her thought. 

“Elle, that’s not going to help you get him back.” He said softly. 

Elle stood and turned to Bryan. “Which part of, ‘I don’t need your help’ did you not understand?” She asked, her voice irate.

 

Bryan smiled, seeing that just his presence angered Elle. “And even if he comes out of the coma, you still don’t have the power to heal him.” He said, further diminishing her hope. Elle glared at him. All she saw was red hot furry. “

I don’t need your help.” She said, her voice thick with venom.

 

“That’s too bad, because I had a solution for you.” He taunted, and Elle stepped closer to him. 

“You’re bluffing.” She said, the slightest bit of hope in her eyes. 

“Oh no.” Bryan said. “I don’t bluff. He actually came out of the coma today. His physician called the house. The house you don’t live in.” He said, laughing gently. “We’ve been getting several updates; he’s been doing a lot better.”

 

Elle couldn’t trust Bryan. She couldn’t believe him. All he was doing was leading her on. All he was trying to do was break her. He had never liked Conley. All he had ever wanted was for the two of them to suffer; for their perfect relationship to wither away.