𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤

26⇢fights

JAMIE

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering," Yoda scolds young Anakin, and I look away from the TV as if he is scolding me.

"I sense much fear in you."

Sam looks over at me before reaching for the remote and pausing the TV. "Jamie, you can't keep doing this. You're not her."

"I know that," I counter, looking across the couch, "but I could become like her."

"Jamie, I know you. You don't have an ounce of evil in your heart—"

I cut him off. "You're wrong."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remember when Max died? I knew she killed him, and I wanted to kill her. I didn't want to spare her. I didn't want her to live another day—"

"So that means you're an evil monster?"

"What else does it mean?"

"That you loved him," he says, making me pause, "That you cared."

I don't answer.

"You know I'm right," he concludes, and I slowly nod. "You just let anger cloud your judgment."

"And what was my judgment?"

Sam sits forward, catching my eye. "Love. To avenge him."

Guilt covers my face, and I look down. "I'm still scared. It's been two weeks since her last broadcast, and nothing's happened."

"We'll be okay," he reassures me, and I narrow my eyes at him. "I promise."

"Why won't you give up on me?"

He chuckles, making me look back up. "Why won't I, or why can't I?"

"Shut up, Sam," I mumble, a small smile working its way onto my face.

"It's the truth," he pipes, making my smile grow, "I love you."

I falter at his words, and my heart soars. There's never a right moment, right?

Before I can repeat the magic words, the TV shuts off, making both of us share curious looks. Suddenly, the lights above us flicker before turning off completely, engulfing us in total darkness.

"What the hell's going on," I mutter, blindly reaching for Sam's hand and squeezing gently when they meet.

"I don't know, but I don't think it's good."

Sam stands to his feet and pulls me to the balcony window. From every angle, the lights from every building start to go out, burying the city in complete darkness.

"A city blackout." I feel a squeeze on my hand as I close my eyes in thought. "She's harnessing all the power in the city before she blows it up... but where?"

"How about there?" I open my eyes after his words, and he gestures out into the night. I follow his gaze before my eyes land on the only light source: purple electricity. Over water. The bridge.

"It's happening... isn't it?"

Sam squeezes my hand, making my eyes flicker up to his. "We're coming out this alive, Jamie."

I tear my eyes away, looking back at the burning flame of purple light. "I know."

♔♚

'Absolute panic and fear' are the only adequate words for the city of Brooklyn right now.

Parents tug their children into their arms, running away from the danger. Citizens abandon their cars, fleeing from the destruction. Sirens wail as police officers rush civilians off the bridge.