Rain softly patters the alleyway, leaving trails of water running down the pavement. The peace of the water is interrupted when two boys turn into the dimly lit path. They look like complete opposites, one with fluffy black hair that covers his left eye, and one with short blonde hair with a small curl on the side. The black haired boy is wearing a leather jacket on top of a gray hoodie with dark jeans, and what seems to be combat boots. The white haired is wearing a gray raincoat over a white collared shirt, with jean shorts, gray sneakers and knee high white socks.
The black haired boy glances over at the white haired's outfit and makes a half grunt-half sniffle sound. "Honestly, Norman, that is the most unpractical outfit to wear on a rainy day." He's right, Norman's shirt is stained and wet. "Well at least I don't look all dark and mysterious like you, Ray." Norman says with a cheeky smile.
Ray lets out a puff of air and and drops the conversation, Norman always wins these. The boys turn out of the alleyway and onto the street, pointing at different stores they find interesting. It's not surprising that they have differing interests, Norman pointing out book and knitting stored whereas Ray points out guitar and photography shops.
It doesn't seem like a kind of day when something big would happen, much less life changing. They think so as well, until they turn a corner and someone sprints past them crying. Ray stops them "What's wrong? Did something happen?!" the person points back behind them and shakes their head. "Don't go! Go back!" Ray can only make out a few words before the person runs off again.
And of course, because they were raised to help others, both Norman and Ray start sprinting as fast as they can towards the shop the person was pointing towards. They are about to enter the building when they hear frantic pleading inside, followed by the crackle of a fire. Ray goes rigid and doesn't move. Norman tries to walk inside but ray pulls him back, his eyes bloodshot.
Norman's eyes widen as he realizes whats about to happen, someone screams from inside the building and just like that, it happens. An explosion ripples through the air, throwing the two boys back. Shards of glass and wood puncture them for what seems like a lifetime. But just as soon as it began, they both hit the concrete.
Ray reaches out a shaky hand to Norman, rolling him over. Ray's shallow breath catches as he sees blood dripping from Norman's head, staining his white hair. Realization settles in as Ray hugs Norman's still body closer to his. Ray's stomach lurches as he watches blood pouring out from his own head, just barely catching the red reflecting the light of the fire nearby.
He wraps himself around Norman as all the sounds drain away. Not even the fire has an effect. Nothing can keep him from Norman's still warm body, his clothes now sickeningly red and dripping. Ray's eyes close for the final time just before the ambulance pulls in. He smiles.
In the end, he succumbed to the exact terror he planned to for so many years.
