She Will Be Mine

Chapter 8: Charlie

​I looked up to the top of the Empire State Building, and I wished now more than even that I had the power to go up and rescue Desiree myself. I walked over to Murphy, who was overlooking a mass evacuation of the building itself. Every floor was being emptied should Danny try anything and involve them. We had every Police officer in the whole state lined up on the steps, and SWAT was on its way. We would be prepared for anything this guy threw at us, and soon I would see Desiree again.
​I had been carrying around a small box in my pocket ever since she had disappeared. I had wanted to ask her a very specific question from the day I met her, and today, when I saw her again, I was determined to ask her that question. She made me happier than any person I had ever met before, and I wanted her to know that.
* * *
​Danny walked down the flights of stairs until he reached the base level of the building. He had left Desiree on the top floor untied, but he was not worried that she would try anything. It is sad that I will have to let her go, he thought to himself as he made his way to the front of the building. Pulling the door open, he walked out into the sunshine.
* * *
​As soon as Danny walked outside, everyone pulled out their guns. "Gentlemen," Danny gestured like he was the grand performer of a show. "Welcome. I am honored for such a large audience on this fine evening. The more the merrier really. I am thrilled that you took time out of your precious lives to witness what is going to be thrown down."
​"Where is she Danny?" I yelled at him from across the street.
​"My my, what a sight is this," Danny made his way towards me. "Look at the mighty Charles. Cowering behind shields like his life is so important. The acclaimed love of your life is in mortal danger, and you choose to hide behind the officers. What would Desiree think?"
​"Don't you dare talk about her!" moving quickly, I jumped over the police barrier and confronted him face to face. "You hurt her like you do and you think you get to talk about her like that? You are even more twisted than I imagined." I spit down on his shoes, and without a moment's hesitation I punched him right in the face.
​My knuckles cracked against his nose and blood began to flow down his face. "Now that Mr. Michaels, was the most decision you ever made in your life." He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off of his shirt. In his other hand he pulled out a small device, and with my many years of investigation I knew what it was right away. It was a small remote, with two buttons on it, a red and a green.
​"Danny, I know what that is, and I am warning you, don't do it."
​Danny merely laughed. "You think you control me?" he laughed and walked around me. "You think you have any say over my actions? I'm afraid that you don't know me as well as you thought Mr. Michaels, but I am not a man that simply takes orders from another like a dog. Now, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I say next, because it could either end your life or save it.
​"On the base level of this building, next to the elevator shaft, lies a bomb. This little remote here," he gestured wildly, "this device controls that bomb. Now, with the touch of a button, I can detonate thing and obliterate anything within a 5 mile radius. That includes your precious Desiree, who, as I remember, is still at the top of this building. You have a choice Mr. Michaels. Either let me go a free man, or I detonate this bomb. The decision is yours.
* * *
​I crawled across the floor of the building, my mangled bloody foot leaving a trail after me. I held the bomb in my right hand and tried to make my way to the stairwell that would lead me to the roof. If I could make it to the top before Danny tried to detonate it, I could have out enough distance between myself and the crows below to avoid danger for them. I knew what would happen to me should the bomb detonate early, but Charlie was more important to me.
​When I made it to the stairwell door, I had to balance on my good leg to get enough leverage to even reach the handle door. I pulled hard, and thankfully, it opened. I hoisted myself onto the first step, and nearly fainted from the pain. My shoulder didn't support any weight, and neither did my foot. I had 27 steps to go if I wanted to reach the roof. 27 steps.
* * *
​I stood in front of Danny, more scared than ever before in my entire life. I could see what I had done flash before my eyes, and I only regretted that I hadn't told Desiree how I felt earlier than I did. I didn't see a way out of this.
* * *
​26 steps. Sweat poured down my face and my muscles shuddered under the weight of my own body. My breath grew shorter as I could barely pull myself onto the next step. 25 to go.
* * *
​"I don't have all day here Michaels," Danny taunted me from the steps of the building. "You really want to be the guy that let his girlfriend die in a bombing?"
* * *
​24 steps. The blood coming from my ankle was making me feel lightheaded. My shoulder was ready to give out on me. I was doing this for Charlie. For Charlie. For Charlie. For Charlie. 23 to go.
* * *
​I kneeled down on the pavement, and prayed to god that somehow I could find a solution to this mess that I once called my life. Danny smiled at me from the steps of the building. "Really?" He laughed at me. "You think that a god is going to take pity on your life and save you now?!"
* * *
22 steps. I was pulling myself up even slower, using just a foot and a hand. For Charlie. For Charlie. 21 to go.
* * *
​Danny was walking around me, mocking me. "I give you 5 minutes to make a decision Michaels. Your life or Desiree's,"
* * *
​20 steps. I had to stop and allow the oxygen to fill my lungs again. 19 steps. I was blinded by the sweat of my body. 18 steps. I was ready to just quit and let it all go. For Charlie. For Charlie. 17 to go.
* * *
​Murphy walked towards me through the crowd, passing the police line. "What are you going to do Michaels?" he shouted at me. I merely looked at him before turning back to the cement. I haven't the slightest clue, I thought to myself. I haven't the slightest clue in the world.
* * *
​16 steps. My foot has gone numb at the ankle. 15 steps. I feel like my shoulder is working against me. It drags limply at my side, refusing to help at all. 14 steps. The distance seems to drag on forever. For Charlie. For Charlie. For Charlie. 13 steps. I seem closer now. 12 steps. The pain is beginning to be bearable. For Charlie. For Murphy. For Victor. 11 to go.
* * *
​Danny walked out of the doors of the building. "Well?" he asks. "What will it be?"
* * *
​10 steps. My ribs are killing me. I want to die. For Charlie. For Charlie. For Charlie. 9 steps. 8 steps. 7 steps. For Charlie. 6 steps. 5 steps. For Charlie. 4 steps. 3 steps. 2 steps. 1 step.
* * *
​ I look Danny in the eye as I walk towards him. He looks curious, but guarded. I stop in front of him, and make the decision of my life.
* * *
​I have made it to the roof of the building. I drag my body over to the edge, and below I can see a crowd has surrounded who can only be Danny and Charlie. I pull my body to standing, and scream with all my might. "Charlie!!!!!" I shout at the top of my lungs. "I love you."
​Without another thought in my body, and without any regrets, I pull the little box in front of me, and I hit the red button.