Perfect with You

Chapter 18 - Rebounding Reaction

Every ounce of energy stored inside of her was storming to her limbs, making her want to curl all her anger into a single fist punch and then run. Run for all the miles her legs could handle, until she passed out. There was so much stored inside of her, but it was all denied freedom in the prison of limitations. She felt ready to just freak out and scream however absurd it may be. She couldn't even feel the fear anymore; just the anger and adrenaline. She couldn't help but imagine that this must be how Chloe felt in all those situations where she took action and spoke up or got into fights. All those times, she just thought she was irrational and gave in to the anger, but these emotions that were now crawling through her skin, made it seem like it would be heaven to be able to actually let it loose.

"The people coming out of the mall are not just ordinary people," Ethan began explaining his test with more details as he noticed Max's anger and curled his fingers while tapping his knees gently.
"All three of them have been convicted of separate crimes, so really, it's up to you which crime deserves death" His voice was smug and in control as he removed his bangs with his left hand and made a crooked gap with his lips.

Max began tapping her toes inside her shoes faster and faster as she felt something tingling at the tip of her fingers, it was unbearable to just stand still. It was driving her insane. Ethan had just begun speaking again, as something snapped inside of Max as she quickly shifted on her feet and bend down slightly, picking up the gun before her, flipping it to get her finger on the trigger. She stretched out her arm while breathing heavily, finally moving and burning the energy inside of her while pointing the gun at Ethan. Her eyes shot up, her stare piercing and hands shaking. Her face was red as she took a step forward, adding pressure on the trigger.

"Holy shit, Max" Chloe next to her exclaimed in surprise, almost lifting her hands up by reflex, but her voice revealed that she was eccentrically impressed.

Ethan stood still, and even though he tried to hide it, the movement of his eyebrows and the slight tilt in his legs revealed that he was taken by surprise as well. "There's something gnawing inside of you, I know, but think about–" Ethan just began speaking, as Max forced the trigger down as hard as she could in one single moment of uncontrollable enragement.

The gun was aimed directly at his chest as the ricochet made the gun jump, as well as the three hearts in the nearby area. The bang wasn't particularly loud, but enough for Max to take a quick breath and holding it. Chloe twitched her body backward, her red tie being swung across her shoulder. They both looked at Ethan, standing perfectly still just before he loosened his arm and stretched his neck. There was no bullet wound visible as everything went silent. The next second felt like it lasted for a painful amount of time before Ethan looked up and bend his right arm. "You actually did it," He said slowly, biting the inside of his bottom lip. "You tried to kill me"

In disbelief, Max lowered the gun down to her right thigh, holding it loosely in both her hands as she exhaled. She tried to say something but found herself looking over at Chloe for any suggestions or just confirmation that she witnessed the very same thing. Unfortunately, Chloe looked as if she was in incredulity herself, but now with confusion and an expression that resembled frustration.

"I have been honest up to this point" Ethan laid out his words with a perfectly neutral tone of voice as he curled his fingers.
"And I will continue to be so" he continued, looking a little above Max.
"Honestly Max, you really think I'd throw you a gun and not consider the possibility that you'd shoot me? Hell, that was what I expected" He looked back into Max's shaking eyes, completely disillusioned.
"I didn't expect you to be so quick about it though" He scoffed.
"I wanted to see if you had it in you to actually kill a person, but unfortunately" As a car could be heard starting, he made a little twitch with his fingers and opened his palms.
"You reacted from emotions, rather than logic and didn't even wait for me to explain the circumstances. Oh, hold on" he paused.
"I lied when I said I had been honest, sorry. There are not three people about to walk out of the mall. I knew you wouldn't just shoot someone, even if there were consequences. Again, I just wanted to see if you could shoot me after thinking about the personal impact it would have one you, to take a life that you could actually look in the eyes. Which, you didn't even give yourself enough time to think about" He was a statue framed in dismay.
"Right now, you're wondering why I don't have a bullet wound through me" His voice stretched in repugnant.
"Chloe knows, but she is too occupied being frustrated by the fact that I seemingly have control over the situation from every aspect"