7 Days of Darkness

Chapter 14 - The Last Stand

Night 7

Chloe:

"Chloe...Chloe!" My eyes shot open to see Tanner leaning over me. "Welcome back sis. Did you enjoy your nap?" He spoke different than before; not as serious or threatening, but more kind.

I looked around the room and then down towards my feet. Tanner had taken me back home and zip tied me to a dining chair. My arms rested on the sides and my neck was strapped to the backrest.

It didn't take me long to realize what Tanner was planning. He fumbled around with a gas canister, whistling softly as he poured it around the room.

"Y'know you could've just complied." He remarked, putting the jug aside. He wiped off his hands and turned back to me. "If you were only more like mom and I. We never complained, never argued. We were perfect. But you Chloe, my only sibling, had to be stubborn like dad. You and him are so much alike from your hair colour to the shape of your toes. The only gene that was passed down from mom is those sparkling, sea blue eyes. And they're the only thing I'm going to miss when I'm finished." He picked up the jerry can once again and dumped the remnants on my lap. For the first time I noticed that his left cheek twitched as he spoke.

The fuel felt slick and threatening on my clothes and I squirmed and shook, trying to loosen the zip ties but it was no use. I couldn't physically break myself free, I can only buy myself time, hoping that Justin, if he's alive, will help.

He stood up and looked out the ash covered window and out to the gloomy, grey town. Now was my chance. There wouldn't be much more time before he pulled a match from his pocket and ended me.

"Why are you doing this? To prove something to dad? Or for sheer fun?" I needed to ask questions. There is so much going on inside of Tanner's head, I need to know exactly what he wants, but I don't have much time, I was about to be set ablaze and die a horrible death like Lily and Harry.

He slowly turned again to face me. His face turned from a wicked smile to a serious frown. He folded his arms behind his back and spoke in a completely different tone once again, mimicking his mood this morning. He shrugged and stuck his hands back into his pockets. "Somewhat of both if I'm being honest." His words came out smooth and calm, opposite of what they were before.

Tanner pulled a knife out of his pocket and stepped closer. He knelt down beside me and held the knife to my throat. "I'm sorry." He whispered closing his eyes.

My heart pounded a million times a second feeling the cold steel of the blade on my skin. My breath was choppy and heavy. I didn't believe this. Tanner loved a theatrical ending, he wouldn't cut me when he could easily incinerate me.

The knife moved along my flesh, I tilted my chin up avoiding the point, and at that moment the knife stopped moving, the blade was still, and I heard the sound of plastic being torn. My neck had been freed from the zip tie, as well as my arms and ankles. I removed my limbs from the chair and Tanner stood in front of me, his deep blue eyes stared down at me in love.

"Get out." He demanded calmly. I rose from the wooden seat and looked back at him. He closed his eyes and threw the knife aside, clutching his head with both hands. "GET OUT!" He collapsed to the ground and writhed in pain but only for a second. He shut his mouth and rose to his feet looking down at me hauntingly. His eyes changed from deep blue to a dark violet and he smiled down at me maliciously.

He crept forwards, closing in on me as I backed away. He pushed me into a corner, preventing me from escaping. There was nothing left for me to do, and then suddenly, "BANG!"

Justin:

There wasn't much time left. Tanner was on the ground, screaming in agony, his sister watching in fear of what might come next.

Tanner was then cut off, he stopped yelling and became dead silent, standing up to face Chloe. His smile sent a shiver down my spine. He inched ever so closely to her as she cowered away.

This was my only shot. I had knelt down outside of one of Chloe's windows and positioned my firearm at Tanners leg. I wouldn't kill him. I would only provide Chloe with the chance to escape.

Tanner cornered Chloe and aiming directly for his calf, I pulled the trigger. My arm jolted back from the kick of the old rifle, I wasn't used to the power this held.

The bullet penetrated his trousers and he fell to the ground, screaming. Chloe took the opportunity to leap out the door to safety, but Tanner didn't follow. He stopped yelling and pulled a match out of his pocket. Tanner struck it on the wooden flooring and lit the gasoline.

Almost immediately the house set ablaze, the flames licking the night sky 30 feet high. They brightened up the town in a glorious spectacle of smoke and fire, but there was no noise. The only sound that echoed through the night was that of crackling lumber.

I ran as fast as possible with my shattered leg and was blown forwards by the heat caused by the roof caving in. There was no chance that Tanner survived.

I turned to face Chloe who was crouched on the ground. She sobbed for her lost brother, her face in her hands. I crawled closer to her, forgetting the pain in my thigh. She was in great agony for the loss of her family, her hair blew slightly in the breeze. Trying to comfort my friend, I put my arms around her and pulled her closer towards me.

As we wept, we mourned for the loss of 14 people. Guilty or innocent, sane or insane, they were still human beings. Thinking about those lives that were taken too early gave me a horrible feeling. The atmosphere, being filled with ash and smoke made the town look like a hell on earth. The absence of other noise made the sounds of the fire ominous and it almost sounded like the wails of the damned. I guess that's why they call this place Mournstead.