Short stories

The Destruction of SmileX

I skid forward as I dash around the corner, nearly losing my balance. Sprinting at full speed, I hurl myself up the never-ending flight of stairs three steps at a time. The squeaky shoes of the SmileX employees echoing along the long hallways and announcing my pursuers. Turning sharply as I arrive at the elevator, I lurch for the "door close" button. I glimpse the corrupted officials in white lab coats and safety goggles following me just before the metal doors close, sealing me from capture.

    I let out a shaky breath that I didn't know I was holding. Knowing that I am safe for the time being, I run my pale fingers through my scarlet stained curls. It had been difficult to get this far and I don't think it's going to get any easier. The elevator music rings in my ears as I step into the dimly lit hallway. Empty? It's strange, but maybe they didn't think I would be able to make it this far? I quickly place a small bomb on the door of the elevator and slip into the haunted-looking lab on my right. This is the whole reason I came to this godforsaken place. Knowing I don't have much time, I start to search for The Vaccine that takes away the gene which allows human emotion. I could not allow this Vaccine to continue to exist. It is the sole reason I am forced to live in constant fear.

    All around me are vials full of glowing and foreign ingredients for The Vaccine. They aren't what I want, so I plant a few of the small but powerful bombs on them and move on. I gasp when I see a bulky gray cooler, exactly what I'm searching for. This is where the complete Vaccine is stored along with the plans to make it. Placing my largest bomb there, I let out a relieved sigh. My mission is complete. Thank. God.

Then I hear a threatening whir, and my head snaps in that direction. It's a camera. I glance to my left. Another camera. Above me. Another camera. My heart feels as if it's about to leap out of my chest and my fight or flight instinct kicks in. I race to the door, dropping all the remaining bombs. I throw the heavy metal door open but waiting for my fateful arrival, a group of SmileX employees. I try to back up but they grab me and stab a syringe into my neck full of a bright, neon green liquid that made my blood run cold.

    I wake up in a heated room sitting on a soft chair. My arms are bound behind my back but, the detonator is still in my back pocket. I carefully work the detonator into my hands, trying not to press the button.

    A person clears their voice behind me and I turn around to face them. I gasp as I realize who I was looking at. It was Gerik Dahmer, the C.E.O of SmileX... and he's smiling?

    The man who ruined my life, smiling right in front of me. What an ugly sight.

    "Star Dreyar, is it?" He said in his nasally voice, taunting me.

    "Yes," I hissed, glaring at him. If looks could kill, this man would be laying on the cool cement with no pulse.

    "You've been busy I see... bombs? Really, you think those useless items could stop us?" He laughs but returns to his cold demeanor in an instant, "The only reason I have kept you alive, is because we are having difficulty removing the bombs that you placed." I smirk, even with all their tech, they couldn't figure it out. My plan was still in motion, they couldn't stop me now. They would all perish.

    He frowns and continues, "You are to tell me how to remove them."

    "Why?" I spat, "Why should I do anything for you?"

    "If you help us, we will spare your pitiful life. You will be vaccinated and released."

    "Brainwashed without my consent? You must think I'm an idiot."

    He sits down behind his old, dark, oak desk and glares menacingly at me, "Listen here, little girl. I will have answers no matter what, so I suggest you be helpful."

    "No," I said, daring to stare into his cruel, beady, onyx eyes, " I never would help you; you are the reason I've lived my whole life in fear. The reason I've had to hide my whole life!" I spat at him, "You should be dead!"

    "Bold words from someone in your position," He said wiping off his face.

    "My situation isn't as helpless as you would think."

    "Whatever do you mean that? You are the one tied to a chair."

    Smiling I said, "You are done."

    With those words, I press the button on the remote I hold behind my back. Gerik's eyes widened as we heard explosions from the main part of the factory. Then, the bomb underneath our unsteady feet was triggered.

    A flash of crimson red and bright orange. That's all it really was at first. Then the pain of the severe burns seeped into my mind. I cry out, though I know nobody is coming to save me. This was my own choosing, so I will bear the pain. I opened my eyes to searing heat and saw Gerik on the floor, not moving. He would never again take a breath on this Earth. Hysterical, I started laughing. The man was dead! No more would his vaccine terrorize humans.

    I wince and stop laughing, my burns only worsening in severity. It is getting harder to breathe and tears are forming in my eyes. I never imagined death could be this painful. Every nerve in my body felt like it was on fire. I chose this, I remind myself, I did this. I die MY way.

    Knowing I chose this is not enough to stop the tears from leaking out of my eyes. Why is this death so excruciatingly painful? I guess I had been counting on dying instantly, no pain. But this? Never in my life had I imagined such torture. My flesh melting off my bones, the scent of burning hair assaulting my nose, my eyelashes being scorched off, my lungs filling with the polluted, smoky air.

    The tears stream down my face now, I don't want to die. I DO NOT want to die. I scream, scream until I feel blood running down my throat. I can't stop the tears, nor the pain. I have to get out of here! I refuse to die in this cursed building.

    I crawl, fighting for every inch of ground I cover. Sobs rack my body, but I can't stop. The smoky cedar wood floor scrapes against my charred legs. A piece of smoldering wood falls from the ceiling hitting me square in the back. I cry out as the embers press into my skin. Burns, just more burns. Never ending burns. I can take it. I have to take it.

    Images of my family flash through my mind. My adorable and innocent little sister, who was like me. Always so ridiculously happy. This is for her. I did this all for her. I had to go home and see her. I was all she had. Our parents, who left us, they never cared. We were just something to be embarrassed of. Nobody would be jumping to take care of her if I disappeared, she'd be left for dead.

    I have to make it home to her. So, with the added weight I continue to crawl. My charred fingers protesting as I do. Salty tears entering the burns on my face. Then the floors began to creak, and they give way beneath me.

    I plummet eight dreadful stories like a steaming hot boulder. Weightless but heavy. Flying but falling. Screams die in my throat and I can't breathe. Blue, I'm sorry. A thud and my whole world fades to a suffocating black. I love you.