MCSM oneshots (Discontinued)

Never free, chapter 6

   The candle flame dwindled and disappeared. The wick's bright glow faded to a weak red. Thin white smoke engulfed it and floated away with the last remnants of light and heat.

The room went dark.

Lukas looked up at the candle with annoyance and reached for another, but changed his mind just before lighting it.

It was likely far past midnight. He had to call it a day, as unsatisfied with it as he was.

He squared the stack of sheets on his table and counted them.

Only five pages. Most of which he would scratch out once he got to editing.

Lukas sighed and put them in the box, where he kept the rest of the manuscript. At this pace he would be ready by the time of his retirement. Funny.

Another scream sounded from Jesse's bedroom along the hallway.

A lump formed in Lukas's throat as he imagined him pulling on the sweat-drenched sheets, his face a twist of animalistic horror.

Lukas wanted to go there and try to comfort him, but it would be in vain.

Three days had passed. Three days in which Jesse hadn't eaten a crust or said a word. Only occasionally did he drink a sip of water.

Radar's funeral had gone by as if in a dream. They had all been too shaken to contemplate anything and had barely managed to arrange some sort of an event.

The whole town had come. Many had cried and many had stayed to offer condolences and try and comfort the friends. To no avail. The wounds were too deep...

The door knocked.

Lukas looked at it with surprise. He couldn't think of anyone who would want to visit him so late.

- Who's there?

- Let me in - was the response. The voice was familiar enough.

Lukas opened the door and before he could release the knob, Petra threw herself on his neck, sobs tremoring her shoulders.

Surprised, Lukas returned the embrace. That was the first time he'd seen her like this. Probably the first time anyone had seen her like this.

- Petra, what's-

- Shut up.

- ...May I at least close the door?

She pushed herself away from him, glanced at it, then nodded.

After closing it, he turned to face her.

- Okay... What's going on?

Petra wiped her bloodshot eyes and forced a laugh.

- No, I'm not in love with you.

- Um... Okay, but that's not the answer. Seriously, what's going on?

Petra glared at him, then looked down, as tears streamed down her cheeks and she began to sob again.

- Hey... It's alright...

He hugged her again and remained silent, while she shuddered in his arms.

Several minutes passed and she slowly calmed down.

He sat her on his chair and knelt in front of her, his hands on her shoulders.

She whispered something barely audible.

Lukas frowned.

- What?

- It's all my fucking fault! - she screamed and snarled at him, as if he was the one to blame.