Box Of Matches | ✓

Ariel hauled the five-gallon gasoline containers from her trunk and slammed them down with enough force to make her car shudder. The impact was jarring, and she felt a surge of frustration bubbling up.

Colby, who had been watching from a few paces away, glanced between Ariel, the trunk, and the gas tanks with evident concern. "Ri, what are you doing?"

Ariel shot him a sharp look. "Why does it matter?"

Colby raised an eyebrow at her tone. "Arielle, what's in your pocket?"

"Why are you looking at my back pocket?" Ariel retorted, her voice laced with irritation.

"Why are we here?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Ariel snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Colby fell silent, following her as she trudged toward the edge of the beach. The night was enveloped in darkness, the clouds obscuring the moon and casting a heavy shadow over the sand. Ariel carried two tanks in her hands, her movements determined but unsteady. Colby's worry was palpable, though she couldn't quite understand why.

She uncapped the containers with a flick of her thumbs, her gaze fixed on the distant outline of the beach house. The wind carried the faint scent of gasoline, mingling with the salty sea air.

"Ariel, you're not taking me seriously right now."

Ariel didn't break her stride. "You told me to take him out of my life and burn all the memories."

"Metaphorically!"

Ariel's anger was a raging storm, eclipsing any semblance of reason. The acrid smell of gasoline stung her nose, but it was overshadowed by the fury driving her actions. She continued to douse everything in sight with the flammable liquid, her movements almost mechanical. The idea of setting fire to it all seemed secondary to the emotional blaze consuming her.

When the first pair of cans was empty, Ariel returned to her car and grabbed the remaining containers. Colby watched helplessly, unsure how to intervene. Despite his uncertainty, he stood by, his concern for Ariel growing with each passing minute.

Ariel methodically repeated her actions, saturating every inch of the beach house, even climbing the stairs to cover the upper floors. Her rage seemed to fuel her, driving her to pour every last drop from the extra cans she had brought along.

Finally, she stepped back from the house, her chest heaving as she reached into her back pocket. She pulled out a small box, her hands trembling with the weight of her emotions. Before she could open it, Colby placed his hand over hers.

"Don't."

Ariel looked at Colby, her eyes burning with the intensity of her resolve and anger. The silence between them was heavy, the night air thick with the scent of gasoline and unspoken words.