Up in Flames

Red and blue lights brighten the dark starless sky. The sirens continue to get closer. The night creature's cries become louder, causing the small, frightened varments to scurry to and fro.

Jeff stands frozen in fear, watching and listening as his worst nightmare unfolds. His breathing is quick and shallow. His heart is beating so hard that his chest feels like it's about to explode. Sweat pours from every pore in his body despite the cool breeze.

A bolt of lightning flashing across the evening sky pulls Jeff out of his catatonic state. Tossing his supplies, he darts toward the safety of the woods. Diving to the ground, he worms his way under a brush pile.

The totality of the situation hits him as the sirens continue to head his way."Please don't let them hurt my family. Please, don't let them harm my wife and my kids. He sobs as tears stream down from his dirt-streaked face. Jeff has never felt so helpless or been in a situation so hopeless in all of his life.

A pleasant thought suddenly comes to mind. I could tell the cops I was being blackmailed into committing these heinous crimes. He pictures himself telling it all to the cops and smiles. His hope quickly fades. How will I prove it to be true? Jeff searches for an answer but can't come up with a thing. It'll be my word against his, and who will they believe? A billionaire tycoon or a working stiff like me?

His body continues to tremble. His heart pounds harder than before. Sharp, stabbing pains shoot across his midsection. Jeff pulls his knees up to his chest. I can't take this anymore. I can't.

Jeff hears a loud thump a few feet behind him. Thinking it's the police, he tosses his hands in the air. "I give up," he yells.

The large alley cat hisses and then darts to the edge of the woods.

"Damn you, cat," he yells, shaking his fist at the thin, mangy beast,

The wild creature arches his back, hisses again, and then hurries away.

Jeff looks up to find the red and blue lights racing by. They're not coming for me after all. He thinks, sighing with relief.

Luigi sees Jeff walking out of the forest as he makes his way to the back. "I bet he threw up all over himself, too." Luigi chuckles as he continues across the yard. "Are you all right, pal?"

"I'm a lot better now that the cops are gone." Leaning over, Jeff brushes the soil off his suit.

"You better do the job now while they're on another call." Luigi tries to hand him the gas can and the book of matches.

"But they're only a few blocks away." Jeff protests, pushing the items away.

"That's why you need to make it quick." 

Jeff turns toward the alley and then the structure, calculating how long it'd take to do the job and if he can get away in time.

"I can always tell the boss you refused, but you know what the consequences will be."

"OK, I'll do it, I'll do it." Grabbing the supplies from his hands, Jeff shuffles across the yard. I could start a small fire, and hope help gets here in time. He smiles at that, though. Yeah, that's what I'll do, but I'll have to make it look good so he doesn't catch on. He splashes a few drops of liquid on the edge of the building, then throws the remaining aside. Here it goes. Jeff lights a match. A gust of wind blows it out. He tries another, but it goes out too.

All the goodness in his heart tells him to drop the stuff and run. He then remembers what the consequences will be. I have to do this for my family's sake. Jeff takes a deep breath and tries again. The pint-sized match catches the entire book on fire. Hurling the flaming cardboard toward the bowling alley, he dashes to his car. Jeff glances over his shoulder to find the whole building engulfed in flames. I didn't mean for that to happen, he thinks, peeling away.

***

With the girls tucked in bed for the night and Jeff in a business meeting, Julie decides tonight would be a great time to catch up on her favorite show. It's nice to have a little me time for a change, she thinks, throwing on her favorite raggedy pajamas and pink fuzzy slippers. Jeff bought them for her the day Abby was born. Julie glances in the mirror and sighs. I don't know who aged more in the last six years, my wardrobe or me. Flipping off the lights, she heads downstairs. Wine and a few chocolates are all I need to make this me date complete. Julie doesn't usually indulge in sugary snacks this late at night, but after a tiring day at school and the frightening evening she's had, Julie figures she deserves something a little special. Julie pictures her classroom in her mind, how restless the youngsters were. After three drizzly days, the rain had stopped, and her preschoolers were anxious to go out and play. After an hour of struggling, she finally gave in. I doubt if the kids learned anything today, she sighs. Grabbing a bottle of wine from the fridge, she heads to the den. Setting her stuff down, she arranges the pillows on the couch. Much better, she thinks, settling in. Julie is searching for her show when she hears a noise in the other room. It's probably that dog again, she thinks. Abby begged for the pup to stay with her tonight, but not knowing if it was housebroken, Julie insisted they put it outside. The noise continues. "That little monster found its way back in." She pictures the upset child in her mind. "Or Abby let him in." Laying the remote on the couch, she heads toward the noise. She's making her way down the dark hall when she sees a shadow heading her way. Screaming, Julie flips on the lights to find her daughter and the dog sneaking toward the steps. "I told you I didn't want that dog in here."

"But he was crying for me, Mommy," the child says, nearly in tears.

"And you could hear him whining from your room?"

The child shakes her head. "Yes."

Julie throws her hands on her hips. "Abby."

"I did, I did."

"I heard him too, Mommy," Rebecca says, sleepily making her way down the stairs.

"Oh, alright, he can stay, but you two are responsible for any messes he makes."

"He can stay. He can stay." The children chime.

"Now go on upstairs and get some sleep."

"Ok, Mommy. Come on, troubles, let's go." The dog obediently follows the girls.

Trouble is a good name for him, Julie thinks, heading back to the den. She'd just stepped through the doorway when a large arm wrapped around her neck. She then feels a hard object pressing against the middle of her back. She tries to wiggle free, but the strong arm holds her in place. She opens her mouth to scream. A sweaty hand presses against her face. A stream of hot air brushes against her cheek when he says,

"Make a sound, and your babies die."