The Explosion

~~On the Road~~

~Inside the Car~

[Time left -- "03:00"]

Peony feels trapped in the car, each breath a struggle against the heavy, stagnant air. Dizziness sets in, as if poisoned by an unseen threat. Panic takes over as she desperately searches for her inhaler.

The struggle for breath intertwines with the frantic quest for relief, and in this suffocating moment, Peony fights not just for air but against the relentless grip of fear.

Feeling helpless, Peony shrieks for help, but her pleas only make her more breathless. Her asthma acts up, adding to the distress in the confined space. The air gets thicker with each passing moment, and in this challenging situation, her voice becomes a desperate cry for assistance.

Peony's face betrays the distress of an asthma attack. Anxiety and strain flicker in her widened eyes, reflecting the increased effort to draw breath. A subtle pallor touches her lips, a telltale sign of oxygen deprivation amidst the struggle. The usually composed canvas of her face now reveals the discomfort and challenges etched by the asthma episode.

"Someone, please help. Let me out!," Peony's voice drops, a tremor of desperation and fear making each word heavier. It's as if her plea is an urgent lifeline, the weight of her distress tangible, and the sense of her life slipping away.

Her hand fiddles with her handbag, desperately seeking her only lifeline.

Then a sudden knock on the car door calling her name startles her. "Peony! Are you inside?" A worried voice calls out.

"Y..Yes, I..I'm inside..! Please.. h..elp m..e," she responds, clutching her chest, with panic in her voice.

"Wait, don't panic. Everything will be alright. I'll get you out," the familiar, soothing voice promises, a beacon of reassurance in the stifling atmosphere.

Grasping her chest, Peony feels the rhythmic rise and fall of her breaths sync with the beating of her heart. She finds solace in the familiar voice, a lifeline cutting through the tension.

"If you can hear me, move to the other end. Calm down and don't speak," the directive echoes, and Peony's movements become deliberate amidst the confined space, shadows dancing with each cautious shift.

"READY, 1...2...3...BANG!" The resounding impact sends shivers through the car, a visual spectacle of sudden liberation. The door jolts open, revealing her, their face etched with concern and determination. The outside light spills into the confined darkness, framing the silhouette of Peony, still clutching her chest. The lines on his forehead deepen as he gauges Peony's state.

"Easy now. Take deep breaths. You're safe. Don't speak now," his voice, resonant and soothing, carries a weight of reassurance. The concern etched across his face manifests in the gentle furrow of his brows, revealing the depth of his worry for Peony's well-being. His hand extended like a bridge between the confined space and the open air.

Gently, he scoops Peony into his arms, her relief evident in the subtle relaxation of her shoulders. Stepping out of the confining car, her head rests against his shoulder, and as he carries her away from the car. Peony, still deprived of breath, huffs against his arms.

Comfortably sitting her on the roadside seat he frowns, "Secretary, hand me the inhaler.", He orders with concern laced in his voice.

"Easy now," he murmurs, his fingers deftly priming the inhaler. His steady hand guides it to her lips, ensuring a proper seal. "Take a slow breath in," he instructs, the warmth of his voice encouraging.

Peony complies, inhaling the medication as directed. His reassuring left hand remains a constant support, a grounding presence amidst the rush of breathlessness. "Hold it for a moment," he advises, his eyes fixed on her face, monitoring the gradual ease in her breath.

As she exhales, he gently removes the inhaler, his fingers lingering for an extra moment on her trembling hand. "Another deep breath," he prompts, the concern in his gaze softening as her breathing steadies."

As she listens to his calming voice, Peony inhales again, feeling the soothing effects of the inhaler take hold. With each breath, the tension in her chest gradually releases, and the panic that gripped her begins to loosen its hold. With her breathing gradually steadying, the immediate crisis begins to subside.

He offers a comforting smile, still keeping a watchful eye on her well-being. "Feeling better?" he asks, the concern now mingled with a glimmer of relief.

Peony nods, gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Benedict." she manages, her voice a bit steadier.

He helps her sit up a little straighter, ensuring she's comfortable. "Take a moment. There's no rush," he advises, his supportive demeanour continuing.

"I'm fine now. You saved me again," Peony expresses, her voice a mix of gratitude and admiration, acknowledging the role he played in alleviating the breathless turmoil.

Benedict's gaze fixes onto her, their eyes locking in a moment of unspoken understanding.

"If you're feeling better now, I need to tell you something. It's better you leave with me now," he urges, a sense of urgency evident in his tone.

"Why?" Peony queries, perplexed by the sudden gravity in his words.

"We don't have much time left. Come with me, just trust me," he insists, his eyes conveying a seriousness.

"I trust you, but why suddenly and where?" Peony steadies herself, seeking clarity amidst the whirlwind of confusion.

"Don't have much time; I'm taking you," he insists, urgency driving his actions. Without hesitation, he picks her up again, cradling her as if she were a rolled-up blanket.

"Hey, put me down! Am I a rice bag?" Peony protests, her embarrassment mingling with the urgency of the situation.

Ignoring her protest, he gently places her in his car, the door closing with a decisive thud. The engine roars to life, and the car swiftly drives off, leaving behind a trail of questions and uncertainty.

And leaving behind the cursed Gonzalez car.

Timer ticking,

00:10

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00:09

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00:08

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00:07

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00:02

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00:01

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00:00

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*BEEP* *BEEP*

*BOOM*

The car, a moment ago, a vessel that carried the couple on the cusp of their honeymoon dreams, resonates with a deafening "BOOM" and is brutally transformed into a chaotic storm of debris.The explosion ruptures the metal confines, and the vehicle disintegrates with a heart-wrenching cacophony.

Metal shrieks and splinters fill the air, propelled in all directions by the merciless force of the blast.

A searing fire erupts from the remnants of the car, its hungry flames consuming what's left.The morning, once serene, is now painted with the chaotic dance of orange and red.The acrid stench of burning fuel and shattered metal permeates the air, a grim reminder of the sudden and malicious destruction.

The surroundings, now bathed in the hellish glow, reveal the aftermath of a deliberate act. The bomb, planted with sinister intent, has left a scar on the daylight.

Peony, hearing the thunderous sound, instinctively turns to look behind from the back seat of the Rolls Royce. Her eyes widen in horror as she beholds the aftermath—a landscape transformed into infinite debris and a colossal orange glow. The once-enclosed space of the car is now an unintended witness to the destruction that unfolded in the blink of an eye.

The glow casts eerie shadows on her face, and the air inside the car carries the weight of shock and disbelief. The shock of what she narrowly escaped lingers in her mind.