I watched her for sometime, becoming more weary and desperate for the kill. I could not wait to feel The Savior's ripe throat between my palms. I contemplated back to the idea of how I felt earlier this week, it was eating me alive. I was in constricting conflict between how my heart feels and how my mind thinks. I cannot succumb to the way that this useless organ is directing me. Love? I know no such thing! I fought a mental battle of lust. To kill or not to kill. I can’t let my father down.

 

         Today I was sitting nearby in the shadows, I had already mastered her schedule and I knew soon she would come from behind the doors of the science building within the next 10 minutes. I was spooked as a bell reverberate across the sky. Observing as the teens explode from the science building screaming and panicking, the teachers were striving to control the near adults, but constantly failed. I got close to the scene, easily becoming engulfed with the students. Through the whispers of panic I heard something about a chemical reaction gone wrong. A yell of distress caught my nearsighted attention.

 

         “Anahera! Has anybody seen Anahera Grace?” One of the heavier teachers called from behind a hoard of teens. He held up a red flag. I knew what that meant. Much like the fire drills at the orphanage, it signaled a missing student. The firemen who had just arrived on the scene started grabbing their gear, preparing to enter the flame spitting structure. I knew she was still in there. I was lost in the chaos. Without a thought in mind, I charged into the searing building.

 

         “Hello?” I yelled as I searched far and low hoping to catch her scent within this fiery smog.

   

         I entered the 3rd floor when I heard a cry. “Help! Somebody? Anybody!” I grasped the faint voice through the crackling flames. I found her, clinging to her pure breath, she coughed and sputtered. With one final exhale she let go of the chair and fell to the floor. I couldn’t let her die. Quick on my feet I lifted her up onto my backside. I scurried out of the room, unaware of the obstacles I was approaching. It was no hotter than Hell. I was making my way down the stairwell when we were nearly hit with a piece of the ceiling debris. The fire rose up and into my face, causing a mutated cough to erupt from my chest. I didn't let the hot feeling stop me from seeking out an alternative route.

 

         Dashing through the desks and scattered chairs, I saw the light of the doorway and pushed through. I received the memo when a scorching explosion ruptured from beneath the floorboard, throwing me and Anahera into the raw dirt. That was probably nothing other than the boiler. Once the ringing in my ears stopped drowning out the world, I gazed up to find the whole class staring down at us. From the midst of the crowd a clap turned up. One clap turned into 10 or 11, then everyone else joined in without a word.

 

         I saw a path forming, the one who led it was Anahera’s brother. My limbs dragged me towards her. It became a race between us. I came in first and dropped to my knees at her side, looking down with compassion. Ana opened her eyes, and just as I hope, they retained that starlight sparkle.

 

         “You- Elliot? You saved my life. I-I am forever in debt to you. I will guard you with Heaven’s strength. And-” I cut her off there.

 

         “Anahera, it’s okay. Don’t say another word.” I hissed in a reassuring tone. I held her ever so thoroughly in my arms. Her brother was arriving by our sides, trying to comfort her as well. I did not see a disgusted look on his face this time around. The idea stabbed into my mind. If my father knew of this, he would have my head on a stick! I was in a still-state, lost in the fear of what my dad would do. He couldn't know of this! I stood up slowly and sickly. I slid into the mass of children. Turning away from the scene I thought to myself in self hatred and confusement. "Today should not have existed."