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Saul was slumped backwards, his neck at a strange angle. But his chest was still moving.
"Wakey wakey," I said, splashing the gasoline over his face and suit, washing away the blood draining from his forehead and mouth.
He jolted upwards, his hands going to the clasp of the seat belt, fumbling with it.
"Hello, Saul."
He jerked backwards, staring up at me, blinking confusedly.
I feigned a sympathetic tone, “Oh no, did you hurt yourself?"
He stared dumbly, blinking, his voice a croak, “Melanie?"
I stilled, surprised. That I hadn't expected. The dress had been for effect, but I didn't expect it to work so thoroughly. "Yes."
"No," he shook his head, his hands still clasping for his seat belt, mumbling, "You're dead."
“I’m not dead," I said, splashing more gasoline on him.
At this, his nostrils flared, as if finally registering reality for the first time. His eyes widened, his fingers growing more insistent now. "I've got to get out of here."
"You probably should," I said.
"My seatbelt, it's stuck."
"Aww," I said, believing my luck. Destiny was my bitch, now. "That's too bad."
"You," He blinked again, shaking his head, "Melanie's dead. It's you."
"That's right."
"What are you doing?” his tone was indignant now, “Are you insane?"
"Maybe," I said, throwing the can to the side. "Or maybe I'm just the right amount of crazy."
"Help me out of here, or I'll kill you," he said, pulling a gun from the holster.
"Except, if you kill me, you will never get out." I grinned. “But go ahead, shoot me." My heart was pounding so loud, I could hear it in my ears. It seemed to echo through the trees and through the forest. All my senses were heightened—the smell of the gas, the sounds of the forest, every single movement Saul made—I could feel it all.
And, even though my heart was pounding—a part of me understanding that this second could be my last—I was also drunk on power. Of having him right where I wanted him. Drunk and apathetic of my own life.
Not a good combination.
"What are you doing?" He repeated, tracking me with his gun as I walked around his door and to the front of his car.
"I'm taking hold of my destiny, Saul." Pulling a lighter from my pocket, I lit the gas, jumping backwards just in time as it flared, the flame billowing outward in a rush.
Keeping my distance, I watched it with fascination, the orange a contrast from the darkness around me, threatening to swallow me whole. The heat licked the skin of my face and chest.
Just like that night.
I’d watched the fire spread from the hood, to the tree, large and imposing, up, up, up and towards the sky.
Tonight the sky was clear, the stars a sparkle against the ocean of blue.
It was breathtaking.
"What do you want?!" It took me a moment to realize that Saul was screaming. "I'll give you anything!"
