Under the cover of darkness, I ran. My ragged breathing was the only sound breaking the eerie silence surrounding me. My sniper rifle swung back and forth against my back. Blood spilled from a deep cut on my forehead. It left behind a chaotic trail on the broken concrete tiles. In the distance, I could see the familiar red neon lights burn. Almost there. One last look behind my shoulder assured me I wasn't being followed. As I clenched the delicate silver necklace around my neck, I could feel it. The bubbling boil of vengeance that heated my blood for so long simmered down. The sensation was almost... peaceful.
'Sam!' He cried out, getting up from the edge of the bed. There was no doubt in my mind that he was anxiously awaiting my return, with a head filled up with questions only I had the answers to. He closed in on me and cupped my face, his fingertips digging deep into my bloodstained skin.
'You're hurt.' He remarked with terror in his eyes, shoving away a lock of hair to inspect the wound more closely.
'I-' I breathed with difficulty. With disbelief I stared at my trembling hands.
'What happened to you?' He begged me, his voice brittle. My whole body shivered, trying my best to ignore the itching sting in my eyes. In that moment, the consequences of my actions became crystal clear to me.
His hands grabbed my shoulders and shook me briefly. 'Sam... Answer me. Please!'
'I- I killed them.' My own voice, devoid from emotion, never sounded so alien to me before.
His grasp on my shoulders weakened, and he stared at me with parted lips. His widened pupils danced across my face.
'Listen to me, Mac.' I continued, raising my trembling voice as I grabbed the rifle from behind my back and threw it away from me. With a harsh, loud clattering sound it landed on the wooden floor.
'It's over.' I closed my eyes and bowed my head sideways in silence. Seconds passed that felt like hours, awaiting his reaction to the darkest confession I've made in my entire life.
'You're a fool.' He spoke quietly, surprising me with how soothing, compassionate his words sounded. When I opened my eyes, he pressed his lips against mine so feverishly as if he would never get another chance in life to kiss me. I threw my arms around his neck and drew him close. His heartbeat pounded erratically against my chest.
'Why did you do it?' He asked when I laid my head to rest against his shoulder, clutching the collar of his jacket. The tears I fought so hard to held back now roamed freely across my cheeks. It was so simple. So pure.
'Because I love you.'