One Chance

Overhead, a sun slowly descended below the horizon. Its rays settled on the face of Jack Bauer, and he gazed at the sunset in wonder. For some, a sunset represented hope, the ending of a glorious day, and notion that another one would come tomorrow. But for Jack, it signified pain and torture. It reminded him of the nights where he would lay on the cold, hard floor of the Chinese boat, waiting for death to overtake him. He remembered the crack of the whip against his bare flesh, and the warm blood trickling down his back. The sunset told him that one day of torture was over, and another one would come soon. The sun plunged below the horizon, larger than a mountain, older than life itself.

When Jack had come back to American soil, after being held captive by the Chinese for months, he had changed. He had become more reversed and quiet. He often focused on the pain in life, instead of joy. Jack pushed everyone away, despite their continuous attempts to talk to him.

Jack stood, his feet planted firmly in the sand, and the sun had just set behind him. A woman stood off in the distance, watching Jack's every move. Jack eyed this woman, instantly recognizing her. The golden-brown locks that adorned her head and the bright, unguarded eyes were too beautiful to forget. Jack eagerly called out to her.

"Audrey!"

Audrey's eyes lit up and she smiled at the mention of her name. She raced towards Jack, and her long, aqua skirt bounced at her ankles. As soon as she reached him, Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Slowly, he lowered his head, and placed his lips on top of hers. He kissed her passionately, hoping to tell her how much he loved her. He pulled away, and let his forehead lightly press against hers.

That moment was perfect. The sun's blanket of colors behind them, and darkness had just begun to cover them. Her arms wrapped around his neck, his wrapped around her waist, and their head bent slightly in, lightly touching. Each of them knew that they were in love.

"Jack," Audrey whispered. "I love you with all my heart."

"I..." Jack began.

Suddenly, gunshots rang out from behind, and both lovers turned to see another version of Jack Bauer, with a pistol raised in the air. Before anyone could say anything, Jack lowered his gun and fired to shots straight in to Audrey's heart.

"Jack, how could you!" Audrey screamed, as she clutched her heart. Within seconds, she fell back, dead.

Jack kneeled beside her, and cradled her head in his arms.

"I didn't kill you." he whispered.

"I didn't kill you!" He cried.

"Yes, you did..." the other Jack said, and then he was gone.

Jack awoke with a start. All his blankets had been thrown off, and his sheets were soaked with sweat.

"It was all a dream. It was all a dream." he told himself. "That is never going to happen; I'm not going to kill her. I'm not."

Little did Jack Bauer know that he could kill Audrey. In fact, he was killing her right now. Just not in the way he thought.