"It's just water under the bridge."

She has no idea how much those words sting. She looked at me, her amber eyes full of disappointment, mouth in a slight frown, but unable to look me in the eye. I couldn't stand it. Why had I done it? Such an impulsive move, but yet I still cannot believe it happened. She turned away.

"Just, give me some space for now, Chase."

I open my eyes as I smell the burning food.

Shit

I quickly move the frying pan away from the flame. How much longer until this burden will be lifted? It's affecting my work, my sleep, and my well-being. I throw the now charcoal-esc food into the wastebasket and wipe my hands. Starting from the top. How hard is it to make tuna steak? I've made it a million times before.

I look at the clock. 22:00. Two more hours. Just two.

I look under the bar as I pass by on my way to the stove. There my cargo lies. My "baggage" if you will. The burden will be lifted tonight. It just won't come fast enough.

*knock Knock*

"Maya! What are you doing here?"

The redhead looks me in the eyes. "I can't stay away any longer! I love you Chase!"

I spare her a cold look. "I'm married, Maya. How long will it take you to understand that?"

"Oh yes, Molly." She scoffs at the name. "You still love her? She's never here anymore, and you know it." The orange hair girl steps inside. "How long has it been since you've been loved?" A smile crosses her face unlike one I'd ever seen before.

I meant to remind Maya that Molly's mother died.

I meant to tell her that Molly was grieving.

That she needed to be with her family, for now.

Sure it had been a season, but I still loved Molly. But I didn't tell Maya anything.

The time it would've taken for me to explain that, I was unhooking Maya's bra.

Oh, Goddess, why?

"Chase!"

I look up from the inventory list. Hayden stands there, setting chairs onto the tables.

"You're free to go."

I quickly finish inventory and clean up. Wait. I have to wait until Hayden is gone. Busying myself, I notice Hayden looking at me. His face inquisitive.

"Chase, I said you could go."

Quick, you idiot! "O-oh, yeah…um…" I slap myself mentally. Think of something! "How about you go ahead. I'll lock up. I've got some things to do here anyway."

He gives me a hard stare. "Okay. Be sure to turn off the lights." And with that, he goes to the back of the bar, where his apartment is.

Safe. Quickly, I hang my apron-

No. I may need it.

I tie my apron back around me and turn off the lights. The moonlight leaves a faint light, just enough for me to get my bag. Heavy and bulky as it may be, I'm fairly strong. It's lighter than it was yesterday. Not really a surprise.

I head out into the warm, summer night, large bag in tow.

"How could you Chase?"

Her voice still quieted. I would have preferred if she yelled at me. The sad, disappointed tone in her voice, the tears brimming in her eyes; it's torturous. I'm on the verge of tears myself.

"Molly… I… I'm sorry…"

She stared at me hard as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her arms were crossed defensively.

"You didn't seem so sorry when you kissed Maya. When you…" She had to stop. Sobs were about to wretch her.

I could feel hot tears pouring down my face. I am still sorry.

"Molly," I reached over to hold her, but she pushed away.

The tears came faster. "Molly," I croaked, "I still love you."

Molly didn't look at me. "Go, Chase. Please just leave me alone."

I stood for a moment. "I'll prove it to you. I swear."

And with that I left.

The second apology, she seemed better. She didn't seem so angry. So disappointed. I'm sure I'll be able to come back in a few days. My old house is rather lonely. I have no idea how I lived before Molly. But those words.

Water under the bridge.

She means she'll get over it right? I haven't spoken to her since then, and that was a few days ago. Then again, so much has happened in that amount of time. Damn this heavy burden. This bag holds the end of my trouble. Just a little further.

The bridge of the Flute Fields stands off in the distance. Just a bit further. I make my way slowly but surely, until I reach the side of it, and I'm looking over the side into the churning water below. The summer rains flood these rivers, leaving them untamed and dangerous.

I reach into my pocket and feel the knife. The knife I used for… the deed. It didn't take much. Just a few convincing words of a false confession and a promise of meeting in the graveyard. I lift the bag onto the side. I clutch the knife, heart pounding. I jab the sharp blade into the front of the bag, facing the water, and slit it down. The fleshy blob comes out in a surge, and disappears into the crushing river. The water turns a pale red that spreads down through the waves. I notice something is still in the bag.

Reaching my hand in, I grab a fistful of hair. I pull.

Maya is staring at me, a ghostly pale look of horror on her face. Here is her head, but her body in the river.

"Forgive me, Maya."

I throw it in, and it is crushed by the merciless river.

I walk back home to my former house and clean up, washing the blood from my body, apron, and knife. The bag will have to be burned, but for now, I must eat. Fixing myself some food, I think. This is the biggest thing for love I can do. To destroy the source of the trouble ought to help. Maya is better off where she is anyway. When we meet again, I hope she may forgive me, but hey-

It's all just water under the bridge, right?

Hey you guys! I am SO SORRY I haven't been uploading at all! School has taken up all of my time, but I will try my best to get back to it. For now, I can still only promise one chapter per month, on both this story AND The King's Son, but I'll try my hardest. please review. Love ya- Beetle