Smoke fills the air. Everyone starts to cough. Ken holds onto Bala. I’m here. I’m here. A voice is heard screaming to draw the blinds. People bump into desks and make noise as they try to find the blinds and open them. Do you hear that? Sounds like a leak of gas or some… The building explodes. People are sent flying together with their desks. The smell of burnt wood, plastic and flesh fills up the air. Telum turns around looking at the burning building. What the… He quickly calls for firefighters as he starts running to those that were blown out of the building on the street. Are you okay? Asks Ken. Bala without an arm and half a face burnt looks at Ken. Do I look okay to you? Ken can’t help but laugh as his disfigured face. Stop laughing and get up. He looks at Bala with a smiling face. I can’t. My legs won’t work. Bala looks around at the burning building. Some people on the ground burning, some running blindly as their eyes melted trying to find the exit and some calmly waiting for the fire to burn itself out. Well, fuck. Looks like we can’t do much, but wait for the fire fighters. Ken flips him off. Stop being an idiot and get out already… He starts laughing. Like I can fucking see, you smartass…

I haven’t used these pills in a while. Supposedly these are a new formula that accelerates healing. Gag, here. Legs? Nice and straight. Well, this is going to be painful. As I swallow the pill, I quickly put my mouth on the gag and bite it down. My body starts to rapidly warm up as pain starts to shoot through my legs. I try to grasp on the dirt on the ground as my legs crack and twist as they slowly find their place back. Saliva drips from my mouth as I start to hit my head on the tree I lean on with my back. Only making it worse as now the shooting pain spreads to my head as blood starts to drip into my eyes. I shake my head, but that only makes it worse. Burning with a fever and bloodshot eyes half an hour later the pain had left, yet I couldn’t move my legs yet. I take the pill bottle to look at it. The pain should persist for the next 48 hours, but movement is prohibited for at least 2 to 3 hours. Well, that’s one good reason to give someone such strong amphetamines it let’s them unable to walk for the next two hours. This is a bad idea. I don’t know why I chose this place. I stand out like a sore thumb….

Do you think we’ll ever solve this case? Bala asks Ken as he lays his head on his shoulder as the building continues to burn. I have to think so. Otherwise we’re bad at our jobs, aren’t we? Ken looks at the ceiling. Good thing we’re not in a tower or something to be buried under rubble. Bala slaps Ken over the chest. Do you feel this? It’s… Water? Ken stretches his hand out. You’re right. This means the fire fighters are here. They both smile. I have to wonder. What’s the point of blowing us up? It’s not like they killed us. Bala slaps Ken once more over the chest. What’s wrong with you? Did the smoke cloud your brain? It’s obvious. To make our jobs harder and to get rid of whatever physical evidence we might have had. But, this is weird. It feels reckless. It draws attention. Why? It doesn’t make sense. From behind Bala a hand reaches out grabbing his neck lifting him up. And another hand coming down with force crushing his skull. As Ken screams in agony the figure disappears in the smoke and fire…

If you liked this episode of The Horrorscope short story series, don’t forget to like, share and comment. And if you want to keep the short stories free you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO