Content Warnings: Graphic descriptions and intrusive thoughts
7:00pm:
The task at hand is simple. You are doing what you do best, after all – taking control of a situation. Although your eye twitches at the sight of Clark waving to you from across the Bastion. Like an annoying fly in your ear.
”Why are you acting like you’re in charge?”
He’s a stupid brat. He wouldn’t understand leadership if it hit him in the face. Who is he to speak down to you, to use such infantile language-
”You are reinstating the power structures that lead to our downfall–”
–such abrasive language to speak down to you. He needs to be put in his place.
You pick up the plank of wood, pulling your finger against the grain. Would anyone notice if a body was hidden amongst the branches and logs? Would people cheer for the warmth while you know his flesh burns inside the tent of timber?
You give a sharp whistle, beckoning Clark over. He answers to your call like an obedient dog.
“Heel.” You can’t hear his response beneath the wood and oil.
“Oh! Hey Kathleen! Ready to team up?” He gives you a nudge, his typical grin painted across his face.
“Yes, Clark. Calm down. I need you to carry these to the infirmary.”
“Oh, easy peasy! I got you!” Watching him balance the planks is akin to watching a clown at a circus. He stumbles away, threatening to swing timber into the nearest window.
No-one would notice if he tripped and fell.
7:30pm:
After your futile attempt to come up with a plan, you take it upon yourself to gather some tools. It is not difficult to persuade Eddy to pass you over some nails, a hammer… other tools that you usually don’t let your esteemed hands touch. Someone in a position like yours doesn’t need dirt under her nails – you have a facade to maintain.
You paint a smile on your face again. Nodding along as you hold a clipboard to your chest. Would they notice if you crossed out their names and asserted yourself on top? If a letter opener were to slide between their ribs and let their secrets spill onto the floor?
“Oh yes! These are perfect! I’m sure Naomi and Chris would appreciate this.”
Who asked for this again? Does it really matter?
7:56pm:
You change out of your clothes.
You remove your flesh.
You let your hair fall down past your shoulders, removing your glasses and tucking them away in a stray pocket.
They would notice your absence, but they wouldn’t notice his.
He better not break your glasses.
Or you’ll crush the glass between his fingers.
8:12pm:
“Okay Clark, remember that people are relying on us–”
“Don’t even worry, Kathleen–”
“It’s Dr Chambers to you–”
“I’ve got this HANDLED!”
He places the plank against the entrance to the infirmary, it’s at an awkward angle and swings in front of him as he places the nail–
“OW! FUCK!”
The hammer lands on his thumb, the blood ready to burst from the nail bed.
But you know how to use a hammer, don’t you? What if people saw you like this? Saw you as incompetent?
“OW OW OW–”
“Clark, calm down!”
“IT HURTS!”
He’s so noisy. Would it really be so bad if you could make him go quiet? Surely others would appreciate the peace.
Clark drops the hammer, suckling at his thumb as he mumbles swear words under his breath.
You can feel the weight of the hammer in your hand. The cracking of bones as he becomes a malleable pulp beneath your hand. Or maybe you could finally make him useful. His skull would make a good hammer. Just need to make sure you don’t drive the nail into his eyes – though accidents do happen in construction all the time.
“Oh, come on, Clark, you’ll be alright-”
Come on, Kathleen. Focus.
“If we sort out the situation, then we can get you to the infirmary quicker–”
“Not if we are boarding it up!”
Maybe you could focus better with him gone–
Your thoughts go silent.
The sound of a gun shot within the infirmary.
You rip away the haphazard barricade and burst into the infirmary – and all you need to see is Lottie collapsed dead on the floor, her skull emptied out onto the floor.
“Fuck… fuck… EMERGENCY MEETING!”
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