Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy finally twisted around and slid back into the driver's seat.

He saw the flames licking up from the front of the car.

"Get out!" Jessica's voice was sharp with urgency.

The firelight danced in her eyes, painting them a wild, desperate red. She hadn't meant for him to die.

Timothy grabbed her hand, pulling her from the car as fast as he could manage, his steps long and hurried.

But his leg was injured—he couldn't move quickly. Behind them, the fire crackled louder, danger creeping closer with every second.

He let go of Jessica's hand. "Run!"

"We're leaving together. Move it, no arguments." Jessica darted around to his injured side, gripping his arm, practically dragging him forward.

Timothy glanced at her, catching the fierce determination on her face. The corner of his mouth tugged up, just a little.

She still cared, didn't she? She couldn't bear to see him die. That had to be it.

But there wasn't enough time.

The front of the car was wrecked, oil leaking everywhere, the wiring a tangled mess—that's what had started the fire. When the electrics go up, it's only a matter of time before the gas line ruptures. They needed to be fifty meters away, at least. Timothy looked back. The flames were crawling down the length of the car, eating it alive. They'd only made it twenty, maybe twenty-five meters.

Lance, moving faster than anyone, pushed forward, already close to safety. He must have sensed they were nearly at the fifty-meter mark.

"Ma'am! Sir!" Mabel and the driver arrived, faces drained of color at the sight before them.

Mabel's eyes darted across the chaos, spotting Jessica hustling Timothy away from the burning car.

Vince's car skidded to a stop just as Mabel reached them. He barely had time to open the door before-

A deafening explosion shook the ground.

BAM.

He grabbed Jessica and threw himself over her, shielding her with his whole

so, Jessica felt the shockwave hammer her, a blast

"Jessy!"

"Little Mute!"

and Herbert tore across the safe

down,

jacket as he ran. He smothered the flames with quick, practiced movements, cutting

to his feet, but as soon as Timothy tried to stand, his knees buckled. He collapsed into

worry, helped Jessica up. His mind was a blur-everything had

Mute, are

to Timothy, limp in Vince's grasp. She frowned, then finally answered Herbert,

Whatever else he'd done, Vince would never leave him

home.

hoisted Timothy onto his back and

She hadn't realized that

didn't know all the details, but it was obvious-Timothy

a son together. They might be on the verge of divorce, but it hadn't come to the point

of everything, Jessica still worried about

his voice steady, even though he was rattled. "Little Mute, maybe we should go to the hospital too. His injuries

shook her

hadn't

tried

into her

have run

had no idea

been planning to take her, and she'd been terrified

find