6 Minutes 27 Seconds

A tale of love between strangers in a harsh world - all discovered in 6 minutes 27 seconds. Born from a 10 minute writing challenge.

6 min 27 seconds.

The bustling streets would perhaps be considered intimidating, were I anything other than adept in overcrowded cities. Not a shoulder bumps me, or bag hits me - it's a game of dodge among a crowd of restless and impatient workers.

I check my watch for the 8th time in four minutes; 09:00. I'm late again.
The boss won't be happy with me - I'm already on probation from when the Underground was closed in the morning.

A force slams so hard into my back I stagger forward, a startled gasp leaving me as I hurtle towards the formidable concrete ground. Fortunately, the Underground floor has been recently cleaned, but I no more look forward to my collision with it then I would have had it not been washed.

The impact itself was underwhelming - the same force landing on top of me far less so.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry! Here, let me help you up." The weight is removed from my back, and I turn to face bright green eyes and curly hair.

"I really should look where I'm going!" I take the hand offered to me, making sure to not pull hard on it as I rise. The stranger has a young face and a wide smile, checking me over in worry for my welfare.

"It's alright." My mouth works before I give it permission, but I can't fault it - Green Eyes emits such joy and concern that it's difficult to be upset.

"Oh! That's good then. I'm sorry to hit you and leave you, but I'm rather late! Are you sure you're alight?" Green Eyes steps back, ready to dash but reluctant to leave.

"I'll manage, don't worry. It was nice to meet you, ...?" I extend a hand to the stranger, gesturing my question.

"Oh!" Green Eye's grin grows. "I'm-"

"Get down!" Screams cut Green Eyes off, followed shortly by the unmistakable sound of gunfire unleashed on unarmed civilians trapped underground.

Green Eyes and I drop to the ground instinctively, along with hundreds of others. The screaming permeates every space in the tunnels, the only sound louder is my heart beat pounding thunderously in my ears.

Without thinking, I reach for Green Eyes - to find a hand closing around mine. I turn to my stranger, scared eyes staring terrified back at me.

"What-" Green Eyes is cut off yet again, this time by a bullet through the chest of a person close to us. Green Eyes screams, and we huddle closer together. The comfort from my stranger is impossible to let go of.

I hear another language - the voice is angry, hateful. Someone else screams. Green Eyes holds my hand tighter, and I lean into the embrace.

Hours of seconds passes - gunfire echoes, screams die. BANG! The grip Green Eyes has on me tightens.

I look up. There's blood on Green Eyes' stomach.

Another bang.

Green Eyes is looking at my chest.

We fall together, entwined now more than ever.

Everything is dulled, an underwater sensation. Everything but Green Eyes.

The last thing I see is the beautiful clock in the blood soaked tunnel, Green Eyes's curly hair just below it.

09:06

Author's Note

Any corrections that need to be made that I've missed, please let me know! :)

Reviews

[sassydragonborn]

I loved it! It's short but says so much. I honestly enjoyed that you never gave a name to the green eyed character, makes the story more intense.

[Blysful]

Thanks so much :) I'd nearly forgotten that if ever written this :)