Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Taki High ❯ Volume Four, Chapter Sixteen: Abrupt End ( Chapter 16 )

Abrupt End

I

--Twenty Years Ago-

Clare loves fire. It's her addiction. She just can't help but start them. That's how she got into this mess in the first place. She just can't help herself.

Now, she's on the run. Twenty years now. She hadn't changed at all. So how did we get here? Who did she piss off? How will she get out of this one?

We will go back here inch by inch.

II

-Present Day-

Clare stretched her arms above her head. Kohaku watched her.

“Clare,” she said. The woman looked over at her.

“Hm?” she asked. Kohaku sat up straighter.

“You were joking before, right?” she asked.

“No,” Clare said. Kohaku nervously laughed.

“So you're an arsonist?” she asked.

“Yep,” Clare said. The girl looked over at the motel door. Why hadn't she ran yet? Clare turned to her.

“Something wrong” she asked. Kohaku about jumped.

“Nothing,” she lied. “Everything's fine.”

“Hm?” Clare asked. Kohaku sat stiff. The other woman gave her a closer look. Neither one spoke. Clare smirked and backed away.

“I'm heading out now,” she said. Clare swayed as she walked out of the motel room. Kohaku held her breath even as the door swung closed. She quickly reached for her phone.

III

-Twenty Years Ago-

She had to go big. Clare had to make her mark. What was the biggest place in the universe? It had to be an international symbol. Something big.

That day was International Space Day. A day of peace and celebration. All species gathered for peace and happiness. Clare was there too. But she didn't have peace in mind.

She blended in with the crowd walking into the Silver Rocket Convention Center. Clare kept her head down as she hid her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses. She giggled to herself.

Security ran the checks. She slipped on through. No id. No questions. Just one stamp on the hand. The guard smiled at her.

“Have a good day,” he said. Clare nodded and went inside.

Her target?

Clare made her way to the Magnesium Gardens. Humming made her ears buzz. Clare couldn't help but grin. She looked around at first. Good, no one in sight. Clare walked up to oddly curved and shaped white Monster of Peace on the other side of the garden. She stood in front of that glowing statue. Clare grinned the whole way.

“You're mine!” she hissed. Clare held up her hand.

Whoosh!

Clare could've practically danced around the flames.

IV

-Present Day-

Kohaku jumped when she heard pounding on the door.

“Police! Open up!” a man yelled. The pounding grew louder. Kohaku ran to the door and peeked out. A man in a police uniform stood outside. Kohaku's heart fluttered in her chest.

“Oh thank goodness!” she said. “She's crazy! She's always setting fires! I'm creeped out! Please! Just take me home!” That's when she saw his furry rabbit ears and green scales on his face.

“Wait… are you…?” the girl asked.

“What?” the cop asked. Kohaku shook her head.

“Never mind,” she said. “Just take me home.”

“Uh… okay…” the cop said. Kohaku broke down weeping.

V

To sum up…

Kohaku made it home.

Haruko is single.

Clare is gone with the wind again.

All's well that ends well.

Any questions?

Well too bad. We're ending here. Bye!

WTF