I decided to do some writing today, so what I did was told myself I have a single page of space to write with, and once I’m done, that’s it. It seems appropriate, given the limitation, that the story end up being about a woman attempting to flee a building in order to escape self-inflicted impending doom.

 

The explosion was louder than any fireworks Kali had ever heard. Her heart dove deep into her chest as a breath was forced out of her lungs, her eyes were wide with terror. The foundation of the maze-like complex shook violently beneath Kali’s feet, causing her to stumble and collapse onto the hard linoleum floor. Fireworks, she thought to herself, those were some fucking fireworks. That was what Thomas had said it would be like. Big fireworks to put the government in their place, to show them they meant business. But Thomas was safe outside with the others, helping to evacuate the entire building and get them all to safety. This wasn’t about killing people, after all; it was about making a statement, even if there were a couple of individuals whom she would have liked to keep in the building. But from where he was, it probably did just sound like distant fireworks.

Kali whipped her phone up to her face so that she could see the time. It was only 5:39. The bomb shouldn’t have detonated for another 21 minutes. That was her escape time, time enough for her to leisurely find her way out. Thomas had given her the plan views for the complicated, multi-layered secret basement below the president’s office several weeks ago, instructing her to study it and plan an escape route. But she didn’t. She figured it was pointless since there would be no one there to get in her way after the evacuation. She couldn’t find the time to bother with meaningless studying. She was about efficiency, not trifles. But now, with hectic fear and panic rapidly closing in, she was forgetting how she had even gotten into the building in the first place and began to regret not studying the map. She was on her feet and running down the dark, wide hallway before she could think of what to do.

Everything was still shaking, and most of the lights in the hallway had been shattered by the blast. She couldn’t help but think she must have set the timer incorrectly. How stupid! How fucking professional for a software engineer! That was her whole purpose in this vigilante group of morons! She couldn’t suppress a bitter puff of laughter. The irony, she thought.

Another blast, this time even closer.

Of course, in her infinite wisdom, Kali had decided to plant the furthest bomb from her escape last. There were 7 bombs in all, spread throughout the complex. It had taken the better part of the day sneaking about without getting caught, setting each one up. It had been a tremendous pain getting through some of the security checkpoints, but she had done it. And the other idiots somehow managed to succeed in the evacuation. Everything was so perfect up until now.

The next bomb to go off would be a bit further away, if she remembered correctly. Her lungs burned and her leg muscles felt like they were about to rip, but she had to keep moving.

She began blaming herself for everything: the bomb, the plan to do this rash act of terror, the whole situation, the death of her husband, everything. Her bitterness toward the government was suddenly growing weak, it didn’t even matter anymore. But what about everyone else? This could potentially lead to better things for the people, show the government that everyone is sick and tired of the deceit, the lies, the empty promises, the favoritism. If no one else was going to stand up to this problem, it had to be the vigilantes of BLAP, Better Lives for All People.

The third bomb echoed through the hallways.

Kali had always felt like this whole operation was dependent on her, and now, knowing that she might not get out alive, she felt an overwhelming importance building in her chest. This message couldn’t have been delivered without her expertise, without her cunning or her rashness. This blow would be lasting, one that could change the direction of the future forever. And it was all thanks to her. She would be remembered as a heroine, exalted as a savior.

But was that as important as life?

No.

Of course not.

Kali much preferred living, even if it meant going to jail for the rest of her life. She hadn’t even been through her mid-life crisis yet for Christ’s sake. It wasn’t time to sit back and be subservient once again, as usual. It was time to be strong, stand up, and fight back. For everyone she loved, and everyone who cared about her. It was time to—

Boom.