Congratulations

Two hands gripped the edges of a rusty sink, trying to steady the owner as they forgot to breath. The daunting words echoed in the owner's mind like a broken record player, stuck on the same depressing song. Time stopped as they stared in disbelief at the girl opposite them. The girl shook her head slowly, eyes widened as her troubled mind tried to process what it had just been told. The other figure standing across from the young girl copied the same dismal movement, ignoring the suffocating pressure that tightened around her lungs from the lack of oxygen caused by a long held breath. As they silently recited those fatal words, the girl opposite imitated her, their pale lips moving simultaneously.

As a sudden flare of heat passed over both girls, they splashed cold water over their fair skin, in an attempt to block out the weighty words. Out of habit, they then brushed back their long hair over their shoulder, staring into one another’s eyes.

Minutes passed, and finally the girl tore her gaze away from the mirror to look out the small, square window. The sun was starting to wake, showing its glorious self to the world, spilling a palette of gold, orange and pink paint to stain the deep purple sky. But even that truly astonishing sight seemed to smirk and gloat at the girl.

The droplets of water that glided down the pale face of the deprived child reflected the colourful canvas of sky, making them seem as tears of blood. The girl wiped away the tears, and inhaled a deep breath.

The young girl turned from the horizon, and left the box bathroom to enter the small kitchen. She walked over to the drawer and pulled on the metal handle. A sob ricocheted through the girls fragile body as her eyes skimmed over the glinting cutlery.

Her trembling hand raised slowly, tempted by the shiniest and smoothest looking utensil. The girl picked up the silverware, and held it up the light. The shaded lamp threw out a weak ray of light that ran along the sharp edge. Not bothering to shut the drawer, the girl turned from the kitchen, to enter the populated bedroom.

Heavy breathing signified a deep sleeping family who occupied the over-crowded room. The father figure lay peacefully on the four-poster bed, strong arm resting casually across an unused pillow. There was room for one more, but it was empty and hollow, no longer in use. Across from the main bed, was another that held his younger brother, who's back was facing the maturing girl. The younger siblings of the small family lay scattered around on a floor level, double bed, all huddled together for warmth. All were completely unaware of the inner collapse that was occurring in their loved family member's heart.

The girl turned from them to face a cracked, wall length mirror. She stopped instantly, to gaze intently at her figure. Tall and slim she was, but time had taken its toll. Clothes hung loosely of her thin figure; hair flowed down her back. Her startling eyes held the atmosphere of someone who was beyond their age mentally, as well as physically. They held the air of someone who had seen too much in the short time they had walked this Earth. Someone whose heart was breaking, just by staring at her own reflection.

Disgusted, she abruptly turned from the mirror, no longer wanting to see her worst enemy. Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed that her lover lay on. As she inspected the knife in her hand, those fearful words ran through her mind, reminding her of her mission. The dim rays slid tauntingly along the elegant edge, highlighting the sharp metal surface. The girl sighed in defeat, letting her hand fall to her lap in dismay.

She hated to do this, but...those words...it had to be done. The girl's future would be no different no matter what course of action she did now. This way, she knew, would create less suffering. For everyone. This way, the purpose of this whole thing, would not be fulfilled. She could not allow what was planned to happen. No way in hell.

The girl rose, and went to stand above the man she held dear in her heart. The man that was looked up to as the father of the family, slept on fitfully, having no inkling of his fate. The girl then looked over to her siblings - her children - in adoration. After her eyes had looked over each one, they landed on the window.

The sun had accomplished more of its steady journey into the sky, and it now almost showed its whole body. Light poured into the room, casting a golden glow around all the sleeping figures, and enveloping the girl in a golden curtain. The sun seemed to be fighting with her, trying to persuade her to not go through with her set task.

After a long look at the shining horizon, the girl glanced back down to her heart in human form. His strong face was half in light, half in dark. Almost like his personality. The girl’s lips twitched into a pitying smile, before falling back into place. The knife then rose in the air, guided by the pale hand that clutched it tightly. As one last lone tear ventured down her cheek, the girl grasped the weapon, and plunged it deep into her victim.

The razor edge slid easily, to lodge in place.

The guy's eyes snapped open in horror. The girl just looked down to him in apology, and silently begged forgiveness. The boy was frozen to the spot in terror and disbelief, as he watched his one love fall to the ground. Blood pumped from her self-inflicted chest wound, and the knife fell to the floor with a triumphant clatter. The boy swung his legs over the bed, to kneel next to the bloody form that lay crumpled on the threadbare carpet.

The girl's body jerked with spasms of pain, the light in her hazel eyes fading rapidly.

A voice echoed in the girl’s head, just as the boy called out her name, unintentionally waking up the remaining members of the family.

Congratulations, Maximum. You have just saved the world.