"Then Jordan resurfaced."
"Yes. Because I was happy," he says, words dripping with venom, "or as close as I ever could be. I had moved on, found a measure of peace, and he couldn't bear that. I was respected, and he had to tear me down. Destroying a city and killing over a hundred people were just, as he said, collateral damage. He was actually upset I was helping people as I was. It was exactly what our father had wanted, why he tortured us for years. Made us train, pushed us over our limits. 'How could I?' my brother asked." Jem scoffs. "It was another betrayal. We'd sworn we'd never use our not so God given gifts if we could help it. Just because we were made to be freaks didn't mean that would be our fate. He acted as if I had spit in his face. I had to be taught a lesson."
"He sounds like a fucking psychopath," I say.
"That's what nine out of ten of out psychiatrists said," he says, snipping a wire. "I'm just so sorry for all this. I thought he--" He shakes his head and cuts another wire. "This shouldn't have happened."
"It's not your fault."
He quickly glimpses at me. "Yes…it is." He takes a deep breath, wipes his sweaty brow and continues working. "I think I've almost finished. You should leave now."
"I told you twelve times I'm not going anywhere."
"Joanna--"
"If you're here, I'm here. End of discussion."
"Don't be so damn--"
"I am not leaving you!" I shout. "I'm not. So save your damn breath."
His mouth sets straight. "The-The problem is there are two wires I can cut, and I don't know which is the correct one. Look."
I move over beside him. In the tangle of wires, I view a white and black wire inside a second timer. Both are positioned exactly the same. "Oh."
"You have less than five minutes to clear the building. Please go."
And for a second I do consider the option. Running away and leaving him in this dark basement with a bomb to potentially die alone attempting to save thousands of lives. But I can't. The thought of losing him too…nope. I'd rather die. "Choose," I say.
"What?"
"Do it. I'm right here."
His eyes search mine for something. I just smile. "If I'm wrong, I'm killing hundreds still in the building," he whispers.
I cover his hand holding the clippers with mine. "Then we'll do it together. It's on both of us. Choose."
"But--"
"Just…trust."
He glances down at my hand on his, then back at my smiling face. The fear vanishes into the ether. With his free hand, Jem grabs the back of my neck and pulls my mouth hungrily against his. Our lips are so in line, it's as if they're made for one another. As we devour each other, I run my hand through his soft, thick curls like I've been wanting to since we first met a year ago. A kiss to die for.
He draws away first, completely breathless from the need. We just stare into each other's eyes for a few seconds before grinning in unison. "Sorry," he says, "I just didn't want to leave this earth without doing that at least once."
"I know exactly how you feel," I say before going back for seconds. It's a little softer this time but just as wonderful. I can die a happy girl right now. I'd rather not, but still.
We break apart a few seconds later and look at the bomb in unison. As me move our entwined hands toward it, the oddest sensation washes over me. I've never felt it before. Serenity. Faith. I know, I know that we're going to be okay. That this is not the end. Not by a long shot. We aren't dying today. Don't know how I know, but I do. I rest my head on Jem's shoulder as his free arm wraps around me, pulling me in close. We position the clippers on the black wire, and I take the other handle. "Ready?" he asks. I nod. "On three. One…two…" I bury my face into the crook of his neck, and he squeezes me even tighter. Oh please, oh please… "Three."
Snip.
Nothing happens. At least I think nothing happens because this close to the bomb I wouldn't feel a thing if it exploded. But I'm breathing and Jem's fingers are digging into my side hard enough I'll bruise, and I doubt heaven or even hell stinks like a boiler room, so I'm pretty sure we're alive. I open my eyes and stare at the bomb. The counter's stopped. The bomb's intact. We did it. Never had a doubt.
I gaze up at Jem, who peers from the counter to me, mouth agape with shock. I burst into laughter, nervous at first but joyous a second later. He catches the bug instantly. We just laugh and laugh as he kisses my hair and down my cheeks to my mouth. This kiss is swift but just as yummy. The man sure can smooch. The laughter subsides as the mirth drains from his face. There's something on mine that almost startles him now, even more so than even the bomb. He draws away as if I was the one about the explode.