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ALEX FITZGERALD - THE CHOICE

9/5/2019

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Alex Fitzgerald is an aspiring writer who believes in relatable characters and the power of story. Throughout his life, he has created over three-hundred unique characters for his personal projects. Through learning about the human psychology, Alex felt that this was the best way to construct engaging characters. Characters that hold the potential to impact someone’s life. Mr. Fitzgerald has the dream to address the sins of society with storytelling, in hopes of inspiring positive-change for the betterment of our world. 

​The Choice

​            I have a choice, to do evil, or to burn it as fuel. Two gunshots popped from the house as two casings scattered to the floor. It had been decided, his life was over.
 
            A broken couple stared at another from opposite sides of the room. Raymond was the only one who stood with agonized tears in his eyes. His wife stunned along with the fool beside her. They had been caught in the act.
 
            Raymond couldn’t speak. His heart was ripped out of his chest, that his ribs had been forcibly pried open to expose the empty cavity where his heart used to be. He threw down the gun and gave a look at himself. He was coated in black, earthy dust. While he worn a dense head-to-toe uniform with tattered boots. On his right hand was a black glove while the other had a mechanized drill strapped over his arm. Without hesitation, the glove slapped the floor as he stripped himself of the promise.
 
            A gold wedding band crashed the ground beside two bullet holes. Raymond turned to the door and put on his helmet. All he could say before he left the room was, “You need to leave.”
 
            Raymond thumped down the steps and made his way into the kitchen. His boots stopped when his attention landed on the box.
 
            Before he had went into work, he noticed that his wife was already at the door with a box firmly in her hands. It had been left at the front door that morning after the doorbell rang.
 
            Raymond starred over at that same box, it was a long rectangular box with a red satin bow that was tied elegantly no note was attached.
 
            How could she have done this to us? Why would she do this, doesn’t she love me? Was it what was in the box that caused this?
 
            Raymond caught his hand moving closer before he pulled his hand back.
 
            It wouldn’t resolve anything but feed the endless pit in his stomach. His mind was already scattered. All he wanted was to get away from this, to numb himself of this pain.
 
            Once he stepped outside, a flush of emotions rushed over him. Anger began to burn inside of him like ignited oil that blazed over water. He wanted to turn back. He wanted to kill them both but he had a choice. Raymond put one foot in front of him and didn’t look back.
 
            It wasn’t long until he reached his destination. His feet collided with gravel as he walked up to the gateway. Over on the side a sign read, “Cloverheart's Coal Mine, est. 2018.” Raymond tugged against the fence but felt the locked chains pull back. Without hesitation, he lifted his drill as mechanized steel cut through rustic iron. Metal shackles struck the gravel as the gates opened to their master. A soft breeze welcomed him as shadow clouds began to roll over.
 
            It was around 2am when he had navigated his way deeper into the mine. Raymond ran his hand against the rough walls, he felt the sweat run down his face as oxygen was filtered through the dusty, dark air. Every few yards, he placed an explosive on the wall. He made sure the charge was active before he continued on. He reached a massive wall at the end of the tunnel as sorrow stabbed his heart and dragged him to the ground. Coal tears steamed over the dying fire of his heart. He dried his tears and held the remote in his hand. Raymond’s thumb lightly kissed the detonation trigger.
 
            “God let this be where I begin.”
 
            There was a click that dropped from his hand as series of thunderous bombs shattered the world. With every blast, the walls caved in around him. The earth crashed around Raymond, before darkness enclosed a new beginning. 
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