The day came and went. Thankfully, my diner shift was over; that meant no more pinching of my ass. Obviously the customers had missed me during my ‘leave of absence’. I was sure I’d be bruised in the morning. Now it was just me and Debbie left behind to close up. Brian and Mikey were supposed to be stopping by to pick me up for Babylon in ten minutes. Bent over the table, and not in a positive life affirming way, my hand moved jerkily as I scrubbed the booth surfaces. That’s when I smelt it. “Deb, is it just me or can you smell…” I sniffed, “Gas?” The older woman glanced at me from behind the til where she was leafing through notes before glancing in the general direction of the blacked out kitchen. She turned her gaze back to me and gave me an affirmative nod. I worried my bottom lip with my teeth, deciding on the best course of action before I made up my mind. “Hey, why don’t you wait for me outside okay? Just until I find out where the gas is coming from?” Debbie nodded and made her way towards the door, I caught her sneaking a glance back at me but I waved her out waiting until she was out of the vicinity before going to investigate the kitchen. My steps are soft, almost wary as I peer in, eyes casting glances into all corners of the small room before I determine the leak’s coming from the stove so, naturally, I turn and flick on the light. Thus causing the fatal spark. ~~~~~~~ Debbie’s POV After Justin had sent me out the diner, no doubt for my own safety, I’d waited on the sidewalk in the cold. It wasn’t long before the jeep had pulled up to reveal my baby and his lordship Brian, no doubt to collect my Sunshine. I offer them a warm smile before I walked over to the drivers window, “Hey boys. Looking for someone in particular?” I knew the answer already but it was always fun to play. Brian looked thoughtful, “Oh I don’t know. Short, blond, perfect ass; ring any bells?” Michel stifled a laugh and I just sighed, “He’s finishing up in the kitchen, I’ll go get him…” I turned about to face the diner, barely taking a step forward before the shattering of glass met my ears, a loud explosion and I looked up in time to see Justin being thrown through the kitchen hatch. I watched in horror as the back of the diner exploded, Justin’s body being launched down the counter, knocking aside salt shakers, empty glasses and menus before it slammed through the front window of the diner. There was a sickening crunch as he hit the bonnet of Brian’s jeep making sure to leave a lovely blood smear, flipping over it and hitting the tarmac on the other side. It was as if time had slowed down for us. Between screams from passers by; the wailing of far away sirens and the slamming of Brian’s door as he ran round to Justin who now lay in a pool of his own blood. Carl, who I’d ask to pick me up, grabbed Michael’s cell out his hand and punched in a few numbers. He could have done anything but I was to busy staring at Justin to hear Carl’s barks of ‘Officer down, I repeat we have an Officer down!” I don’t know what was more heartbreaking. The fact Justin might die or the way Brian was clutching the broken boy to his chest, rocking as he sobbed out Justin’s name. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice the haunted look on my boys face as he raised his bloodstained face from Justin’s now blood red hair. That’s when I realised. Brian was reliving the Prom. He’d never talked to any of us about it, but really, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that’s what was on his mind right now. The screeching of tires broke me out of my reverie as the rush of feet echo around us. Paramedic’s push through the crowd to where Brian’s clutching Justin. When Brian refuses to let him go, they end up getting a couple of cops to pull him away. I watch as Justin is lain on a gurney, blood soaking his jeans and shirt, staining the white protective cover on the bed a haunting shade of red before the back doors shut and said ambulance speeds off with its police escort leaving a stunned crowd and a very fragile and bloody looking Brian behind. Casting one last glance back at my destroyed diner, I clamber into the back of the jeep leaving Mikey to manoeuvre Brian into the car before he climbs into the driver’s seat. I let a tear slide when I hear the broken whisper of ‘Jus’ from beside Michael and break down when Brian Kinney, asshole extraordinaire, starts to cry.