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NextEstablishment856 t1_jaav9u1 wrote

I know the firetrucks are still five minutes out. I cut them off on the way here, and they drive slower. I can sense the customer is inside, third story, pinned under some rubble. Little balding man in his boxers and an a-shirt. I glance at my watch again. 2:43.

I glance at the external structure and see a fire escape on the neighboring building. I can do this. I sprint, leap cars, show onlookers and get to the third floor of the rickety metal stairway. It's not a huge jump, but I don't like heights, and I really hate falling. 2:10, good luck.

I jump, torpedoing my body through a window. Not the customers, but I am on his floor. And of course, I hear cries for help from the actual residents here. Cries I try to ignore as I kick out their front door and head into the hall. Unfortunately, I see the 1:56 on my watch and decide I have time. I summon a bit of the eldritch power and shove a burning beam out of their way, and the three make for the stairs down. Now it's 1:31, and I'm making a mental note to treat my burns later.

I run to his door and slam my shoulder into it, only to bounce off. I know better, I was just panicking. And panic costs time I can't spare. I bring my foot to bear on the lock, busting the door open just as his floor gives out. 0:42.

I go toward the hole, ready to leap down after him, but burst of flames and another collapse from above prevent that plan. But I have the pie, and there's a gap it can fit through. 0:21 as I prep to throw.

The box leaves my hand. My customer is dead. I am not getting paid. I don't watch it tumble through the air, already running for the stairs in case it misses. If it falls short, I may have a moment to still pull this off. 0:05.

I burst through another door, ignoring the family from earlier, who are panicked because of the first floor stairs. Or the lack of first floor stairs. I see it. Flopped all over his corpse, slices and the burning box. The world is safe.

I lead the family to their downstairs neighbor's place and get them to the window. With a bit of work and part of a bed, we get safely to the ground. They try to stop me, to thank me, but my watch is already on to the next delivery, 28:37.

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SneakyHijinx t1_jadhg9i wrote

Love the twist! And the time stamps do a great job building suspense!

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NextEstablishment856 t1_jadiycn wrote

I don't want to admit how much work I did on figuring out what the times should be. I will say, I did not burn any buildings for it.

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