Mark stretched his arms toward the ceiling and twisted his neck to try to work the kinks out. His eyes were out of focus from poring over sales reports for the past two hours. He looked at his watch. Twenty minutes past five. Mark pushed back from his desk and stood up. He grabbed his jacket and crossed his tiny office to the door.
He stepped out into the hallway and turned toward the elevator. Margaret Burke exited her office as he was passing by Mark slowed and said. “do you think we could ever get out of this place by quitting time.
Margaret Laughed, “Yeah right the day you quit putting in more than your fair share…”
As they reached the elevator Mark pushed the down button, “I’m just doing my job.” He said humbly.
“Just doing your job?” Margaret said with sarcasm. “Is that how you have gotten salesman of the year awards every year for the past three years?”
Just then the elevator doors opened and the two stepped in. The elevator was almost full.
As Mark walked through the Parking lot toward his beamer, the one he bought with last years bonus, He took a deep breath, “What a beautiful day!” he said aloud, “A shame to have wasted it in an office without a window.
Mark slid behind the wheel started his car and opened the sun roof. The sun beat down on him and warmed his skin. He drove down the boulevard and turned into the gas station on the corner, he turned of his car ad slid out from behind the wheel. He walked to the pump, slid in his credit card and removed the handle and turned toward his car.
As Mark was removing the Gas cap from his car he felt a sharp sting on his neck. He quickly reached up and rubbed it. “Damn Bee!!” he said massaging the spot.
Mark stopped and slowly turned around to see a Mercedes filling at the next pump. Mark stared blankly at the car. His free hand slid into his front Pocket and he removed the Zippo that was there. Mark stared at the Lighter, The lighter that his father gave him when he went off to college. Why he gave him the lighter Mark didn’t know. Mark had no use for it. But it was something special to his father. Mark had carried it ever since his father died three Years ago.
Mark looked from the lighter back to the car and then back to the car again. Mark took the Gas handle and began to drench the Mercedes with fuel. Then without any hesitation he stuck the lighter and lit the stream of fuel.
A line of fire shout six feet from the end of the handle ant the Mercedes was completely engulfed in flame. Mark continued to spray the flame at the Mercedes. Suddenly someone opened the door on the opposite side. Mark turned his focus on the person. He directed the flame toward the man who immediately caught fire and screamed in agony.
Two men tried to rush Mark from behind but mark saw them coming and turned the flame toward them. They backed off stumbling over each other trying to get out of the flames reach.
Mark then turned the flame toward his own car. His car quickly caught fire and began to burn.
Mark stood between the two burning cars and turned the flame on himself. He began to burn. Mark did not feel anything. He dropped to his knees and continued to burn.
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