Euphoria was coursing through her veins at seeing the expressions on his face so much that she couldn’t help doubling over in laughter. This was what she had been looking forward to – breaking Grace had merely been the prelude but this was the greatest act of the play.
“Nothing is the matter with me! I’m perfectly fine. It’s you” – She proceeded to take off the sapphire engagement ring he had given her back in February; his grandmother’s heirloom – “who will not be fine in a few minutes.” And tossed the ring at his chest.
“I merely wanted to cut off loose ends – worthless ends. I have no need for you anymore,” she told him, a sadistic smile on her face.
Jack watched in silent horror as she took the ring off. He flinched when she threw it at him, as if it were a weapon – but the things she was saying cut much deeper than any blade.
I have no need for you anymore.
Over the months they’d been together, Jack had seen how Katelynn changed. No, that wasn’t the right word; she had blossomed, like a spring flower opening, or a bird coming into new, brighter plumage. She had grown more confident, more outgoing. She’d taken an active role in trying to help the city – yes, her methods scared him sometimes, but he still loved that she wanted to do it. And, deep inside, it had made him feel good to know that part of the reason she’d grown so much was because of him, and his love for her.
But … now she didn’t need him anymore?
“… K-K-Katelynn, how can you say that?” he whispered. “Wh-what’s happened to you?”
“Oh I don’t know..?” she mused as she tapped a finger on her chin, seemingly relaxed and like none of this was hurting her in the slightest. “How can I tell it to you so your little brain understands? You always did say you weren’t a smart man and now it seems like I can really see it.”
Walking past him and toward one of his paintings to admire it for a moment, she ran her hand along the top of it – she remembered this piece. He had painted it for her; it was her while walking Stella though they were both small to all the details around it as if someone were watching them from far away.
She punched her fist through it, destroying it. “I’m. Leaving. You. I don’t need you or love you. Is that clear enough for you?” Looking at him, her smile remained on her face.
The blue man cringed, feeling the blow just as hard as if she’d punched him instead of the painting. He felt as if he were breaking inside, crumbling, being smashed apart with every word she threw at him. Jack bit his lip, trying desperately not to cry.
It didn’t work. Tears stung his eyes, and began to run slowly down his pale cheeks.
Through the cold, aching fog of misery, however, Jack noticed something. Katelynn’s eyes … they were hard and glaring, a shocking change from her usual softness and warmth, but they were also different. There was a golden gleam that had never been there before. He was sure of it; after all the time he’d spent gazing into his beloved’s eyes, he couldn’t miss it.
“… S-something is wrong with you.” His voice was a hoarse whisper. “Y-you’re not Katelynn."
Jack Maple 