Slowly, the sun dipped over the horizon. The sky was yellow, with thin wispy clouds stretching towards the orange ball. William closed his eyes as a gentle sea breeze stroked his face, filling his nostrils with salty sea air. The quiet crashing of the waves below soothed him, urging him to take in deep breaths. William sighed and stood, his eyes briefly looking down to the rock below, the foamy water almost inviting. He shook the thought from his head and walked back to his car, his calm faltering as he looking into the passenger seat. Victor was still sleeping, his mouth hanging slightly open and his hair gently wafting in the breeze. William rapped on the door and Victor’s eyes fluttered open, covered in sleep and eyes hazy.

 

“Where…?” Victor started, a yawn cutting his words. William didn’t answer as he walked to the boot of his car, pulling out a folding chair and placing it on the ground. His friend looked back, eyebrow raised, still confused. “What’s going on?” he asked, but William ignored him again, pulling out the black case and placing it in the boot, lightly stroking the silver engraved buckle affectionately. William turned and smiled at him.

 

“Nothing,” he said, “just thought you’d want to watch the sunset.” Victor narrowed his eyes and a small smile stretched across his tired features, his eyebrow still raised.

 

“How long did it take to get here?” Victor questioned, but William shrugged in response. Victor grunted and slowly got out of the car. He grabbed the chair and unfolded it, placing it on the deep green grass that covered the cliff. William heard Victor sigh and his heart turned to stone. His smile disappeared and his jaw clenched. William gently pressed the buckle, releasing it, revealing what was inside. He quickly glanced back at Victor, who was still watching the sunset. William could see a smile spread across his old friend’s face, the same toothy grin that had haunted him for so long. The orange light from the setting sun cast a dark, long shadow across the grass, the shadow growing as the sun continued its descent.

 

Silently, William pulled the knife from the case and walked behind Victor, aiming the tip of the blade at the back of Victor’s neck. The world swirled around him. The orange sun turned a deep red, the crashing of the waves turned into a roaring storm, and the gentle breeze became a thundering gale. William placed his palm at the base of the hilt. His muscles tensed and he squared his shoulders, his eyes burned into the back of Victor’s head, his years of rage pushing into the front of his mind, but as quickly as it arrived, his rage dissipated, leaving William standing over his friend, the point of the blade inches from his neck. Quickly, William dropped the knife, making a thud as it hit the dry earth below. Victor turned around, puzzled at his friend.

 

“You alright?” he asked. William nodded frantically, avoiding his friend’s eyes, and looking out at the sun. Victor turned back around and continued watching the sunset. Victor sighed again. William looked down at his hands, seeing them shaking uncontrollably and violently. William closed his hands slowly, feeling the shaking stop. He slipped them into his pockets and returned to his car, looking into the case as he arrived. He closed his eyes and reopened them, and his eyes immediately fell on her face, warmth spreading through him. Her eyes were grey and kind, and her smile was broad. He remembered that day the photo was taken. They had just taken their son to the beach, and he wanted to see what the sea did at night. William had wanted to go home, but she insisted that they stayed until the sun had gone down. After his son was disappointed with the sea at night, they decided to drive home the next day, finding a hotel to stay in that night. A tear fell down his cheek. William reached forward and clutched the photo. Her scream echoed in his mind. William stepped back, feeling the event again. His scar burned and his heart pounded. The scream grew louder until all sound was drowned out. The scream deafened his ears. William collapsed to the floor, clutching his ears, softly groaning in pain.

 

A hand landed on William’s shoulder, and he heard a faint shout. William opened his eyes to see Victor looking at him, his eyes full of worry. Gradually, the scream quietened, and the world stilled, returning to the calm it had been. Victor spoke again, but his voice didn’t reach William’s ears. Without breaking eye contact with the man, William stood and placed a hand on Victor’s shoulder and smiled at him. He watched Victor chuckle nervously. Slowly, William moved his hand up to Victor’s neck. Victor’s smile dropped slightly, his eyes following his hand. Like lightning, William gripped Victor’s neck and lifted him off the ground. Victor wriggled and wrestled against his iron grip, trying to pry William’s hand open, but to no effect. With a final push of strength, William threw Victor to the ground. As he hit the ground, Victor desperately tried to crawl away, throwing dirt and grass behind him in a vain attempt to escape. William scoffed lightly and grabbed the man’s leg, dragging him back, ignoring his screams of terror. Victor kicked out, trying to release himself, but William tightened his grip, causing Victor to scream uncontrollably. A smile appeared on William’s face.

 

William dragged Victor to the edge of the cliff, throwing his legs over the edge and watching with glee as the man desperately tried to hold on. Victor brought his leg up, but the cliff gave way and his leg fell. The roots of the grass ripped and he slipped further. William turned away and sat in the chair, looking out at the sunset, as the last sliver of the bright burning ball started to dip under the horizon. The sun had burned the sky red, and the clouds blossomed yellow. The breeze was tossing the salty sea air into his lungs, causing a wave of calm to wash over him. William closed his eyes and smiled as he listened to the gentle crashing of the waves and the wind whistling past his ears, and Victor’s scream as he fell to the rocks below.