Once upon a firefly
Summary: As usual, Klauss lives.
Warnings: Brief mention of death and canon-typical violence. This does read better if you've read the manga and/or watched the plays.
Words: 300
Prompt: June 3rd - Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin / "Scarlet billows start to spread"
Ah, this again. How long has it been since the last time…?
It doesn’t matter. The shouts and the lights have receded at last, silence washing over him like a balm.
He feels warm. Drowning has always been his favorite way of dying – the water always a soft, comfortable weight.
Scarlet billows start to spread, wrapping around his form. In the clear waters, they almost feel like ribbons of ink.
Klauss closes his eyes. Not much longer now before he reaches the bottom.
Once the iron settles in the sand, he’ll finally be able to get some rest.
*****
The Hunters had done a really poor job this time; his ankles only fastened with old rope.
Klauss emerges from the lake, bangs plastered to his head. The cuts on his abdomen have long healed, but the holes in his shirt are apparent. He’ll need to commission a new coat too.
It’s night – or early morning, maybe – when he reaches the village. There’s movement near the gates – the vigil standing.
“Halt! State your name and purpose.” When Klauss doesn’t reply, he grabs his pitchfork. “Oi – are you deaf?! State your…” Surprise melts away his order, expression flickering between shock and incredulity – before settling on horror.
“It can’t be…” He steps back. “no… we killed you more than –”
The faintest crackle – barely more than a whisper – and the man erupts into flames.
Klauss sidesteps his writhing body, ignoring the screams and scent of charred flesh.
The houses nearby are in a similar state – the villagers roused from sleep by the fire. One by one, they burst out onto the streets outside, crying in agony.
Soon, there will be nothing left of this place. Klauss sighs, gazes at the starry sky, and lets the commotion engulf him.
Over and over, the same song.
My masterlist can be found here, and the June Jukebox Challenge here!
