At the same time that Alex realizes what the puddle is, a faint spark flashes in the distance.
The spark, like an orange ember, rapidly descends to the ground. Its intangible orange glow reflects on a line of pale-yellow, translucent liquid as it falls.
Alex only has time to widen his eyes as the spark makes contact with the gasoline and flares into a radiant flame, billowing with inky smoke.
Then, with terrifying speed, the flame snakes towards Alex and Jack in a nearly straight line, ignoring nearby flammable materials and leaving a trail of fire.
It's clearly following a preprepared trail of gasoline.
With the flames coming closer and barely any time to react, Alex exerts force into his legs and dives to the side, opposite of Jack.
His shoulder harshly impacts the cold concrete, and a jolt of pain runs through him, but he ignores it and pulls his legs towards his body, curling up to avoid the fire.
Just jumping to the side gave him enough distance to barely miss the flames. However, the gasoline splashed onto his pants, and the memory of being burned sends phantom pains through his legs. So, Alex instinctively curls up to create more distance between himself and the flames.
Fortunately, none of the embers reach Alex.
Unfortunately, Jack isn't as fast or as familiar with these situations.
Upon seeing the line of fire shooting towards him, Jack hesitates for a moment, needing a split second longer than Alex to react. In that split second, the flames come closer.
Finally, Jack imitates Alex and jumps to the side. However, thanks to the fire's proximity, the tips of the flames scorch his shoe. Setting the shoelace ablaze and nearly igniting his light blue jeans.
"Crap!" Jack loses his composure mid-jump and lands much rougher than Alex.
His shoulder hits the ground first, its force much stronger than when Alex's did. The impact reverberates through his bones and rattles his spine. His head slams into the concrete with a dull thunk, and crimson blood seeps onto the ground beneath it.
Jack's thoughts turn chaotic, and an incessant throbbing pain emanates from his skull. Faintly, he feels like he needs to get up, but it's hard to focus.
If he could just lie here for a few moments and rest.
Suddenly, a much sharper, more severe pain slams into Jack's foot over and over again, nearly breaking the bones in his toes. Vaguely, he can hear a familiar voice yelling at him in annoyance.
"Goddamnit, Jack! Setting yourself on fire is my thing! I thought you didn't like stealing!" Alex covers his anxiety with feigned irritation as he stomps the fire on Jack's shoe out.
It had taken him several seconds to get up after hurling himself to the ground, but when he did, he saw Jack on the ground with vivid, red blood pooling under his temple and fire blazing on his shoe.
So, he ran around the puddle of ignited gasoline and hurriedly began stomping the fire out, ignoring the pain it probably caused Jack.
Upon beating out the last of the flames, Alex examines Jack's head and inwardly grumbles. It's probably a concussion. Should I leave him behind? No, I should at least check his condition first.
Not letting the dazed Jack rest, Alex roughly grabs his arm and pulls him to his feet. Then he throws up four fingers in front of Jack's face and asks, "How many fingers?"
Jack looks at Alex's hand in dazed confusion for a few moments before stuttering, "F-four. Four fingers."
"What month is it? What about the day?"
"It's… Thursday, July 12th."
Alex nods in relief. It's not too serious, just some disorientation. As long as he doesn't do something stupid, he should still be able to help.
Alex holds onto Jack's shoulders, making sure he doesn't fall and worsen his condition. He's not worried about being attacked by the creature right now, since they've escaped the trap.
However, just as Jack regains his bearings and Alex lets go of him, they both freeze in shock and fear.
A horrifying noise resounds from near the gas pumps. A combination of a screeching, scraping sound, like two pieces of rusty metal violently scraping against each other, and an intermittent gurgling, popping noise.
Strangely enough, this combination sounds like a voice.
One that is laughing.
Suddenly, vivid, scarlet flames explode from each of the gas pumps with a deafening bang. They surge forth with enough force to kill, and the gas pumps instantly burst apart. Within the blink of an eye, the explosion engulfs the entire area and turns it into a fiery death zone.
A wave of intense heat washes over the two as the explosion occurs only tens of feet away. The scorching flames do not reach them, but they come close enough to make the hair on their arms singe and their eyes water.
An intense shockwave accompanies the explosion and makes the ground tremble. Alex and Jack, who have already been caught off guard, are knocked off balance by the immense force.
They both stumble and fall, facing away from the explosion. Due to Jack being behind him, Alex takes the brunt of the explosion's force and falls directly into Jack, crashing onto the ground on top of him.
Disoriented by the explosion and his subsequent fall, Alex hears an illusory ringing in his ears. As though a massive bell were struck right next to his head.
He can't concentrate on it, though, because small bits and shards of concrete, metal, and plastic all rain down on him with ferocious speed.
It's debris created and propelled by the explosion!
Debris and shrapnel violently rend his flesh. They cut open deep gashes, split skin, pierce his flesh, and embed themselves into him. Blood-tinted plastic shards stick out of Alex. Pebbles of concrete are embedded in his flesh like bullets, and strips of bloody scrap metal have wedged halfway through his skin.
Although Jack is beneath Alex, he also ends up with many lacerations and embedded shrapnel. However, his vital organs are protected by Alex's cover.
Strangely enough, though, none of Alex's vitals are damaged either. A fact that highly confuses him.
Huh? He dazedly thinks when the debris stops, and he begins to regain his bearings. What's going on? Shouldn't I be dead?
Despite the many bleeding wounds on his arms, legs, and waist, Alex's torso is relatively unharmed. It makes sense that his front is fine, since it's facing the ground. But why's his back okay too?
"Whew, t-thank God for that backpack, right Alex?" Jack, who has also regained a semblance of composure, exclaims in relief, ignoring the extreme pain.
Alex looks at him from above incredulously. "What do you mean?"
Sheepishly smiling, Jack responds, "That old, tan backpack you're always carrying. It must've protected your vitals."
Suddenly, a wave of realization washes over Alex. He is wearing a backpack! He used it as a pillow earlier tonight! He's so used to wearing it that he must've forgotten it was there! Like when you forget you're wearing a hat!
Slightly embarrassed, Alex swiftly changes the subject. "We should get up."
"Alright." Jack agrees, and Alex quickly climbs off of him. Then they both stand up, wincing and groaning the entire time.
Alex examines the wounds on his arms and legs and proclaims in mock admiration, "They aren't half bad, do you think people will think we're cool when the scars form?"
Jack also tries his best to stay positive. Although he winces at every move. "I hope so. But before then, should we go to a hospital?"
"Didn't you see what just happened?" Alex scoffs, "I went to a pawn shop, and that thing burnt it down. I went here, and it blew up the gas pumps. What do you think it'll do if we go to a hospital?"
Jack instantly understands Alex's meaning and hastily asks, "Where should we go then?"
Thinking for a moment, Alex responds, "Tetanus Town. It's not that far away, and the creature seemed hesitant to attack me while I was there."
With a nod, Jack agrees. "Do you think we'll make it before another attack?"
Alex falls into deep contemplation upon hearing this question.
Every time I've been in physical danger was when I was in a defined location. Like a building. The creature also seems to give me a bit of time between each trap. Maybe it needs time to set the next one up, or maybe it wants me in good condition when I trigger it, or maybe it's a combination of both.
Either way, we should be fine while we're still here, as long as we don't linger.
With a conclusion reached, Alex smirks. "Yeah. That thing will probably wait for us there. In fact, I bet it's running there right now, disappointed it could never use that propane tank!" He lets out a sharp laugh at the creature's expense.
Even if the joke is bad, it's nice to laugh at something you don't like!
Suddenly, Alex's laugh is cut short by the sound of metal shearing against metal reverberating through the air. His eyes widen, and he and Jack both swivel their heads to search for the source of the sound.
A moment later, their faces contort in horror when they find it.
Soaring in an arc tens of feet above the HMS Gas Building is a large silver-white propane tank. Its trajectory aimed directly at Jack and Alex.
Seeing this, a small voice shouts in the back of Alex's head.
The damn thing has a sense of humor!?