Tick Tock

Max focused on the wires in front off her, trying to ignore the timer that blinked down the seconds. In nearly two years at the bomb squad she had never seen such a haphazard design, it was as illogical as it was complex. No bomb needed four trigger mechanisms.

“We’re running out of time,” Tom said.

“We are? Really? You don’t say, I wondered what the countdown was for.”

“No need for that tone.”

“Apparently there is. Now shut up and let me work.”

“That one, cut that one,” Tom said, pointing at about five wires.

“I know what I’m doing.” Sweat began to trickle down her face, evidence of the level of concentration she was using. She made another cut, another light went out.

“Not that one…” Tom went silent as another light blinked out. “Well maybe that way works too.”

“Do you want to take over?”

“Yes,”

Max started to stand up.

“I meant no,” Tom said, backing away. “Ten seconds left.”

“I can read,” Max said, snipping one more wire. The final light blinked out, then they all began to flash.

“It’s still counting down. If you get me killed I swear…”

The timer stopped on four seconds.

Tom hugged her, danced a jig then hugged her again. “How can I thank you?”

“You can stop hugging me for a start.”

“Sorry, I have never got beyond that level before, you’re a genius.”

“Just do me a favour, next time you call me to defuse a bomb, make sure it’s real and not some stupid game. I had to spend ten minutes convincing my captain not to send the whole team after your call.”