Boom, boom, boom, clap.

He had never in his craziest dreams seen him do this.

He was somehow thrown into this.

Circumstances.

But here he was.

Hands trembling, sweat running down his brows, the urge to pee.

He had a knife and had to choose which wire to cut.

After years of training one would think that the certainty would improve.

But it didn’t.

Everyday was a new day, a new challenge.

He examined the circuit again.

He was sure that he had to cut the red wire.

But was he totally certain?

Nope.

A lot of it was a game of probability.

Usually you evacuate and just let the bomb explode.

Things become complicated when that bomb is on the 7th floor of a building.

It was easier in a war zone.

Saving civilians was difficult.

He examined the circuit again.

Moved his knife to the black wire, then moved it back to the red one.

Choices have consequences.

He had learnt to live with them.

Would he live though if he made the wrong choice?

His life flashed in front of his eyes.

He thought about how life would have been if he had taken the law entrance exam.

But here he was, standing in a bulky armour, in front of an explosive device, anxious.

Time running out.

He had choose, quickly.

Fuck it, he said.

Closed his eyes.

Cut the red wire.

.

.

.

Boom.

He shrieked.

He was in one piece.

Where did that sound come from?

Somewhere else in the city.

So a bomb had gone off, not just the one in front of him.

He felt relieved.

But also a tinge of guilt.

Someone else was dead.

He didn’t know who.

He prayed for their soul.

Today wasn’t his turn.

He removed the helmet, turned around, and walked away.

His job was done.