The explosions crack through the yard in uneven bursts, flashes of light snapping against the dark as the string of firecrackers continues to go off without pause.
Douglas and Destin stand a few steps away from it, visibly unsure, the bravado they've shown since arriving nowhere to be seen now.
For a moment, they hesitate, glancing at each other as if expecting the other to take the lead. Then, without a word, Douglas steps forward and tries to stomp on the lit section with his shoe.
Pop! BANG! POP! POP!
He jerks his foot back instantly, swearing under his breath as sparks jump outward. Destin circles awkwardly, then tries the same thing from another angle, pressing down harder as if force alone will solve it.
But the firecrackers keep snapping violently beneath their soles, forcing both of them to retreat again, their movements clumsy, reactive, nothing about them resembling control.
