(Intro) (Sound of a marker cap being pulled off. Heavy, slow bass beat.) Red. It’s the only color left. (Verse 1) I’ve got a Red Sharpie writing down the names Across the map, no one escapes the flames Who's next to pay? You can’t run away You lit the match, so I will watch the flames You paint me black, I paint the shadows red Remember every little word you said? You thought you're clever, thought you won't be caught But in this game of mischief, they forgot. (Pre-Chorus) They say two wrongs can never make it right But I’m not looking for salvation in the light This is not a story about forgiveness, no It’s about how far I am willing to go. (Chorus) (Explosive, dark, melodic) Red Sharpie, balancing the scales tonight Absolution is a mercy you won't find in my sight I will never accept, and I will never forgive Those who refuse to forget are condemned to relive One by one, crossing out the debt Sorry is not enough—I haven’t finished yet. (Verse 2) (More aggressive, lurking rhythm) Nature can be cruel, predators are everywhere And you walked right into the lion’s lair They call us the "fairer sex," soft and mild But the female is the most ferocious in the wild You stole everything I loved, left me hollow inside Now guilt is the only lantern that lights my ride It’s a darker drive, a commitment to the end I’m not your lover, and I’m certainly not your friend. (Pre-Chorus) When memory is a freshly opened wound that bleeds Forgiveness is the most unnatural of all human deeds This is not a story about forgiveness, no It’s about exactly how far I am willing to go. (Chorus) Red Sharpie, balancing the scales tonight Absolution is a mercy you won't find in my sight I will never accept, and I will never forgive Those who refuse to forget are condemned to relive One by one, crossing out the debt Sorry is not enough—I haven’t finished yet. (Bridge) (Slow down, very emotional, then building up to a scream) Grief is a merciless master, holding the chain Just when you think you're free, you feel the pain An echo of memories that refuse to die No matter how hard I try to say goodbye. It’s an addiction, impossible to pacify Even when starved, the hunger will survive! I’m a unique, bloodthirsty snowflake, cold and sharp Driving this red ink straight through your heart! (Guitar Solo / Instrumental Break) (Dramatic, orchestral strings meeting distorted guitars) (Verse 3) (Quiet, spoken word / whispering vibe initially) True sacrifice demands unspeakable loss I’m fully prepared to pay the cost An undying devotion to see this through To its absolute completion, starting with you. For me, hate greets me each day like a friend And I have a moral duty to reach the end. (Final Chorus) (Maximum Volume, Choir background) Red Sharpie, balancing the scales tonight! Absolution is a mercy you won't find in my sight! I will never accept, and I will never forgive Those who refuse to forget are condemned to relive! One by one, crossing out the debt Sorry is not enough! (Outro) (Fading out, slow beat returns) Red Sharpie. One by one. I paint the shadows red. You paint me black. But who’s next to pay? (Sound of the marker cap clicking shut)
