Happy Birthday

Today we are driving to my daughter's favourite park. It's the last surprise my wife and I have for her. We're running low on fuel, but we'll make it. Miranda is sitting in the back to distract her from looking outside; sadly, we've been caught in some traffic. An hour passes by quickly, and the suburbs open to the Redwoods, not far now.

Once we arrive, I set out and scout our spot on the hill, making sure it's clear. I usher the girls to come up. The view is the best today, the smoke is intense, but we can still see the cityscape. After some lunch, I head back to the car, the final gift I can give them. Walking back up the hill, I’m trembling. I know it would be hard, but every fibre of my being is fighting this. Quietly walking up to the two brightest lights in my life.

"Happy birthday sweetie"

Crying, I pull the trigger, snuffing out their lights. The cold suddenly hits, my joints freeze, and the wind is deafening. Tears rolling down my face, my heart broken, and in the distance, horrific screeches ring out, and a mass foams out of the tree line. If only I had a second bullet for myself.