His hand grasped the knob of the door. Nervously Ethan opened the door slowly, awaiting the once in a lifetime chance to be alone with Mattie. He heard her humming a tune as she was preparing dinner and all was at ease. He felt peace when he was with her. Aggressively he approached her and grabbed her shoulders. Suprised by the voitale movements she tensed up. As he put his hand up to her face, she relaxed, and his looked into hers as he thought about a future with her, kids with her and he felt a sense of hope and comfort. She made all of the bad things in his life brighter, more indifferent.

“Mattie, I’ve got to tell you something.” Ethan said in a hushed breath, as if any sudden movement would tear her away from him. “Mattie I love—,” suddenly the world ended as Jotham burst though the door. “Ethan,” he said, “Zeena’s dead. “