I trudged through my journey, my friends a jumbled mess around me. It had felt like days we’d been hiking, and every muscle in my body burned with the fire of exhaustion.

And just as I began to give up, debating letting my body collapse to the ground and sink into the Earth for an everlasting sleep, I saw it.

Finally.

McDonalds.

Diamond daggers clung to the cieling, gems of water droplets now forever frozen in time against the dim cave walls, closing in on them, holding them. They’re deadly drips, sharp as razors, hanging from the ceiling of winter, advertising the frigid intensity of a blizzard.

For some, they reflect the magic of winter and Christmas, the time of love and wonder. But not for me. For me, they reflect everything the cold stole, all the memories I could’ve had, the things I could have done.

My heart sunk as I wandered through the ruins of what, if it were just a week ago, I would have called home. Shattered glass shards clinked beneath my feet, shimmering in the light of late afternoon like the teardrops tracing their way down my cheek.

Broken down structures and posts creaked and groaned, shuddering with every gust of wind that swept through the city; If you could even call it one.

My mind drifted off from the ridges of snapped metal, from the horribleness that had destroyed my home, from the grief that tugged at my heart and ached throughout my whole body. Thoughts wandered through the hallway of my mind, opening creeky doors and stooping into flower bordered arches; peeking into the memories that filled my heart and caused droplets to swell in my eyes, memories I had to blink back before they drip dropped down my face and away.

I had no idea how I could have let this happen. I had the chance to save the people of my home, who now lay dead or dying on the sidewalks and roads, or crushed beneath broken boards and collapsed buildings. I honestly couldn’t tell which was worse- the agonizing cries and screams that rang through the sky of those still alive, or the piercing silence of those no longer alive.

If I had just told someone, anyone, maybe I could have stopped this.

Arriving at the airport, I just want to reach my transport Hopefully make it to my resort I have to keep my ambition, And focus on my main mission Nope, I can’t get distracted Not even stops at the food court But I see a Karen, and she just reacted! Oh well, it’s not a show, she’s just overreacting

I reach my seat when we start boarding, Dodging couples full of bags of hoarding Do they really think it’s that rewarding? Walking onto the plane, Oh no, I tripped an old man with a cane! Oh well, soon enough I’ll be at weather of surf boarding I can just pretend he fell, No need to dwell

Boarding the plane, I see my seat! Oh no, it’s by an old man with crusty bare feet, Why couldn’t I have flied accompanied? Ew, he’s ranting about politics, Oh, the conversation changes again, this time to his future rocket ship ugh, now the topic is his best flirting tricks They don’t work very well, sir, I can concur The rest of the plane ride seems a blur, And alas, My patience is at its defeat, And I am overtaken by my sass. Can I please just stab him with a piece of glass?

I’ll have to cover up my tracks, If he doesn’t shut up with his golfing facts When will he notice that I don’t react? Ugh, now he’s flirting, I’ll throw up, then do a little hurting I did a bit of slash, Back and forth with an ax Uh oh, now I’ve gotta dash I’ll take a little stash of cash

Soon I’ll be avoiding cuffs, But his ditch is certainly a bit more rough Oh well, it’s such a simple ways bluff! It’s a nice little ploy To get rid of those who annoy I’ll just stab him with a flitch! I just can’t believe he thought he was so tough! Well, since there isn’t anyone to snitch, He’s finally reached his ditch