Trees rustled unseen in the dark as Tracy slowly walked up the forested path to the mountain top. Her fading flashlight and the cloud covered moon were of little help. But she knew this path well and wasn’t worried. The cliff had been her father’s favorite spot to paint and he often took her up there since she was a child.

Her feet kicked small stones and sticks as she walked. The biggest threat was a downed branch that could trip her but the yellowed light was enough. If she fell, no one was close enough to help. She was alone, having left everyone back at the party.

She didn’t know how it had all gone so wrong. The laughs, the drinks, the final goodbye. It had been so perfect. Until it wasn’t. Her mind tried to focus on the steps but her heart was sobbing.

Don’t break down. Not here.

After a few more minutes of slow walking, the forest fell away and revealed a large expanse of blue-black sky. Glittering stars and faraway homes lit up for dinnertime dotted the valley. She saw the big rock her father had always sat on with her and it triggered a nostalgic wave that trembled under her skin. If only time could go backwards.

She sat down on the rock and finally let herself cry. Her loud sobs were absorbed by the woods behind her and the nothingness of air in front of her. Why had she let him go? Why?

- - unfinished - -