The horses in the stable went wild; they knew of the coming storm. They were pacing nervously at first, but soon enough they started rearing up and neighing vigorously. There was something in the air as dusk drew near. You could almost smell it in the acrid scent of the earth and the grass. But no one was paying attention to the stables or to the horses. The house was alight with joy and comfort this New Year’s Eve, people enjoying each other’s company and food, the chit-chat echoing the clinking and tinkling of cutlery and plates. But none of this could placate Jessie’s strange sense of uneasiness, as she stared helplessly at the last specks of red streaking the horizon, elbows on the porch railing. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she knew something was amiss. Darkness was fast approaching and she felt a sudden sense of dread as gust of chilly wind messed her long black hair.

“Jessie! There you are! Come back inside, the karaoke is about to start!”

“Yesssss mom, but I will record you and dad this time, no excuses!”

“We’ll see, we’ll see…”

As she turned around to close the door, she glanced at the sky again; it was dark just enough now for the realisation to sink deep: somehow, she knew that this last day of the year was going to be the last day she would spend with her family.