Anguish slashed his heart as he knelt beside her. Drake had never prayed before, but as he watched her colorless form grow still, turned his tear streaked face heavenward and chanted, “Please don’t take her from me. She’s all I have.”

Her translucent eyelids quivered for a moment before opening. “Drake?”

“Ella, I’m here.”

Her cerulean eyes focused on his face and her gray lips twitched a smile. “It’s time.”

Fresh tears streamed down his cheeks. He pleaded, “No Baby, stay with me.”

She stared intently into his eyes. “You must not cry. Where I go, you cannot follow. Not yet. Your time is not yet complete here.”

He strangled on the sob that rose within his throat. “I cannot live without you!”

“You must.”

To his disbelief, the darkened forest exploded with a brilliant, golden light. The leaves of the trees above rustled, and he gasped as a golden liquid form appeared before him with outstretched wings that were blindingly beautiful. The creature spoke with the melody of a flute, “You will behold her beauty once again, friend. You must complete your journey in this realm so that you may learn and love in the next.”

Ella sighed once and grew still, as the golden creature reached into her body and pulled her spirit into its arms. For the first time, Drake beheld her true beauty and it was breathtaking. She smiled a radiant smile and spoke with the voice of an angel, “I love you.”

“As I love you!” His heart pounded every louder. Broken, but mesmerized, he watched in awe as the creature flapped its wings once and ascended into the skies. Drake looked at her cold, motionless body. “Soon my love.” He kissed her cool lips and smiled with the hope of things to come.

She stood, a silent sentry in the snow. Getting cold, I decided to bring my bags into the house to put everything away and prepare dinner. “Mama, are you coming in?” She nodded, following me in. “I don’t understand, mama,” I said while preparing our meager meal. “How did this happen?” I smiled, pleased that she had finally gotten her wish to be out of the wheelchair. “How did you get better?” In a breathy voice she answered, “I’m free. Nothing tethers me.” I felt my face twist in confusion and turned to examine her more closely. “Mama…” I began hesitantly. “The city masters came,” she continued in the same soft tone. “They set me free from my prison.” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I rushed to my mother’s normal sitting room. The room that gave her the best view of the barren streets around us. Gasping, my hand flew to cover my mouth in despair. “MAMA!” I heard myself scream. Turning to face away from the image of death in front of me, the walking, talking version of my mother gave me a sad smile. “I was a burden. Now you are free of me.” Shaking my head in denial, tears continued flowing. “You…you can’t leave!” Raising her hand toward me, her image flickered, like a glitch in a computer screen. The images around me disappeared and all I could see was black. A man’s voice echoed through the darkness, “This is what will happen if you don’t follow orders. Do as we say, and your mother will survive. Become our operative, and we may help your mother walk again. Don’t and…well…” The voice trailed off and, tears still falling down my face after the too real virtual simulation, I agreed.