It carried with it the scent of blood and betrayal. How I would have condemned such cowardice in the past. Now I could not face my own home. The breeze brought to me the sound of my child's tears and my wife's blame. Things darkened and chilled. A cloud blocked the sun, like the thing in my heart that rose and blocked all that used to be decent and good. I had not known it was there. But now I was too aware. The sun of my life had been to bright up to now. Now it would...

The earth beneath my feet poked out between thin patches of grass. It was hard; stepped on by too many aching feet. It would make a good grave. A cat came from nowhere and rubbed against my leg. His hair was soft, fluffy and black, like the one that is now dead. The one I cannot apologize for because I fear even more blame. It was only an accident, but I could not stay to face the agony. So I cried alone.