All across the neighborhood, the sky exploded with color. Festive. Joyful.
Joel had promised me this year. He said he'd sneak Johnny over so we could watch the fireworks together.
Now I watched the three of them laughing and chasing each other across the lawn. My fingers tightened around the safety lock in my pocket.
I stood alone in the snow, half my body frozen numb.
Then Johnny came running over with a small box, grinning with excitement.
"I have a present for you!"
I stared at his innocent smile, my heart melting despite everything. I pulled out the safety lock and held it out to him.
"Thank you. This is my gift for you."
He took it and urged me to open the box.
My fingers trembled uncontrollably. The moment I lifted the lid, a string of firecrackers exploded in my face.
Searing pain tore through my eyes. Someone shoved me hard, and I crashed to the ground.
"Stupid beggar! You're so dumb!" Johnny's laughter rang out.
Sparks flew around me. I smelled burning flesh.
I scrambled blindly to the side. Everything was a blur. When I tried to open my eyes wider, the pain cut straight to the bone.
"Joel, it hurts..."
"Take me to the hospital... I can't see..."
No one answered. The laughter faded into the distance until there was nothing.
I curled up in the snow. My hand brushed against something cold—the safety lock I'd given Johnny.
In the last moment before everything went dark, I felt myself lifted into a warm embrace.
