One Final Brightness

I looked into his eyes, at his tears sparkling in the golden light.

The smoky haze from the recently kindled fire wasn’t causing his reaction, although I could feel my own eyes stinging.

He was crying over what we had been to each other, the promise of what we could have become together, and regret for the future we had lost.

I gasped and tried to give him a reassuring look. I wanted so badly to ease his pain and guilt.

The timber beneath me blazed brilliantly. This brightness is the last thing I remember before I burst into flames.