Four o'clock on an average Wednesday, a lean college student blankly into space. Consumed by the thoughts of his future. Especially those contained within his palms. Liam’s heart pounded, beating against ribs in apprehension as he clutched the thick envelope -labeled in gold leaf- and carrying the a fancy seal of a prestigious university.

  "What mad lad uses gold leaf for snail mail?" Liam muttered, staring at the sender.

  JOHNS HOPKINS

  MEDICINE

  Was splashed across the letter, with an address he recognized as the admissions office. He'd memorized the address, terrified of sending his application to the wrong location. A fear that produced the letter in front of him. His hands trembled, knowing that within the folds of mashed trees, lay the culmination or devastation of his dreams.

  Liam swallowed. The contents of the letter were so much more than simple paper, representing years of study, countless exams, and many sleepless nights. Summers spent shadowing doctors and unpaid internships at the local hospital had all led to this moment.

  Oh man, I really hope all those volunteer hours at the homeless shelter and prison kitchen paid off. I still can’t look at an onion without tearing up.

  Taking a deep breath, he steadied his core, glancing at the golden John Hopkins emblem on the envelope. With his heart about to break out of his chest, he struggled to slip his finger between the folded flaps of paper. Missing once, then twice.

  Okay! It is just a letter, calm down and open it. Don’t just rip it in half. Sarah will want to keep it… If it’s an acceptance letter. Oh man, please don’t be a rejection. You wouldn't use gold leaf for a rejection letter! Right? Oh god please... Calmly… Gently…

  He couldn’t take it anymore. Giving up on his fingers he used his teeth to rip off a corner of the letter. Making a “Pffft” noise as he blew the scrap of paper away. Happy to be rid of the oddly lemony tasting envelope. Ugh, reminds me of Sarah’s worst hand lotion, the one they give out for free at work. With the corner of the envelope shredded, his shaking digits were able to gain purchase. Ripping into it like a lion might tear open a gazelle’s ribcage.

  He unsheathed the internal letter from its protective envelope, delicately raising the letter as he stuffed what remained of the envelope into a pocket. His eyes scanned the letterhead. Heart skipping a beat as he read “Johns Hopkins Admissions”.

  “Cmon. Please say yes!”

  Skipping the rest of the header he jumped to the first paragraph, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the words written there.

  “We regret to inform you that your request for a grant from the Future Physicians scholarship program has been denied…”

  Liam’s heart dropped out of his chest. Plummeting into an abyss of crushed hopes and discarded dreams. Medical school was expensive, and paying for tuition was beyond what he could afford. Liam’s job as the college’s lead dissection technician paid well, but human cadavers were few and far between, meaning his hours were next to nothing. Enough to cover his basic utilities, and his girlfriend Sarah made enough working as a teachers assistant to help out; but Johns Hopkins might be too expensive for them even if they took out additional student loans.

  He stood there, staring at the letter for what felt like an eternity. Reading and rereading that first fateful line.

  "What am I going to do?" He said, closing his eyes and leaning back until his face stared into the sky above.

  Azure blue mocked him, taunting his mortality with endless horizons. This was his senior year, he'd be graduating in a few months. Maybe if he took a break from college and worked full time he could secure the funds for one semester of medical school then reapply for scholarships before the money ran out.

  "Meow."

  Liam jerked, snapping back to earth as something fluffy rubbed against his legs.

  "Dude, I've had enough heart attacks today." Groaned Liam, stooping to pet his neighbor's cat and finding something wholly unexpected.

  The cat, normally a regal persian with luxurious white fur named 'Mr. Nyanyan' was bluer than the sky! Blotches of dye were darkest around his paws and belly, as if he'd been out murdering blueberries then decided to take a nap on their graves.

  "You're a menace." Liam said, crouching to pet the cat as a smile crept across his face.

  Purring filled the air, calming his racing heart. Once again reminding Liam how fond he was of cats, maybe it was because his last memory of his parents was being dropped off at grandma's house while they took a sabbatical. 'Get to know your grandparents, we'll only be gone for a week. Oh, don't forget to feed Midnight.' Were the last words they'd ever said, refering to the black furred layabout they left behind. He'd forgotten to feed the cat, and soon Midnight followed his parents example and disappeared. He sighed, wishing Sarah weren't allergic.

  Eventually, the door in front of him creaked open. Mr Nyanyan vanished into the bushes, knowing which humans to avoid. Liam's eyes rose, crossing over the letter to find his girlfriend, Sarah. Concern etched across her face. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, telling from his sullen eyes that he needed the comfort of her embrace.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “I know how important this was to you.”

  Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Liam had never felt so helpless before. All his days working for free had led down this road, yet, in spite of those countless hours he had fallen short. Their future together, as a doctor and housewife was slipping from his grasp. Sarah saw the tears in his eye and stood on her tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek, taking the letter from his hands and reading it over. A small smile flickered across her lips as she looked up at him.

  “How many scholarships did you apply for?”

  “What? Oh, scholarships. Babe, I can’t even remember, each program wanted their own essay on why I was the best candidate. Couldn't even proofread my essays before I had to submit them. They all blurred together. Uhm, wait, I know I finished eighteen applications before the deadline. Then three—”

  “Eighteen? Can you be accepted for multiple? Oh and I already got the mail today. Johns Hopkins sent you another letter.” Said Sarah coyly.

  Liam dared not hope, wondering if his heart could take another letter. Still, tantalizing thoughts filled his mind. Had there been some mistake? Why would the college send him two letters?

  “What! Where is it?”

  Sarah smiled, taking Liam by the hand she led him inside their apartment, guiding him into the kitchen. On the table lay an envelope identical to the one crumpled up in his jeans pocket. Liam’s hand shook as he picked up the second letter. Nearly dropping the letter.

  “Need a hand?” asked Sarah, opening the letter with a red acrylic fingernail.

  “Thanks. Must be nice to have claws.” He gasped, trying to hide his apprehension with humor.

  Sarah saw right through him, but held her tongue. This was his moment. Sweaty palms clutched the letter, securing it as Liam began to read out loud.

  “Congratulations Mr William Wilson! You have been accepted to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Furthermore, your application to the Hodson Trust Scholarship for academic excellence has been granted…”

  “Sarah!” Liam choked out, voice quivering with excitement.

  Overwhelmed with joy and relief, he couldn’t help but smile. All his hard work and sleepless nights had just paid off. His life was about to change, and with Sarah at his side it was changing for the better.

  “We are in!” Shouted Sarah.

  Liam nodded vigorously, his face beaming.

  “Yes! Babe! With a full ride! We got accepted to John Hopkins Medical School!”

  Throwing the letter onto the table he swept Sarah off her feet, twirling her around their cramped apartment. She let out a joyful scream, hugging him tightly as their hearts danced with elation.

  “I knew you had it in you Liam! I’m so proud!” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes shimmering.

  Liam grinned, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. “I couldn’t have done it without you Sarah. You’re my rock. Ha, without you I would have failed freshman year.”

  She cupped his face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his lips. The softest and most rewarding kiss he'd ever tasted. “I’ll always be here for you, except when you come home reeking of prison onions.” She said with a giggle.

  "Ha,

  “Let’s celebrate!” She added. Eyes bright with hope.

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  Liam did not need any convincing. Leaving the apartment, they cut across their lawn to his car. A Subaru outback in the iconic Suba-blue shade. He cut Sarah off, gently bumping her hip with his own as he playfully feigned chivalry and opened her door. All diversions to avoid her sitting on his jacket, which he swept out of the passenger seat. Flouting the garment with his right hand while the left squeezed it. Making sure the small black box —that he had spent his entire summer earnings on— was still in his left jacket pocket.

  "Fancy. I feel like such a lady now." Said Sarah, flicking her hair before slipping her manicured hand into his and allowing herself to be lowered into the seat.

  They hastily arranged to go to their favorite Italian restaurant. It was there, amidst the candlelight and the aroma of freshly baked bread, that Liam knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Sarah, and that this was precisely the right place to ask her. Their relationship, and the acceptance into medical school made the date worthy of such an event. Liam discarded his plans for a more extravagant proposal and began to strategize on how best to pop the question. It wasn't ideal, but despite the manicured nails Sarah came from a trailer park background, something she had refused to admit. He only knew of her origins because of the things she muttered during her night terrors. Always asking someone to stop. Sometimes begging someone to stay. Nightmares like that were better left alone, so he hadn't pressed her on them. It wasn't his place to darken her nights and open old wounds, but he could brighten her days and make new memories with her.

  The restaurant hummed with the sound of clinking glasses, sizzling pans, and muffled conversations. Excellent cover for one more elated couple. Liam felt the weight of the box in his pocket and uneasily fiddled with it, watching Sarah as she closed her eyes, letting out a happy sigh after taking a bite of her Truffle-Infused Spaghetti Carbonara. He cleared his throat, feeling his pulse quicken.

  “I think we should get some Champagne. You know, to celebrate the occasion.” He said nervously.

  Sarah cocked her head, confusion waving her brow for a second. Then she reached across the table, covering his hand with hers. Her hazel eyes met his, seeing love reflected back in those sparkling orbs.

  “Oh! That sounds lovely darling. Let’s order a bottle and walk home through the park! I’ll powder my nose while you pick a good one for us.”

  Liam’s heart skipped a beat; wondering if she was onto him. Their relationship was a stark example of opposites attracting, and guile was always her specialty. Sarah squeezed his hand gently. Flashing a smile as she made her way past him to vanish around the corner. He watched her go, waiting until he heard the bathroom door close to sprint for the front desk. Dodging several screaming children along the way. He snorted, wondering how Sarah would respond to children that were apparently snorting -what he hoped were spaghetti- noodles.

  “Hello, I have a special request that probably needs to go through a manager for approval.”

  “Well then, your timing happens to be perfect. I am the evening manager. What’s the special occasion? A graduation or maybe an engagement?” Asked the swarthy man behind the counter, smiling as he finished speaking. His nametag read 'Robert' on the first line and 'Manager' on the second.

  Liam grinned stupidly, chuckling at his lucky break. Things were finally working out.

  “I’m proposing, we got accepted to med school and I want to elevate our relationship. But… uhm…" Liam leaned in close, lowering his voice, "Bro, I know nothing about alcohol, anything more expensive than blue ribbon is fancy to me. But my girlfriend knows different tequila's by taste. Robert, I’m begging you, help me pick out some champagne and bring some fancy glasses to our table? The uh, tall skinny ones.”

  The manager chuckled at the mention of blue ribbon, beaming a reassuring grin that spread from one ear to the other. When he spoke there was no condemnation in his voice, nor mocking of the worst beer to ever exist being a college student's baseline.

  “A proposal! Sir, it would be my pleasure. Hey, didn’t I see you two in here just last month for your birthday?”

  “Oh, uh yeah. Sarah really loves coming here. Always makes us sit in the darkest booth back there.” Said Liam, pointing towards the far corner of the restaurant.

  Weird question, I wonder what that has to do with anything.

  Robert made a few quick taps on the tablet he was holding. Bushy mustache bending upwards into a smile.

  “I thought you two looked familiar, you even used the app to reserve that table. Frequent fliers. Ha, I know just the bottle for you two and in honor of this special occasion, the bottle is on the house.”

  “Oh wow, thank you so much Robert. I really appreciate it.” Said Liam, too stunned to do anything else.

  They didn't come here that often... Right? Sarah always said it was fine, and she handled their monthly budget. One more thing she took care of so he could focus on school. Oh well, their loan payments were always on time and the savings accounts were always growing. That was good enough for him.

  “Sure thing, leave the preparations to me.” Said Robert, heading towards a closed door.

  Liam felt a weight lift from his shoulders, returning to their booth he removed the small black box from his jacket. Flipping the lid open he found the jewel encrusted ring to be reassuring. Sarah had picked out the design. Sparing no expenses despite their meager income. “The ring represents our relationship and your love for me.” Is how she had justified the four thousand dollar price tag.

  Robert and another server arrived, placing an ornate silver bucket of ice and two tall glasses on the table. Liam immediately snapped the box shut, setting it down on the bench beside him. Close, but out of view.

  “That is quite the ring. I believe this will pair well with it. Although, don't put it in the champagne, especially not the bottle! Can't tell you how many messes that leads to. Besides, the ring gets sticky.” Robert warned.

  He wore a smug smile, and spun the bottle within the ice so it was visible for inspection. Liam didn’t recognize the brand, and too much of it was in French for him to understand what it said. Though the name “Dom Perignon” sounded vaguely familiar. Hopefully Sarah would approve.

  “Will this do?”

  “Looks great! Thank you again Robert.”

  “Oh, hello there, is this for us?” Asked Sarah. Slipping past Robert and into her seat.

  “Only if you are the lucky couple who recently got accepted into medical school.” Said Robert, waving to one of the servers as he spoke.

  “Congratulations to you both, and best of luck on your future endeavors. May all your wildest dreams come true.”

  Robert spun the bottle so Sarah could read the label. Her mouth dropped open for an instant as she read it. Impressed by the label.

  She approves! Robert you genius, you nailed it!

  “Thank you so much.” Said Sarah.

  “There is one small condition. A bottle like this cannot be opened without some pomp and circumstance.” Said Robert with a mischievous grin.

  Beckoning for Liam to stand he handed him the bottle. Closely followed by the hilt of a jewel encrusted —probably rhinestones— short sword. Liam looked at the basket hilt, knowing what tradition dictated he should do.

  “But, we are inside-“

  “Have no fear! We use this specific corner booth for occasions like this! That wood paneling can take a few corks every now and again. Do not worry if a little spills. Just point the bottle at the wall and hold it by the bottom. Like this.” Said Robert. Miming the pose Liam should imitate.

  Liam couldn’t contain his smile as he copied the manager. Pointing the bottle towards the wall he drew the short sword, noticing with deep relief that the blade had been deliberately rounded. Oh thank god. I don’t think I could have done this with a sharpened sword. With one smooth motion he swung the saber. Dull blade slashing up the side of the champagne bottle until it connected with the stopper, cracking the top open with a satisfying *POP*

  “Ah, Bravo sir! A clean break.” Said Robert.

  A round of applause started with Robert, spreading to the other servers and even some of the other patrons. Moments later and the champagne was on ice with the couple sipping away like giggling schoolgirls.

  “I can’t believe he let you use a real sword!” Laughed Sarah, testing the dull edge with a red fingernail.

  She wore the pointed style of acrylics, bright and pointy. Never large enough to inhibit her nimble fingers.

  "Special occassions demand formality I guess."

  She looked up at him, eyes softening with curiosity. Liam took a deep breath, his hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out the ring. He knelt down beside her, heart thundering like a tempest, and said, “Sarah, will you marry me?”

  Sarah’s eyes widened, her hand instinctively covering her mouth in surprise. Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded emphatically. “Yes, Liam, a thousand times, yes!”

  Their future love was sealed in that moment, with Liam sliding the sparkling diamond onto Sarah’s finger. The rest of the evening was a blur of joy, champagne toasts, and the sweet anticipation of the life they would build together. Their relationship was now tied with a diamond. Sarah took hundreds of pictures, sending them to her adopted mother first, then to Liam’s grandma and all their siblings. After the celebratory dinner, they strolled hand in hand through the cool night air. Thunder echoed in the distance and the streets glistened from a recent rain. Spring drizzles often came and went, more fickle than kittens. Liam couldn’t believe how perfectly this evening had turned out. As they walked, Sarah snuggled up to him, her radiant smile lighting up the night.

  “From the first day we met, I've been hoping for this. I can’t wait to be your wife, Liam. Our future together is going to be incredible.”

  Liam kissed her forehead. “I’m the luckiest man in the world, Sarah. I love you more than anything.”

  Soft drops of rain interrupted their conversation. Falling with a heraldic fury.

  “Ah crap, back to the car.” Said Sarah. Letting go of his hand to raise the hood of her sweatshirt.

  Lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder that seemed to shake the very earth they stood on.

  “Ouch, that was close.” Said Liam. Covering his ears he opened his mouth, checking to see if his hearing had been affected.

  Without warning, a second bolt struck. and Liam watched in helpless horror as it connected with Sarah.

  For a brief instant he could see through his fiancé, as electricity flowed with the sun’s brilliance. Time slowed to a crawl as Sarah crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Her once bright green eyes now vacant. Liam couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Could not comprehend what had happened. For an instant he just stared. Her body lay still in the wet grass. Raindrops collecting on her porelain skin, like a broken doll. Liam fell to his knees beside her. Hands trembling as he reached out to touch her.

  “Sarah!” he cried, his voice a desperate plea. Utterly consumed by a mixture of grief and sorrow.

  “No, no, no, this can’t be happening!”

  Tears poured from Liam’s eyes, mingling with the rain that fell around them. Dialing 911 he put his phone on speaker. Freeing his hands so he could begin CPR. Chest compressions could not undo the lightning strike, but he was desperate to do something, anything. No matter how futile it might seem.

  Sarah’s empty eyes stared back at him. The love of his life, the woman he had just asked to be his wife, was now lifeless, cooling in his embrace.

  By the time the paramedics arrived, there was no hope left in his soul. As they secured her body to the stretcher he cradled her motionless body. Whispering one last “I love you” before placing a kiss on her forehead. Her skin chilled his lips.

  Rain continued to fall, the heavens crying in sympathy for the tragedy that had unfolded. And then, as if the universe couldn’t bear the weight of his grief, another bolt of lightning erased a Lightning King's mistake.

  Raw electrical fury coursed through his body, causing excruciating pain beyond comprehension. In that instant, he felt a surreal connection with Sarah, as if they were bound by the same force that had torn them apart.

  Darkness enveloped his soul.

  And William Wilson died.