Lilly sat on the stoop crying. She was in a state of utter disbelief. How could I have let this happen, she thought. She looked up at the evening sky and saw the brightening horizon where dawn was making its presence slowly known.

All this time, all these years, it had never happened, never been considered. Someone had stolen the key from under the rock. There was no way into the house.

Lilly looked back towards town. It was too far away, would take too long to reach. She scanned her immediate surroundings, regretting her decision to live on a farm. There was nothing but freshly mown fields of wheat in every direction. Her sobbing intensified.

She reflected on the life she had led. Everyone she had ever loved was dead. Lilly stopped crying. She had made all the wrong choices, hurt so many people. She had no right to cry for herself.

A sad smile came to her face as the sun began to rise. Lilly stood and faced the dawn, spreading her arms. Her skin began to crackle and to smoke. She didn't mind the pain as she burst into flame. It was finally over.