Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

This wasn’t your fault.

But as I stood on the hill, watching the smoke billow up from the valley below, my breath hitched.

I couldn’t see exactly where it was coming from, the rest of the town was in the way, but I imagined I could. Imagined I could see the broken crockery I’d thrown at him. The molding splintered from the impact of my body. His body, lifeless eyes still accusing, glaring up at me until the smoke was too much and I had to leave.

I watched a moment longer. Huge, billowing clouds telling me that other homes must have caught. I know I should have felt guilty, but I didn’t.

I tightened my hand on the one bag I’d allowed myself and stepped into the forest. Turning for one last glance at the destruction of my former life, I tried to name what I was feeling.

The rain started then. Slow and gentle, a lover’s touch, not nearly enough to extinguish the flames. I turned my face up to it, the gentle patter beginning to loosen the soot that still clung to me, and finally took in a deep breath, the feeling crystallizing and taking form within me.

I was free.