Gilded Cage

As my world burned, I experienced no pain, felt no panic, even as the heat intensified and the wall of flames marched towards me like an army that knew victory was theirs to greedily grasp.

Seated on the living room floor, the matches at my side, the gun I had already used on my husband still in hand, I smiled as the home that had become my gilded cage was relentlessly consumed.

My smile remained as I lifted the gun, placed the barrel to my temple and pulled the trigger.