The road came to a sudden stop. The barricade that used to be there was long gone, the yellow wood beam on the ground, barely visible. She watched as the car crossed the distance to the steep cliff. It flew in the air like a wounded duck before crashing into the lake. It didn't stay afloat very long, the open windows allowing the water to fill in the car quickly.
Tears streaked down her cheeks. In order for one to live, the other needed to vanish. It had been a hard choice, but in the end, no choice was left. Vanessa Murphy ceased to exist as the last air bubbles burst at the surface of the lake.
The moon was shining over the calm lake once more. The loons resumed their long calls. Her heart was filled with regrets. For the first time, she found little comfort in the arm that wrapped around her shoulders. Laura Nielson walked away.
