This surprisingly transformative journey began in a rather strange way. I was at the gym post-promos, and I’d forgotten to bring my phone down. As such, I was left with nothing but the steady thump of footsteps on a treadmill, the distinct scent of rubber mats, and…myself. Between sets, I sat on that gym bench, phone-less and forced to be profoundly bored. I didn’t expect so little to teach me so much.

The sky turns dark. Our footsteps hasten, her grip strengthens. Fading sunlight streams in through the rose-tinted windows, illuminating the abandoned terminal with an eerie magenta hue. It’s a pretty look for the end of the world.

He had no idea how he’d feel when the clock struck midnight. Just last year, at this exact same time, he recalled feeling the most wonderful feeling of peace. The scene looked almost the same - heavy snowfall, fire crackling, hot cocoa. Most importantly, his wife was seated beside him, smiling radiantly as he reminisced. He enjoyed their Christmas Eve chats the most.