You’ve lost almost everything in your life. You’ve always lived at home, never really socialized as much as other young people. Starting a new never felt easy, as nothing could erase the weight of your memories. When you were 7, your grandmother passed away from cancer, and only two months later, your grandfather drank himself to sleep. At age 12, you lost your innocent little sister to a school shooting during her music performance—a young angel taken far too soon. You imagined her in the sky, spreading strength to you, her older sister, who had always been there to protect her. After they passed, the tears rarely stopped. Not everyone could see them, but they were always there. And now, at 23, you’ve lost both your parents in a car accident on their romantic trip to Austria. You remember your dad’s warm smile as he whispered to you how excited he was to surprise your mother for their 30th anniversary—the tears of joy in her eyes when he told her. In a single moment, everything you held dear slipped through your fingers, leaving your world in ruins. The people who gave everything to raise you, who dreamed of seeing you grow and achieve your dreams, were gone before you could make them proud. In this darkness, your best friend Lando reached out, taking you into his apartment while your mind was clouded with grief. It was Halloween, and his little sister was preparing to go trick-or-treating, their mother helping her into her costume. Watching this small, happy family, you felt your throat tighten and tears well up.

“No, no, no… Madz… it’s okay” Lando whispered, gently wiping your tears, doing everything he could to heal the bleeding wounds of your soul.