Cold Loneliness

Snowflakes fell outside the window, as frost clung to the window pane. Below kids play in the new fallen snow. Giggling as they fall to the ground and make snow angels.

Echo pushed herself away from the window fighting tears. She could hear her neighbors fretting about family coming for the holidays and how their house was never going to be clean enough.

None of this was important anymore to Echo. Her normally well-groomed ginger hair was a messy unkempt mane, her bright green eyes were clouded over and bloodshot, and her pale skinned face was tear stained. Her slim frame racked with the silent sobs she was trying to fight.

This was the season of togetherness and Echo was totally alone. Her parents passed a year ago, she was an only child, and then the unspeakable happens.

Echo walked over and picked up a picture of a handsome man in a Marine Corps Uniform. He had no smile on his face but his eyes told the world differently. As she held the picture close to herself tears swell up i