She was fishing with her dad when he suddenly keeled over.
Until then, it was a perfect day. Almswood in the fall is
what family is all about. The marigolds and royal reds
reflect in the cool crystal waters of Lake Fraternity, and
the breeze is warm and rustling. She caught an enormous
trout, and daddy let her unhook it as he held it in his big
hands. He chuckled as she imitated a dying trout's face. She
was sure his chuckle reached all the way to the hills. As a
young child, she wasn't always sure if daddy's presence was
anything more than the sights and the smells and the sounds
of the wilderness.

She thrust the hunting knife into his breast, all the way
in. Daddy keeled over. In a few minutes, he was still, and
the sweet chirp of the birds returned to Almswood. He seemed
to be expecting it, just like he always anticipated the
first snow. Just like mom anticipated the first blow.

Mary ran up a tree. "Supper's ready!" her mom shouted, but
Mary was busy gathering food already, her bushy tail
balancing her leaps from branch to branch. They never found
her. Squirrels are good at blending with the forest.