The Tunnel

       Endless. The tunnel stretched out endlessly, as if lounging in a dream-like state with the reward of blinding light smirking at your eyes from the taunting distance. The cylindrical bulbs trapped in glass clung to the rounded, brick ceiling, flickering slightly from their old age, and the bricks, themselves, appeared worn while a plague of vines gradually slithered along their faces.
       It felt as if it had been ages since my baby sister—ripe and giggling at the bright age of 6, with me, grinning and chaotic at 19—and I sped down this path, the cracked asphalt and peeling yellow paint beneath the black tires. I couldn’t help myself as a grin surfaced on my face as I slowly gained speed, laughing out loud.
       “Sissy!! Look at me!” my baby sister squealed delightedly. Hearing her so lively, so thrilled, my eyes quickly snuck a peek back at her. My grin softened to a smile when I caught the sight of her standing up in the back seat of the open-topped jeep, her arms spread out on both sides like wings, giggling as the cool breeze rustled her light dress. She was happy at last. As was I.
       The tunnel still felt endless, even as my baby sister and I were close to the light at the end of the tunnel. We felt so close to the end, it was almost too easy when we gave into the temptation at imagining the light bouncing off our skin, lighting us up like the New York Christmas tree.
       “Almost there, babe!” I grinned. My sister giggled once more and soon, her slender, tiny arms wrapped themselves loosely around my neck with her chin resting on my right shoulder. I could feel her smiling when we sped out of the other end of the tunnel. The light had us temporarily, but absolutely delightedly blinded.

       “… And in other news, a yellow, off-road jeep was found totaled against the walls in the middle of an old tunnel with two girls brutally killed inside. They have been identified as young sisters, the elder at the age of 19 and the younger at the age of 6. Witnesses report that the girls counted down from ‘3’ before purposefully totaling the car and in turn, ending their lives. Forensics, after examining the bodies, have confirmed of scars and bruises much older than the fatal crash injuries, leading us to assume of domestic violence against these girls. Rest assured, the police are casting an investigation. In the meantime, we pray alongside their close friends and family, May these girls rest in peace…”
                                                                                                                                      —News Forecast