Lawli: This came to me during math class today. When I should have been focusing on how to calculate interest and mortgage payments, I was thinking of Beyond Birthday. Obsessed, much? ...Don't answer that. Please enjoy!
91 – Birthday
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Backup! Happy Birthday to you!"
Beyond Birthday couldn't help but cringe at the off-key singing of the children who surrounded him, all varying in age, though there was a small, lopsided smile on his face as they sang. He stared at the cake (vanilla with chocolate pudding filling and butter-cream icing, not his favorite but appreciated nonetheless), at the thirteen candles positioned so that they formed a perfect 'B' in the center of it.
"Come on, make a wish already," one of the kids said.
Beyond thought a moment, his eyes searching the room – trying to locate someone who was not there; it did not take him long to realize what he wanted.
I wish he was here.
He leaned forward, extinguishing the candles with a single blow of air just as the door opened, someone whose face Beyond couldn't see through the crowd of other orphans making an announcement that would change his life forever.
"A is dead."