So, it had all been an illusion.

Even my dad's voice—just a trick of my mind.

They had been gone for ten years.

How could I have possibly heard them?

I stood frozen in place, disoriented.

As the last sliver of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, the room was swallowed by darkness.

And then, the weight of it all crashed down on me.

I broke into uncontrollable sobs. ...