Panic

As a child, not realizing that seeing 10 seconds into the future during moments of panic wasn’t the norm, Julia couldn't forgive her father for his own murder.

Now as she neared home, a prickle of unease, unfamiliar creaks and voices coming from inside. A vision - shouts, hands, a struggle.

She unholstered, swung open the door and fired indiscriminately.

The shout of “Surprise” dying in the air. The “Happy Birthday" banner stained.