084 - From the ashes

The Harsh family was having dinner, with their sole daughter, Cynthia, present.

Most families' get-together was something that brought joy, along with a relaxed atmosphere, especially with a daughter that lived outside most of the time. Everyone would chat and laugh, catching up while enjoying one another's company. But that was not the case for the dinner that was going on.

It was like an overcast sky, instead of a clear blue one. Depression hung in the air, light but ever-present, as the dinner happened in silence. Michael looked decidedly unhappy, his expression impassive in anger, while Cynthia kept her head low, but with her focus only partially on the food she was bringing to her mouth.

The young woman's mind was the source of the depression painted on her face, as well as the one hanging around like a lead ladened cloud, only exacerbated by the negative emotion projected by her father.