III: Miguel:

Miguel used to be a man. He had a good life when he was human. The man was wealthy with a wife and a daughter. Miguel never wanted for much. From what he could remember, he grew up from a humble background. That might not be right but he chose to go with that. He believed that he worked his way to the top. He had the brains and the skills to do it after all. He gave love and he felt love. Miguel could relax at the top with his family.

However, it couldn’t last forever. There’s always a downfall with such power and fortune. Miguel was no different. It began with a trip to a small unknown planet for vacation.

His daughter was three at the time. He could remember her round ruby cheeks. It was days before her birthday on that trip. This vacation was his wife’s idea.

“When was the last time you took a break?” she asked. He stared at her dumbfounded. When was the last time he took a break? Miguel sat back in thought.

“A break, huh?” he asked. His wife took him by the hands.

“Then let’s go away,” she said. “Just for the weekend.” Her husband stared for a moment before he shook his head.

“I can’t,” he said. His wife pouted.

“Honey!” she said.

“I’m sorry,” Miguel said. “I just have to get this project finished.” However, his wife could be so persuasive. She worked her magic to break him down. He gave in before the day was over. Maybe he should’ve said no. Maybe then… Maybe then…

The trouble began when husband and wife took an evening stroll along the garden path. They managed to get some alone time for themselves. She cuddled up to his side. Miguel couldn’t help but smile. They were just going to walk down the path and then walk back to the house.

That was until the wife slowed down in her tracks.

“What is it?” Miguel asked. She walked away from his side and walked down the path as if in a daze.

“Honey?” he asked. The man ran to catch up. They came to a stop under what looked like a strange tree with deep black bark. Miguel looked at the twisted branches reaching toward the blackened sky. He couldn’t make out what he was looking at.

“What kind of tree is this?” Miguel asked. His wife stared up at the crystal-like apples hanging from the trees. They looked so beautiful in the dim moonlight.

“Oh…” she said in a quiet voice.

“Huh?” Miguel asked. His wife reached out for one of the apples.

“No, don’t!” he shouted. Her fingertips brushed against the glassy surface. She yelped as she drew back her hand.

“Cold!” she shouted.

“Is something wrong?” Miguel asked.

“It’s this apple,” his wife said. “I was cold when I touched it.”

“Cold, huh?” he asked. The man reached out and touched the apple for himself. He shouted as he drew back his hand.

“It’s ice,” he said. Miguel looked confused.

“But how is that even possible?” he asked. Instead of an answer, his wife wobbled backward.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asked. His wife turned her head.

“I don’t feel so good,” she said. Miguel looked worried.

“Do you want to go back to the room?” he asked. His wife nodded.

“Alright, we’ll go back to the room,” the man said. He helped her to her feet and walked her back down the path. His wife leaned on her shoulder again. Neither one had any idea that would be the last night together.

Did touching that apple have anything to do with it? Who can say? He thinks it did. Had he had known, would that have changed anything? He doubted it. Still, it was too late to turn back. At the time, Miguel was more focused on getting his wife back to their room. He needed to get her in bed and let her rest.

“Hang in there,” he whispered. “We’ll be back in no time.” His wife didn’t speak as he dragged her along the trail.

Pretty soon, he would have to focus on something else.