Duty always called, no matter how tired one was. And that was especially true when you became the mayor of the finest city in the state. Brian knew that well, but Bridge had yet to fully open up to the idea. As he reclined in bed after yet another long string of meetings, his wife was quick to bring up the early vacation plan.

“Felissa can handle things in your place,” she said. “The city won’t fall apart if you’re gone for a day or two. You need a break, Brian.”

“Not with that senator breathing down my neck, Bridge. I’m not putting that kind of pressure on Felissa.”

She frowned, though she seemed to cheer up a bit when he leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. As much as he liked the idea in itself, leaving now would have been detrimental to the city.

The senator had only grown more impatient as the junkyard troubles grew. First the mage assault then the cat invasion and now they were having to call in the weather team to cover up thousands of dollars in property damage. To say the man was livid was an understatement. He’d already called in the twins three times to try sweeping the problem under the rug.

But they had yet to report back any findings.

“It’ll just be a few more days, hun,” he said. “I promise when this is settled, you’ll have me back for the rest of the month. Then we can finally go check out that hibachi place down the street. Deal?”

She stared back at him, still clearly against the idea, but reluctantly nodding, kissing him back. And maybe that would have been a nice respite if not for the sound of the baby monitor drawing both their attention. Brian recoiled while Bridge let out a deep sigh.

“Tommy’s up again. Who’s turn is it?”

“I got it, hun. You stay and rest up.”

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Bridge’s only response was a yawn. Even when she had a break she always had that tired look in her eyes. The least he could do was tend to the kid like he would everyone else in the city. Giving his wife a last kiss goodbye, he made the short walk down the hall and over to Tommy’s crib.

The little bundle of noise made sure to announce his presence the minute he stepped in.

“There there, Tommy. Daddy’s here.”

He picked up his son, gently cradling and rocking him back and forth. As usual, the cries continued for a little bit but seemed to stop after he’d shoved a bottle in his mouth, the infant’s eyes opening as he got his late-night meal. Tommy gave his hand a squeeze after all was said and done.

“There. All better little, guy?”

The baby looked up at him, making his usual babble-talk noises. Of which he always pretended to understand. With a nod, he went to set the kid back to sleep.

“D-d-“

He immediately perked up, the dreariness practically falling away. Did he just hear that right?

“D-dad-“

Brian smiled, staring at his baby. He couldn’t believe it. Tommy was barely a few months old and he was about to say his first words. They had a little genius on their hands! He quickly shouted to the bedroom, waving for his wife.

“Honey! Honey! Come quick! Tommy’s speaking!”

Tommy kept struggling to form the words, Brian leaning over his crib to try coaxing the words out.

“That’s it! You can do it little trooper! Bridge, hurry up! You’re missing it!”

The baby squeezed its tiny fists as if trying to will the words into existence. After a few tries, it finally managed to utter something Brian could understand.

“D-daddy. Die.”

His smile faltered. It wasn’t until Tommy spoke that he noticed the presence behind him.

He whirled, but it was already too late. An icy chill ran up his body. His chest. His legs. All at once the world seemed to freeze solid around him, Tupwell helpless to fight against it. Or to scream. Or to do anything but watch as his body was consumed all at once.

As the ice froze over his face, the last thing he saw was his child vanishing into mist. And a pair of yellow eyes staring at him in the darkness.