Into the Furnace

I was the heaviest in a democracy of three. Our temporary nation floated within the basket of a hot air balloon, gently drifting directly into a volcano. The vote was be 2-1 in favor of my dismissal. My right to life unhinged for the good of the whole. Feeling my feet warm against the bottom of the basket, I glanced over the side into the molten, bubbling abyss pondering my impending doom. I reassure myself..."the thought of this excruciating horror is probably worse than the seconds of agony." Vivid images filled me; the day I got onto the school bus in 1st grade long ago. I had a light blue backpack and a Mickey Mouse lunch box. It had a faint, but unmistakable smell, like bread, plastic and tuna. Out the window my mother waved at me. She grew smaller and smaller until the bus turned the corner. I sat in my seat and looked at my lunch box. "Dude! everyone knows even your bones will be incinerated within seconds. Haven't you seen Episode III?" My eyes remain affixed on glowing red hell below, pondering my sins. "A short, wretched, useless life. Why couldn't I have done more with it! Why didn't I make use of the time I had - it was so precious..." I walked out of my dorm early that morning. The sun glistened off the wet grass. Across the valley I could see the building that would excuse me - my last final. It was across campus. It wouldn't go well but my worries were behind me. I started work three days later. This was freedom. "Dude, trust me, it will be virtually painless. I promise. I knew this guy who was a geology major and he said..." I think of my father, my friends, my wife. I hope they will forgive me and know my death was selfless and honorable. That given the choice I had the courage and strength to sacrifice myself for the greater good. "Dude! Earth to major Mark, you still with us? hu huh." His legs flipped almost effortlessly over the wicker wall and we quickly ascended. We agreed he was selfless and honorable.