The beautiful day bathes you in warm sunlight. You sit in lush grass playing with wooden soldiers, and the circular pond next to you reflects sparkles onto a fountain of water lazily splashing and bubbling with a slow rhythm.

The scent of rose and lavender headily calms the perfectly manicured garden at the large hedge maze's center, producing a sanctuary filled with birds and butterflies that contrasts the cool, shaded emptiness of the labyrinth's extensive pathways.

The peace and seclusion are perfect - all is right in the world.

Suddenly, the birds take flight in unison. When you look up to watch them leave you notice the sky darkening with a menacing smoky haze. You smell vegetation burning and leap to your feet in a panic, nearly tripping over the small curbing at the pond's edge.

You stand in shock and disbelief for a moment. The light continues to fade with the quality of an eclipse rapidly blocking the sun. The green hedges crackle and pop. Your mind slips into gear and your feet begin to take action - but then you pause.

You know the maze well, having played here hundreds of times. The hidden garden has two entrances - one on either end. The way you came in ultimately leads to an egress in the direction of the fire, and the other to one on the far side of the giant topiary. Unfortunately, that direction also loops back towards the fire before winding around and away.

Your indecision costs you valuable seconds. Glowing ash falls around you and you can see orange flames rising up above the limited line of sight. Even though it is a risk, the only solution seems to be to head out towards the far end, knowing you may be delivered directly into the blaze. If you head back the way you came, you will definitely be engulfed.

You run towards the far exit. You expertly navigate the maze, avoiding dead ends and loops. The path begins to head back towards the beginning and you feel the cooler temperature start to rise. You are getting close to the fire. You'll know in seconds if you can circumnavigate it, but you wake up.

The sheets and pillow are wet with your sweat, but a relief washes over you with the realization that you are safe in the familiar protective refuge of your parents' bed.

That relief is promptly replaced with a sudden grief when you realize the bed is empty. You are alone, your parents are gone. Your mind wants to forget but their missing presence thrusts you back into the brutality of their death.

You wonder which is better - the frightening nightmare of being caught in a burning maze, or the harsh reality you now face.