The storm’s coming in fast – I can barely make out what’s ahead. A chorus of dull notes go off and I hold my breath, but for a moment no bullets fall upon us.

“We’re almost there -” My breath stops and starts. There had to be help there, on top of that hill. I pull her closer to my chest.

I have too much to tell her. How all those long Decembers I’ve seen my friends fight and die beside me, one by one-

My trembling arms give way, and we crumple to the snow.

How the only thing that kept me going all that time was her.

“Don’t – don’t sleep, alright?” I brush a strand of hair from her forehead and her lips twitch upward in a faint smile.

I cry out for help as the wind howls.

I try and keep pressure, my hands shaking and bloody. I shout out again, but I already know there won’t be a reply. The hill blurs badly as the cold comes in a pack, closing in.

All around, the world is pure as driven snow.

“If you love me-” The wind scatters the words away- “won’t you let me know?”