The sun was shining outside and birds were chirping. A sharp contrast with the winter from a few months ago.

Esther felt heartbroken. Yet she was happy that she still had Sven by her side, be it as friends, not lovers.

She smiled during the trip. Esther hated scavenging, but loved adventure. Especially if it helped others. Which was in contrast with scavenging, which was mostly a selfish pursuit.

She loved helping others. She actually felt sad that she couldn't do that in her life. But at least she helped someone, she helped Sven to get a new life.

As they walked to their destination, they talked a lot about their past adventure and how different things were from back then. There was no blizzard to be seen and supplies were not a problem either... At least not for them.

As they approached their destination, Esther sighed. "It will be tough without you, you know?"

Sven nodded. "It will be tough without you as well. How long has it been? A couple of months? Yet you mean so much to me, Esther. When you are gone, I will count the days to your return."

She smiled. "I can't wait to get back, even if it is just for a few days. Take care of Ellá for me when I am gone, alright? She gets lonely from time to time."

"Will do. I know she means a lot to you as well."

Esther giggled. "Not as much as you, though."

Slowly, they were entering the point where the refugees were located. They seemed to have gone from the route and were located in a nearby forest.

Finally, they reached their destination. Esther looked around, but the people where nowhere to be seen.

"They were supposed to be here, right?" Said Esther.

Sven looked at the map. "Indeed. Maybe they have set up camp somewhere else? Maybe you should shout. They might hear you then."

She nodded. "Good idea." She prepared her voice and then shouted "Hey, we are here to rescue you!"

It was silent, no one replied.

Esther became suspicious. "Something's not right here, Sven. Ready your weapon, just in case."

Sven nodded. "Good idea." He took his backpack and got out the weapon that was stored on the side. He unlocked the safety function.

As they moved further in the forest, Esther saw something. It seemed like a group of people lying down. They weren't moving?

"Hey, I see something over there. Let's go closer." She said. Sven agreed.

As they approached the group, it became clear. They had been shot at.

Esther was shocked. "Those poor people... They must have fallen into a trap. Still, we must find out what happened. Sven, you stay there. I am going to investigate the bodies."

Sven shook his head. "Isn't that dangerous, Esther? We should return at once."

Esther shook her head. "No way, there might be tracks of the killer or something. We should investigate." She slowly and carefully moved forwards.

"Esther, come on, don't try to be the hero! We should go!"

She ignored Sven however and came closer. She noticed that the bodies had been looted of valuables and that there were tracks that went northward.

"Sven, let's go north, the killer might still be nearby." She concluded.

But as she was about to turn around and walk over to him. A man showed himself and he was holding a handgun. He aimed it at Esther.

"Esther, get to cover!" Screamed Sven.

She turned around, confused and saw the man. He then pressed the trigger several times.

Esther felt a sharp pain and with a loud scream, she fell down on the ground. She looked at the killer and wanted to stop him, but there was nothing she could. The pain was just too much. She looked at her body and saw three holes, blood coming out of each of them.

"Esther, no!" Screamed Sven shocked.

The killer noticed him as well and aimed his gun at him. He shot, but missed and Sven could just hide behind a tree.

As he was hiding, his heartbeat quickened and he felt the adrenaline racing through his body. He wanted to run away... But that would mean abounding Esther. He suddenly remembered her words. "You're a good guy Sven, but what would you do if you needed to take action instead of me?"

He thought of his reply: "I would be hesitant to act, but if I needed to take action to save you or myself, I would do that."

Well, now was the time to prove it. He loaded a bullet in the gun and came from behind the tree. Sven aimed and... Missed.

The man quickly took the chance to fire several bullets back at him, but he missed as well. It was close, though.

Sven took a deep breath and chambered another round. The man might have missed this time, but that won't happen again.

He got from behind the tree again and tried to remain calm. He pressed the trigger and before he knew it, the man fell down.

He had done it, the killer lay on the ground and didn't move. He wasn't sure how to feel about it, but it had to be done.

Sven then quickly ran over to Esther, who was barely breathing. "Hey... hey!" He screamed. "Stay with me Esther, please." He pleaded.

Esther looked at him and shook her head. "I am not going to survive this, Sven... This will be my end." She said. It clearly took a lot of effort from her.

"No please Esther... I need you by my side. Don't leave me." He said as tears came down from his face.

Esther tried to smile. "You'll be alright Sven. Ellá will be there for you... This might be tragic. But in the end, I got what I wanted out of life. I helped someone to get a new life... I helped you."

Sven broke down. "Please, I am not ready for this. How can I save you?"

"You are ready for this... Believe in yourself. I only have one request Sven... One way on how you can save me."

Sven looked confused. "What, how? Please tell me." He said panicked.

"Kiss me, Sven. Let me taste what it feels like to be in love."

Sven nodded and moved in to kiss her. After he was done, he sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps I was wrong, Esther... Perhaps I did love you. I was just... Afraid to be in love again after what happened."

Esther tried her best to smile, even thought the pain was almost unbearable. "Don't worry Sven... You've saved me."

Sven smiled and went through her blond hair. She smiled as he was doing so. And slowly but surely, her vision became dark, her story was over.