The air was suffocating; a mixture of heat, smoke, and scattered specks of the past. Fire crackled through the rotting floors and began to creep behind them. She walked steadily towards the entrance, not seeming to mind the firestorm. She stepped on the threshold, pausing for a moment and turning her head to search for him.

He had stopped a few paces from where she stood, hesitant. He stared at her with eyes wide, and perhaps a little afraid. His back felt like it was melting with the heat.

She extended her hand, slowly, as if wary of him startling. Her hand was steady. One shaky step, and then another. One foot in front of the other until his arm was separated from her outstretched fingers by only a whisper. Her hand moved down and folded around his own, and drew him onto the threshold where she stood. Her eyes were brown and flickering orange with the flames. They were fixed on him, asking a question.

A question he could finally answer.

He dipped his head in a trembling nod. The corner of her lips drew upwards in a small smile.

They headed out the door, determined to never look back.