We trudged through the snow, but to me it seemed as though we were going nowhere. The crest of the hill was just too far away. I looked to my companion. “Why are we going up there?”

“I need to show you something,” Theo told me simply.

I didn’t press him further, he seemed to be in one of his moods again and I knew that there was no use in making him angry.

I shivered against the cold. Theo had woken me up suddenly, just after 5:00 and I’d hurried to put on my coat. But I’d forgotten my gloves and now I could feel the numbness creeping into my fingers and nose. The small lantern I carried was the only source of light and warmth.

Each step made my body feel heavier and heavier. I wondered how Theo could continue so purposely, as though he had a duty to do and he wouldn’t let 3 ft of snow stop him. His every step seemed effortless, like he was taking a summer stroll. The only difference being the coat and his breath spiraling, like a genie from an oil lamp.

After what seemed like ages, we had reached the top of the steep hill. I looked to Theo, “What is it that you wanted to show me?”

He seemed frozen in place, looking to the horizon and still as an ice sculpture. I may have thought him one if it hadn’t been for his mouth moving as he said, “Just shut up and watch, Sam.”

Obediently, I turned to look into the distance. We stood there for several minutes. I surveyed the serene view below, scanning the rows of town houses and farms as best as I could in the darkness. The only source of light in the world seeming to be my little lantern, but suddenly even that was taken away as a harsh wind stole the flame and left us in darkness’s clutches.

“Theo?” I struggled to keep the fear out of my voice.

“I’m right here, Sam.”

I gripped onto his arm, knowing that he knew of my fear and would let me.

Suddenly, the darkness was batted away by the break of dawn, light shimmering off the sheet of snow covering the village. I stared with a mix of wonder and thankfulness, feeling for all the world like I had just seen heaven’s light.

I was snapped out of my trance by Theo’s voice, “Do you remember what you told me when we first met?”

I looked at him, trying to recall.

“You told me that I was too kind for my own good,” he still wasn’t looking at me, but his arm had gone to my shoulders.

“At the time I thought that you were teasing, but now I realize that you were right,” finally he looked at me. “I couldn’t let you die in the dark.”

The arm on my back pushed me forward, and I was tumbling down, down, down.