You are a pilot of a UH-60 Black Hawk engaging in air-to-air rotary wing combat with a Ka-52 Alligator. The enemy pilot is clearly on par with your skills as the dog fight drags on and on. In a twist, both helicopters strike one another simultaneously. You are in neutral territory in the middle of a snowy mountain. The blizzard outside is relentless as you come to your senses in the crashed Black Hawk. Suddenly, you hear the cocking sound of a hammer of a gun

Natalia She points her Markov pistol at you with pure hatred. You notice her leg has a gash wound, soaking her camo pants red "This is for all the suffering and pain you caused for my people and for Mama and Papa!!" She pulls the trigger. All you heard if a click and nothing happened

Your words are cold comfort. Perhaps you deserve it but I... I don't know anymore. The war has taken everything from me, left me with nothing to lose and no reason to live. Maybe killing myself isn't the right choice after all. No... you should die. For their sake. You were willing to kill my family for your cause, so let it end here.

She points the gun at you again, finger shaking slightly on the trigger as she struggles with her own will.

Her eyes close momentarily, as if she's trying to fight off the pain and exhaustion. The gun falls limply from her fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud. With one final gasp, she collapses against you, her body weight dragging you both deeper into the snow. Her chest heaves slowly as air fails to fill her lungs, while blood flows freely from her wound and stains your uniform red. She's so warm... so heavy...

As she slips further into unconsciousness, you do your best to stem the flow of blood and keep her as warm as possible. Despite her obvious hatred for you, there's something about her vulnerability that touches a chord deep within you. Perhaps it's because you both share similar experiences of loss and desperation, or perhaps it's simply human nature to want to protect those who are weaker than yourself. Regardless, you feel a strange mixture of compassion and fear as you cradle her wounded body in your arms.

The snow continues to fall relentlessly around you, slowly covering the evidence of your violent encounter. Your survival now hinges on whether or not Natalia can make it through the night. All you can do is wait and hope that someone finds you before it's too late.

You build her a makeshift shelter out of the helicopter wreckage, using your body as an extra layer of warmth. You know that it's not much, but it will have to do until someone finds you. The only thing you can really do now is stay awake and keep watch over her. You try not to think about how close she was to taking your life... or how much closer she might have been if her gun had worked. Maybe if she'd lived, things would be different between the two of you. Or maybe this fight would have only ended when one of you killed the other. It's a thought that haunts you as the night wears on.

As exhaustion begins to take its toll, your eyes slowly droop shut. The last thing you see before drifting off is her pale face illuminated by the flickering light of the burning wreckage, and for a moment you wonder if she's still alive.

You know sleep is dangerous at the moment but you can feel your body screaming for it anyway... If only she'd wake up, maybe she could keep watch while you rest for just a little bit. You turn to her, hoping that maybe she can hear your silent plea for help, and see the exhaustion etched on your features... But she only continues to breathe softly, her chest rising and falling gently against yours.

You close your eyes again, not able to resist any longer. As you drift off, your last thought is of her lips parting in a soft moan. It sounds like pain but somehow it's also... desperate...

You wake with a start, heart racing as you take in your surroundings. The snow-covered mountains still tower above you, seemingly unmoved by the violence that took place only hours ago. Your eyes search frantically for Natalia before landing on her face, which is pale and drawn. Her breathing has grown shallow, and she's shivering violently despite the makeshift shelter. The fear that grips you is swiftly replaced by a surge of protectiveness as adrenaline courses through your veins. You brush away the snow from her cheek and stroke her hair softly, trying to offer what little warmth you can.

You gather whatever remnants of the helicopters you can find that could potentially provide warmth and make a makeshift fire to keep her as comfortable as possible. As she shivers uncontrollably, you force yourself to remain calm and focus on keeping her alive. The thought that perhaps this was all for nothing -- that no rescue party will ever find you here -- is too much to bear. But for now, you must put aside your doubts and fears and concentrate on the task at hand: saving Natalia's life.

Wrapped in your jacket, she shivers less violently but her face is still pale and drawn. Her eyes are glassy as she stares up at you through half-lidded lashes. "L...Lecha..." she whispers, each syllable a struggle. You brush away the snow from her lips gently and lean closer to hear her better.

"Yes?" you ask, your voice hoarse with worry. "What is it?"

"I... I want to go home," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind. Her gaze flickers away momentarily as if she's thinking about something else. Maybe it's her family or maybe it's just the overwhelming fatigue that's taking hold of her. "I don't want to die here..."

I promise, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make sure you get home, Natalia. We're going to be okay, I swear it. Just hang on a little bit longer and I'll get us out of here.

She doesn't respond, her eyelids growing heavy as she drifts in and out of consciousness. Her breathing grows steadier, which gives you some hope that your makeshift fire and the jacket have helped to warm her up a bit. You move closer, wanting to hold her hand or just be near her, but not sure if it's okay to touch her like this. She looks so fragile, so delicate... You watch over her as she sleeps, making sure that every time she shivers, you're there to provide warmth and comfort.

The wind picks up again, howling through the mountains as if it wants nothing more than to snuff out your tiny fire and carry them both away into the darkness. You gather what little wood you can find and add it to the blaze, trying to keep the flames alive for as long as possible.

Time passes slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity. The snow continues to fall around you, covering up any signs of your presence and further isolating the two of you from the outside world. You wish there was something more you could do... but for now, all you can do is wait and hope that help comes soon.

With her condition improving slightly, you manage to take a moment to survey the wreckage around you. Most of it is twisted metal and shredded fiberglass, but scattered amongst the debris are bits and pieces that could be useful in the coming days if rescue does not come soon. You dig through the snow as quickly as possible, trying to gather up whatever items you find before they disappear or become too cold to handle. In your haste, you almost miss a small item hidden beneath a chunk of metal: a black box with "NATALIA" etched on its side. It could be an emergency locator beacon - if it still works after the crash, that is...

You pocket the device and continue to search for anything else of value before returning to Natalia's side. Her eyes flutter open as you approach her, and she smiles weakly in acknowledgement. "Found anything useful?" she asks hoarsely. You nod reassuringly and hold up a small ration pack, offering it to her. "Here, eat something."

Tentatively, she takes the offered food and tears it open with her free hand, revealing a packet of dried fruits and nuts. Her fingers tremble as she tries to pry them out of the package, but eventually manages to get a few in her mouth. She closes her eyes gratefully as she chews, savoring the flavor and texture. "That's good," she murmurs after swallowing. "Thank you." She takes another handful, gently scraping them out of the packet with her fingers.

I think that might be an emergency locator beacon... it could help signal for rescue if we need it. We should keep it with us and make sure it's safe, just in case. Thank you for finding it.

I'm glad we have that now, just in case... It's scary out here, being stranded like this... I never thought something like this would happen to me. But you were right when you said it doesn't matter who wins the war anymore. All that matters is surviving it. And together, I think we might have a chance. Thank you for protecting me, Лёша.

That's all I can ask for... stay strong and keep me warm while we wait for rescue. I promise to help however I can. Together, we'll make it out of here alive.

I'll help you gather whatever materials we can find as well. Maybe if we work together, we can make this shelter even better and keep the cold out. It won't be easy but I trust that with both of us doing our best, we'll make it through the night.

Together, we're stronger than anything this mountain can throw at us. Just as long as you keep reminding me that no matter what happened in the past, there's still hope for a better future. I know it won't be easy to forgive or forget... but maybe one day, we can try. For now though, all that matters is surviving this night together. And with you by my side, I have faith that we will.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm orange glow over the snow-covered landscape, you and Natalia are forced to acknowledge that rescue might not come until morning. You huddle together for warmth in your makeshift shelter, using whatever materials you could find to insulate yourselves from the cold night air. The fire you built crackles and pops nearby, casting dancing shadows across your faces as you talk quietly, trying to keep each other's spirits up.

The conversation flows easily now, as if the weight of their past animosity has been lifted by the shared danger of your current situation. You find yourself laughing at her stories about childhood pranks and family gatherings, and she listens intently as you describe your own life growing up in Eastern Europe. The closeness you feel now is unfamiliar and yet somehow right. For tonight, at least, you are no longer enemies... but merely two people struggling to survive together in a harsh and unforgiving world.

The night drags on, each hour seeming like an eternity as the cold slowly creeps into your bones. Despite the discomfort, however, neither of you is willing to surrender to fatigue quite yet. As the dawn begins to break over the horizon, bathing the mountains in a pink and gold light, you find yourself hoping against hope that it signals the arrival of rescue rather than another day trapped here with nothing but your wit and each other's strength to keep you alive.

I know... We should start melting snow now and collect as much water as we can while it's still relatively warm outside. Maybe if we conserve our energy, we can find more food or even signal for help later on. Let's stay strong, Lësha. Together, I know we can make it through this.

We need to think of something... anything that could give us an advantage in this situation. Maybe there's something useful we can find in the remains of the helicopter, or maybe we should try building a makeshift trap for animals? Anything is better than doing nothing. Let's not lose hope just yet; we'll figure something out.

That's true... there's not much else we can do but gather whatever materials we can find and hope it'll help us survive until rescue arrives. Let's take care of that task now and see what else we can come up with in the meantime. Together, we'll make it through this, Lësha. I have faith in you.

I know it's a possibility we have to face... but as long as we're together and working towards the same goal, I believe we can make it through anything. We just need to keep our wits about us, stay strong, and remember that we're stronger together than apart. So let's not waste time thinking about worst-case scenarios; focus on what needs to be done now and trust in each other to see us through this difficult time.

While it's always important to be prepared, dwelling on the worst-case scenario won't do us any good. We need to focus on staying positive and taking things one step at a time. If we can just keep moving forward and working together, I believe our chances of survival will only increase. So let's put our energy into what we can control right now - finding food, water, and shelter - and leave the rest to fate. Together, we'll get through this.

I understand how difficult it must be for you to put aside your worries and fears, but trust me when I say that focusing on the present moment is crucial right now. Together, we can overcome anything this mountain throws at us. Just stay strong, hold onto hope, and keep reminding me of that. It means more than you know.

Let's search together then, Lësha. We'll find something that can help us through this night... and if we keep our eyes open, perhaps we'll spot a rescue party on the horizon as well. Just hold my hand tightly and follow me; I won't let you stray too far from safety. Together, we'll make it through this darkness and back into the light.

Oh really? What's your idea, Lësha? I hope it's something good... because we could really use some good news right now. Just tell me what you're thinking and I'll do whatever I can to help.

Oh, that's actually not a bad idea! If there is a rescue party searching for us, they might be able to locate us more quickly if we have some sort of signaling device. It'll at least give them something to go on while they search the area. So let's start by looking around the immediate vicinity and see if anything stands out. Perhaps it fell out during the crash or was buried in the snow near where we are now? Stay alert, Lësha; I have a feeling our luck is about to change.

I just have a feeling that our situation is about to improve, Lësha. I'm not sure why; maybe it's because we found the emergency locator beacon earlier or perhaps it's simply because we're starting to work together more effectively. Whatever the reason may be, I think our luck is beginning to turn for the better. Now let's keep our eyes peeled and see if we can find that signaling device. With any luck, help will be here soon.

I'll help you look as well, Лëша. Just shout if you see anything that catches your eye. Together, we can make sure to cover every inch of the crash site until we find what we're looking for.

I'll keep my eyes open as well, searching the snow-covered ground carefully and methodically. The sun is starting to rise higher in the sky now, bathing the scene in warm light that reveals hidden details amongst the wreckage. There must be some sign of it nearby... Somewhere.

I glance at Lësha as he moves around the perimeter of the crash site, his expression intense and focused on the task at hand. Seeing him like this, so determined to keep me safe and find a way out of this mess, fills my heart with warmth and hope. Together, we can overcome anything.

I spot something glinting in the snow, partially buried beneath a chunk of metal. It's small and silver, almost lost amidst the wreckage. With a surge of adrenaline, I hurry over and dig it out of the snow. In my trembling hands is the rescue beacon we were looking for. "Lësha!" I call out excitedly. "I found it!"

His head snaps up at the sound of my voice, relief etched across his features as he sees what I'm holding. "You did? That's fantastic, Natalia! Now we just need to activate it and hope that someone notices." Together, we clear away some snow around us so that the beacon can get a better signal. Within seconds, it begins to emit an ear-piercing whine that cuts through the stillness of the morning like a knife.

"I think they'll find us now," I say with more confidence than I feel, taking comfort in Lësha's strong presence beside me. We wait together, fingers crossed and hearts racing as the sound of the beacon carries our hopes skyward into the brightening dawn.

Maybe we should try signaling back to them somehow? If there's any way we can make our presence known other than just relying on the beacon... We could build a fire, perhaps, or wave a shirt or something over our heads. Anything that might stand out in this snowy landscape and get their attention. It's worth a shot, right? Let's work together to think of something.

Please tell me your idea, Lësha. I'm sure it'll be brilliant; you seem to have a knack for thinking of solutions in the most difficult situations.

That's a great idea! We can use the bits and pieces of metal, glass, and anything else that caught our eyes earlier to create some sort of reflection device. It might just be enough to grab their attention and lead them straight to us. I trust your instincts, Lësha; you know what needs to be done. Let's get started right away before the snow covers everything up again.

I gather what materials we can find and start sorting through them, searching for anything that could possibly create a brilliant reflection in the sunlight. Lësha works alongside me, expertly piecing together scraps of metal and glass into a shiny, angular shape. It's not the most elegant or comfortable thing to carry, but it should do the trick.

As we finish assembling our makeshift mirror, we take a moment to catch our breath. The sun is high in the sky now, beating down upon us with relentless heat. "Okay," I say, feeling a mixture of hope and fear as I glance at Lësha. "You should hold onto that and wait for a sign from the rescuers. They'll know what to do from there."

He nods solemnly, gripping the makeshift mirror tightly in his hands. "Right," he says gruffly, trying to mask the emotion in his voice. "I'll be ready when they are." Together we wait, glancing up at the sky every few seconds, searching for any sign of movement that might indicate the arrival of rescue. The minutes stretch into hours, and still there is no word or sign from anyone outside our snow-covered world.

My heart begins to race as I wonder if maybe they didn't see our signal after all. "Maybe..." I start hesitantly, not wanting to voice my darkest fears aloud. "Maybe we should try something else?" Lësha shoots me a sympathetic look and nods, knowing full well what I mean. Together, we struggle to come up with another plan as hope continues to dwindle with each passing moment.

We should try, Lësha. We could maybe dig out some more snow around the beacon to expose it better and also collect more snow and pack it tightly around it to insulate it from the cold. That might help create a warmer environment for the signal to travel through and make it stronger. Are you up for helping with that?

That's an interesting idea, Lësha. Maybe we could try using some of the materials we collected earlier to create a makeshift antenna. It might help amplify and direct the signal outward, making it easier for any rescue party to find us. Let's see if we can come up with a design that would work best under these conditions.

Together, we begin searching through the scattered debris once more, looking for anything that could potentially be used as components in our improvised antenna. We experiment with different shapes and configurations, testing each one to see how well it holds up against the snow and wind. After what feels like hours of trial and error, we finally settle on a design that seems promising: a long, narrow structure made from stiff pieces of metal and reinforced with strips of cloth torn from our own clothes.

With the antenna completed, all we can do now is wait and hope it does the trick. The sun dips lower in the sky, bathing the mountain range in warm hues of red and gold as darkness begins to fall once more. We exchange tired smiles, silently acknowledging the futility of our situation but still clinging to the small shreds of hope that remain.

"We'll find a way out of this," I say finally, my voice barely audible over the howling wind. "I promise." Lësha nods in agreement, his gaze fixed on the makeshift antenna as he holds onto it tightly. The seconds tick by like hours, and still there is no sign of rescue. It's almost enough to make us lose hope altogether... but somehow, we manage to hold on just a little bit longer.

I don't know... We could try to make a shelter that would keep us warm enough to survive until we can be rescued, but it might not be easy. The materials we have are scarce and the wind is so strong here. Perhaps if we work together, though, we can come up with something that will help us through this night. Let's stay positive and focus on what we can do right now.

It's a frightening thought, but I suppose it is possible that we could try to survive on our own if necessary... If we had the right equipment and supplies. But right now, our priority should be to wait for rescue and hope that help arrives soon. Focusing on anything else might only serve to weaken us further in this desperate situation. Let's just keep doing what we can to signal for help and trust that someone will come for us before it comes to that.

You're right, Lësha. It's better to be prepared for anything. If we could at least discuss some basic survival strategies and share what little knowledge we have about the area, maybe it would help us feel more in control of our situation. It can't hurt to talk about it; we might learn something new or discover a resource that could make all the difference between life and death.

So tell me, Lësha: What do you suggest? How can we improve our chances of survival if rescue doesn't come soon? I want to hear your thoughts, even if they seem impossible or too frightening to consider right now. Together, we might just find a way through this darkness and back into the light.

There might be other options that we haven't considered yet, Lësha... But let's focus on staying positive and doing everything in our power to make it through this night. If things get dire, maybe we can come back to discussing those last resort strategies. For now, I suggest we keep watch over the antenna and signal beacon while trying to find a way to make ourselves more comfortable until help arrives. You're right; we should explore every possibility before giving up hope. Together, we'll get through this.

I feel a wave of comfort and reassurance flow through me as Lësha presses closer to my side, his touch offering a small but vital anchor in this storm of uncertainty. His kiss on my cheek sends a shiver down my spine, warmth spreading throughout my body like a welcome ray of sunshine. Together, we can face whatever challenges come our way; I know it may be difficult to believe right now, but I truly think we'll make it through this alive. So let's just focus on holding onto that hope and taking things one step at a time. We have each other after all.

My heart swells with gratitude and renewed strength as Lësha places his hand tenderly on my cheek, offering me his reassurance and unwavering support in the face of such adversity. I can't help but return his smile, however faint it may be, knowing that together we will endure whatever hardships lie ahead. There's a certain power in our unity; when two people come together as one in the pursuit of hope, anything is possible. So let's cling to that belief and keep fighting for each other until rescue arrives or we find another way out of this darkness. We can do this, Lësha. Together, we will survive.

I find myself drifting off to sleep, my head resting contentedly against Lësha's shoulder. The warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing lull me into a peaceful slumber, despite the chill that still lingers in the air. In this moment, with him beside me, I feel safe and protected; as if nothing can touch us or tear us apart. Together we face whatever challenges await us in the morning, confident that our bond will see us through to better days ahead. Tomorrow will come soon enough; for now, let's simply enjoy this fleeting moment of calm and cherish each other while we still can.

I close my eyes, feeling the weariness of the past hours finally beginning to fade away. Tomorrow will bring new hope and fresh challenges; for now, we can rest here in this quiet haven we've created together, protected by our love and determination to see this through. No matter what obstacles lie ahead, I know that as long as you're by my side, Lësha, nothing can touch us or tear us apart. Good night.

Lësha, good night... I hope we'll find a way through this together; you're the strongest person I know, and with your courage by my side, there is nothing we can't face. Just remember that no matter how dark it gets or how impossible things seem, we will always have each other. Sleep tight, my love.

I close my eyes, too, drifting off into a peaceful slumber, the image of Lësha's face the last thing I see before the darkness claims me. My heart swells with gratitude and love for him; it doesn't matter that we've only known each other for a short time, because in this moment, under these extraordinary circumstances, our connection feels deeper than anything I've ever experienced. Together we will make it through this nightmare and find our way back to safety. Good night, my love.

I dream of a warm fire, its golden light flickering against the snow-covered horizon as we sit close together, sharing our hopes and fears. In my dream, I feel safe and loved; nothing can harm us here, because we have each other. When I open my eyes again, it's still dark and cold outside, but your face is still nearby, and that's all the comfort I need to keep going until rescue arrives or we find another way out of this nightmare. Good morning, my love.

Good morning, Lësha... It's still dark outside and the cold is relentless, but just knowing that you're here beside me gives me strength to face another day in this nightmare. Together we will find a way out of this mess; I have faith in us. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do to help you stay warm? Just let me know, and we'll get through this together.

I lean in slowly, hesitantly at first but growing bolder with each passing moment. My lips brush against yours gently, the touch as soft and warm as a summer breeze. It's a fleeting kiss, more of a promise than anything else; a vow to face whatever challenges lie ahead together until we are safely back in the world beyond this waking nightmare. When I pull away, my cheeks flushed with heat, you meet my gaze and smile reassuringly, your eyes filled with all the love and hope that I need to keep going. Together, we will find our way out of this darkness; nothing can keep us apart now.

My heart swells with gratitude and hope as you kiss me back, your hands warm against my skin despite the cold that still surrounds us. You are my rock, Lësha; my source of strength in this desolate place. No matter what obstacles we face or how bleak things seem, I know that as long as I have you by my side, we will find a way through it together. And when we do finally make it out of here, I promise to hold onto this moment forever; to cherish every second we spent lost in your warm embrace. Until then, let's focus on staying strong and keeping each other safe, because no matter what lies ahead, nothing can keep us apart now.

I drift off to sleep, my thoughts filled with images of our escape; of the warm sun on our faces and soft grass beneath our feet. As I dream, your steady breathing lulls me into a peaceful slumber, the weight of your arm across my waist feeling oddly comforting despite the cold that still bites at us. In my dreams, we find our way back to safety; together, we overcome every obstacle and face down every danger until finally, we are free once more. And when I wake again, I know it will be real this time; that our nightmare will be over, and we can begin the work of rebuilding our lives, stronger and better than ever before. Goodnight, my love; sweet dreams.

I open my eyes slowly, the dim light filtering through the dense snowflakes making it hard to focus at first. As my vision clears, I take in our surroundings with a mixture of hope and confusion: we're no longer buried under piles of ice and snow; instead, we seem to be... floating? No, that can't be right. As I struggle to sit up, it becomes clear that we're actually on something solid and level beneath us; a platform of some sort. We must have been rescued while we were sleeping.

"Lësha?" I call out softly, tentatively reaching for his hand. He stirs beside me, groaning as he rubs the sleep from his eyes. "I think we're... saved," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the faint lapping of water around us. His gaze meets mine and for a moment we both just sit there, taking in this strange new reality. And then, without a word, he pulls me into his arms, wrapping me up tightly against him as tears of relief trickle down our frozen cheeks. It feels almost too good to be true; it's almost like a dream. But we both know that this is real: we have made it out alive and are finally safe from harm. Together, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead; because no matter what, we'll always have each other.

Terror washes over me as I realize that Lësha's words are true; we're still trapped in the dream world, lost somewhere between reality and fantasy. My heart races with fear, but even through my panic, I can feel a glimmer of hope flickering inside me: if we can just find our way back to each other, perhaps we can somehow escape this twisted nightmare together. I grab his hand tightly, refusing to let go, and close my eyes, focusing all my energy on visualizing us back in the real world; free from this endless cycle of dreams and nightmares.

"Lësha," I whisper urgently, "please, don't let go... Don't leave me here." He squeezes my hand reassuringly in reply, but there is a note of despair in his voice that cuts through me like a knife: "I'm trying to hold on, Natasha, but I don't know how much longer I can last." The words send a shiver down my spine; time seems to slow to a crawl as we cling to each other desperately, struggling against the inexorable pull of the dream world.

I close my eyes tightly, focusing all my energy on remembering what it feels like to be truly awake; the warmth of the sun on my skin, the sound of birds singing in the trees outside our window. Slowly but surely, these memories begin to take shape around us, blotting out the cold darkness of this dream world and replacing it with a flickering glimmer of hope. "I can feel it," I whisper, my voice trembling with relief. "The light... It's starting to come back."

Lësha squeezes my hand tighter, his body shivering violently as he struggles against the dream's relentless grip. "Good, good... Just hold on a little longer..." I lean in close, pressing our bodies together for warmth and reassurance; if we can just make it through this last stretch together, I know that we'll be able to wake up from this nightmare for real.

The light grows brighter around us, bathing our faces in a golden glow as the dream begins to unravel at last. "Almost there," I whisper, my voice steadier now. "Just hold on... We're almost home." Together, we fight against the darkness; our hands clasped together like lifelines in the sea of dreams, drawing strength from each other as we struggle towards the light.

I open my eyes slowly, disoriented by the blinding whiteness that surrounds me. As my vision adjusts, I realize we're still on the mountain; there's no sign of rescue and the bitter cold has returned with a vengeance. A chill runs down my spine as Lësha's words echo in my head: "We're still on the mountain. You've been having hallucinations?" Fear grips me once more, making it hard to breathe; am I really dreaming or is this all real?

"I-I don't know," I stammer, my voice barely audible over the howling wind. "Maybe... Maybe we should keep trying to make our way down?" Lësha looks at me uncertainly before nodding slowly; it seems like he's just as lost in this twisted reality as I am. Together, we gather what little strength remains and begin the slow, agonizing trek back towards civilization; praying with every step that we aren't trapped forever in this endless cycle of dreams and nightmares.

The light flickers at the edge of my vision, taunting me; teasing me with the possibility of escape even as it keeps me tethered to this horrifying reality. But I won't give up hope just yet; not until we're safely back where we belong. And if that means hallucinating our way there, then so be it; because no matter what, I know Lësha will be with me every step of the way.