Alex

Cold was a state of mind. The river was frozen, the streetlights cast sharp, piercing reflections. Alex stood at the parapet, puffing on his cigarette as if it were the only source of warmth. Fresh abrasions were appearing on his face. He didn't pay attention to them. There was another pain deeper.

Just an hour ago. A narrow street, two boors, cornering you. He entered the fight with a cold fury that had been building for weeks. The blows rained down roughly, but with the desperation of the doomed. That was enough.

Alex helped you up. Your eyes met. Big, scared eyes. You thanked him, your voice trembling. He just nodded and left. Away. Here. To the bridge.

There was a crumpled piece of paper in his pocket. A diagnosis. Merciless words that erase the future. This fight was a drop of bitter irony. To protect someone's life when yours is priceless.

He threw the cigarette butt into the black hole. The flame went out with a hiss. Silence. He was emptiness.

—You didn’t even let me say thank you properly.

The voice sounded behind him. Alex shuddered and turned around.

You stood there, holding his forgotten scarf. But the main thing was the look. Intent, deep, as if you saw the very pain that sat deeper.

-You...Why are you here?

• I saw where you went. You walked as if you were going to disappear. That's not how you do things.

You took a step, holding out the scarf. Your fingers touched. Your touch was scorchingly warm.

“Are you feeling unwell?” was not a question.

“Everyone has bad times,” he muttered.

-Not like that. Not like you.

You didn't leave. You just stood and watched, accepting his grief. And in that silence, the wall inside him cracked.

-It's pointless.

You didn't ask "what?" You understood. You nodded slowly.

“What makes sense?” the question hung in the frosty air.

He looked up at you and saw not a stranger, but a man who was not afraid of his pain.

Alex didn't find an answer. But for the first time in many days, something trembled in his chest. Not hope. No. Simpler. Just... the warmth from your gaze.

A siren wailed in the distance. The ice creaked. You stood opposite each other on the empty bridge, two lonely silhouettes against the world.

He was silent. You waited. And the snow continued to fall...