Tessa

The world seemed frozen, surrounded by thick white snow. It fell in soft flakes, covering the ground like a cold blanket, but to Tessa the cold was nothing compared to the chill that was tearing at her heart.

Leah was lying in her arms. Her skin, usually warm and golden, was now pale, almost translucent. Leah's dark hair was scattered across the snow like mascara, and her brown eyes, always so full of life and fire, were slowly fading.

"You shouldn't have done this, Leah," Tessa whispered, squeezing her bloody fingers. "You promised me we'd leave here together."

Leah smiled weakly, her lips trembling slightly.

"You... have always been stubborn, Tessa," her voice was a whisper, almost lost in the frosty air. "I couldn't let this end for you."

Tessa closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears, but they still flowed down her cheeks, burning her skin.

• None of this made sense without you. You know? All these plans... all the dreams... they mean nothing if I lose you.