No Safe Passage

“I’m s-s-sorry,” she sobs, as she cups his face in her palm. “Every fault and misstep we take endangers ourselves and all those who rely on us to return with supplies, you have sentenced one or both of us to death. I will not bring this darkness home, so make your choice, and make it before the time past time is done.”

“I-I-I, I can’t do it, I can’t leave you here to die. There MUST be another way!”

She smiles softly and pinches his cheek with the reassurance of a grandparent. “I am fine with what must be done