SAGE DARKNESS crept around them as they continued down the mountain. Sage glanced at his watch. It's strange. They had been walking for a few hours, but they had a feeling that evening was drawing near. He looked up at the sky and anxiety ran through his nerves as he saw the approaching cloud. A storm is coming. Panic shot up the back of his neck as he stared into space. He narrowed his eyes to see better, and a feeling of relief ran through him. It's an ice cream parlor. And like rivers, glaciers flow downstream. If they followed him, they could get down the mountain before dark. Sage stopped. From where they were standing, the mountain had a slope of about 300 feet until it reached the glacier. With the dark clouds rolling in, he knew they didn't have time to knock him down. They had to leave the mountain quickly. There is only one way to get off the bus in time. "What's wrong?" Irena asked as she came from behind him. He bends the column in the opposite directio
IRENA RENA’S body ached as they ran down the mountain. She moved closer to Sage as the wind blew past her. The air was so cold it burned his skin. She kept her eyes closed and pursed her lips. She winced as she was hit by a rock. She heard a groan that shook Sage 's chest. He tensed as if trying to resist the urge to release whatever he was clinging to. The rock that hit him must have been different from hers. It felt like forever until the terrain wasn't so steep anymore, and they started to slow down. When they stopped, Irena lay there, unwilling to move. There was a force in Sage that drew her in and she didn't want to let go. He groans again as he tries to move. Suddenly she realized she could hurt him. Or bother you. She stepped back as far as the rope would allow and glanced at him. His eyes were closed, and his face contorted with pain. He had an injury. Her heart raced as she swept her eyes up and down his body. There was no blood she could see. "Sage?" she
SAGE THEY will soon reach the end of the glacier. They just need to do it. They had been walking for several hours already, but in front of them there was only snow and mountains. The only saving grace he can find is that the crevices in the glacier are slowly widening, which means the end is a little closer. He heard a struggle and then Irena 's exasperated sigh. He glanced back and saw that she had slipped. Again. "Can we stop for a moment?" she asked, lying down in the mirror. "No," he said, motioning her to stand. "But..." she began, standing up so that her legs were sticking out of her body again. She groaned and glared at him. "You have boots. I have these silly ski boots. She waved her ski boots and sighed. "I know. Once we're out of here, you can take them off." She bit her lip, lifted her elbow and leaned against it. "How much longer?" He looked ahead, " Soon." She groaned as her hands and knees pushed away. He reached out and grabbed her elbow. He tr
IRENA IRENA shivered again as she stepped down the mountain. The memory of Sage 's body pressing against hers flashed through her mind. She shook her head vigorously. We have to go.Before she went into a frenzy trying to decipher Sage 's intentions, she stopped. In the distance, she could see trees and greenery. She turned back. "Look!" She points to the changing landscape. A smile appeared on Sage 's lips. "Finally. The end of the glacier." Seeing the first sign of life healed Irena 's wounds. Suddenly, the sharp pain in her legs eased. She was almost gone. From that mountain Freedom is only a moment away. As they neared the edge of the glacier, the joy in Irena 's heart plummeted. There was a lake hundreds of meters high falling in front of them. Streams flow from the glacier and descend along the mountain. How the hell did they get down? "Sage?" she asked, turning to look at him. "And now?" Sage 's posture tightened as he looked around. He glanced at Irena. He look
SAGE SAGE watched as Irena disappear into the tunnel. His head ached as fear pierced him. What if something happened to him? He used to be very confident in his ability to survive, but now that confidence is gone. Maybe it has to do with the fact that two more lives depend on him. When he's alone, it doesn't matter if he puts himself in life-threatening situations. That's just him. "Let's go, Titan!" he called and hissed. Sage poked his head behind a rock. He glanced at TItan, barked, then ran. Sage grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into the tunnel. Sage 's fingernails scratch the ice, but Sage doesn't give in. They just had to go far enough into the tunnel that the entrance was no longer visible. Then Sage will settle down. "How are you, Irena ?" Sage shouted. He waited as silence settled around him. He struggled to hear her despite the sound of his heart beating. "So wet, my feet hurt." His voice echoed from the tunnel walls. He exhaled the breath he was hol
IRENAIRENA has never been so cold in her life. Everything shook as she sat on the shore watching Sage light the fire. A fire. She closes her eyes as she imagines herself sitting by the fireplace at Christmas. Warmth surrounded her body. If only she hadn't woken up. She was very happy here. "Irena. Wake up." Sage 's voice interrupted his reverie. She groaned and closed her eyes. Why did he take her away from this memory? That's too welcoming. Here, his body is relaxed and his mind calm. "Wake up!" A jerk on her shoulder pulled her out of the dream she wanted to come true. Opening her eyes, she looked up. Sage opened her bag and pulled out a sleeping bag beside her. He's unbuttoning his shirt as he examines it. "W-w-what are you doing?" she asked, shivering at each word. "Your body is in shock from the cold. We need to warm you up. He took off his shirt and placed it near the fire." Fire. Yellow and orange flames lick the wood. He looked warm, but Irena felt
SAGEAN hour had passed, but Sage couldn't calm down. Irena seems fine. Her eyes were closed, her lashes fluttering over her cheeks. He moved and pulled her closer. He wanted to feel his breath. He couldn't get the image of her limp body out of his mind. His stomach twisted as he loosened his grip on her. Part of him wanted to run away – to protect himself. The other side never wanted to let go. I want to be here forever wrapped in my arms. He couldn't deny how wonderful her soft skin felt to his touch. He had to do his best not to pull her against him and kiss her. She survived. She's fine. His chest swelled as the fear rooted in him broke free from its icy grip. Even if she were to lie there and spew ridiculous reports in the media, he wouldn't want it any other way. She sighed as she walked. Her eyes opened and her gaze turned to his. "Did I oversleep?" He nodded. "Are you there?" she asked. "I can't sleep." She stepped back a little and coughed. He frowned. " H
IRENA THAT night Irena went to bed hungry. When she woke up in the morning, she had a stomach ache. She blinked at the lack of sleep she'd had the night before. Rounds 4-7-8 did nothing for her. Not when the sky is never really dark. Now she knows why so few people live here. It's too cold. Too bright. And overflowing with a particularly illegible billionaire curled up beside her. Even though their conversation ended abruptly last night, he still insisted that they sleep together to keep warm. He had been busy building a domed shelter while she dressed. Then he told her that they should get some sleep. Discuss in more depth. More mixed emotions. It's business as usual. She sighed, turning away from Sage . The leaves above her swayed in the gentle breeze. They are bright yellow and contrast with the blue sky. She fought back a cry as a cold, wet feeling ran down her cheek. Flapping aside, she saw Titan 's large nose just inches from her face. "Titan !" she hissed, pulling