Regret Came Too Late

Outside, the snow kept falling. In the distance, the landscape was nothing but rubble, and beyond that, an endless stretch of bleak gray sky.

Ethan's fingers stayed locked with hers; the heat of his skin was a smoldering presence she couldn't ignore.

Grace didn't have it in her to be cruel-not when he asked so quietly to just be allowed this.

The minutes dragged painfully, and his fever only worsened.

Eventually, she couldn't sit still any longer. She reached for the bottle of water, ready to coax him into drinking again.

His eyes fluttered open-glazed, foggy, as if he wasn't sure where he was.

"Mr. Bennett's gone, Mr. Henderson. Let's head back first. Even if there's no medicine, lying down will be better than staying here," she reasoned.

Instead of responding, Ethan slowly dragged his tie, his movements sluggish from the fever.

Grace quickly pressed her hand against his chest to stop him and re-fastened the tie.

Normally, he was all sharp lines and strict precision, never leaving a button undone.

Grace lowered her eyes, fingers deftly tying the knot. She decided she wouldn't wait for Tim anymore-she would get Ethan back herself.

Just then, Ethan's scalding hand closed over hers.

"We're not going back," he rasped, his voice wrecked by the fever. "There are magnolias nearby... did you know?"

Grace had no clue where they were, only realizing more and more that he was completely out of it.

"Alright, magnolias. If you want to see them, I'll go pick some for you," she said, playing along.

But his eyes lit up instantly, hope flashing through the fevered haze.

"What?" he said, surprised.

Grace blinked in disbelief-seriously? In this frozen wasteland?

"Mr. Henderson..."

but he suddenly dropped

it,"

side profile-his damp hair clung to his forehead; even the corners of his eyes seemed misty, his cheeks

a slow breath, pushed open the car door, and said, "I'll look. But if I can't find any in ten minutes, I'm coming back. You're

hummed a soft

Grace took crunched

after

to the car and tapped lightly

with

bit and grab something

just one look at him shattered that

winter, he looked like some feral, red-draped

have to speak; somehow, he made her want to do anything for

feel pity

She

Med her gaze quickly

bet

put. I'll go

for a response, she

minutes of

a wall. yel

burned bright against the ghostly white of the world, shockingly

in disbelief before stepping

the delicate bloom, a rush of fragmented

two children clung to each other

instinctively glanced around, then moved

she spotted a hollow in the

felt her heart lurch, hammering

straight into

dream, she and a little boy had