The canister was empty.
“Okay,” Charlie said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Okay. They're coming. They have to be close by now.”
But the air in their pocket was so stale. Thin. Each breath harder than the last.
“Charlie?” Viv whispered. “What's heaven like? Do you think... do you think we'll know we're there?”
Charlie thought about it. About Ben. About the life they were supposed to have.
“I think,” Charlie said slowly, “heaven is anywhere Ben is. That's my heaven. Him and me and our life together. That's all I need.”
“That's beautiful.”
“What about you?”
“Rowan. And making movies. And...and all of you. The whole family we built.” Viv's breath hitched. “I don't want to leave yet,Charlie. We were supposed to get married. Have kids. Make a hundred more seasons ofBattleLore...” She slurred her words.
“You will.” Charlie's voice was fierce despite her fading strength. “You will, Viv. I promise.”
But the darkness was closing in. The cold absolute. The air gone.
Charlie forced her thoughts to stay on Ben. His smile. His hands. The way he called her Princess. At least she’d die with his necklace on.
I'm sorry, Ben. I'm so sorry.
“Charlie?” Viv's voice was barely audible now. “I can't... I can't breathe...”
“Me neither.”
This is it. This is how it ends.
Then—
A sound. Distant. Muffled.
Metal on ice. Digging.
“Did you hear that?” Charlie whispered.
“Hear what?”
The sound again. Closer.
Someone's digging.
“They're here,” Charlie said. “Viv, they're here. Stay with me. Just a little longer?—”
The digging got louder. Closer. Frantic.
A dog barked happily. Flo.
Then faint light that grew brighter.
Finally brilliant, blinding light piercing the darkness.
Cold air rushed in like an answered prayer.
“Charlie!” Ben's voice. Desperate. Raw. Broken. “Charlie! I’ve got you, Princess.”
