A flash of lightning illuminated the dark bedroom, followed by a quiet clash of thunder. Two people sat on the briefly lit bed; a man, his face etched with pain, and a woman with tear-filled eyes.

"Are you sure you can't stay?" The woman asked, her voice quivering.

"Yes. She's already too close. Maybe a day's journey away. I can't…I just can't risk her finding us…finding you." The man sighed wearily.

Rain pattered against the window. Trembling softly, the woman wrapped the blanket around herself.

"I would let her find us if I believed we could face her now." The man let out a bitter snort. "Or at least me."

"What about Doux and Kassi?" she whispered. Outside, rain lashed through the air and trees bent in the wind.

The man hissed softly. "I…I can't…if she finds them…but I refuse to take them from you." A dim flash of lightning lit his face; regret, pain, sorrow etched into the lines.

"And you? You can separate them from you?" Her voice cracked and a sob choked out.

The man growled softly, "I don't want to leave, but I'm not risking their lives against her. I don't have a choice, Kira!"

The bed creaked, breaking the long silence. Kira sighed. "So, you won't be coming back?" Another flash of lightning illuminated the tears on her face. Thunder rolled, and the rain faded.

"No, not until it's safe. Maybe in a few years." Weariness and regret drenched his voice.

Kira waited a few moments, then asked, "what will I tell them?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know what we even could tell them. I wish I could stay and help…but I must leave before it gets light out." He spoke.

"Alight. Well, at least stay a bit longer…as long as you can." Reluctance tainted her voice.

His voice lowered. "Of course, until morning. And never forget how much I love you, even if I'm not here."

A flash of lightning lit their expressions and cast jagged shadows on the wall before silence descended.

Hidden in the doorway, invisible to them, a small pair of eyes flashed.