The grey city returned one last time.
Sari felt the difference as soon as she arrived—the air softer, the light warmer. The fog was gone entirely. The sky was pale blue.
He was waiting for her at the center of the empty street.
She walked toward him.
When she stopped, she was close enough to feel the warmth of his skin.
Neither of them spoke.
He raised his hands. Palms up.
She raised hers.
Their palms met.
His hands were larger, the skin rough in places. She pressed her palms against his, feeling the heat spread.
He curled his fingers around hers.
She curled hers around his.
Their hands locked together. Ten fingers intertwined, palm against palm.
She looked down at their hands. They fit together.
He squeezed.
She squeezed back.
“Stay,” she whispered.
“I'm here,” he said.
