The light offered hope and with it the woman began to move quickly toward it, Asha hurried alongside her. He would feel much safer once they were both inside the building. His hands reached out as the sliver of light disappeared, her own fingers tangling with his as they turned the knob of a door.

The light flooded the two of them as they opened a door into a shop, filled with more people than expected. Apparently they weren’t the only ones to seek salvation with the first sign of light. “Perhaps we should stay here until light has broken again?” It wasn’t their destination but it was better than nothing. “I should worry if you tried to continue on your own.” He smiled at her, for the first time noting her appearance. She was pretty that was one thing, but she had been kind, and despite the briefness of their acquaintanceship he felt a fondness and protectiveness for her that was surprising. Perhaps one day, after all this, they might find another once again under better circumstances.