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 She pointed her nose to the sky, inhaling deeply. The air smelt like ash, the choking, volcanic remains of a world abandoned. She could feel the sting of dust in her nose, coating her throat and eyes. She bit back a sob, closing her eyes tightly, as if she could block out everything around herself. Her shoulders shuddered, dark fur trembling in the dying wind. Her entire body was wracked with pain, the ash coating her nose making it impossible to get enough air. She pulled at the scrap of damp cloth covering her mouth, and her eyes met his.

“No, don’t!” He called out, voice breaking.

“I have to!! We both know I can’t survive this!” Her voice wavered, tears tracking down her face, leaving clean trains in the dirt stained fur of her cheeks.

“You can!” His tone was frantic, desperate and pleading. She opened her mouth, intending to speak, but what rose from her lips was a cold scream of terror. She couldn’t breath. Her lungs clenched, her small body lurching forwards. She fell to the ground, eyes flashing with fear, sides rising and falling in rapid movement. Saliva pooled at the corners of her lips. She could hear sobbing, but all she could see was ash. Breath eluded her. Clouds of charred remains floated up around her, floating down like snow. Snow, how she longed to see snow again. She closed her eyes, exhaustion overwhelming her. It was so nice here, curled in the fluffy white. If she fell asleep, everything would go away. She could hear someone screaming.