the last ember (4)

They had only one ember, and they knew that the moment it extinguished, their hope would dim with it. “Keep feeding it,” Sam instructed, adding small branches to the nascent fire.

They worked quickly, stoking the flames while the wind howled outside, drowning their efforts in a cacophony of fear. Hours passed, each moment stretching into eternity. The fire crackled softly, a fragile heartbeat amidst the chaos of nature.

They took turns feeding it, protecting it like a precious jewel, sharing stories to keep spirits up, but the shadows outside loomed larger. As night fell, the air grew colder, and the firelight flickered against the metal walls of the plane.