With a place to stay, Felicia helped Stephan sit down and gather more dry branches. The mountains were full of them, after all. He wasn't idle either. Lacking a lighter, he used his small folding knife to strike sparks. She handed him fluffy grass. After several attempts, the sparks ignited, and a small flame grew.

Felicia smiled. "I'll leave this to you and get more branches." It was still hours until dawn, and their small pile wouldn't last.

Stephan stopped her. "No need. You keep the fire going; I'll gather more."

But she insisted, replying as she went out, "You're injured; rest. I'll gather more, then check your wounds." She could tell he was badly hurt, though he hadn't complained.

She went back and forth, shivering in the cold night air as her wet clothes clung to her. She sneezed several times, feeling dizzy. Thankfully, the branches she brought back were sufficient to sustain the fire.

She placed the branches beside the fire, closed the hut's door, and sat across from Stephan. On this bitterly cold night, only the fire offered warmth. A new problem arose—how would they dry their clothes?

Felicia blushed slightly. Stephan seemed to have the same thought, turning away. "You change first," he said, his tone cool.

Under normal circumstances, she would have teased him, but she was too cold. She suspected he felt the same. The fire offered minimal warmth, and she needed to dry herself quickly so he could warm up.

Hurriedly, she removed her damp clothes, wrung them out, and placed them near the fire. Wisps of steam rose as they dried. After a few flips, they were mostly dry. Relieved he hadn't turned around, she put them back on. He remained still, his back to her.

She sighed. "Okay, it's your turn."

But he didn't move.

"Mr. Russell?"

Still no response.

A bad feeling arose. She nudged him, but he slumped into her arms.

"Stephan!"

Exhausted and weak, she couldn't hold him, falling backward with him on top of her. He lay motionless. She touched his forehead—it was burning! Fresh blood stained his back. Her eyes widened. With difficulty, she pushed him off and knelt beside him to check his condition.