The mechanical clicking of a firearm behind me electrified me all over my body. My heart skipped a beat when I realized what was going on.

He had pointed his revolver at me and was ready to pull the trigger.

"Why now, Boros?" I asked him, shocked. "Why are you turning on me just now on our crucial mission?"

Boros and I had been through many difficult operations together, but none were as important as this one. We had infiltrated ourselves as covert spies far beyond the enemy lines. Our assignment was to steal the battle plans of our enemies. Those included not only their strategies, but also their most important positions. Our side had the weapons. All we needed was a target to point at. But now, one of my most faithful companions pointed his gun at me all of a sudden.

"Why?!" I shouted desperately, fighting back tears.

"For that very reason, Vendela. The success of this mission would mean the end of the war," he replied in a neutral tone. "It was only a matter of time before that would happen," he added afterwards. Melancholy rang within his voice.

I turned to him hesitantly, raising my arms up. When I looked at him, the shock showed itself on my face without restraint. Glittering spheres beaded down my soft cheeks. He looked so ice-cold now, very different than usual. But there was also a trace of indecisiveness shimmering through his almost frozen facial expression.

"It doesn't have to end like this, Boros. We can still go back," I spoke in a soothing manner, whereupon my voice failed for a moment. "W- We love each other."

He just sighed. "You don't understand, Vendela. We were never on the same side. We always double-crossed each other. I found out about it shortly before this assignment. Unfortunately, you're only learning about it now; that we are enemies, and not meant to be together."

"And what if we wouldn't have to choose one side? What if we wouldn't have this war?" I tried to appeal his conscience.

"Then, I probably would never have met you," he replied in a dry tone immediately, but playing with several thoughts that were now flooding his brain. His suppressed feelings also emerged thereby, slowly but surely. "I'm so sorry, Vendela."

"You don't have to, Boros. I can understand you." I carefully lowered my hands as I continued to speak while slowly approaching him. "Let's forget all that. Let's get out of here and start a new life somewhere else." When he looked at me, torn, I stopped and put my hands on my womb. "I am with child, Boros. From you."

His eyes widened. His lower jaw dropped down. Thereupon, he covered his mouth quickly and shook his head in disbelief. "That ... Is that really true, Vendela?" A hint of joy pierced through his now uncertain voice.

But that wasn't enough for me. Moreover, the grip around his revolver was still as strong as before, its barrel still pointing at me mercilessly, and his finger was still ready to pull the trigger at any moment. Thus, I had to admit to myself once and for all how this situation would end.

"Yes, Boros. You're going to be a father. This is our child," I tried to sound as happy as possible. In reality, a world just collapsed for me. And in addition to serious feelings, I also had to struggle with a fatal decision. "The war brought us together and granted us this happiness. Let's preserve it by leaving the war behind us together."

He could not find words and remained frozen. What I told him, and how I acted at it, put him more and more in distress. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. But I was aware that he had originally planned to kill me here and now. And that was unforgivable.

I walked past his weapon leisurely now. One of my hands stroked his outstretched arm. And then I hugged him tenderly. My head found its place on his strong chest. "I don't care about this war anymore. I don't care if you're my enemy. I just want to be by your side."

His heart began to beat faster. A pleasant feeling of warmth ran through his skin. And finally, all tension left his body, whereupon he wanted to return my hug.

Suddenly, however, a dull gasp followed by blood made its way through his mouth. His heart gradually stopped beating. His skin became colder and colder. And last but not least, his body collapsed lifelessly.

"I loved you, Boros," I sobbed. I pulled my knife out of his throat and couldn't believe what I had just done.