It is cold. Or is it cold? The place I am, is not colder than outside, as the sun has set, and the air is chilly. But it's still cold. My skin is not red, but my hairs are standing. I feel my warmth slowly sap away, as my body feels like it is leaking heat and energy.

It is cold.

Yet the one in front of me. Holding a token hardly recognizable, hands pale and lifeless, trembling.

Their breath is warm.

Their eyes do not squint at the chill. Their feet remain firmly planted and though they shiver, their breathing is calm.

"A favor. For a favor."

I tilt my head. Eyes unblinking, not staring. Just making eye contact, unflinching.

"That is not yours."

I said.

I would have pointed with a single hand, but my hands were buried in my pockets. The aching and the stiffness unmanageable.

They bowed their head.

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Clenching the token hard.

"My friend. She gave it to me. In exchange for a promise. If she was in trouble, I would find you. Contact you. Somehow. Please. Save her."

I looked at them.

Were they a boy?

I looked at their neck.

I could not see it very well.

I could not touch it with my painfully cold hands.

Hmm.

"I see. Are you a boy?"

They blinked and stuttered.

"N-no. We... she called us sisters. Even though blood and such means nothing in this wretched place. I never understood why she looked after me so much. Now I do. I'm afraid. So, so afraid. Please. please..."

I nodded.

The token was valid.

"Payment has been given. The debt will be payed in full. Please remain in this 'warm' space as I return."

I took out my shoes from my bag. I pulled out thousands and thousands of blank bundled pages. They pushed past me, a buffeting storm. I took out a huge log. I took out blankets and hot chocolate.

I gave her warmth as I snapped my fingers, holding a flint and steel.

The bonfire burned nicely, contained within this abandoned warehouse. Holes in the ceiling where smoke and steam puffed through like a chimney. I approved.

"I will be back soon. Please do not die before then."

I hated nothing more than someone wasting my goodwill.

I sincerely hoped they wouldn't

Disappoint.