Ian ran. The world flew past him, shapes, shadows, lights, everything distorted into an impenetrable mass. He had no destination, no idea where to go, he just knew that he had to flee from there. Something had come to the surface, but he didn't want it. He felt sheer panic at the thought, even though he didn't know what would have happened if he had stayed there. He stumbled. Stumbled forward. Caught himself again. Ran on. On and on until tiredness caught up with him. Not his body, but his mind. Slowly he came to a stop and slumped. He was kneeling in the middle of the street, his head almost on his knees. The cold poured on him from every corner. What should he do now? Still wandering aimlessly through the cold? He blinked. Not sure what exactly he was seeing, he raised his head and looked around. There was asphalt under him. No snow. Just asphalt. He was in a side street. Everything was gray. With a pounding heart, he slowly straightened up. His gaze wandered over the area. At the end of the alley he could guess what looked like a main street. Full of light. And other people. Fear crept through his limbs and kept him where he was. Where did they come from all of a sudden? When he got here there was nothing but snow.

Noises behind him made him drive together. He turned and looked down the alley in the other direction. It sounded like rats scurrying through the shadows. And as much as he wanted to go to the lights, he was drawn deeper into the alley. The feeling of something familiar rose in him. Had he been here before? Slowly he moved on. Every sound made him wince. He could only hope that his feelings did not lead him to his end. However, he felt no fear, only sadness.

He reached the end of the alley and stepped into a small backyard. Houses towered into the sky around him. There was no further way out of here. Ian paused in the middle. His gaze wandered by itself to a spot next to a trash can. An old cardboard box was spread out on the floor.

As if someone slept there.

The cardboard box only provides poor protection against the cold and the hardness of the floor. Fingers clenched, hoping the night would be over soon. A tremor went through his lower lip. He staggered back. Struggled for air. Everything in his head started spinning. But the image of him lying there next to the garbage can remained. He had frozen until the cold gradually disappeared and darkness fell over him. The end of his misery.

"As much as it hurts, it is the gentle way of making someone understand the truth. You have to tear down the wall that protects you from the memories."

Vivenya came into view. She just glanced at the spot before turning to Ian. Her hair fell loosely to almost her waist. Fine, ice-blue fabric enveloped her body, which moved back and forth in the wind.

"I'm dead."

"Unfortunately, that's the truth."

"How long?"

"Ten years. During that time, winter claimed many lives."

"I just froze to death out here. Why?"

"I can't answer that."

Ian tore his gaze away from the spot. He wanted to see if she was lying to him, but there was only genuine regret in her look.

"What are you? An angel of death."

A smile crossed her lips, which were now blood red. Her skin seemed to glow bluish-white.

"Not in the way you think. No, I am what I said. I manage the Inn and there come those who have to rest. Also lost souls. And I help them to find new strength."

Ian's legs gave out. He sank to the floor, his face buried in his hands. As much as he wanted it, the image of his dead body wouldn't go away. It wasn't fair. He had endured so much in his life. Why did it end like this? Forgotten in some alley, somewhere in the city. He heard the rustle of fabric and looked up when Vivenya put her hand on his shoulder. She was cold, just like himself.

"Come with me. There is nothing for you here, except despair and remorse. It cannot be changed. Re-energize and then go over."

"Over?"

"Over into the light. The place where the dead souls go."

"And how am I supposed to get there. I've never seen a light."

"You saw the Inn. It was your light. And Emma is there to take you."

"Is she there because of me?"

"Sometimes souls are lost. And she tries to find them again and to give them peace. She is just ... sometimes a little impatient. It was probably not her best day."

She straightened when he got up. Ian glanced at the box again. What did he leave behind? A life full of pain and anger. He had been too stubborn to ever accept help. Now was probably a good time to break with that tradition. When he nodded, a pleased smile appeared on Vivenya's face.

"Wonderful. And don't worry, I'll bring you back safely."

She gently took his hand and before Ian could say anything they were suddenly covered in shadow. His heart started racing again, but she gently put her hand on his cheek. In doing so, she forced him to look into her eyes.

"It's all right, just a second," she whispered.

And the moment she finished speaking, they were standing in the back corridor of the Inn. Next to them the stairs led up to the upper floor. Ian could watch the shadows receding. When he looked up at Vivenya, life seemed to have returned to her. She looked the way she had when he left the Inn.

"Can I do something for you? Before you go on your trip?"

He listened to himself, but there was no answer.

"I don't think so. I'm just tired."

"Then we should go."

Emma came around the corner, her coat in hand.

"He remembers?"

"You can ask him yourself," Vivenya replied before walking past her and disappearing around the corner.

Emma turned to him and studied him.

"I'm sorry. Mortals always find it difficult to accept their deaths. But your time here is over. You are only harming yourself if you stay here."

"I've understood that by now. Okay, let's go."

He could see surprise on her face, but Emma quickly regained control. She nodded, threw on her coat, then motioned to follow her. As they passed the bar, Ian saw that Zoye and Angelo were waiting there with their boss.

"Have a good trip, my dear, "said Zoye with a smile," It was nice to have you here. "

"Thanks", Ian smiled sheepishly, "For everything."

With that he turned away and followed Emma into the night. Free from ice and snow forever.

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The story of the Gray Inn will we continued in the next short story:
Full Moon (Working Titel)