Nicolas listened to her story, looking into Maria's somber eyes as she spoke, feeling her pain cut through him like a knife. He looked down, deeply staring at the floor in thought.<span style="font-style: italic">How long before they come asking if I've seen her? Will they? She found this place... Could they?</span>He looked to her again, her eyes still showing so much pain.<span style="font-style: italic">She found me... But... Could they? Of course... Helicopters, dogs, snowmobiles... But I don't want to be alone here... I'm... Happy now... But can I protect her forever...?</span>Nicolas turned his gaze into the fire, "So your fiancee... He's the reason you ran... And somehow, fate pushed you to my doorstep. Fate would have it that we meet, two people who share pain great enough that that we left our own lives behind..."<span style="font-style: italic">Do I finally have someone I could share my story with?</span>"Since I know your story... I guess I could share mine?"