Turn after turn pressed his strong body deep into the seat of the sports car. The roar of the engine alternated between the shriek of a grinder and the hum of a mellow baritone. The steering wheel grew heavy in his hands, kicking back with every bump in the road. He paid no attention to it — nor to the cloudless sky, the turquoise sea, or the sheer amber cliffs lining the narrow route.
The view that once captivated him, bursting open after a mountain curve and dazzling him with sparks of wonder, now passed unnoticed. Only one thing mattered. Only that could make him push both himself and the machine to their limits — a faint, fading signal. He had always heard it, but today it was so weak it vanished from the radar several times. Another turn, a tunnel, and then — the small town clinging to the mountainside. Narrow streets, evergreen balconies, terraces, gardens, and courtyards. One more minute — and the elevator opened into a cozy hall. A quiet door, a sunlit living room with a view of the sea and the harbor nestled at the foot of the mountain. Everything was clean, in perfect order. But the signal… it was almost gone.

No, she wasn’t dead — the signs had merely changed from good to bad. The sun no longer shone, the water no longer refreshed. Nothing could bring joy or sparkle to her dimmed eyes; they looked indifferently at everything that once ignited them with fire — a fire that once flowed like molten lava through her veins, filling her body with strength and passion. Passion that could set ablaze the embers of quiet hearts and make them beat wildly. Now it was gone… almost.
He sat beside her and took her hand.

— Not feeling well?
— No. I don’t want anything.
— I’ll stay with you. If you need something, just say.

Sometimes, to help, all you need is to be near — to take a hand, or offer an embrace. The simple warmth of touch begins to spread through the fingertips, through the palms. Then came a faint flush, her lips trembled slightly, her eyes gleamed and filled with tears. They swelled to the brim and rolled down her smooth cheek. She sat up, wrapped her thin arms around him, and leaned toward his ear.

— It’s good just to sit like this.

She softly kissed his clean-shaven cheek.

— How did you know?
— The signal disappeared from the radar. Maybe your soul got tired.
— Yes. Seems so.
— If you need anything, just say.

They looked into each other’s eyes.

— At sunset?
— Yes, — she whispered.

The vast, bottomless sky spilled out billions of shimmering stars. Absolute darkness embraced everything around. Only the gentle rustle of leaves disturbed the silence. No one saw his quiet, happy smile. He was content — he had made it in time once more, done everything right. Another fading soul had illuminated the world again with her love.

— To take a hand… and lead her to the sunset.

He lay on his back, hands folded behind his head, wings spread wide.

— Today was easy. She just needed to rest…