You stare at Paul, as he steps closer to Martin…as he draws your lover’s gaze towards him…and you make your decision.

It’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done. The hardest thing you’ve ever had to do. But you force yourself to run round Paul and Martin. You don’t look at them. You don’t talk to them. And you don’t let yourself consider what doing this will mean for the three of you.

You grab the box in both hands, surprised at how light it feels. Is it empty? Has its contents already been taken out?

But there’s no time to consider that, as you turn round and find yourself nose to nose with the man you gave your life over to. You swallow hard, staring into Martin’s eyes, moisture filling your own. You blink several times so the tears won’t fall and speak in a quiet voice that you manage to keep from shaking. “Martin. You need to let me go.”

“I don’t need to do anything.” He has the rifle in one hand. The barrel is brushing against your chest. If he fires it now, you’ll have no chance. Instant death. Bang. Game over.

You’re ashamed to realise that there’s a big part of you that wants that. That if you’re going to lose Martin and Paul forever, you’d rather die with them. Just like you were prepared to do before moving the statue.

“I love you.” You say the words in a quiet, hopeless tone. Your throat hurts and you want to curl up in a little ball and cry your eyes out. “You can shoot me. I won’t stop you. I won’t be able to outrun you. But before you do, I need to tell you. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I wish things could have been different. I wish we had more time together.”

Something moves in Martin’s eyes and he lowers the rifle. Then, he grabs you and pulls you forward into a hard, deep, desperate kiss.

Emotions roil through you and you shudder, pressing against him. Inhaling his unique scent, the cologne and, underneath that, sandalwood and the faint smell of gunpowder.

All too soon, Martin pulls back from you. He strokes his fingers through your hair and whispers, “I love you, Grant. I always will.” And then he steps aside.

You see Paul crouching on the ground and the two of you lock gazes before he smiles, sadly and wistfully, and then half-lifts a hand in farewell.

The tears running down your cheeks blind you as you stumble along, finally leaving the cave.