12. "I don't want to go without you."

"Crap. Dead end," Dmitry cursed loudly, trying to catch his breath.

He spun around to look at their makeshift barricade that they threw together. His heart sunk through the pounding in his chest when he saw it weaken. Each hit on the door knocking over a piece and causing the structure to wobble precariously. All his life, Dmitry had to think on his feet. He began to run over to the collapsing furniture, but a hand grabbed his arm.

"Dmitry," Anya began, looking surprisingly calm considering how quickly and how far they ran. However, Dmitry caught the sad look in her eyes. "You need to go."

"What?" Dmitry asked in disbelief, "No, you're coming too. I got you tangled in this mess. We can find a way to escape—" Dmitry held back adding the word "together", afraid of the weight of that word.

"No, Dima," Anya protested. Dmitry's heart swelled at the use of his childhood nickname. "They want me. You and Vlad can escape from this. They'll only keep looking if I go."

Dmitry could feel a pit in his stomach and a pain in his heart. No, this wasn't how this was supposed to end up. It seemed like a foolproof plan: find a fake Anastasia, get out of Russia, and get rich. However, Dmitry didn't expect to develop feelings for an amnesic streetsweeper and in the process send her to her death.

"Anya," Dmitry began, his voice breaking slightly, "I don't want to go without you."

Anya gave him a small smile. His statement warmed and hurt her heart simultaneously. She knew this was the only way. It comforted her knowing that Vlad and Dmitry would live.

Opening her mouth to speak, she closed it immediately, unsure of what to say. She too had begun to develop a fondness for Dmitry. Despite their stubborn personalities and small, petty arguments, they matched well. It was a harmonious balance. And now this was an end to their journey.

"You must," Anya whispered, grabbing his hand softly, "Thank you, Dmitry. For everything these past few months. I'll miss you."

Anya gently rose up and kissed him. What seemed like minutes was only seconds. Both felt fireworks. Despite the coldness and their chapped lips, it was the warmest kiss they had ever shared.

Anya pulled back, leaving Dmitry in shock. She reached down, picked up a fallen book, and threw it at the window. The glass shattered, also shattering Dmitry's daze.

"Go!" Anya shouted, pushing Dmitry towards the window as the barricade fell. Still completely mesmerized, he did as he was told. However, before exiting the windowsill, he turned and faced Anya. Dmitry took in one last look, staring into her piercing blue eyes.

Suddenly, the soldiers broke through the door and pushed away their fallen barricade. Dmitry broke eye contact with Anya, glanced at the soldiers, took a breath and jumped.

Anya and the soldiers were surprised to see Dmitry reenter the room. Not caring about anything else, Dmitry ran over to Anya and stood in front of her, shielding her from the soldiers.

"Dima! What are you doing, you idiot?" Anya asked furiously. God, he knew how to push her. Even when she was about to save his life, his bullheaded personality wouldn't let her.

"I couldn't leave you, Anya. If this is my fate, I want my last moments to be spent with you," Dmitry confessed.

Anya smiled and kissed Dmitry's hand sweetly. "I wish we had more time."

"Me too."