A Night Unfinished by Fate

 A Night Unfinished by FateSetting: The old man’s houseTime: Night. The samovar is boiling, stars shimmer in the sky.Mood: Warm and slightly bashful atmosphere.A weary Moris and Avrora arrive at the old man’s home.A dog sleeps by the door. On the table: simple village dishes and steaming tea. The soft bubbling of the samovar fills the room with nostalgic warmth.The old man pours tea. Moris and Avrora sit across from each other. Their eyes meet now and then — Avrora looks away, shy. Moris smiles faintly. The silence is gently broken by the old man:🧓 Old Man: “So, kids... how long have you been married?”Avrora, mid-sip, chokes on her tea. She blushes and nearly drops her cup.😳 Avrora: “M-Married? We’re not...”😐 Moris (calmly): “Sir, we’re... not married.”The old man blinks, surprised.🧓 “Eh?! You walk around like newlyweds! When a young man travels with a girl, I figure the engagement is done at least! Back in my day...”The old man launches into an old love story. Avrora giggles and pinches Moris under the table.💬 Avrora (whispering): “If we stay two more days, he might ask why we don’t have kids yet.”😏 Moris: “Let’s leave before then.”
One Room – Two PillowsAfter dinner, the old man leads them to the only room.An old bed. Two pillows. One blanket.🧓 Old Man: “You’re both wounded. Rest here tonight. No other spare rooms.”Avrora grins:— “One room, huh?”The old man shrugs:— “You’re not married, but back in our day, folks shared haystacks!”He exits without another word.Awkward SilenceInside the room, Moris looks at the bed.Avrora stands by the window.🗣️ Moris: “I’ll sleep on the floor.”🗣️ Avrora: “No. If we lie back-to-back, nothing will happen. A hard bed is better than a cold floor.”They lie on opposite sides of the bed, facing away from each other.

---
Nighttime Dialogue🗣️ Avrora (whispering): “Is this your first time sharing a room with a girl?”😌 Moris: “No... I mean... yes...”😏 Avrora: “Even scientists have their weaknesses, huh?”🧠 Moris: “This is... a different kind of experiment.”They both chuckle, then fall into a quiet pause.

---
Before SleepOutside, a dog howls. Stars twinkle overhead.Avrora, turned away:— “Thank you, Moris... for everything.”🧍‍♂️ Moris (whispering): “If we’re alive in the morning, you can thank me then.”

---
Scene: Murder for GoldLocation: Forest outside the villageTime: Pre-dawnMoris’ drone detects movement — a teen boy, ragged clothes, a spear in hand, fear in his eyes.🤖 Drone: “Threat detected. Distance: 220 meters. Possible connection to wanted subject.”Moris walks out silently, intercepts the boy.🧍‍♂️ Moris: “You came for the bounty? One million gold?”The boy freezes.👦 Boy: “My mother’s sick... we can’t afford medicine... You’re just one man — what difference does it make?”😐 Moris: “But that one man... might be someone’s only hope.”He takes a pouch of gold from his coat, hands it over.— “Here. But if you kill me, how many more mothers will lose their children?”The boy breaks into tears:— “Why don’t you kill me, then?”🧍‍♂️ Moris: “Because I understand you. You’re not my enemy. You’re just a boy with no other choice.”

---
Scene: Farewell — For SafetyAt dawn, the forest path splits in two.One leads to safety. The other — to war.🧍‍♂️ Moris: “This is where I go alone.”😢 Avrora: “What if I never see you again?”😌 Moris: “Then find me in your dreams.”He hands her a small metal device:— “This is a comm-link. If you ever truly need me — just activate it.”Tears stream down her face:— “Even if you fight alone... you’ll always be in my heart.”The camera pans away.Moris walks off alone — his drone overhead, and hope in his steps.