“I have loved you all my life.” His voice hitched as he struggled to take a breath. “Even when I pestered you and teased you, I loved you. Always you, only you.” He coughed and his body shuddered. “You must survive this and tell the people of the world what has happened here, so it doesn’t happen again. Use your pencil and paper and weave your beautiful words to keep our memories alive. Don’t let me die in vain, Katya.”
