Aero stepped back into the cold street with the new blanket tucked under one arm, the warm bread in the other, and Lina safely on his back.
The narrow road felt less frightening now. Even the shadows seemed softer—as if kindness had chased some of them away.
Lina leaned her head over his shoulder.
"Aero… we have a real blanket now," she whispered, touching the thick fabric with her tiny fingers.
"I know," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "We'll be warm tonight, Lina. For the first time in many days."
She hugged his neck tightly. "You're the best brother."
Aero didn't answer. But inside, something warm grew in his chest. Something he rarely felt—*the feeling that maybe… just maybe… they could make it through another winter.
They began walking back toward there broken house in the ruins where they lived.
The cracked stones under their feet when they were walking echoed softly, and the wind weaved through the narrow alleys like a thin whisper.
Lina looked at the cookie in Aero's hand. "Can we eat it now?"
Aero smiled. "Not yet. Let's save it. We'll eat the bread first."
"But why?" Lina asked with a confused look.
Aero replied
"Because the cookie is sweet," Aero explained. "We'll eat it when it gets dark. So the night won't feel so cold or scary."
Lina nodded thoughtfully. "Okay. Then it will be like… a gift from the night."
Aero laughed. "Or from the bakery man."
Lina giggled into his shoulder.
By the time they reached the broken building they called home, the sky had turned pale blue. The structure was once a warehouse long ago, but now only its outer walls survived—cracked, leaning, and whispering with cold.
Inside, it was dim and empty except for a few old crates stacked together and a little space where Aero and Lina slept.
Aero spread the new blanket across their little sleeping space.
Lina's eyes widened. "It's so big!"
"It can cover both of us," Aero said proudly. "You won't shiver anymore."
He opened the bread packet and tore it into pieces carefully, making sure the halves were almost exactly equal. Lina watched intently.
"You always give me the bigger piece," she said softly.
Aero pretended not to hear and handed her a piece that was—of course—slightly bigger.
They ate slowly. Warm bread was rare… precious. Aero savored every bite. Lina swung her legs happily as she ate, kicking the air with rhythm.
When they finished, she asked, "Can we sleep early tonight?"
Aero looked at her. "Why so early?"
"Because…" Lina said shyly, "I want to sleep under the new blanket. I want to feel warm before the night gets cold."
Aero felt his heart soften again. "Of course. We will."
Then he remembered the cookie.
"And later," he added, "we share this."
The sugar crystals sparkled when the moonlight touched them.
Lina clapped her hands. "It's beautiful."