On a hot afternoon with storm clouds building, Roman Kitt sits across from Iris Winnow in the trenches, thinking about the coming rain, his writing, and his growing attachment to Iris. Speaking is forbidden in this section of trenches, so they sit in tense quiet as wind begins to pick up over the lines.

The calm shatters when rapid artillery barrages scream in, shaking the earth. Iris falls from her stool and cowers, and Roman throws himself over her, shielding her as dirt and splinters rain down. In a brief lull, he helps Iris upright; she trembles and stares at him, and Roman resolves that she must survive to carry the soldiers’ stories back to Oath.

The bombardment resumes even closer. Roman presses Iris against the trench wall and covers her again, fearing Dacre’s soldiers might be using the smoke to advance across no-man’s-land. He debates whether to hide Iris or flee with her, his hand at her neck to keep her close as the shells continue.

Lieutenant Lark grabs Roman and orders both correspondents to retreat to town. Roman, relieved to have clear direction, takes Iris by the hand and guides her through chaotic, damaged trenches strewn with wounded soldiers and blood. Iris resists, shouting that they cannot leave the injured behind, while Roman insists they must follow orders because they are not soldiers.

Roman hesitates at the moral pull to stay, then spots a small round object arc into the trench and land behind Iris: a hand grenade. He yanks Iris by the collar, placing himself between her and the device, and pushes her forward at a run toward a protective bend in the trench.

They nearly reach the turn when Iris trips on a plank; Roman hauls her up and drives them on. As Iris rounds the corner first, the grenade clicks and pings behind them. Roman whispers her name and tightens his grip just as the explosion detonates, the blast blowing them apart amid smoke and gunfire.