Under jorden hang en svag lugt af metal og jord, mens lysstofrør i loftet kastede et koldt lys over de betonvægge.

Underground, there hung a faint smell of metal and earth, while fluorescent lights on the ceiling cast a cold light over the concrete walls.

Hylderne i bunkeren var fulde af konserves, dåser, og stærkt lugtende paraffinlys.

The shelves in the bunker were full of canned goods, tins, and strongly smelling paraffin candles.

Her stod Mikkel og Freja klar til at gøre deres evighedsindkøb en regnfuld efterårsdag.

Here stood Mikkel and Freja ready to make their eternity purchase on a rainy autumn day.

Mikkel tjekkede sin liste for fjerde gang.

Mikkel checked his list for the fourth time.

"Vi har brug for flere dåser bønner," sagde han, medens han pegede på det næsten fyldte indkøbskurv.

"We need more cans of beans," he said, while pointing to the nearly filled shopping basket.

Han havde kort, pjusket hår og bar altid en praktisk jakke.

He had short, tousled hair and always wore a practical jacket.

Freja, derimod, stod med en regnbuefarvet paraply.

Freja, on the other hand, stood with a rainbow-colored umbrella.

Hendes øjne glimtede af nysgerrighed, mens hun så sig omkring.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around.

"Skal vi ikke også tage nogle balloner eller glow sticks?

"Shouldn't we also get some balloons or glow sticks?

Kunne være sjovt i mørket!"

Could be fun in the dark!"

spurgte hun med et grin.

she asked with a laugh.

Mikkel sukkede.

Mikkel sighed.

"Vi har brug for at fokusere på det vigtige, Freja.

"We need to focus on what's important, Freja.

Hvad hvis strømmen går?

What if the power goes out?

Vi skal have lys og varme!"

We need light and warmth!"

Hans tone var alvorlig, mens han pillede ved sin lommelygte.

His tone was serious as he fiddled with his flashlight.

Freja trak på skuldrene, men som altid med et smil.

Freja shrugged, but as always with a smile.

"Men livet handler ikke kun om at overleve, Mikkel.

"But life isn't just about surviving, Mikkel.

Vi skal også leve lidt."

We have to live a little too."

Konflikten mellem deres prioriteter var tydelig.

The conflict between their priorities was clear.

Mikkel pev over de ressourcer, de endnu ikke havde samlet sammen.

Mikkel fretted over the resources they had yet to gather.

Freja ønskede, de ikke glemte glæden i øjeblikkene.

Freja wanted them not to forget the joy in the moments.

Pludselig gik lyset ud.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Stilheden i mørket var tung, kun afbrudt af lyden af deres åndedræt.

The silence in the darkness was heavy, only interrupted by the sound of their breathing.

"Freja?"

"Freja?"

kaldte Mikkel, stemmen lidt hæs af nervøsitet.

called Mikkel, his voice a bit hoarse with nervousness.

"Jeg er her," svarede hun beroligende.

"I'm here," she replied reassuringly.

Hun famlede i sin taske og trak en håndfuld glow sticks op.

She fumbled in her bag and pulled out a handful of glow sticks.

Med et klik begyndte de at gløde i livlige farver, og rummet blev oplyst af en dansende regnbue.

With a snap, they began to glow in lively colors, and the room was lit with a dancing rainbow.

Mikkel kunne ikke lade være med at grine.

Mikkel couldn't help but laugh.

En lettelse skyllede over ham.

A relief washed over him.

"Okay, måske var de glow sticks ikke en så dårlig idé alligevel," indrømmede han og skænkede hende et skævt smil.

"Okay, maybe the glow sticks weren't such a bad idea after all," he admitted, giving her a crooked smile.

De to arbejdede sammen om at få bunkeren klar.

The two worked together to get the bunker ready.

Mikkel stolede på Frejas øje for det sjove, og Freja stolede på Mikkels praktiske sans.

Mikkel relied on Freja's eye for fun, and Freja relied on Mikkel's practicality.

De fandt en balance.

They found a balance.

Da de endelig stod ved udgangen, tungt lastede med forsyninger og lidt ekstra fornøjelser, havde de lært noget nyt.

When they finally stood at the exit, heavily loaded with supplies and a few extra pleasures, they had learned something new.

"Vi klarede det," sagde Mikkel og kiggede kærligt på Freja.

"We did it," said Mikkel, looking affectionately at Freja.

"Ja, og i morgen kan vi øve os i at kaste lys sticks i mørket," lo hun tilbage og holdt hans hånd fast.

"Yes, and tomorrow we can practice tossing glow sticks in the dark," she laughed back and held his hand tightly.

Mens de klatrede op ad trappen, forenet i et øjeblik af fælles forståelse, vidste de, at det var denne balance, der ville holde dem sikre – og glade.

As they climbed the stairs, united in a moment of mutual understanding, they knew it was this balance that would keep them safe – and happy.