#21 | Gone
"Don't you do this to me!" Keller cried, pulling a half-conscious Galen into her lap, holding his head up with her hand, so she could look at him.
Galen struggled to keep his eyes open, but he wanted to see Keller's beautiful face one last time before—
He was slipping. Keller could feel that through the bond. Every moment, slowly tearing her heart in half.
"Keller—" Galen tried, his voice low and rough and harsh.
"No!" Keller interrupted. "No, don't just give in." Tears pooled in her eyes. "Fight! You're stronger than this! You can't just leave me alone, here, by myself, Galen! I need you."
With effort and a lot of pain, Galen reached up to caress Keller's cheek.
"Let me talk." he said a little louder and more commanding.
Keller's lower lip shook but she stayed quiet.
"I love you." I whispered. "Remember... that..." His hand dropped, his eyes closed and he went still. Through the bond Keller could feel him still hanging on, but his life was fading.
"Iliana!" Keller shrieked frantically. "Iliana!" The tears spilled over, then, and Keller cradled Galen in her arms. "Don't leave me." She sobbed quietly. "Don't go. Please... just hang on."
…
Thank you for everything,
TheBrightestNight