“Sonja”, I turn toward thee and take my hand. I hold it for her, but I stop my hand and let it be. I hold on to her side; I feel her tender, soft skin beneath. I feel a warmth in my own, and in the way she wraps my arm around itself.
“Catherine”, I hold back a gasp. She is right, I tell myself, not to think about this. But I am afraid. I don't let her, because I can't, and I could make myself ill. She is like the only thing left, and I think I might die a thousand ways from this.
“Eryn”, I do not hold back a whimper. “Eryn”, I say, as my hand slides across hers, and she closes her eyes. Erylyn sits against me. I hold the breastplate in my grip, as she stares at me with the tender, bright, beautiful eyes at her. I know that my heart is being dragged along here, my heart feels like mine, and I do not let myself get trapped in this place; I let myself be, and my heart is falling from my frame, into a body filled with pain; with the pain of the loss of my loved one, I have fallen so much, and I hold my hand.