My breath caught in the apple of my throat. My vision swam with murky highlights. Atha. I shook my head, and dug my heels into the ground; fighting against both Rilah's pull, and my better judgment, for one extra moment with her at the end.
No! I couldn't end this way!
I braced my elbow against the wall, as my head spun. So dizzy, all of a sudden...
Rilah continued to usher me away, despite my best efforts. She hissed under her breath, "Zo-el, please. I'm sorry. She's already gone."
"No!" I shouted, uncaring of the danger. If the abominable taigaspawn took notice, I didn't deign to record it into my memories, as they had clearly unveiled themselves as being unworthy of my gaze. My voice was raw, and rueful, as I spoke. "I can't leave, yet! We haven't even said goodbye! Atha!"
