"Don't worry," I replied gently, trying to reassure him. "I feel like I'm already dead, so this probably isn't the last time we'll talk like this. So don't cry," I added, patting his head comfortingly.
He looked away for a moment, a deep regret shadowing his features. "That's the thing—despite wanting to keep you by my side forever, you need to go back. Those people freed me to save you, because they're waiting for you. There are so many people caring for you now," he said, his voice tinged with remorse.
As he withdrew his arms from around me, I reached out quickly, trying to catch that last finger, but I was a bit too late. My hand hovered in the air, grasping at the empty space.
