"May I have some time alone with him?" Elka asked at last, breaking her long silence. She forced her voice to sound small and timid, carefully shaping it into something that resembled sincerity. "This might be the last time I get to speak to him."
Her mother hesitated, reluctant to leave Galen's side, as though her mere presence could keep him alive when physicians had failed to do so. After a long moment, she drew in a deep, trembling breath and finally relented. As she passed, she brushed a hand over Elka's shoulder in what was meant to be a comforting gesture.
Elka fought the sharp, instinctive urge to recoil from the touch.
The door shut behind her mother with a dull click, leaving Elka alone with Galen.
Silence settled over the room, thick and clawing.
