Mist of invention

Part nine

The sun was going down. And in those last shimmers of light i found my way to the washing room. The smell of our dinner revolted me. And even now, days after i met with him again, the cold lingers.
I stand in front of the basin, holding it so tightly my knuckles turned white, and i cried.
My shoulders shook. I nearly crumbled in on myself. Leaning my head against the cabinet under the sink.
This wasn't how it was all supposed to go. We were all supposed to be here together. They would've- should've been here with me.
Sometimes, I can still hear her call out to me for help.
Slowly i heard the door creak open, and i shot upright, but my voice i still could not control.
I saw Aileen's beautiful figure reflected in the golden light in the mirror. I looked behind me, to where she actually stood. And with all the poise and grace i could muster told her to leave.
Aileen didn't leave.
She stepped closer, and even when i turned my face away again, trying by god to wipe the tears away, she hugged me. Hesitantly. And awkwardly.
"You need not be alone, your grace," she said.