All That's Left

Chapter 26 | Dorian

Present

2023

Seventeen years old

I hesitated at the top of the stairs, listening to the faint sound of the shower running down the hall. My heart was still heavy with worry for Vania, and I couldn't shake the image of her sitting alone at the lake, looking so lost and broken. I glanced back at Max, who was sitting on the couch, staring at the floor in deep thought.

"I'm going to check on her," I say quietly. Max just nods, his expression unreadable.

When I reached the bathroom, I could see the faint light coming from beneath the bathroom door. I approached it cautiously, pausing outside to listen for any sounds beyond the running water. But all I could hear was the steady rush of the water,

I knocked lightly on the door. "Vania? Are you okay?"

No response.

My worry spiked. I knocked again, a little harder this time. "Van, you okay in there?"

Still nothing.

Heart pounding in my chest, I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. "I'm coming in, Vania," I called out, my voice gentle but firm.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately met with a cloud of steam, the bathroom mirror fogged up and the tiles slick with moisture. The sight that greeted me made my breath catch in my throat. Vania was sitting on the shower floor, her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them as she cried silently under the cascading water. The sight of her looking so defeated and vulnerable hit me like a punch to the gut. 

Without a second thought I reached in and turned off the water. I grabbed a towel from the rack and carefully wrapped it around Vania. She didn't even respond, her body limp and unresponsive.

"Vania...," I whispered as I knelt down beside Vania, gently pulling her into my arms. The towel clung to her wet skin as I wrapped it around her tighter, trying to offer her some semblance of warmth and comfort. Her small, shuddering sobs tore at my heart, and I could feel my own emotions welling up. I should have fought harder for her. She deserved that.

"It's okay," I murmured, running my hand soothingly up and down her back. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Vania didn't respond, but she leaned into me, her head resting against my chest as her sobs slowly began to subside. I just held her, rocking her gently as my own heart broke a little but more with each tear she shed.

After what felt like an eternity, Vania's crying finally quited, and she was sniffling softly against me. I pulled back slightly, just enough to see her face and gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks. "Let's get you dressed, okay?" I said softly.

Vania nodded weakly, letting me help her to her feet. She was unsteady, her legs trembling from the cold and the emotional toll of the night. I kept a steady arm around her as I guided her out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. 

Once there, I rummaged through her closet, finding a pair of her warm pajamas. I handed them to her and then turned around to give her some semblance of privacy as she slipped into the pajamas. When she was dressed, I turned back and saw her standing there, looking so small and fragile, like she might break at any moment.

I guided her to the bed, helping her climb under the covers and tucking her in snugly. As I pulled the blanket up to her chin, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We'll talk tomorrow," I whispered, my voice filled with a tenderness that I reserved only for her.