I sat by Elise's side, my heart aching with a pain so deep that I thought it would kill me.
Her breathing had become faint, almost nonexistent, and I knew that time was running out.
The weight of the decision I had to make pressed down on me like a heavy stone, suffocating me.
I had promised her I would keep going. That I would survive, even if it meant leaving her behind.
But now that the moment was here, the thought of walking away from her was unbearable.
How could I just leave her here, alone and helpless? I thought to myself.
But I knew I had to. I had to honor her last wish.
I wiped away the tears from my face, trying to steady my shaking hands.
Elise deserved more than my tears; she deserved my strength, even if it was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do.
“Elise,” I whis
