It was done. He was separated. All that was left was a dull throb over his arms, legs, and the feeling of something missing from his mind. Like an amputated limb, he reached out in his mind and could swear he felt something there, but it was gone. Held behind a brick wall that was solid, secure, and firm.

Tears stung at his eyes from the loss, and the shame of the scene that brought him here, tied to Reinette. Her angel, her protector, and he was cradled in her arms, held there because she wouldn't let him go.

If there had been a doubt in his mind, some inkling that she only kept him around because she felt obligated to, it was gone. She had to love him, to hold him as she did, to force him to do what he did to keep him alive.

That was a comfort, at least.