There were no final words shared between them, only the stillness of their hands that refused to let go even after the end.
Riley did not break his promise with Hannah.
He held her hand until her skin faded into dust. Until her bones turned to memory. Until there was nothing left of Hannah except what remained inside his mind.
He didn't let go of her.
He watched her slowly grow old. He watched her grow weak. He watched her die. And he watched her wither in his arms.
And he… he remained.
His arms were wrapped around nothing, but still, he refused to let go and just allowed himself to drift away.
Planets collapsed around him. Stars were extinguished and given birth again.
Still, he remained like that. Alone. Because this was his punishment.
And very soon, came the pulse.
The pulse that signaled the end of the universe.
And for the first time in a billion years, he spoke.
