58: Left behind

*Tristan*

I press my back to the vibrating door. I didn’t need my key because it's no longer locked. I should be familiar with the room by now, but it still takes me off guard. All my clothing is gone. Every torn shirt, waistcoat, jacket. Every pair of trousers. Every scrap of remaining neckcloth. Every discarded bit of attire that once offended me, threatened to suffocate me. Gone.

Eve had gathered them up and taken them to the poor.

The bare mattress upon which I once slept when the thought of sheets or blankets would make me break out in a sweat is no longer visible. It's covered by violet velveteen. The recently hung draperies are drawn aside to let in the night. Not a speck of dust is to be seen. The wooden floor is polished to a fine sheen.

The room smells of beeswax and polish. The room smells of her.

She has done this. She has chased back the demons. She has returned to me the magic of touch. She has helped me conquer the madness.

I stride over to the window and gaze out when e