Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

The little girl looked a bit puzzled, but her mom gently pulled her over.

"Hey, don't go calling people old, honey."

"But Uncle Rupert isn't old! And his wife probably isn't old either," the girl replied innocently.

Sylvia's cheeks flushed. She quickly pulled her hand free from Rupert's and managed an awkward smile.

The girl's mom gave Sylvia a knowing look-she clearly understood, but didn't say a word. Instead, she chuckled. "My husband and I run a little diner over by the university. You should come by sometime if you're free."

"Thanks, I'd love to," Sylvia replied, feeling a warmth in her chest. She had been right about them—they really were easy to get along with.

As the family of three walked away, Sylvia pressed her lips together, feeling like something important had settled, but not completely. There were still so many questions from her past life—if so much had gone on behind her back, who was she really supposed to blame for what happened to Stella and herself?

She turned to Rupert. "Uncle Rupert, what about Bridget and Caleb?"

"They're at the hospital," Rupert said flatly. "Bridget's face was badly injured, and her leg's broken. Caleb's in a coma. He also got fired for forging signatures and overprescribing meds to patients' families."

Sylvia's eyes widened. "Forging? Did he ever forge your signature?"

Rupert's eyes narrowed, suspicious. "How'd you know that?"

calm expression, though her hands twisted nervously behind her back. "Just a guess. He used to imitate

like he was practicing. Never actually used them, though. Maybe he was planning something. He did say he wanted me to raise his kid for

her past life, Caleb was the one who signed off

if that was true, how did

Dry autumn leaves rustled in the breeze, and before she could look up, she noticed Rupert's scarf-a familiar one, with a little

life, Rupert had never worn that scarf again. Was

but her hand reached out before she could stop herself. She poked at the hole,

grabbed her wrist. "What's that supposed

Sylvia, startled, realized how

she blurted, "Uncle Rupert, your gearf's got a hole. I could

Rupert only heard

at her.

"No."

you ever knitted

at him, but his gaze was sharp, as if he

once, didn't you? Why

away, feeling guilty. Sometimes, being around

guessed it

knitting scarves

But the day she was going to, Rupert announced he was dating Bridget. Sylvia ended