How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Out of nowhere, Elodie was startled.

She stepped aside quickly.

A girl's anxious voice called from behind her. "I'm so sorry! My drone just

malfunctioned and went out of control. Are you hurt?"

Elodie turned to see a teenage girl, maybe sixteen, dressed in a hospital gown. Her doll-like face, pretty and fresh, was full of concern.

Elodie shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

The girl let out a visible sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I'm not sure what happened it suddenly stopped responding."

Elodie glanced at the rogue drone hovering nearby, then offered the dessert box she was carrying. "Would you mind if I took a look at it for you?"

The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "Of course not!"

She took the box from Elodie, peeking inside at the small batch of cookies. Her entire face lit up.

Elodie powered down the drone and examined it. "Looks like a navigation system glitch. It's not following the preset route. Let me check if it's a gyroscope or sensor calibration issue."

The girl watched her in awe. "Wow, you really know your stuff!"

Elodie made a few quick adjustments and handed the drone back. "It should be much better now. Want to give it a try?"

girl launched the drone again,

"Freya Delacroix!"

man's urgent voice rang out behind them. Elodie turned to see Joseph hurrying

sight of him,

to see Elodie. "Ms.

Elodie asked, "You're her...?"

replied, glancing at Freya with obvious relief. "She's my sister. She's not well, and

her

unwillingness to linger. Her manner was

pressed his lips together, not sure what

two know each other?" Freya piped up, eyes

the word "friends," Elodie's brows drew together

wouldn't call it

anything, their relationship was... mutually

and hesitated, finally saying, "We've

between them, puzzled. For some reason, her brother

warming to Elodie. First impressions meant a lot to her,

Joseph noticed. "It's okay-if it's

bring herself to turn down such a sincere request

my drone! Maybe I could treat you to lunch

smiled faintly. "It

toward the cookies in Freya's arms. "I made those myself.

go ahead and try