ime, I  to Emmeline’s quarters. It  time I ed guest, and t ticed, before I even entered t noticed me yet—and realized it y, t plosives t  you migake for time I t it opped a ion brus my ear like a moting on my tered away again.

    I cleared my t.

    ‘Margaret.“ Miss inter, ioned next to er, gestured to a che bed. ”how good of you.“

    I looked at Emmeline’s face on te e of scarring and burn damage t I  none of ill tangled skein of lessly  to my presence. . Some alteration aken place in antly visible to too elusive to define. S notrengtended outside t and in it ser’s hand in a firm grip.

    ‘how are you, Emmeline?“ I asked nervously.

    ‘S er.

    Miss inter, too,  days. But in illation: t reduced  exposed ime I sa, and teel at er was revealed.

    All t  Emmeline c.

    ‘ould you like me to read?“ I asked.

    ‘By all means.“

    I read a cer. ter murmured. Emmeline’s eyes o it. the beginnings of bruises on her fingers.

    Seeing tion of my gaze, so  terruption to our  spend my time  must . But it  be long nomas coming. You ing to leave us and be er tand. I expect… ”—it  of pauses—“hen.”

    I did not immediately understand   ao Emmeline’s sleeping face.

    ‘Do you mean… ?“

    Miss inter sig be taken in by t t srong. Sime. For years I assumed t I o see  before me. t so sure. And no seems o the finish line.”

    So t’s ing for. t   end.

    Suddenly my t ened as a child’s.

    Dying. Emmeline was dying.

    ‘Is i