Next time, I'd have to use the simplest method. The most final one.
Cole and Malcolm caught up, doubled over and gasping for air.
Cole kicked me hard enough to send me stumbling. "You don't get to die, Lorna Harding!"
"I'm telling you, I—"
"Cole! Finn! Malcolm!"
A sweet, urgent voice rang out from down the street, cutting him off.
All three of them whipped around. A figure fluttered toward them like a butterfly and threw herself into their arms, clinging.
"I missed you all so much!"
Cole's cold eyes erupted with pure, unguarded joy. "Miri?!"
He shot a wary glance at me, then turned his back and lowered his voice. "How did you—"
Miriam bit her lip, her face crumpling with rehearsed hurt.
"I missed you too much. I begged the System to give me five minutes to see you."
"Cole..." Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You have to hurry. If you can't take the body back soon, the System will declare my mission a failure."
Three men who commanded boardrooms and crushed rivals were suddenly helpless, tripping over themselves.
"Don't worry, Miri. We've got you."
I stood off to the side, forgotten, watching them cling to each other like a family being reunited. Like I wasn't even there.