24 hours after the making of The Puppet Master
Third Person's POV
Elena sat upright in the hospital bed, allowing a doctor to examine her.
"Miss Elena, based on your previous medical report, you were diagnosed with a pineal gland tumor."
The doctor looked Elena in the eye. She nodded.
"Yes."
The doctor nodded slightly. "We did an emergency MRI on you because of your VIP status…"
Elena lifted her head at once.
VIP status, she thought, but she was too tired to say it out loud.
"And we discovered that the tumor has gotten larger. This growth is likely what caused you to faint."
Elena said nothing.
The doctor checked her folder, his voice turning serious. "Due to the size and location of the tumor, we are recommending that you undergo surgery to remove it as soon as possible to prevent further complications."
Elena shook her head slightly from left to right. Her voice came out small.
"I need some time to think about it, doctor."
The doctor nodded gently. "Of course, Miss Elena. Take your time. Do not hesitate to ask us any questions bothering you about the nature of the disease and the possible interventions."
He wrote something inside the folder, gave her a reassuring smile, and left the ward.
The moment the door closed, Elena buried her face in her palms and began to sob quietly.
Minutes later, a knock sounded on the door.
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and used her dress to blow her nose.
"Come in."
The door creaked open. Elena looked up without lifting her head, expecting a nurse or a dietician. Instead, an old lady wearing a Hope Bridge volunteer vest walked in.
Elena looked away and kept trying to pat her face dry.
"Hello, young miss. I'm Agnes from Hope Bridge."
Elena gathered herself and sat properly on the hospital bed.
"You are welcome, Madam Agnes."
Agnes had already begun to speak. "I'm here to…"
Her words stopped.
Agnes stared at Elena's face. She froze, took a step forward, then bent her frail body to look closer.
"E… Elodie?" she whispered. "Is that you?"
Elena blinked. Her brows drew together.
"Madam, my name is Elena. Elena Prescott."
Agnes shook her head. Tears filled her eyes.
"Forgive me, dear child. You are the splitting image of my best friend. Elodie Harrison."
Elena's confusion faded. Her expression turned serious.
"Elodie Harrison? That's my grandma's name. You knew her?"
Agnes nodded slowly, still dazed.
"Yes… yes, I did. Can… Can I sit?"
"Go ahead," Elena said.
Agnes sat on the chair beside her.
****
Thirty minutes later
Elena and Agnes were speaking in hushed tones when the door flung open.
Alexander walked in with Sebastian, Redmond, and Stone.
"What's going on?" Elena asked, agitated.
Sebastian stepped forward.
"Miss Elena, we received intel that a black vehicle stopped in front of the hospital where you work and unveiled a banner with your name and a warning."
Elena leaned back and covered her face with her hand.
"That is why Stone will be assigned to protect you and your son," Sebastian continued.
On a normal day, Elena would have argued.
Today, she only nodded.