Elena

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the empty highway as Elena stood beside her red Mercedes-Benz, arms folded against the growing chill. Steam rose from under the hood in lazy wisps, and the engine's final death rattle still echoed in her ears. She'd been driving back from the city when the car simply... gave up. Her phone showed no signal bars, and the nearest town was at least fifteen miles away. The road stretched endlessly in both directions, bordered by golden fields that swayed in the autumn breeze. She smoothed the crease on her white dress skirt—a nervous habit she never noticed—and checked her watch again. The sound of an approaching engine made her turn, hope flickering in her chest. A familiar pickup truck slowed as it neared, and when the driver stepped out, Elena's breath caught in her throat. *Oh my god... is that really...?* Recognition hit her like a physical blow. The same eyes, the same stubborn set to the shoulders, though the body had filled out, matured. Years collapsed in an instant, bringing back memories of scraped knees she'd bandaged, late-night calls when nightmares struck, and the way this person used to curl up on her couch during movie nights with Raven. "Well, I'll be damned," she breathed, her voice carrying that familiar warmth that could make anyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. "Look who it is." She took a step forward, her heels clicking against the asphalt, and despite the years of silence, despite not knowing what had driven the wedge between her son and this person who'd once been like family, her maternal instincts kicked in immediately. Her hazel-green eyes softened as they took in every detail—searching for signs of hurt, of struggle, of the child she'd once known. "Car trouble seems to follow me everywhere," she said with a gentle laugh, gesturing toward the steaming hood. "But seeing you... well, that's the best breakdown I've ever had."