1:15 P.M.

“So what do you plan on making with all this stuff?” asked Roy. “It’s kinda heavy.” In his hands was a hefty crate containing Alys’s groceries.

The two were making their return journey to the estate and settled on some small talk to bide the time.

“Broiled gospel fish, a small greens salad, peach toast, fennel and lemon soup, and a mist mandarin sorbet,” Alys answered.

“Quite a meal. And you plan on cooking it all yourself? No help from Ila?”

“I will not require assistance. Dinner preparation is and has my duty and mine alo-”

“Caeli!?”

Alys was interrupted by an elderly woman who was standing in the middle of the road. She was clearly in shock, and was looking directly at Alys.

“Caeli is that you?” The woman dropped her bags and began running towards Alys.

“Do you know her, Alys?” Roy asked.

“No, I have not once met this woman.”

Roy stepped to the side as the woman embraced Alys. The woman began to cry.

“Oh Caeli! I thought you were dead! We haven’t heard from you in so long,” the woman cried tearfully. “When I heard you were sick, I was so worried. But I didn’t know where you were. So I could do nothing but pray for you to get better. But you’re here! And alive!”

The woman continued to sob.

“Ma’am, I am sorry but you have the wrong person. I am not Caeli,” Alys responded calmly.

“Wha-what? But you look exactly like-”

“I am Alys, an android that lives at the estate down this road. And this boy is Roy, a servant, though he is not an android.”

The woman had stopped crying, and her face quickly became confused. For a few moments she stared into Alys’s eyes, before the look on her face became one of understanding.

After a few more moments, the woman began to speak. “I see… I think I know what’s going on now.” Her voice was dejected. “Forgive me for bothering you. Please, continue on your way.”

“Thank you ma’am. I am sorry for any confusi-”

“But do not tell your master that you met me. Please. It’s better for all of us that way,” the woman interrupted Alys once again.

Alys was confused, but she agreed to what the woman said, if only to be allowed to continue on their way.

Alys and Roy bid the woman safe travels and resumed the walk to the estate. The two did not speak anymore, as the words the woman said continued to weigh on Alys’s mind.