Emma's heart stopped beating during her ninety-fifth birthday party.
She had been laughing at something her great-grandson Tommy had said when the pain hit her chest like lightning. The silver light that had always protected her flickered and went dark.
"Grandma Great!" Tommy screamed as Emma collapsed onto the kitchen floor.
Luna rushed over, her healing powers already glowing, but when she touched her mother, nothing happened. Emma's body was shutting down naturally, and no amount of cosmic energy could fight old age forever.
"Mom, stay with us," Luna whispered, cradling Emma's head in her lap.
Emma's eyes fluttered open. Even though her heart wasn't beating, she was still conscious. The cosmic energy that had kept her alive for decades was holding on just a little longer.
"It's time," Emma said softly. "I can feel it."
