Sunlight. Olivia laughs, throwing a frisbee. A DOG (friendly, mid-sized) races back, tongue out. She hugs it. Her hands are gentle. She looks happy, free.
CUT TO:
OLIVIA (very small) Hi.
OLIVIA I’m... here.
THE END
They unpack in silence. Marco takes out fresh basil; Olivia’s hands twitch when he reaches for a pepper. A CRASH from the kitchen—Marco looks, then laughs nervously.
BACK TO PRESENT
Slowly, a SMALL DOG—frail, ghostlike, fur the color of ash—pads into the room. Its eyes are gentle but hollow. Marco crouches automatically, smiling.
Ellie licks her palm. Olivia laughs, a sound that starts fragile and gains strength. Marco exhales, relieved and smiling.
CUT TO:
INT. FLASHBACK — DAY — PARK — TWO YEARS AGO
She inhales, exhales. The camera stays on the corner: shadows pool there like a small gathering. A framed photo on the wall shows a smiling OLIVIA with a golden retriever.
BACK TO APARTMENT
Olivia nods, tentative hope flickering.