ending... confusions and theories....SPOILERS

I also just finished the book and I don't understand the ending. Did Cassie and Bacardi both die? Did only Bacardi die? Or did they both live?

Also, I don't understand why at the end while 72 and Sheila are outside, why Sheila is trying to get back into the building?

I would appreciate some enlightenment.

The ending was prompt and random, but for some reason I didn't care. I question whether the 'meld' was even physically possible, but it's like whatever, Snuff is not intended to be taken seriously.

I have to re read it again, but I could of swore it said and then I chocked my mother to death with the pillow.

From what I got, it's unclear whether Cassie or Branch died.  It just says that they are unconcious and the doctors are trying to do what they can to save them, while Sheila looks for the doctors' attention.

On Mr. 72 and Sheila outside the building: it says that she smells a barbeque, or something cooking.  She then turns and realizes it's coming from inside, and tires to get back in.  During the next segment, we find out that the smell is Branch and Cassie being electrocuted and burned/cooked/melded together.  So Sheila was outside and smelled it, and then wanted to find out what was going on.

I hope that helped.

When I read the last sentence I thought, "Wait, what? Did Sheila die? Why weren't the paramedics seeing her? Was she a ghost? Plus she says in the last chapter both Cassie and Branch aren't dead. But the paramedics don't seem to think so. Which makes me think Sheila is dead even more.