The time came for The Russells and Wu and me to go. That's right, I decided to fly the coop too. With no baby on board I could do what I wanted, and I was pissed at Mom and Dad, I wasn't about to hang with them the next nine months! Though I did promise to come back when everyone else did, just to see how everything worked out.
Dad opened a portal for Alvin and Cressida, which would exile them to the thread they had chosen to bear and raise their kid in. One last time they begged their sister to come with them, and one last time she refused. They looked pretty glum as they 'ported out.
Sensie, for her part, looked completely lost once they had gone, obviously having second thoughts. Dad opened a portal for her and Wu, to their chosen thread.
Sensie freaked out, flipped her lid. She got completely hysterical, and suddenly everyone was shouting at once and then -
"Silence!"
That was Wu, suddenly a dragon the size of a mountain. That shocked us all into shutting up, even Sensie, believe me!
Then he was a man again, speaking gently, walking toward her. "I know this is difficult for you, and I understand," he said. "No one should have to go through what you're being forced to suffer. But it doesn't have to be this way. Please, trust me." He practically shone with sincerity, and it had its effect. With a sob, Sensie ran into his outstretched arms and clung to him like she'd never let go.
I was closest to them, and heard what he whispered next. "I meant what I said, it doesn't have to be this way, I feel too much for you to let this happen. I can take this burden from you, you, if you wish. All you have to do is say the word."
I don't think she even knew what she was saying. "Please," she begged. "Please - !"
"Very well," he said, and his voice was sadder than I had ever seen it. "It is done." And he kissed her.
I should have said she kissed her. Wu wasn't a man anymore, he - she, I mean - was a woman. She let Sensie go, and Sensie staggered back with a gasp. "What have you done?" Sensie cried. "I feel so - empty?"
Wu nodded. "Yes," she said. "You aren't pregnant anymore." She turned to Mom. "I am," she said, in a firm, challenging voice. "The fetus is safe in me, and I pledge I will bear it to term. Let this poor girl go!"
Well you could have knocked Mom over with a feather. Me too. All of us, I think.
Sensie sank to her knees and moaned. I went over and put my arms around her. Wu shot us a sympathetic look and then said to Dad "I am ready. You can open your portal, Zorlond."
Dad opened the portal. "It will be manifest only five seconds," he warned Wu. "Step lively."
Wu marched straight into the shimmering hole in the air.
Sensie screamed as Wu left started struggling. I tried to hold her, but she broke free of me. "No!" she yelled. "Don't leave me - !" She ran full tilt after him, into the portal. A moment later, it collapsed.
They were both gone.
I looked at Dad. He looked at me. I looked at Mom, and she wouldn't meet my eyes.
Finally Dad said something. "Anna? What are you going to do?"
Go back - Go to the parent episode.
Mon Mar 10 23:39:39 2003
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