Swallow awoke covered with lovely soft sheets and in a wonderfully comfortable bed. She thought back on how she had gotten here. The woman known as Endora and her husband Warren, what were their motives? The bed felt comfortable but she just couldn't give into its temptation. She picked up the pillow she had been lying on and launched it across the room. It hit a picture on the wall and it crashed to the floor. Great just what she needed, she got up and began the task of picking up the pieces. Endora heard the noise and came to investigate. She saw Swallow picking up the pieces of the picture.
"Let me help, that glass is sharp." Endora said as she knelt down to help.
"Why did you do it?"
"What?" Endora asked, surprised.
"Save me, did you ever think that I didn't want to be saved? Did you even give it one thought that I would want to die?"
Endora was shocked hearing these words. "Ah..I.."
"No you didn't, did you!" Swallow's voice was getting higher. "Never even gave it a second thought. My life has been one disappointment after another, look at me, I'm a monster!!!!!!!!!" She was now screaming. "A monster, no one cares about, no one likes me! Instead they run in fear from me!!! I make people throw up when I eat! You have no idea…"
"Swallow, you're…." She put out her hand to try to comfort her and she knocked it away. She stood up and took a step back. Endora rose to confront her.
"Save your pity!"
"Swallow, I can understand……."
"How could you!!" Swallow screamed, all her anger was being vented at the wrong person but she had no way of knowing that. "Why didn't you just let me DIE?????????!!!!!!!" Tears were streaming down Swallows face and Endora did the only thing she could think of and that was to embrace the young woman. Swallow stood motionless in surprise.
"It's ok Swallow let it out, let it all out." Swallow then began to shake and tremble in Endora's arms and for the first time in a long time she felt comfort in someone else's arms. Some how, some way this felt right.
"It's ok Swallow your safe here." She said softly into her ear. She gave Swallow a gentle squeeze and Swallows tears started all over again.
After the emotional outpouring Swallow apologized for everything under the sun. Endora shook it all off saying it wasn't necessary. As for the picture Endora said they would get some new glass, it wasn't a really that important. She was just glad to see that Swallow seemed better. Swallow suddenly realized that she was clean as a whistle. Endora explained that they had cleaned her up. It was funny but Swallow didn't remember it at all. Then again she was so exhausted it was a wonder she remembered much of anything. Endora found a few things of Sabrina's that she left in case of an emergency.
The shirt had plenty of room in it but the pants were strange looking.
"Endora why are these pants patterned like my fur?" Swallow didn't understand why anyone would want skunk-striped pants.
"Oh Sabrina joined the growing trend of pants shaded to your own fur. They are very striking and you should see the swimwear. You would almost swear that the person had nothing on."
"Oh." Was all that Swallow could come up with. She found the pants difficult to put on over her coarse fur but finally managed. It was going to be a whole lot easier getting them off, she thought.
Endora just stared and Swallow became very nervous. "Is there something wrong?" Swallow said with concern.
Endora smiled, "No Swallow, it's just that with those clothes on you look so much like our daughter."
"Oh, if this upsets you I can remove them." She wondered what their daughter did look like. Then a horrible thought came to Swallow maybe their daughter was dead. It could explain how she felt about the clothes. She wanted to say something then decided against it, maybe she would find out later.
"No Swallow it's fine. You've been napping for some time now. Its about time for dinner, are you hungry?"
Swallow looked at Endora and wasn't sure what to say. "Ah.. Endora feeding me may be a bit difficult." She said quietly.
Endora heard the shame in her voice and moved in close to her. Her head was down and Endora gently pushed it up to meet her gaze. "I know all about you Swallow, the doctor showed me all the X-rays. Now she and I don't know your exact story but I do know how to feed you. The doctor suggested meat balls."
"That is how Ti fed me." She could still see the giant's face every time she looked in the mirror and it hurt so much.
"Swallow, you're starting to cry again, was it something I said?"
"No, no Endora I was just remembering a friend."
"Then come on down stairs and tell me all about her over some meatballs, vitamins and some prescription drugs. Sorry Swallow but I had to plant them in your food. The doctor said swallowing them by themselves might harm you."
"That's ok Endora you just want me to get better."
"Yes Swallow that's all we want." She gave Swallow a big hug and Swallow returned it in kind.
Endora had made Swallow's food small so that eating at the table wouldn't embarrass her. She just put the small balls into her mouth and without chewing gulped them right down. She now felt better than she had in years and these meatballs tasted really good.
Warren was glad to see the young skunk up and about. He didn't think she would awaken till tomorrow but here she was. Looking at her closely and with her wearing Sabrina's clothes, he felt really close to her. Closer than he thought he should, for someone that his wife had picked up off the street. She was really too familiar. Probably just the clothes and the resemblance, he thought, but it really didn't ease his conscience.
"So, how are you feeling now Swallow?" Asked Warren.
"Very good Mr…ah Warren, the best I have been in a long time."
"That's good to hear." He smiled and she smiled back. At that moment he could have sworn he saw his daughters eyes, which almost unnerved him. "So where are you from?"
Endora had gotten dinner for herself and Warren and sat down. She looked at Swallow and saw her apprehension at the question. "Swallow you don't have to answer if you don't want to. We would just like to know a little more about you." She gave her husband a wink, just to show that she had a plan. He winked back acknowledging her, if anyone could get her to talk it was his wife.
Swallow thought about it, she really didn't know a whole lot anyway and thought it probably wouldn't hurt to tell them. They had been so kind to her so far, she decided that they deserved to know what she knew. She sighed and began her tale.
"First off, I don't really know how to thank you for taking me in." A tear formed in her eye, she wiped it away and continued. "As you know I'm very different from any skunk you know."
Endora interrupted, "Not really dear."
"But you said the doctor showed you the X-rays."
Endora put on a big smile, "It's not your insides we're talking about. Warren would you get Sabrina's picture off the mantel?"
"Sure dear, one moment." Warren rose and went into the living room.
"I don't understand, Endora?" She was confused now. She watched as Warren came back in and put a framed photograph on the table. Swallow couldn't believe her eyes, there stood a picture of herself.
She stared at it in confusion. "That's me! How do you have a picture of me?" She looked at them both.
"That's not you Swallow, that's our daughter Sabrina. Now you see why we're so interested in you."
She was stunned at this revelation. When Endora had mentioned that she looked like her daughter she thought she just meant a resemblance, not that she was a twin.
She wasn't sure of her next question but she thought she had better ask. "Is she…ah still living?" She waited for a response.
"Yes Swallow very much so, she lives not too far away and I will call her tomorrow so the two of you can meet. You can also meet Tabitha, she is due back tomorrow."
"Tabitha?"
"Our other daughter, she's 6 and looks a lot like you and Sabrina."
"Oh." This was getting to be too much….she felt light headed. How can all this be?
"This is so confusing, she looks so much like me and Ti."
"You and Ti?" Endora and Warren said in unison.
Swallow forgot they didn't know about her yet. "Ti was my best friend, teacher and my twin." She told both of them. "She was really big and strong, about twice your height Warren." She was guessing at Ti's height for she wasn't exactly sure.
"She sounds incredible, so is she just like you….ah I mean on the inside?"
"No Ti is just big and strong, smart too."
"This is very interesting Swallow but you said was? Is she….. gone?" Warren now was totally confused and really troubled now knowing there was a giant out there that looked like his daughter. Something wasn't right here and he didn't know what to do about it.
"I don't know, she could be." She thought about the boat and the last time she saw her. It was all a blur, the drugs had taken a horrible toll on her. "I guess, I should explain a bit more. As I said I'm very different on the inside, as the doctor explained to you both. Well I'm that way because I was built that way!"
"That's what the doctor thought but she wasn't sure Swallow, it's illegal to experiment on our own kind." Said Endora. "Now we know for sure."
"Yes me and Ti were experiments for someone we only knew as 'Mother'. There was one more Ti mentioned once briefly but it died." She tried to remember what Ti had called the other one but the word escaped her. "We spent many years with Mother learning things and helping her with some experiments. Nothing like us but some things very unique just the same. She was a brilliant scientist to be able to do what she did." She caught her breath and continued. "I have no idea where we came from, we were only allowed outside in one particular area of the grounds. The place did have a huge fence around it but that was our world and beyond the fence was a mystery."
"But you escaped from her obviously." Said Endora intrigued.
"Not really, she believes we are dead."
"Dead!" Warren said. "Why would she think that?"
"We were placed on a sinking ship out in the ocean to die."
"My God!" Warren said.
"What kind of creature would do such a thing?" Endora said. "She's a monster, how could she try to kill you?"
"I think it has something to do what you just said a moment ago. I'm something that if left alive could put her away in prison forever. That was something she couldn't have happen. So getting rid of us solved that problem."
"But you survived? What about this Ti girl?"
"It's a bit fuzzy as I was drugged heavily at the time but it seems somehow Ti found a raft. However since I was off balance I fell off the boat. I was quickly swept away from her and the raft. I haven't seen or heard from her since. She was my best friend and every time I look into a mirror I'm reminded of her." She started to cry and tried to stop but she couldn't. Warren and Endora moved over to comfort her.
"It's ok dear you're safe here." Endora said softly.
"No one is going to harm you here." Warren said assuring her. My God he thought what other horrors has this beautiful young femme witnessed.
The Past. Middle Of The Ocean.
The Captain and the young lieutenant looked at Ti's huge form and could hardly believe it. She was huge in all aspects but that wasn't the strangest thing. Why was she in a raft in the middle of the ocean? "Has she said anything lieutenant?" The captain asked.
The young officer could hardly take his eyes off the massive female but quickly responded to his captain's question. "Yes sir she keeps calling out a name, "Swallow" Sir. Also she keeps talking about her Mother."
"Anything else?"
"Just that she has a heavy British accent sir."
"Hmmm British, you say? Well I guess that's where we'll take her then. Send out a message to see if we can find any ships heading that way. I'd feel much better if we could put our new passenger on her way back home. The Captain again stared at the massive woman and thought, Who would have thought our periscope would smash into a raft in the middle of the ocean? "You are one lucky lady."
Ti was transferred to a merchant ship heading for an English port. From there she was placed in a clinic for treatment. Although covered with fur she still had severe burns on her back. Plus she was dehydrated, the men on the ships kept giving her water to try and help her. Any other person would have died from the torment of the sea. She had moved in and out of consciousness for about two weeks but now she finally came to and became aware of her predicament. She was face down on a bed, one that was really comfortable, but she wanted to get up. She tried and quickly stopped moving. The pain coming from her back stopped her almost instantly and she settled back down. "Hello is anyone there?" She called out, trying not to move.
It wasn't long before someone came to see her. "Oh good, you're awake." Said a lady bat, in a perfect British accent.
"Where am I?" Her mind began to churn, British accent hmmm she thought.
"You're in a hospital dear, recovering."
"How did I get here? And where is here?"
"You got here by boat young lady and here is Aunt Sarah's Catholic Clinic in Birmingham."
"England! I'm in England!" She knew from just the way things were at home that they had not been in England at that time.
"Yes dear, and may I say you have quite a fine accent too."
She was stunned but thought it would be best to leave it at that. "Thank you for informing me." The next thing she thought was to find out how she was. "How badly am I hurt?"
There was a pause, "The doctor will be here soon dear, he'll tell you all you want to know. Now you just lay still, you'll be more comfortable."
For the nurse not to tell her it must be serious enough she thought. Staying still and resting was a good alternative to trying to move anyway. Before she knew it someone was trying to wake her.
"Miss..Miss." The doctor gave her a small shove and Ti came back to consciousness. "Oh good, thought we had lost you."
Ti took a deep breath, "I didn't think I was really tired but I guess I was. I just closed my eyes for a few moments."
"Those moments were nearly two hours in length, thought it would be best to get you up again."
Ti could hardly believe that two hours had passed but she had no reason to doubt the young hedgehog doctor. Who seemed to remind her of Swallow, now that was something she really didn't need to be reminded about.
"Ok young lady, it seems you are a complete mystery to everyone. We have done background checks and consulted with the constables. Skunks are rare around these parts and one your size, well.. it is unheard of." He stared at the two beds they had pushed together to accommodate her Six foot four frame.
Ti sighed, "I'm afraid I cannot help you much doctor, I don't remember very much. I'm not even sure how I got here and why I'm in a Hospital."
"Well I can tell you why you are here. That's relatively easy, you have 2nd degree burns on your back but they are healing nicely. I'm sorry but we had to shave your entire back and much of your tail to apply the medication."
"Oh, now I must really be a sight. Not that I wasn't one before, as you so told me." She grinned and the doctor smiled back.
"Well I was hoping that you would be able to tell me a little more than what you just said. However we will continue with what you do know. Guess we can start with your name?"
"Ti."
"Nothing else?"
"No."
He sighed knowing it was going to be a long day. After several more questions he decided it was best to leave Ti to rest. She was going to need it. He traveled back to his office and called the constable's office.
"Inspector Dwendel please." It took a minute but a gruff voice answered.
"Dwendel speaking."
"Afternoon Inspector it's Doctor Gaven here with an update on our skunk patient."
"Ah she's awake."
"Yes but I'm afraid she cannot remember much and from the looks of things she is telling the truth. The nurse said she was surprised to hear she was in England though. Not too sure what that totally means. She seems to be up front and honest, never shied away from any of my questions. She doesn't even know how old she is."
"That seems odd." The inspector thought that she would at least be able to tell them something more than what the doctor had just reported to him.
"She was out there for a long time inspector. Any other person probably would have died, her great strength was the only thing that saved her. It's a wonder she can remember anything, she was extremely dehydrated and that affects the brain."
"Well I will keep trying on this end, looks like I will have some paper work to fill out." The inspector said in a not so happy tone.
"What will happen to her after she is better?"
"Doctor, if no one knows who she is, or comes forth with information. She will have to be put in metal hospital for evaluation then moved to the orphanage temporarily. She'll have to apply for citizenship and that will take some time. I may even start that process myself."
"I had guessed that, shame she is such a bright young woman. To be put in an orphanage seems a bit strange."
"It's better than the streets, doctor. The mental hospital doesn't have room enough to keep her longer than absolutely necessary and since she is a ward of the state, the only place available right now is the orphanage."
"Inspector, this person has strange written all over her, it seems. Biologically speaking, she is under ten years old according to some preliminary tests. More tests are being done as we speak to pinpoint her exact age though. As for a place for her to stay, I'll check around and see who else has a space for her, a big space." The first time he saw her he almost swallowed his tongue. He had never seen a femme her size before.
"I'll be in touch Doctor."
The phone went dead and the doctor worried about the fate of the giant female skunk.
Six months later.
Selene Marymac put down the receiver and reclined back into her chair. The young female chipmunk was smiling for the first time in awhile. She got up and went into the learning room, there as with most times she found Ti helping one of the children with their reading. She blessed the day Ti had come to the orphanage, it had taken her awhile to fit in but soon the children started looking up to her for guidance. She was a treasure, a blessed miracle you could say. She crossed the room and the two of them stopped their reading.
"Hello Miss Marymac." Ti said.
"Happy Birthday, Ti." She smiled
"I don't understand Miss Marymac, I don't know my birthday."
"I do now, the lab's and hospital's reports have determined that you are close to if not 20 years old." She didn't really want to tell her that they were really guessing. Ti's blood work and x-rays were so convoluted that 20 was their best guess. "So that's what it will say on your citizen papers." She had a big smile while telling her that.
"My citizen papers? They approved them?"
"Yes, Ti; welcome to Britain."
Ti leaped up and picked Miss Marymac up and twirled her around. "I'm a somebody."
"Ti Ti." She was getting a bit dizzy.
"So sorry Miss Marymac." She gently put her down. "I just got caught up in the excitement."
"It's understandable Ti. Happy birthday dear, I'll have a cake delivered here and we'll all celebrate. But first I have another matter to discuss with you in private. Emily you and Ti will have to meet up later ok."
Emily a shy young fox nodded and took off.
"She's doing much better Miss Marymac, much better."
"That's good to hear, now, let's go to my office."
In her office Ti felt a bit nervous but she didn't know why. She liked Miss Marymac, she had given her strength when all the kids had made fun of her. "Am I in trouble Miss Marymac."
"I think it's about time you just called me Mary, Ti."
"Ok, Mary."
"Good, no you're not in trouble but you are going to have to make a few decisions though. Now that the Government of Britain has given you your name and right of Citizenship you are legally an adult. Which means I can no longer hold you here. I had authority over you while you were a ward of the state until they made that determination but now it no longer applies."
"You mean, I'm free to leave here."
"Yes Ti. Actually you will have to leave." She didn't like to tell her that. "The government funds this orphanage but it doesn't pay for adults. We will have to fill out the forms to get you into the government assistance program system and to find you a place to stay. That is if I can't find you a home before then. Legally you are still my responsibility till then, I take on that so you don't fall through the cracks in the system."
"I knew that I would eventually have to leave here. It was just the "when" that I didn't know. You've been very kind to me Mary and I will never forget that." She had a tear forming in her eye and she brushed it aside with her huge paw.
"Ti you also have been a Godsend here, most of these girls here needed much more attention than I could give. You filled that gap and helped them achieve something maybe they never would have. You are something else."
The phone rang and Mary picked it up. The conversation sounded like an adoption inquiry and Ti thought it best that she should leave. She began to stand but Mary motioned for her to sit. "Yes Martha I think I have just the person in mind but I will have to ask her first." There was a pause then she said. "Yes, I said she, don't worry Martha, ok. I'll get right back to you, don't go away. I will, say hi to Jonathan for me." She hung up the phone and stared right a Ti. "Well Ti, I think I have a proposition for you that you'll find very interesting."
US Present Day
Sabrina pulled her car into her parent's driveway. The pictures of Margrette and Heather were something her parents had to see for themselves. She got to the front door and quickly opened it. As she stepped into the house she stopped dead in her tracks. There in front of her was someone who looked very much like herself. The person seemed stunned and took off running to the kitchen. Sabrina took off after her calling out for her mother.
"Mom!" As she entered the kitchen she found her mother with this twin hiding behind her shaking like a leaf. Endora was trying to comfort her.
"Mom! Who the heck is that?" She said pointing with a booming voice.
"Sabrina calm yourself and we will explain. Now sit down and let me introduce you to someone."
Sabrina sat and stared at the cowering figure poking out from behind her mother. "Sabrina this is Swallow, I found her very early today. She was hurt and needed medical attention."
"But mom she looks just like me!"
"We know that dear. Swallow say hi to my daughter Sabrina."
Swallow found it extremely strange to look at Sabrina for it was like looking at a living mirror, she was like Ti, only small. "Hello Sabrina." She stuttered, she hadn't done that in a long time.
"Sabrina you're home, good to see you," Warren said as he gave her a rub on the head.
"Dad! What's going on here?"
"A lot as you can see. Calm yourself, Swallow won't bite, she's just scared."
Sabrina thought her news was big but this was absolutely incredible. They had her undivided attention as they told her the whole story. Swallow didn't move any closer to Sabrina all through the tale. As Sabrina listened she could see that she was still very frightened.
"So that's how she got here, dear."
"That's some story mom." She looked at Swallow feeling a lot more relaxed about the whole situation and smiled. "Hi Swallow, there's no need to be frightened of me, sorry I was so loud and scary." She put out her paw in friendship and slowly Swallow moved closer to join paws.
"Feels funny, I mean its like shaking paws with myself." Swallow said quietly.
"Yeah it is, but I've had this experience before."
"I don't understand." Swallow said, looking first at Sabrina then at her saviors.
"Remember Swallow we told you that our daughter is a Twin herself."
Swallow quickly withdrew her paw this was getting all too strange. Ti, herself, Sabrina and another all looking the same, sounded like Mothers handy work.
"Well you're not the only one with startling news, I kept this under my hat until I had proof." Sabrina brought forth the pictures and tossed them out onto the table. They all gasped when they saw them and Swallow fainted dead away.
In her mind she drifted back to a time when Mother ruled over them, to a time and day she wished she could have forgotten. Her body shifted and struggled trying to hold off the nightmare she was experiencing but it was to no avail. It was happening all over again and she couldn't do anything to stop it.
She traveled back to a time when she was young and innocent; a time where her eyes were closed to the dangers that surrounded her. She remembered the back yard and all her caged rabbits. She had named all 20 accordingly and loved each of them in her own way. She loved to run her paws through their fur, petting them always took her mind off all her problems. She was always trying her hardest to please Ti, who to her was "Miss I know everything." Then mother gave her all these lovely bunnies and things changed. Ti became jealous of her having them, she raised her voice and told her to get away from them. It was all jealousy and she argued with Ti afterwards. Ti had tried to convince her that Mother had something up her sleeve. Why did Ti always have to be right? She cried.
Tears began to flow from her eyes in streams but still she did not awaken and the nightmare continued uninterrupted. It was a beautiful day and she thought she would let Edgar out of his cage. Out of all the rabbits the black and white male was her favorite. Mother had helped her with getting them all settled and helped with naming some of them. She had also spent a lot more time with her and helping her with her homework. It was a welcome change to see Mother like this.
She approached the cages and to her horror found all of them empty. She stared in disbelief, then frantically searched all around the cages and in the back yard; but there was no sign of any of them. She ran to find Mother, maybe she knew what had happened to them. She checked the library first, for Mother spent most of her time there. And as luck would have it found her.
"Muvver Muvver!" She said in panic. She was breathing hard and panting.
Mother noticed right away and came quickly to her aid. "Swallow? What's the matter dear?"
"Gun ribbits."
Mother shook her head, "I don't understand, try again a little slower this time."
Swallow took a deep breath, "Raaabblllits gun. "
"Rabbits gone, you say?" A smile came over her face, one that Swallow didn't understand. "They're not gone my young one, we just moved them. Would you like to see them? We were going to put them back soon. I thought we would have them back in their cages before you noticed."
Swallow breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeeesss pwlezzz. "
"Then let's go, shall we." She took the young girl's paw and led the way. They eventually found a room that Swallow hadn't seen before. It was small and it didn't have windows of any kind. There was nothing on the walls but paint. However, the room was full of rabbits, her rabbits.
"See." Mother pointed and Swallow ran to her rabbits. However while she was enjoying her reunion with her furry friends Mother had slipped silently out of the room. Swallow looked up and found not only Mother gone but also the door. She rushed to the wall and looked for the door but there was nothing.
"Muvver Muvver!" She called. "Let meez oout, Muvver!" She screamed. She listened to see if there was any reply but there was only silence. She screamed for a little while longer then Mother's voice reverberated into the room.
"Hello Swallow. " Mother's voice said.
"Let meez out!" Swallow shouted at the voice.
"I cannot do that, not until you do something for me." Mother said in a conniving voice.
She didn't understand, "Whavve vu u vant?" Her words were slurring together, she found it hard to concentrate.
"Your refusal to eat any animal has left me in quite a difficult position you see. So I had to take matters into my own paws and make you. Now I can get readings off of you, the room you are in is a very special one you see."
A look of horror came over her face as she looked at all her rabbits in front of her. "No!" she sreamed.
"Yes I can Swallow, you'll notice that all of the rabbits are very large and plump. You've been feeding them growth formula and a fattening agent. They are ripe and ready to be eaten." If Swallow could have seen the evil grin on mother's face it would've made her sick. Mother's laugh was sickening to the ears.
"I won't do it." Swallow said in a clear voice, which mother found surprising. Her voice skills had improved with some words.
"You won't today, but in a few days your body will make you." She smiled as she watched the monitor.