Swallow saw the look of disbelief on Ti's face, "Yes Ti, and it was those creatures that I stayed with for, I'd have to say, months. That I can't really be sure of, since I remained lethargic through most of it, not knowing which end was up. The one that carried me most of the time took me close to a shore. From what I learned later, I came ashore in the Bahamas. I was a mess; I was covered with algae in many places and patches of my fur were gone. Eaten I guess and the salt water had not done my skin any good. I guess I was quite the sight. I remained in a hospital there for another amount of time that I cannot remember but it was quite awhile. To the local doctors I was just another victim of the sea. I recovered nicely and finally gathered enough strength to leave; so I did. From that day forward I stayed moving, never staying in one place very long. I begged for scraps and took odd jobs just for cash. In the winters I found places in the woods to sleep. It seems this body can hibernate if it has to." Swallow smiled and took a breather.
Ti couldn't believe it; seems Swallow's body was a lot more refined than she thought. "So you became a drifter, a hermit."
"Yeah, never staying long enough for people to really take notice of me. I found that if I had a large meal before I hibernated I could extend my sleeping. It's not pleasant to see me eat some thing large but I never ate in front of anyone. It was one of the reasons I kept moving as not to attract attention. Except for a span of about 3 years where I was kept more as a pet than anything else."
Ti looked horrified. "A pet." Ti couldn't understand how Swallow could wind up a pet.
"Don't look at me that way." Swallow thought Ti might have thought it was something sexual. " It had nothing to do with sex, so put that notion away." She smirked and continued on. "I became a servant to an elderly blind fur. He was kind and only asked if I would do things around the house for him. He also helped my speech; I read a lot of books to him. Other than that I could stay and do what I wanted. It worked out well, until he passed away. I took a few things from the house. I'm not proud of that but I needed money Ti, I had nothing. So I pawned a few items and they kept me going for a few years. The Hibernation State allowed time to pass quickly for me. As you have said, it has been 20 years for us. While I couldn't have put a number to it, if I had to."
Ti was afraid that what Swallow would say, "Mother has done something else to us that has probably escaped your notice." Swallow tilted her head in question and Ti continued. "Take a good look at me Swallow, a good look. Do you see any difference in me?"
"No Ti I don't see. Only that you're bigger."
"Only you would notice that but other than that I don't look that much different right?"
"Yup; looking good I might add."
"That's what I'm talking about Swallow. You and I are approximately 35 years old, or close to it. You were born first but because of the way Mother made me, I have matured faster than you. But it still doesn't really matter that much. Swallow I haven't a grey hair on my body but I should. We're not much different than when we were at Mother's lab. We're not aging properly Swallow it's just taken me time to realize it. Our chemistry has been altered but I don't know how. I'm going to look into it soon but for now I thought you should know."
Swallow really hadn't looked at herself much, living outside day-to-day didn't give her the opportunity to do so. "If you say so, Ti, I believe you. It's just that I haven't noticed; for me it doesn't seem as long as it has been. A lot of my life has been in an unconscious state. Plus I've been outside; personal grooming hasn't been on my many things to do. All the grime covered up the best of me, I guess. The rest well…….", her conversation drifted off. She didn't know if she could tell her, "A nightmare, I got so mixed up that the nightmares of Mothers almost drove me to kill myself." She didn't look up at Ti. "I was so weak one day that I wandered into town and wound up in an alley around here. That's where Mrs. Mustelidae found me and we haven't been apart since. I'm seeing a doctor but the nightmares still remain."
Ti didn't know what to say, "Maybe we should have gone down with the boat, I too have had my nightmares of Mother."
"She really did us in, didn't she?"
To Ti's ears, that wasn't a good phrase, "Swallow, amongst the nightmares I found hope, everyday I got up new things were presented to me. A family who took me in and loved me for who I was, not what I looked like. Also added to that list is a Raccoon I'm about to marry."
"You're getting married!" Swallows eyes sparkled at hearing that.
"Yup soon after I return, or hope to."
"What's he like?"
"He's witty and a bit shy, knows a lot about computers and he loves me."
"Oh Ti, I'm happy for you."
"Be happy for us, I've found you again and that is cause for rejoicing." Ti reached out and rubbed the scruff of Swallows neck, it was a spot that was very ticklish to her. "Hahahahahaahaha" Swallow laughed, "Stop it Ti."
"Say please!"
PLLLLLLEAAA…..ahhahahah…..sseee!!" Ti stopped and Swallow relaxed. "Thanks I needed that, I haven't laughed in a long time." She put on a weak smile.
Ti could see that Swallow was not in the best of mind, for one thing she trembled, something which she never did before. "Swallow, we all have our inner demons to face; you seem to trying, which is a very brave thing to do. Let this Doctor try to help you; you'll be a better person for it. Open up to him and I'm sure you'll see the light.
"Thanks Ti." A single tear fell to the ground; she felt some of the world lift off her shoulders, but not all of it.
Ti smiled and she saw a true woman in Swallow, not just the young girl whom she saw so long ago. However Swallows face didn't return to one of joy. "Swallow?"
Swallow didn't want to go into it but she guessed there was no time like the present. "Ti I have news that may come as a shock to you. Remember Mother lost one of our sisters."
It was a long time ago but she remembered. "Yes, a taur version of ourselves, Mother said she had a heart defect. If I remember rightly."
"Well she didn't die, I've seen pictures of her." Swallows voice showed no sign of cheer.
Ti just sat there quietly. "She's alive, Mother again lied to us. "
"Yes, her name is Heather and she lives in Canada. Pretty smart from what Sabrina tells me."
"This doesn't make sense, why tell us that she died?"
"Maybe she was just a different experiment."
Ti thought about it, "That makes sense, Swallow. It's one she could follow from a distance."
Swallow wasn't sure if she could tell Ti. Endora had tried to break it to her as gently as she could this morning. "We found out this morning that Heather has been hospitalized. She's a had a stroke." Swallow reported with sorrow in her voice and tears in her eyes.
"Oh no, you just found this out today?"
"Early this morning, they are not sure if she is going to make it."
Ti just sat there in silence, first to find Swallow then her other sister. And now to find out she might die. "I don't know what to say."
"It's sad Ti, we just really found all this out about Mother and being sisters and all. And now one of us might pass on." Tears were flowing from Swallow's eyes and Ti took her in her arms and cradled her. It was like old times; times she wished she couldn't remember.
End Of Chapter 9
And you thought you had a bad day………..
Sniff, sniff…. Wwwaaahhhh!