They headed for Margrette's and Kathren's house; they had enough room for everyone there. Sabrina had already said she would take her sister back to her apartment; although small, it had enough room for one more. Ti would, however, have to sleep in the dining room. They got an air mattress for her, which was fine for her. The night seemed to go on forever with everyone there but finally things settled. Sabrina and her sister took off and, so, tentative plans were made for tomorrow. Finally, everyone settled in for some rest. It was well into the afternoon before any of them stirred.
Ti awoke as the sun beat down upon her face from the living room window. She yawned and moved about. She tried to hear if anyone else was moving but heard nothing. She decided that it would be a good time to read until some folks woke up. She pulled out a fantasy novel that she had bought at the airport. It had a centaur on the cover and she thought that might be something to read about. Fantasy novels were the farthest things from what she mostly read. This time she was on holiday and she was going to forget about work and do something different. Kathren was the first up and into the kitchen. Her massive size was an interest to Ti, from when she first saw her picture.
"Ah, awake I see; that's good. Hope you slept well." Kathren said.
"Like a rock, didn't know I was that tired."
"Don't I know it; care for some coffee or juice?"
"Juice would be fine; tried coffee and found it didn't really agree with me."
"Yeah, it's an acquired taste; juice it is. You know I'm going to have to tell you that I find this extremely weird talking to you." Kathren meant it, too; this was just really bizarre.
"I can imagine."
"You look like Sabrina but you don't sound like her. And you don't have her body, nowhere close."
"Well the body was never my doing, it was all an experiment like Swallow. She looks like Sabrina too but she is far more different than even I am."
"Well she is really nice, but shy." Kathren had noticed that right away.
"The flight didn't agree with her, not at all. Also she hasn't been around a lot of people. She has shied away from relationships due to her condition."
"Ah.. can I ask about her condition, she seems pretty normal to me."
"Well it's not too big a secret; she just eats differently than most people. She can only swallow things, chewing is something she isn't really designed to do. Now she has the teeth for it but she rarely uses them for anything but show."
"Oh boy that's something. I'd have never guessed, Sabrina never mentioned that to me."
"You don't notice it, but she can eat something very large if she had to. Her body can adapt quite well."
"Wow!" That was impressive she thought. "And you? Can you do that as well?"
"No my body was designed as a way of making life easier for those who had demanding jobs. The body grows to change and adapt quickly to situations. However it didn't work exactly the way it should have, I never stopped growing. Even now I grow a small bit every year. If I didn't have my medication well I'd be three times this size and probably dead."
"Well I have some growing left to do, probably wind up your size or a little bigger but not by much."
"Ah…then you are an Alaskan Giant Sea Otter."
"You know of us!" Kathren understood that most people didn't even know her kind existed.
"Yes I looked it up when I saw your picture, I wasn't exactly sure I was right but you just confirmed it. Your species is remarkable, there are not many of your kind left."
"No not many and breeding season is almost upon me again. I turned it down last time but this time I may just have to take my turn."
"Turn?" Ti wasn't exactly sure what she meant.
"Since the species is far below what it should be, all eligible females must bear at least one child in their lifetime. Any more after that and the government will pay for each subsequent child. Many of our kind just live on making kids."
"Really; now that is interesting."
It was then that another voice entered into the fold, it was Margrette. "Morning, Ti; nice to see you made it through the night unscathed."
"Yes I did; thank you for having us Mrs. Johnston."
"It's fine, Ti, no problem, and call me Margrette. We are not too formal around here."
"Ok Margrette, I was just talking to Kathren here about her species."
"Yup, not to many of her kind around." She gave Kathren's ass a spank. "Especially around here, this part of the country it's almost unheard of."
"Your family is not around here, Kathren?"
"Not by a long shot. I would have to travel pretty far just to find one of my kind."
"Hmmm now that is interesting. Are all your kind scattered around the country."
"Mostly. We are usually loners; it's probably why our species is on the endangered list."
The smells of toast and coffee roused the others and it wasn't long before everyone was up and making their way to the kitchen for some food and conversation.
A Few Days Later
The lock in the door clicked and in walked the new group of friends. It was a bit crowded in Margrette and Kathren's home with all these houseguests. Ti, Swallow, and Endora had been put up here while Sabrina had been taken in by her twin sister, Sabrina. Today they had just returned from a glorious day down at the beach.
"I felt sorry for the guy." Kathren said, "He honestly thought I was another guy, he almost shed after I turned around." Everyone laughed.
"Well you did have most of the guys staring at you than any other fur there." Sabrina said.
"We did cause quite a commotion." Ti said almost embarrassed.
"Commotion! She says; that's the understatement of the week, Ti." Sabrina Johnston mocked.
"Well then, daughter, you'd better eat your Wheaties." Said Margaret teasingly, "If you want all the guys to stare." She grinned.
"It wasn't just the guys Mom!"
Kathren raised an eyebrow, "I noticed that!"
Sabrina giggled, it was indeed different knowing that Sabrina's mom was bisexual. Knowing Zig Zag helped in this situation. She was glad though the she didn't have to deal with that type of situation. "Well sis, at least we got noticed."
"That's true; the beach is usually a quiet place for me, with mom and Kathren around we became popular pretty fast."
"Then we'll come the next time you hit the beach." Kathren said jokingly
"Oh no you don't!" Sabrina said in quick response.
"Kathren and Margaret both laughed, Sabrina, scratching her head, wasn't exactly certain they were joking.
"I think it's time we got changed and ready for the evening. Try to think of some suggestions for supper," Margaret said.
There was a gentle, then a loud rumble noise emanating from Kathren stomach. "And hurry before she gets really hungry!" Margrette poked Kathren in the tummy.
Everyone snickered knowing both Ti and Kathren had quite the appetites. They all started down the hall to their appointed rooms. With Margaret and Kathren in the lead, they suddenly came to her abrupt halt and everyone crashed into them.
A strange voice could be heard telling them to turn around and head back to the living area. The mysterious voices were soon identified as two large male lions holding automatic weapons. "Sit and keep quiet!" One of them barked.
The living area wasn't all that big, a couch on one side of the room and an entertainment center across from it on the opposite wall. A small but very nice coffee table parted the two. Endora, Margrette, the two Sabrina's and Swallow all crammed together on the couch. Kathren stood close by while Ti stood close to the entertainment center.
"Who are you people?" Said Kathren angrily.
"One of the lions pointed his weapon at Kathren, "SHUT UP freak!" The lion grinned knowing that he was in charge, at least for the moment.
"I will explain." Said another voice, female definitely.
Out of the shadows came a creature that no one had ever seen or heard of. It's armor plating was impressive and its claws looked deadly. The creature stared at all of them, taking in the group. It was indeed a sight. A revelation came to her but for now she tucked it away into the back of her mind. The next words uttered stunned two members of the group so much so that they gasped in horror.
"Hello Ti, Swallow, it's been a long time." The face sneered at them.
It was her; after all these years, she had finally caught up with them.
"Mmmmmoootherrrrrr!" Swallow said, she hadn't stuttered in years but she was so scared; she wondered how she ever manage to get the word out at all.
"Surprise kids, Mother's home!" She laughed out loud, its sickening reverberation was having its toll on Swallow as her bladder released itself all down her leg and onto the couch then eventually the floor.
Ti knew immediately they were all in grave danger, more so now that Mother appeared very different in many ways, not just physically. She guessed that Mother was not here on a social visit but to finish the job she had started long ago.
"However!" Mother went on, "This family reunion is incomplete." She removed a radio from her pocket as well as securing her gun. "Bring it!" They heard her say, unsure what "it" was. "Now it seems were one short." She made a gesture in the air with her paw of imaginary counting. " Oh yes, Heather! Poor girl." Mother tilted her head in mockery, showing little but no sympathy for Heather or really anyone else.
Ti's blood boiled, "If you have harmed her!" Ti growled.
"Simmer down you brute, you think way too much. Heather has very little knowledge of me; she is no threat. Ten to one, she'll die within the next few years anyway. From what I read from the report, it says there is a 76 percent chance of reoccurrence; that should do it." Ti's anger grew, mother had no respect for life, even the life she created. Ti had refrained from using her awesome strength for violence most of her life she tried using her gifts for good. But she knew that if they had a chance to survive she would have to use deadly force and that there was a chance that someone wouldn't be coming back.
Mother continued on with her gloating, "I knew she wouldn't live all that long, although I am impressed she lasted this long." She smiled and looked around and all her prisoners. "Ti if you be so kind as to introduce these people." Her paw pointing to the group of terrified prisoners.
Ti reluctantly agreed, "Mother…." She didn't get to say anything else for she was interrupted by another guard coming in carrying a large cage.
"Put it down over there on the coffee table and don't take the cover off." Mother instructed. The guard did as he was told and stepped back. Mother moved up beside the cage, "Now you can all see your new sister." She announced loudly and quickly removed the cover from the cage. In one corner was a cuddled up but terrified Ezmerelda. Everyone was in shock and gasped, Swallow just looked at Ti.
"I see, Swallow," Ti's attention turned to mother, "What have you done?" Ti commanded in a loud voice.
It seemed with the change that mother's patience with people and objects had drastically shortened. She was quick to turn to anger and it was a major flaw in her makeup. She was quickly losing her patience with the great beast known as Ti; it would've been so much easier if she remembered her better. Without so much as a thought she aimed and fired a single round into Ti's shoulder. "Be careful how you speak to me, beast!"
The pain was nauseating but she held fast; it quickly began to throb. She thought to herself she had gotten careless and realized again how dangerous Mother could be.
Mother continued as if nothing had happened, "To answer your question, nothing really. A clone pod malfunctioned and here you see the result. Esmeralda say hello to your sisters", she tilted the cage drastically and Esmerelda fell to one side. She was disoriented from the drugs that Mother had used on her.
She found standing difficult, without her glasses everyone was blurry but she managed a weak "hello" to everyone. It was funny to her that everyone seemed to be black and white. It had to be the drug she thought.
Sabrina and Sabrina both stared the miniature version of themselves; it was unnerving. Ezzy heard the replies of the figures staring at her; then felt extremely dizzy and collapsed.
Mother saw and quickly grabbed the cage and shook it violently, all to the horror of the others. Ezzy didn't rise.
"Get up, you little bitch!" Mother commanded but still Ezzy didn't move. Mother was furious and she threw the cage up against the wall. It hit with a sickening thud then crashed to the floor; Ezzy still didn't stir.
"Little bitch, she will make a good meal when this is over." All eyes glared at Mother with extreme hatred and she gripped her weapon a little tighter. "Ti, you were saying?", Mother said as a distraction and she stepped slowly back almost as if in slow motion, almost invisible. Kathren and Ti were closest to where the cage landed. Kathren was about to check the small creature when Ti spoke and signaled Kathren with her finger a definite no.
"Ah…closest to me is Kathren,, next is Swallow, then Sabrina and her sister Sabrina, Margrette and at the end is Endora." Ti's arm hurt but it wasn't anything like the hurt she wanted to do Mother. It was time to end this, Ti thought, "We are prepared to leave now Mother, Swallow." Ti made a gesture for Swallow to rise. Ti took a step forward and Swallow stood up. The guard became alarmed and picked Ti and Swallow as targets.
"Whoah there, Ti." Mother said.
"But it is us you want, not them." Ti answered, pointing to the group. "They had nothing to do with this!"
"Step back, both of you, and sit back down, Swallow." They did as she commanded. Staring at Ti and Swallow brought back that the revelation she had earlier and now she wanted to pursue it. An evil look came over Mother's face and she lashed out and grabbed Endora by the throat. She squeezed gently pulling her to her feet. Mother's face was but inches away from Endora nose, and she caught the faint scent of something rotting.
"Choose carefully your words; if I am displeased with your answers your life will come to an abrupt end." Mother said with evil intent. Mother turned her head slowly and scanned the room, she could feel the hatred rising from each member of the group. She could tell that each of these furs wanted her dead or suffer in agonizing pain. She quickly turned her attention back to Endora who was now having a bit of a problem breathing. "Have you ever donated your eggs to anyone?"
Endora gulped it seems she had guessed, it was no wonder with everyone looking like each other. It was a natural conclusion. If she lied she guessed that she be dead in an instant. This creature had a lot of power in her paw and she was sure that it was definitely holding back.
"Yes." Endora responded softly, it was all she could do with mother's tight grip around her throat. Suddenly the pressure was off and Mother pushed Endora to the ground.
"Then you are the one, the donor, from which these monstrosities came. "Hahaha" Mother began to laugh and cavort around. "They're all here!" She announced to everyone as she moved about. She thought this was extremely ironic.
Ti took this as a signal and made a gesture to her butt, hoping that Margrette or Kathren would see. Margaret did and nodded, she whispered to Sabrina without turning her head to follow suit. Ti wasn't sure what would happen to Kathren but she hoped being partially aquatic that she could hold her breath for a good amount of time. Ti signaled and the room quickly filled with the most foul of odors. The guards quickly found it hard to breathe and began to choke, their eyes burning from the miasma. This caught Mother completely by surprise.
Events moved quickly to the casual observer but things moved in slow motion to those who sprang into action, Margrette and Kathren moved at lightning speed towards the coughing and choking guards. Endora tripped one of them, took his weapon, and quickly rendered him unconscious. Sabrina and her sister, pulled a stunned Swallow to the ground trying to avoid being targets. That left Ti and mother.
As chaos reigned about her, Mother's thought was of under-estimating the power of skunk spray and that a hasty retreat was in order but a certain wounded and enraged Skunk wasn't about to let that happen. Mother watched, almost as if in slow motion, the snarling monstrosity known as Ti launch herself from across the room. Her only hope lay in her weapon; she fired in haste and missed. Ti still progressed forward to her ultimate goal. Mother took time to aim for her second shot and this hit Ti square in the chest. However this did not slow her progression, to Mother's horror. She realized too late that to stop a being of Ti's size, she would need an elephant gun with explosive tipped rounds. Time to fire another round had expired; Ti was now upon her with teeth bared and eyes ablaze with hatred.
End of Chapter Ten.
Pee break!
To quote a good friend and reader… "You bastard…." (Grin)