Epilogue 2
Ti awoke groggy and feeling extremely light headed. As the feeling of awareness returned she began to realize where she was and began to panic. Her heart rate soared which triggered an alarm, bringing nurses and a doctor running. As her surroundings became clear she began to choke on the breathing tube that had been inserted down her throat. The Doctor quickly administered a sedative and watched as Ti's body began to relax and drift into unconsciousness.
He saw the terror in her eyes as they slowly closed.
"She's awake! It's not possible! She shouldn't have even flinched for at least another 12 hours. Let me see her chart."
The nurse handed it to him knowing full well that it had been followed to the letter. "Her medication was administered as prescribed."
He read the report, "I just don't understand it." He checked Ti blood pressure and looked at the monitors. "She looks good on the breathing front, remove the tent and tube. If things go like they just did she'll be awake soon." He scratched his head; she was one freaky patient.
Ti awoke again but this time the tube and plastic were gone. All that remained was the soreness of her throat. She immediately assessed her situation again, this time her head was much clearer. She thought it best if she alerted someone. A call device had been attached to her bed sheet, she gently depressed the button and waited for someone to arrive.
The doctor hurried down the hall meeting a nurse halfway after getting the call, it was damn too early for her to be awake. As they walked in Ti turned her attention to them. She was calm and relaxed; the doctor was relieved to see this.
"Hello." She said hoarsely, she tried to move but it was a challenge and it hurt like hell. She quickly stopped trying.
"Hello Miss Kent, it's good to see you awake; a bit premature I'll admit, but it's good you're up."
"I'm glad of that as well; I wasn't sure I would make it. How long have I been here?"
"Not long, Miss Kent, you were only brought in yesterday. That's why I'm concerned that you are awake so soon."
"I see." Ti looked at her paw and flexed her fingers, it hurt but not a lot. "You shouldn't be too concerned Doctor, my body's metabolism doesn't like foreign substances and quickly disperses them."
"Oh." This surprised him. "And you know this how?"
She wasn't sure if she should tell him of the experiments that had been done on her. "I had some tests done and well, the results were very conclusive." She gave a big grin. "I wouldn't try to drink me under the table."
"I'll keep that in mind." He smiled, "Now let's check your blood pressure." He proceeded to do so and upon the review found it a tad high. It was to be expected however under the circumstances. "You are one lucky lady; you know that?"
"I suspect I am."
"The bullet you took in the chest punctured your heart, you almost died. Your friends got you here just in time. The operation took quite a long time, your physical condition slowed our progress and we had to change our standard practices."
"I can well imagine." She felt the dressings around her chest and saw the IV bag and the tubes leading to her arm. She hoped it was doing some good for she really didn't feel all that well. "What part of the heart?" Ti inquired, wondering what was damaged.
"It wouldn't make any difference, Miss Kent."
"Please explain; I listen well." Ti was now fully alert and listening as the doctor explained.
To his astonishment Ti came back with some very interesting questions, he was flabbergasted.
"How do you know so much about the heart? Are you a physician?"
"No I'm not, my size limits my abilities in that area; however I have read many Medical journals. It's a hobby of mine to learn." She smiled.
"Then I'm sure you are aware of your condition, it surprised us thoroughly."
"Yes, I am well aware that my heart is undersized, it has caused me only slight problems in the past."
"Well I'm relieved that you know, but you now must now know that this injury has complicated the matter."
She paused for the realization was not a pleasant thought, "I am going to die?" It was more of a statement than question.
"Not that drastic, Miss Kent; you are an extremely intelligent individual and I will not lie to you. Your heart will continue to degenerate over a long period of time." He emphasized the words "long period" to ease Ti's immediate concerns. "In a normal person, once the initial wounds had healed the deterioration of the heart would not shorten a person's life enough to matter. Since your heart has to work so much harder to maintain proper blood flow, the damage is much more pronounced and will very likely cause the heart to fail prematurely. Unfortunately, with our existing medical technology the only solution to your problem is a transplant. However due to your size, it would limit the candidates to a very narrow field. I'm sorry Miss Kent but that's all we can do for now."
There was one other option but the doctor had discussed this with his colleagues and it wouldn't work with someone like Ti. It involves the transplantation of a second heart to supplement the original heart. The second heart would not have to be huge, just enough to help the original heart and take the strain off of it. This has been done successfully for years now, but in her case they felt the results would be disastrous.
"I understand." She felt horrible; she had no idea how long she had. She now knew the truth and it hurt; because she should have run from Mother. She sighed but that was now in the past; she only hoped that she was rotting in jail. But the question still lingered. "So what is your best assessment of the time I have left." She didn't like the sound of that at all. To most of the world she looked approximately 25 to 30 years of age, but technically she was more around the 40 mark. She wanted to grow old with Richard; now all that had faded in an instant.
"Miss Kent, there are many factors involved here; other than your heart you are in very good health. The wounds you sustained will heal and you'll go on with life. How long that life is, is partially up to you; stay calm, relax, and of course receive regular check ups. Do all that and you should live at least another 5 to 10 years. Beyond that, Miss Kent, I can't really say." She felt extreme sadness; to have lived through so much and to have it end like this, it wasn't fair. She clenched her fist and popped the IV needle out, Oh crap she thought.
After the Doctor and the nurse got the IV working again he continued, "As I was saying, keep to a good routine Miss Kent and you'll live a happy, productive life. As a side note it says here your parents and fiancé are coming to visit. That should please you."
"It does; I just wish I could talk with them now."
"You will soon, just be patient. You're going to be here for awhile."
"About how long?"
"Depends on you; stay calm, heal fast, you'll be out in a couple of weeks for sure. Things go wrong you'll be here longer."
"Ok, I'll behave."
"That's good to hear." He smiled and winked, "You know I've never seen a female skunk as large as you and I have had a lot of patients. They must grow them bigger over there."
"Yeah, they do." She winked back; she was getting to like this doctor.
"Then I'll talk with you later." He smiled as he left, leaving her to think about what she was going to say to Richard. However she thought it might be best if she took a nap, she felt really sleepy all of a sudden.
She awoke to the sound of a bed being pushed into the room and on it was her sister Heather. It seems that she was now free of the respirator, which pleased Ti. When she saw her with that breathing apparatus it almost made her cry. However the surprise didn't stop there, Sabrina also came with her twin sister and she was holding Ezmerelda.
"Hi Sis!" Everyone said almost in unison. The Zebra nurse that had pushed the bed in was totally perplexed by all the duplication. They had made small talk on the way up but she was still totally astounded, when she saw them all together. She left in a quandary, making a note to herself to come up and talk with Miss Kent or Miss White again.
"This is truly a surprise." Ti said with a smile.
Heather spoke first, "Had to see for myself, the nurse said you were conscious. As I was moving our Sisters appeared and, well, here we are."
"It's good to see you all."
"It's good to see you awake, Ti." Sabrina Johnston put Ezzy on the bed. "And Ezzy here really wanted to meet you and Heather."
"Hi Ti." Ezmerelda said, her vision blurry, for her glasses were missing. However seeing Ti wasn't that hard, she took up all the bed. "You're huge!" Ezmerelda looked up and down the bed.
"Well I'm big boned." She grinned at the smaller version of herself, it was a bit strange. In a way she was almost her opposite but she was glad that Mother had not hurt her. "I'm glad you made it through the ordeal unscathed."
"Well, aside from some bruises and the fact I can't see ten feet in front of me, guess I'm ok." Ti moved her large paw over to her, and put out two fingers. "Well its nice to finally meet you."
Ezzy shook the fingers, "Nice to meet you too. My new sisters have filled me in some, but it seems I still have a lot of catching up to do."
"Seems I do too, Ezmerelda."
"Ah..just call me Ezzy, Ti; most do."
"All right Ezzy, I will enjoy hearing your story right after the others tell me what's happened at home." She looked at her sisters who seemed to be trying to avoid eye contact. "SHE DIDN'T GET AWAY!!!" Her heart monitor started to go out of control and beeping wildly.
"No Ti, calm down." The monitor still sounded out of control and a nurse suddenly appeared. She took control and calmed Ti down. She scolded all of them, telling them if this happened again they would have to leave immediately. As she left she gave them one last warning. The door closed and Ti looked at them. "Ok.." She said, "What's happened?" The monitor remained calm to everyone's relief.
Sabrina gulped, "Swallow….ate her." Sabrina shuffled her feet, as the monitor began to beep a little faster.
"She didn't…" She just couldn't have …no, not Swallow.
"Yeah Ti…." She found it hard to tell her, knowing the bond between them. "We found Swallow after we returned home, she's..ahem…gone into a coma, sorry Ti."
"Coma?"
"Yeah, she's at a small hospital not far from here. They are keeping an eye on her brain waves they are very weak, so says the doctor." Sabrina said with sorrow.
"Swallow." Ti muttered.
"I'm sorry Ti, I wanted to meet her too." Ezmerelda said.
It was hard not to think of Ezzy as a little girl. "I know, I'm sure she would have liked to meet you as well." Her thoughts were of Swallow and she said a silent prayer, it was the only thing she could do for her. She had to take her mind off her for the moment; her sisters were all here and waiting for her to say something. "So Ezzy since you're the new kid on the block, so to speak would you please tell me all about yourself, it would take my mind off my sister."
"You mean 'Clone' off the old block I think Ti." Ezzy grinned.
"Your right Ezzy." Ti laughed and everyone smiled, from there it was all up hill. Ti found it interesting that Ezzy was an author and made it a point to look up her books when she was better.
"So how are you doing?" Ti said to Heather.
"Better, I feel a lot better with that tube out of my gut. Now all I have to do is get a bit stronger so they can do the operation on my legs?"
"Operation?
"Oh, that's right; on the day you came, my physiotherapist came to see me. I'd had been really frightened by the tests they had put me through. The worst one was the standing one, I couldn't do it anymore. My head filled with horrifying images and I upset Mom and Dad. I thought I would never walk again but when my doctor came in I was almost floored. She was a foxtaur, and she'd had an accident that had crippled her but she had these braces on her legs that allowed her to walk. So that's what I have to have done; they're not pretty but they will allow me to walk slowly. No running for me, but that's never been a problem anyway. I never could in the first place."
This puzzled Ti, "You couldn't? That's strange."
"Well, walking has never been easy for me. Maybe that Mother thing screwed up the mixture or something; considering I'm supposed to be a biped? Maybe the four leg thing just didn't happen the way she had thought it would."
"That is possible; we are after all experiments." She didn't like that thought but it was the truth.
They continued their conversation, learning more and more about each other. To Ti this was a wonderful experience, she had seen Heather only twice before Mother had obviously taken her away and she was saddened by her apparent death. Now, to see her here and talking up a storm, was a moment she would truly cherish. She only wished that Swallow could have been here too.
They all began to leave after they saw Ti yawn for the 10th time; Sabrina, however, remained behind.
"They are something." Ti said with the direct signs of exhaustion.
"Heather and Ezzy; yeah, they are both wonderful. They have more energy than I've ever had." She smiled and took Ti's paw. "Ti I wanted to thank you and Swallow, you are true family and your sacrifice won't be forgotten."
"Sabrina I.."
"Shhh, now. "I spoke to your fiancé he was deeply concerned and if he could, would have leapt through the phone. Your parents and Richard will be arriving tomorrow late but we will be here early the next morning." A tear formed in Sabrina's eye.
"Tears?"
"Just a little emotional, a lot has gone on since; you just get better, sis." She gently hugged the giant.
She had only known Sabrina a short time but they had formed a bond, whether it was because they were clones or just because they felt more on emotional level, there was no doubt it was there. "I will try for everyone."
Sabrina broke apart not really wanting to. "We'll see you soon, ok."
"Thanks for coming, I mean thank everyone, it was a beautiful surprise."
"Well it was hard to keep Ezzy down after we told her about you, Swallow, and Heather. She thought she was having hallucinations, seeing all of us."
"I would have too."
"Ok, you rest."
"Thanks, Sabrina."
As the door closed once again Ti felt happiness that she hadn't felt in awhile; seeing her sisters all together had put something in perspective. They were a family; even though they were so diverse and different, but in many ways the same. To her they now were her family and that warmed her wounded heart.
Epilogue 3
"So I'm looking for an orange tiger with no stripes." She confirmed with Ezzy, now strapped to her back in a baby carrier. It was the best way Endora had thought of carrying Ezzy; it had worked out just fine. It reminded her of her days with Tabitha and she smiled.
However for Ezzy this was just embarrassing, she was not a baby! But she sighed, knowing that having Endora try to carry her was not feasible, this was the most logical choice. It didn't mean though she had to like it. The cute smiles she got from others, put more pseudo nails in the coffin.
She smiled and waved back feeling a bit ill.
"Yes Endora, he shouldn't be too hard to find. Since he knows what you look like, I think he'll find us fairly easy."
"Ok." Endora walked out of the terminal and scanned the crowd. Nobody she saw stuck out; then she saw him. "Your father just spotted us." Endora could feel Ezzy's small heart began to race; she was an extremely intelligent girl but still young. Endora still had major reservations about Ezzy's father, who now was close enough to greet them.
"Mrs. Mustelidae it's a pleasure to meet you." He said putting out his paw in greeting.
"Likewise." She said taking his paw. "But there is someone here who wants to see you a little more than I do." Endora turned around.
"Daddy!" Ezzy cried.
"If you undo the top straps, you can take her out of the harness." Straps? Good Lord you have her strapped in, well better safe than sorry? Soon father and daughter were reunited as Endora watched the emotional outpour, she could truly see that this doctor Caliban really and truly loved Ezzy.
"Thank you Mrs. Mustelidae for returning Ezzy to me."
"Yes, well, that was our intention all along doctor Caliban. Ezzy belongs with you."
"Call me Robert, it's a joy to see her again, bless you. Now you must be tired, come I have a car waiting." They proceeded to the parking lot and Endora got into the rear seat of the car, leaving the passenger seat empty. Robert was about to comment but he let it be, he returned Ezzy to Endora and proceeded with the drive home.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions." He spoke quietly, not trying to rouse an argument. He wanted to be co-operative for they had brought back his world to him.
"I do, but Ti has more; I have a list and I will be taping our conversations."
"Understood, ah…Ezzy said she was badly hurt battling Mother."
She heard the concern in his voice; still she was reserving judgement. "Yes, she has undergone two surgeries; one to remove a bullet from her right shoulder and the other to remove a bullet lodged in her heart. She is recovering now, but will have to stay in bed for at least a month. That reminds me I will need to use your phone when we arrive at your home."
"No problem there, so how was your flight?" Endora looked down at Ezzy looking to see if she wanted to answer. Before they had left Endora and Ezzy had a little chat. She told Ezzy that she would be cautious of her father, for he had done things that he shouldn't have. Although an old man he still was someone that she needed to know and get to trust, that took time. Ezzy assured Endora that her father would cooperate fully; she nodded but would still keep to finding her own judgment. Ezzy went on to answer her father's question.
Endora checked in with home and placed her bags in her room. She removed the tape machines that Sabrina had given her and found the tape of the mysterious Dr. that had tampered with her egg. Robert Caliban was not used to having guests but asked Endora if she would like some coffee or tea. Coffee was what she chose and he went back and made a pot. With beverages in paw everyone sat at the kitchen table and began what Endora thought would be a very long and emotional conversation.
"First off Robert I'd like to say you have done an excellent job in raising Esmeralda. My time with her has shown she is a bright young woman with excellent manners and a super personality." She smiled at the small version of her daughter; at first it had been strange but now seemed quite natural. She had turned out to be different than Sabrina was, but again in many ways the same.
"Mrs. Mustelidae, thank you but I can't take all the credit. I've had wonderful friends helping and, as the years progressed, Ezzy has taught me a thing or two about living." He ran his paw through Ezzy's hair as she tried desperately but not hard in stopping him.
"Well, you should be very proud." Ezzy has some impressive accomplishments under her belt. I'm thoroughly impressed. She has quite the talent, and some friends in high places." She grinned thinking of all those commando's invading the house.
"I am; she means the world to me. It seems she does have some admirer's." It was a subtle attempt at humor. Which made Endora laugh.
"Dad, I have a surprise for you." Ezzy said grinning ear to ear.
"Oh!" Robert raised his eyebrows. "What would that be?" He took a sip of coffee.
"Endora here is my biological mother." Ezzy had held back this information, due to the fact that she knew that Mrs. Mustelidae would be accompanying her here. It was an excellent surprise.
Robert almost spit out the coffee he had in his mouth; he quickly gulped it down. "What?"
Endora smiled, "It's true, I'm the donor of the original fertilized egg that Ti, Swallow, Heather and Ezzy were formed from." She hoped they were the only ones; hopefully Robert had some answers on that subject for her and Ti.
"This is fantastic!" His eyes were ablaze with excitement. "The chances, Ezzy, were astronomical that you would ever find your true mother."
Ezzy had a smile a mile long, "Yes I'm still finding it hard to believe, but she couldn't have been a nicer person."
Endora blushed; Ti had said the same thing, "Thank you, Ezzy, that was sweet. I always dreamed of a larger family and Ezzy is a wonderful person that has been added to my world. Now, Robert, I want you to listen to something." She set up the recorder and player, "Tell me if you know this person featured on this tape."
As the tape played, Endora sipped her coffee. It was rather good, better than the stuff she had on the plane; just the thought of that coffee almost turned her stomach. Ezzy had already heard the tape, but Robert was somewhat surprised. With the major revelations passed she stopped it. "The remainder of the tape are logs of his on how he did it, a brilliant man. "Do you have any idea who he is?" She saw disappointment in his eyes.
"Sorry Mrs. Mustelidae.. I don't; I came in with Mother after the birth of Swallow."
"Just call me Endora, Robert. Well, it was worth a shot."
"Let me explain, is the tape machine going?" Endora nodded then listened as Robert explained his involvement with this creature and learned it had become less and less, eventually leading to betrayal."
"So this led to Mother stealing Ezzy."
"Yes, it seems so, I returned home to find her gone. They knew she was here all along, all they wanted was me out of the way."
"I see; well, I'm glad I could reunite you two." Endora looked at the both of them and realized that they belonged together.
"I'm truly blessed. What I find amazing is how much you two look alike."
"It seems to run in my family, my Mother looked very much like I do." It was true, come to think of it, very true. She put that thought in the back of her head for a future time.
It was leaning into the evening and Endora was tired; she wasn't sure if it was fair to Robert to talk. "Robert, do you feel up to answering some questions? Ti was able to come up with a few."
"Sure." He smiled; it really wasn't that late and it would pass the time. He still couldn't believe that Ezzy's real mother sat right in front of him. He was so thrilled for himself and Ezzy. She now had someone to call family. This was really good news for now he could finally tell Ezzy the truth. He watched Endora switch the tapes and start the machine to play. A new voice but a familiar one came through.
"Greetings Dr. Caliban." Ti calmly said in her usual British tone. "I'm sorry I cannot speak to you in person but I had a slight setback. However I have a few questions to ask of you. I'm hoping you will cooperate and be truthful about your answers. Endora will pause the tape after each question so you can reply." Ti cleared her throat, "My first question is why were we created?"
"I'm sorry Ti you are going to be disappointed with this answer, the truth is I don't know. I know you had a purpose, you were supposed to grow stronger allowing your body to do so by commanding it. But, as you know, that kind of backfired. Sorry, I don't know much else beyond that."
Ti's voice resumed as Endora pushed play. "Are there any more clones of Sabrina?" Endora thought that was a good one, she really wanted to know that as well.
"I am not completely sure but my guess would be yes. I was in possession of three canisters or pods, one of which malfunctioned and out popped Ezzy. The chances are that those other two pods contain clones as well. Again, sorry, Ti, that's all I know." He was sincerely sorry but Mother never really gave him all that much information.
Ezzy had known about the other pods but Endora hadn't and now she looked worried. "It's okay, Endora, we'll find them, someday." Ezzy was sure they would.
"I know, but we have no idea of where they are." She shook her head and pushed play once again. One more thing that weighed heavy on her mind.
"My birth, Swallows, and Heather's are a bit of a mystery. I remember images but I can't really make much sense of them can you elaborate?"
"That question I can answer." He smiled, finally something he could shine a light on; although it was an unpleasant one. They really had the right to know that it wasn't a pleasant event. He continued and Endora and Ezzy were horrified at Ti's birth; also of the revelation that Swallow was born of the snake it shocked them. Endora thanked God that this creature was finally put away although at a great cost to her family.
Endora explained the situation to Robert that Ti and Swallow had done away with Mother. Robert was shocked to hear this news; he didn't think Ti had the training to have taken down Mother, but it seems he was wrong. However, he felt it was a fitting end to Mother; his back still ached from her gentle touch. He would not mourn or shed one tear for her.
Endora continued with the tape and Robert did his best to answer but there was not much he could offer. Finally the tape came to the end; Endora knew what was in store and awaited their reactions.
"Thank you Dr. Caliban, for answering my questions; now I have an offer for you to consider. Ezzy has told me about the beautiful house you constructed for her and your life there; however, even with Mother gone you still may be in danger." Robert nodded; he knew that he was going to have to relocate or maybe even try to change his name. "I offer this, I will move you and Ezzy plus her special home to England; as she has told me of its design and it seems you have had it in mind to be able to move it without too much difficulty. You would be far away from Mother's grasp. It's not a guarantee but it's a chance for you two to start anew. Please consider my offer, Ti out." Endora turned the tape off. "I think I'll leave you two alone so that you can talk." Endora got up and left Ezzy and Robert alone.
"That's quite an offer Ti has given us." He smiled but it looked like Ezzy was having her doubts.
"Is it true what Ti says, that we could still be in danger here still?"
"Yes Ezzy that's true. Mother had many tendrils, even as the body dies sometimes the tendrils will live a short time after."
"But my friends!"
"Let's go outside, I'd feel a little better out there." Picking her up hurt but he didn't show it. Outside he and Ezzy walked towards a small pond that had always been a beauty spot on his property. The moon's reflection bounced off the calm water; it was beautiful sight. "A pretty night, Ezzy."
"Yeah dad."
"Ezzy I have something to tell you; it's something that I've kept from you but now I feel that it's right to tell you."
"Dad! I don't want to know what you have done in the past!" Ezzy cried. "I know you, you have changed."
"You're right, as usual, my sweet. I have but that's not what I was going to say." He paused then a lump came up his throat, "I'm dying." A tear rolled down his cheek and landed upon Ezzy's nose.
"Daddy?"
"I'm sorry I lied Ezzy, I did it hoping to protect you." He turned his head away. "I told you I had mange but that's not what I have." He found it hard to speak the words. "I have a cancer that's incurable." His voice was deeply troubled and saddened.
"But Dad there has to be something we can do." Ezzy moved to put her small arms round her father's neck and hugged him. She began to cry and her tiny body began to shake.
"My precious little girl, my time is almost passed but yours is just beginning. Ti's offer is a special one, one that I think we should take. But if you don't want to, then we won't. I don't have long and I'd like to spend my remaining days with you."
"Ok Daddy." There was a pause, then a stuttering of words, "I love you." She cried, she didn't want him to die.
"I love you too Ezzy." Her embrace was something he had missed so much. Tears flowed down his face and he thanked God she was safe.
The moon glow silhouetted the two forms outside, as Endora watched from her window. They were truly father and daughter; even though Ezzy came from her, these two were a family.