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| "If our mother hadn't died, I would have been destroyed. You were the first born seed, I was second. Clover probably never knew I was there. You remember the story don't you? How the one called Kai carried Fields of Clover away from town and away from your seed after she had become infected with the Blight. What you didn't know was that my seed was dropped along the way," hissed Crabgrass, hate shining in her eyes. As Heather watched, a large white blotch blossomed on Crabgrass's face. Heather recoiled, her face paled. Crabgrass reached up, touching the blotch, "Yes, while you were spared, I became infected with the Blight." ***** "Ouch, what you stop for?" asked Dingbat having run into Plump Mouse. "Look." Plump Mouse pointed at a lite doorway, "Come on." DingBat groaned as she followed Plump Mouse, "I don't like this." ***** "How can this be? You should have died from it by now?" gasped Heather. "Yes I should have but something very interesting has happened. The Blight has existed on Florana for eons, but during it's last evolution, a few years ago, it became self-aware. It thinks, can plan, and it's getting smarter all the time. But there is just one problem...." said Crabgrass. She leaned back, "My body is dying. Has been for a year now. By no fault of the Blight. My DNA is braking down. The Blight needs a new host body." Crabgrass grinned, leaning forward, her face inches from Heather's, "And that, my dear sister, is where you come in." "Why are you doing this?" whispered Heather. She flexed her wrists, the vines holding her were just to tight. "WHY? Because for the last several years I have dreamt of this moment, dreamt of destroying your life. Clover's golden child, daughter of the great Martyr." Crabgrass snarled, grabbing a hand full of Heather's hair and twisting it around her hand. She leaned closer, grinning. "What have I ever done to you?" gasped Heather, the pain in her scalp bringing tears to her eyes. "You were born," hissed Crabgrass, savagely yanking Heather's hair. Suddenly she let go, staggering back. A look of anger crossed her face as she grabbed her stomach. "Da*n," Crabgrass started laughing, "I was so excited I forgot to eat. The fun will have to wait until I regain my strength." Crabgrass walked to the doorway, turned, "Just hang out till I get back." She started laughing at her joke as she walked off down the hallway. Heather hung her head, giving in to the tears she had been fighting. ***** Plump Mouse and Ding Bat peeked out around the stone block as the strange woman walked down the dim hall, laughing to herself. "Come on," said Plump Mouse. Plump Mouse ran over to the doorway, peeking inside, Ding Bat right behind her. Mouse gasped and ran inside. Plump Mouse looked up at Fields of Heather, hanging from the ceiling, her head down, as silent sobs shook her body. "Heather!!!" shouted Plump Mouse. Heather's head snapped up. Blinking away tears, Heather looked around for the source of the voice. FLAP FLAP FLAP THUMP!! Ding Bat landed on Heather's head, hanging on to her hair she leaned down over her face. "Ding!?!" gasped Heather. She felt something running up her leg and shirt. Heather looked down to see Plump Mouse sitting on her breast, clinging to her shirt. "Mouse!!" "It WAS you I spelt outside!!! Heather, you don't look so good," said Plump Mouse. "I don't feel so good. How did you find me?" asked Heather. "No time for that. Can you get down?" said Plump Mouse. "No, the vines are to tight," said Heather, her head was starting to pound. Plump Mouse looked up at Ding, "Ding, go get help." "OK Mouse, on my way," said Ding Bat, jumping from Heather's head and flying away. Plump Mouse climbed up next to Heather's head, hiding in the hair next to her ear. "Don't worry Heather, we'll get you out of here," said Plump Mouse softly. Heather tried to think past the pain in her head, "I hope so. ***** Ding Bat flew as fast as her little wings would let her. Never had the distance between the ruins and the APEC fortress been so far. Ding gasped, straining to fly just a bit faster as the imposing walls of the fortress came into view. Zebeep and Miss Jean stood atop the battlements, watching for any sign of Heather. Below in the court yard, EveningStar was ready to burst a blood vessel. |
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