#5: Sacrifice

Type: Deleted Scene

Timeline: Enemy of my Enemy 2: Crossroads

Summary: what happened once the door closed behind Eric and the Rescue TEAM? What thoughts went on between Jennifer and Cordelia? What happened to Jennifer?

Jennifer couldn't help the wince at the sound of the stone door slamming shut. Despite it being incredibly thick, she could still hear the man she fell in love with, her former enemy, pounding, shouting her name in desperation. She ignored it best she could, turning towards the floating specter of a woman trapped between realties.

Her black hair flowed in a phantom breeze, looking all the world like a benevolent sprit surrounded by a heavenly glow.

"Are you certain this is the route you wish to take?" The long-dead woman questioned. Jennifer swallowed her denial, eyes darting up to the ceiling that was slowly falling apart.

"The island is being destroyed," Cordelia confirmed. "You must decide now."

Instead of answering, Jennifer asked, "Will it hurt?"

The image's countenance softened. "Only for a second."

Jennifer swallowed again, her mouth dry and her tongue like cotton. She stared at her fate with unseeing eyes, a sense of dread settling in the pit of her stomach like cement.

This is for the island, she told herself as she walked forward. No one here deserves death. And maybe this will be the way I atone for my sins. It'll only hurt for a second.

She chanted 'it'll only hurt for a second' in her head as she walked forward, her heart hammering in her chest as she reached for the orb.

My entire life has led to this moment.

There was a split second of hesitation before Jennifer slammed her hand on the orb.

Agony, pure and hot, shot through her body like lightning. While it felt like the very cells in her body were becoming unglued, her mind felt like it was filling it up like a water balloon. An endless stream of information downloaded into her mind, filing it with images that didn't make sense at first and then suddenly, it was like she was there when they happened.

Images of god-like beings, whip in hand, driving herds of human slaves like cattle

Images of two humans, a man and woman, both of them stark naked, ran from guards, a golden orb clutched in the woman's hands.

Images of the sun exploding outward, incinerating whole cities and towns, leaving nothing but ash behind.

The whole of human history, before and after the start of humanity, flashed through her mind. Jennifer felt as though her mind was going explode from all the information that was being shoved into the tiny little meat sponge in her head. It felt like an eternity, but was only a few minutes in reality, and she was pretty sure she had screamed herself mute.

But all se heard was the roaring of the machine as it pulled her consciousness from her body.

And just when she thought that she couldn't take another moment of pain…everything just stopped.

Then…..nothing.