Intervention

"You think you can write a proposal for the de-roboticizer project, Sally?" Rotor asked.

I pulled one from my drawer.

"You're already done?"

"Well, I had a moment of free time and we'll need one of us as a Robian to find a way aboard the Death Egg; with tightened security at the factories it's not going to be Sir Charles," noting Rotor's disquiet; I continued. "Now, this plan certainly carries its own risks but the potential to save lives is too great to ignore. That is precisely why I need to make sure getting roboticized isn't a one-way trip especially to Elias."

"So, who's going to be the lucky volunteer?" Rotor inquired.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." I hurriedly replied.

Rotor stared suspiciously, looked the proposal over and nodded "Well, only a few things I'd change, but this is actually pretty good."

"See if you can schedule a get-together with Elias. Might as well work to get the ball rolling."

Scribbling a few suggestions onto the proposal, Rotor left me to my work, and I was quickly making the necessary amendments on my project. It seemed destiny was on my side that day, for in between the myriad of issues that were clamouring for Elias's attention, the appointment for our meeting date was set within a few days' time.

At least, that's what I thought. When I headed over to finalise a few details with Rotor I found the entire area surrounding the Alicia cordoned off by military police.

"Excuse me," I asked the nearest officer, "what's going on here?"

"Princess, please go back. It's not safe for you here. There was an attempted break-in last night. A group of Mobians tried to get into the labs. We think they were after that recovered roboticizer."

"Were they auto-automatons? I couldn't stop myself from demanding "Did they get in?!"

"We don't know princess, they fled like jackrabbits before security got a good look in."

Relieved, I suddenly remembered that Rotor was almost certainly aboard when the intruders were snooping about. "Was anyone hurt?"

"Thankfully not."

"Can I go in?"

The officer shook his head. "Sorry, orders from up above; nobody's allowed in until we've finished our investigation."

"You have any idea how long that'll take?"

"No idea, princess."

In the heat of the moment, I was just relieved that the roboticizer hadn't been vandalised or worse yet; stolen. But then I began to wonder what the thieves had been thinking. It made no sense, they were practically begging to be caught. Besides, even if the burglars had gotten away, the roboticizer would be of absolutely no use to them. It made no sense. Why would they be that crazy?

Then, an epiphany struck me. Perhaps, I realized with a chill, someone shared my dream.

When I returned the next day, I was greeted by two military policemen in the loading ramp. They glared at me as I presented my identification. Satisfied that I was who I said I was, they let me through. I had to pass past several other pairs of guards before reaching Rotor's lab. No sooner had I stepped out than two more guards came up and demanded to see my identification. If the two at the gates were rays of sunshine, the next two were worse. They reminded me of the stoic soldierly types who never smiled

I showed my papers, and they let me go.

It was a relief to finally head inside Rotor's office and lock the door. No sooner had I done so than there was loud pounding on the other side. Not wanting to show my papers again, I ignored it.

"Sally? You in there?"

At the sound of Rotor's voice, I quickly let him in. But I wasn't ready for how red his face was "Glad someone managed to squeeze in past security to get in here."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Gosh, Sally, these guards are a nightmare! Security has always been tight here but now they're swarming all over my lab like rats!"

"Hate to be a killjoy, but what if they were just making sure nothing was taken?"

"They were, but you should have seen them do it! They were shoving everything aside, not caring if it was fragile or not! And they shoved me out when I tried to stop them! Shoved me!" Rotor's face contorted "When I complained to them, they said that his orders came down from Elias. They can do whatever they want, and I can't do a thing to stop them!"

"Did he say how long they were going to be here?"

Rotor buried his face in his hands. "They said it's a permanent arrangement. The higher-ups are so freaked out about the break-in that they've gone paranoid overnight."

"We'll find a way to make it work," I said. "Elias can't stay paranoid forever. Eventually he'll snap out of it, and things will die down."

"I hope so. Because if this has to go on for much longer, I might lose my-"

There was a loud knock at the door and almost immediately the door knob began to rattle.

"Not now!" Rotor protested.

A key was inserted into the lock, and the door swung open.

"What the heck do you think you're doing?!" Rotor barked. "This is a private conversation! What makes you think you can just barge in here?"

A Mobian stepped into the room, and in a heartbeat I knew he was the leader of our new security force. Not just from his flashy tactical uniform but also from his high strung posture

"Security, Rotor" Geoffrey said, "New rule from the top: No doors are to be locked"

"That's insane!" Rotor protested. "This is a private conversation. You can't get away with this! I'm going up to Elias right now, and-"

"They're no longer any private conversations any longer. Consider everything you do when aboard this command centre a matter of state secrecy."

"You're a rent-a-cop Geoffrey. Just about everything you have came out of a badge. If you didn't have that then you would be nothing more than a no-good hoodlum with nothing to contribute to society. I think that's why Hershey up and left. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll see that the prince hears about this on your job appraisal."

Geoffrey never one to be upstaged struggled to muster together a response only for Rotor to leave the room, bumping into him and almost knocking him down. He started to curse, but Rotor was gone before he could do anything.

"What are you doing here Geoffrey?"

"Just helping to protect the most valuable medical tech in all of Mobius that's all. How's that for rising through the ranks?" He said, recovering "And just what are you doing here?"

"I'm just gathering input for the big attack that's all. Making sure I've covered all the angles. What about you? I know things have been so hectic around here but did you ever get a chance to find out what happened to your parents?"

Geoffrey's grin faded.

"Look, I'm sorry about that but I'll need to get going."

Rotor's pleas were passionate and fiery, all but yelling that Elias was overreacting and that the draconian security measures were only going to tear morale to pieces. In the end, Rotor couldn't reverse the measures already in place but he did get a consolation prize: Geoffrey was warned that if he and his team continued to cause morale problems among the staff, their rations would be cut in half and to everyone's relief, it worked. The guards, previously smug and secure, were forced to be polite and unobtrusive as they went about their daily rounds and gradually their presence faded into the background as though they had always been.

Better still was the day I got a memo announcing that Rotor along with the rest of the scientific team were to be honoured for their efforts. I didn't expect was for him to come into my office and tell me that he was allowed to invite one guest to the ceremony: me. Surprised (and a little flustered), I accepted.

As we arrived to the private event, Rotor was swarmed by his fellow Freedom Fighters and he seemed just as surprised as I was at the overwhelming reception. It took us almost ten minutes to make our way through the crowds and inside, where we took our assigned seats. I didn't mind, though. It left me with plenty of time to think about how I was going to ask the big question.

Despite the fancy lights and the prestige of sitting among the brightest minds Mobius had to offer, I found the whole event to be pretty boring. The most interesting event of the occasion was when Snively took the opportunity to shake hands with me and to offer his thanks but most of my time was spent trying to force my eyelids open as one award after another was handed out for various categories. I had no interest in.

Only when the winner of the grand prize was about to be announced did my curiosity pique

I watched Rotor clutching the armrests of his chair, not daring to imagine that his dream of being officially honoured by royalty would be coming true. When Rotor's name was finally announced, he almost fell out of his seat, and was practically in tears as he staggered to the stage, too overcome with joy to speak.

It was a moment he will treasure until his dying day.

A concert was put on for the attendees and It came a surprise when I felt Rotor's hand touch mine. I looked over, only to see him intently watching the performers ahead. Had he touched my hand by accident? It didn't look like it, not by the way he had angled it. I wasn't sure what to do. But I figured that it was best to just go along for a simple gesture like that. So, as we both watched the musicians play, I let his hand remain where it was.

After a while, I touched it back as well.

Rotor and I sat there for a long time, listening to the music. I could have asked him there and then, but decided not to. It wouldn't be appropriate to interrupt his night of bliss. This was his moment to shine, and I let it remain that way, enjoying the music. When Rotor and I finally headed out, we had a lovely view of the village, surrounded by the golden glow of lit glass.

"Very pretty," I said.

"The award, or the village?"

"Oh, uh... both."

Rotor held his award out. "Wanna hold it?"

"No, that's okay," I said.

He practically shoved the award in my face. "I insist. This is as much yours as it is mine."

Unwilling to argue, I took the award and looked it over. "I don't follow you."

"Just look at all this!" Rotor beamed widely "Here we are, recipients of the highest honour science can give. I may have done the research, headed the scientific team and built the prototype. But it was you who made all this possible."

"So," he said blushing a little "I know I say this a lot but thank you Sally."

I blushed. I had heard him compliment me many times, but this time I didn't try to correct him. He stepped closer to me. "I want to make this up to you, Sally. Tell me what your heart desires, and I'll do everything in my power to make it come true."

I was caught off guard, but delighted. This was my opportunity, and I would be an idiot to turn it down. "Well... there is something..."

"Yes?"

I almost told him, but something stopped me. A gut feeling that this wasn't something to be spoken aloud in public. "Actually, could we do it somewhere private?" His eyebrows arched up in surprise "I just don't feel comfortable talking about in public."

Rotor thought for a moment. "Follow me."

I followed suit, only momentarily slowed by a few Freedom Fighters giving a few last minute congratulations for the two of us. It was almost midnight by the time we got back to his workshop which he then locked, lighting a fire to dispel the cold. When it was nice and toasty, we sat on the bar-style stools with tall glasses of soda.

"So," Rotor asked, "What's on your mind?"

With no reason to hesitate I dove right in. "Well, you're the most qualified to pull it off, especially after all we've been through and I wouldn't dream of asking anyone else for this most delicate of requests and-" Intrigued, Rotor listened closely. I took a deep breath. "Rotor... I'd like you to-"

"Hold on a second," Rotor said. "This doesn't have anything to do with sex, does it?"

I stopped. "What?"

"Are you... you know... asking me to do something–"

I shook my head. "No, no, no! Nothing like that!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I was afraid you were going to ask me to do something… well, out of the ordinary." He smiled. "Well, then, what is it?"

I took another deep breath. No turning back now.

"Rotor... I'd like you to turn me into a Robian."

For almost a minute, Rotor sat on the couch, so caught by surprise that he had no idea to react, much less process what I said. "You... what?"

"I went through the projections. We'll need the situation on the ground to be serious enough for Robotnik to lift off on his Death Egg. That means was need someone who is capable of making the decisions at the ground level and stage a large enough distraction to even the odds. Otherwise, Robotnik will just stay put in his fortress and wear us down through a battle of attrition. Trust me, it's the only way" I said, keeping my tone humble and respectful.

Rotor chuckled nervously. "Sally, I... wow... you're serious?"

I nodded.

"But... well, what you're asking is... it's never been done before." He protested. But I was adamant.

Long before our talk, I knew that no matter what I said or how I said it, Rotor would still be caught off guard by my request. Thus, I decided that going the emotional route was my best course of action to avoid getting mired down in the technical details.

"Rotor, I mean this in the best possible way, but you don't know what it's like to be an outcast among your own kind, like I am."

"Actually, yes, I do. I was the only one in my entire walrus tribe who was interested in science, remember?"

"But you were among others like you," I said. "When I began my team, I was the only one of us willing and able to take up the leadership role. Now, is it too much to ask that I be able to stand alongside my friends on the ground and to play a pivotal role in using Robotnik's own hijacked machines in minimising our casualties?"

"This... this is something I need to think about for a while," Rotor said after a long silence. "Perhaps we should talk about it tomorrow. Would noon at the creek work for you?"

I nodded. And, without wanting to sour the moment, I thanked him for a wonderful night, and asked if he needed anything before I left. When he said no, I bid Rotor a good evening, and retired home to be with Tails. Was I excited? Yes. Was I frightened about what the following day would bring?

Absolutely

When noon rolled around on the next day, I made my way through the bubbling brook, feeling oddly calm. Rotor was already sitting there when I arrived, tossing bread crumbs to the birds. His expression was neutral as he shifted to make room for me. I sat beside him, looking out to the trees beyond.

"So," I said, "did you think about what I said?"

Rotor nodded.

"And?"

He sighed. "To tell the truth, Sally, there's no logical reason to say no what you want. Your plan has a realistic chance of success and the reasons you're laying forth as to being the perfect candidate makes sense. But emotionally... well, that's harder. This just doesn't feel right. I was up all night thinking about what you asked, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this isn't a good idea."

"Why?"

Rotor tossed more crumbs. "To be honest, I don't know. Maybe because it's never been done before. We'd be heading into uncharted waters, and, for all we know steering into a rogue wave."

"But we'll never know unless we try."

He nodded. "But tell me, Sally: if I made you into a Robian, what will you do then?"

"Assuming, the neuro-override functions as planned?" I said, giddy at the thought. "I would still be your leader and lead the Freedom Fighters against Robotnik."

"But what are you going to do after we win?"

"Well, I haven't thought of it too much. But maybe I'll write a book: My Life as a Teenaged Robot. Whatever I want really, I know I used to do relationship advice under 'Ally'. I might have a future doing journalism."

Rotor wasn't amused at my joke. "Is that what you really want to do for the rest of your life? Write books and articles? If you were given such a great gift, you'd be wasting it if all you did was sit behind a desk."

I flinched. "No. I mean. I'd find something else meaningful to do like raising a family while you work on the deroboticizer. I always do."

"You can't always count on the past to predict the future."

A Flickie flitted down near my hand, hoping I would have some food for it.

"Besides, it's not so easy. You're going to wind-up causing quite a ruckus."

"I'll deal with it," I said. "If that's what it'll take to win then I'll do it. Besides, you could say that fate has it out for me. It brought me out of Robotropolis and handed us the roboticizer Maybe this is what providence has led me to."

Rotor tossed the last of his breadcrumbs onto the ground, was silent for a long while.

"You really want to do this." he said at last.

I nodded. "More then anything."

He closed his eyes and tilted his face towards the sky. I got the impression he was trying to figure out the best way to say something uncomfortable. "Every professional and rational instinct I have says to walk away from this. But… I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. If this is what you truly want… then I'll do it."

I almost leapt into the air. I wanted to dance and cavort in ecstasy. But I managed to contain myself, not wanting to cause a scene and make a fool of myself. Instead, I gave Rotor the biggest grin I ever had.

He was going to make my dream come true.

Thanks to the necessary tech being fully researched and developed, I didn't have to wait for technology to catch up with my dream. And finally, there were no legal situations to keep the surgery from proceeding. A free-willed Robian like Sir Charles was still considered a legal personage. Nonetheless, Rotor still insisted that we talk the situation over with those in charge, mostly to ensure that there would be no misunderstandings, a suggestion which I wholeheartedly concurred.

When the day of our meeting with Elias arrived I found myself with an few unexpected moments with Rotor. "Any last-minute advice for me?" I asked

Rotor thought for a moment before he answered "Well, my folks back home disapproved of my tinkering. I think that like them the people in there are going to be afraid. They're going to be afraid that now that we are going to have a future without Robotnik. And as some of them might tell you, change isn't always good."

I groaned.

Rotor put his hand on my shoulders. "Don't stress out so much, Sally. You can do this."

I couldn't avoid stressing myself out over what was happening, but I nodded in agreement. At that moment, I was just relieved that Rotor was there, and, more importantly, that he was securely on my side. After coming this far, I wasn't going to let a gaggle of bureaucrats stop me.

Rotor was the first to speak, telling everyone present that he had a war winning proposal. Elias and his council of war leaned forward in their seats; eager to listen to their star scientist hash out the outlines of the proposal.

They weren't expecting this.

Sensing that my speaking talent was needed, I stepped forward. Rotor explained that I was the one who volunteered, accepting all the risks.

"Her?" Colonel Somersby said in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"But I am," I said. "At the beginning of the American Civil War both sides thought war was about taking or holding cities and ports and rivers and mountain passes. They thought it was a chess game. By the end of the war they'd figured out that they weren't playing chess. Cities didn't matter much. Ports and rivers and mountain passes, while useful, were secondary to the real game. The real game was destruction. Lincoln had figured it out earlier than most and his generals; Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman made it happen. They burned enemy homes and farms. They burned crops in the field. They starved the enemy. They realized that warfare was no longer about chivalry and honour, but about killing the enemy."

"Armand D'Coolette summed it up best. 'War is simple. Find the enemy; kill the enemy. Kill so many of them that those formations left in the field disintegrate entirely.'"

"Now," I continued "Either Robotnik will prevail, or we will. Before, we Freedom Fighters have tried to fight the war reactively. We tried to fight with at least some vestige of decency. And maybe that might had been okay when we were still waiting for the cavalry to show up. But now, I'm going to give the people under my care new orders. Orders I had never given before: Kill the enemy. Kill the Robians. Kill any collaborators that stand in our way. Dress it up however you want, that's what war is about. If there's glory in there somewhere, I must have missed it."

"Here, we have a chance to avoid a good portion of this. If one of us can infiltrate Robotropolis and manually deliver a computer virus to infect the portion of Robotnik's army that he has placed under lockdown we can make use of the distraction afforded to us by the robots and make our own entrance easier."

My speech had left the assembled crowd speechless and sensing that Colonel Somersby would be my biggest dissenter I turned to face him. Perhaps we can try this," I offered. "Bunnie is the precedent correct?" I looked to Elias. When he nodded, I returned my gaze back to Elias. "We actually had this idea a few years back. While untested in the field we're reasonably certain that the neuro-override will enable someone to retain free will and with a functioning deroboticizer in the works it won't be a permanent arrangement."

Taking their silence as a sign that everything was proceeding according to plan I motioned for Rotor to continue the presentation.

"I'll have Rotor going over the details, complete with a projected model of what I would look like post-roboticization." Somersby leaned forward intrigued. But there's always that voice that goes against the crowd, and it came from Elias as he raised his hand to interrupt.

"A moment of privacy with my sister, please," Elias urged.

Once everyone had filed out of the room, Elias approached me. "Sis, I can't imagine what life was like for you out here. Certainly, the technology exists to do this and NICOLE's after action reports on your tactical acumen suggests you have the technical ability to pull this off. But what you're suggesting goes against a great deal of what we stand for. There will be doubt and outrage. It could cost all of us a great deal, both personally and professionally. Do you understand?"

What happened next was a bit of a blur but I'm reasonably sure it went like this.

Elias - "Are you alright?"

Me - " I would like to inform you that while I'm emotionally in a bad state I need no help from you and am going to be okay."

Elias - "Have you even gotten any sleep?"

Me - "I got five hours last night and most nights I get by on three. If it is of any consolation, once I become a Robian I will neither require sleep nor sustenance. Once I'm given some time to adjust to my new state of being I'm certain I'll be alright as mentioned."

Elias - "I feel that you're too close to all this. Take a breather will you? A day? No wait, make that a week off. That's an order."

Me - "Are you even listening to me?"

Etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseum, ad infinitum. I admit I screamed at him. I might have thrown some things, then stormed out. I may also have punched the door on the way out (which would explain my bruised knuckles) before I was escorted back home. What I do remember clearly is that I certainly didn't make a good exit, and I know I failed utterly to convince them that I was okay.

As the afternoon went on, I grappled with my thoughts, a multitude of which tried to grapple for my attention and left me in a mass of uncertainty, fear, and confusion.

Give in. That treacherous voice in my head said. Give in to Elias

I had spent hours walking around the track, trying to decide what to do. Accept a suspension of duties? I thought about it, but eventually I made my decision.

There were risks. That I could not deny. But I was so close I would not give it up.

Bunnie showed up at my doorstep late in the evening in an attempt to talk me out of it. "Ah didn't say anything about giving up. But Sally Girl, you need to stop this crazy plan of yours." She urged.

I knew she wouldn't like my answer, but I still gave it. "I'm going for it"

Bunnie's face sagged, and for a moment I thought she was actually going to cry. But she pulled herself together "Bunnie, I know you're worried, but this is my choice. I'm not going to give up on this, not just yet. Not when we're so close to winning.

"Sally Girl, ya don't understand-"

"No, you don't understand!" I snapped. "These plans are everything to me! You're talking about destroying my dream!"

"To save your life! If ya do it, you'll die!"

"I'm willing to take that chance."

"But ah'm not! Ah can't let you throw away your life like this!"

"It's my choice, not yours. And isn't that what we're fighting for; freedom? Well, this is my choice."

Bunnie hesitated.

"Well?"

I wasn't sure how Bunnie was going to react. She didn't raise a fuss, throw a temper-tantrum. Instead, she remained quiet. Looking out the window, I watched as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Normally I would be up for dinner, but I wasn't hungry. I was tired and wanted to rest,

"Maybe the best thing we can do is get a good night's sleep, and have clearer heads in the morning," I said.

Bunnie gave an emotionless nod.

Going into the medicine cabinet, I gulped down a few pain pills and went to my bed and settled down. Turning out the lights, I closed my eyes and when I eventually nodded-off. Sleep was deep and restful, and I would have dozed well past the rising of the sun if something hadn't woken me in the middle of the night.

I don't know what cause me to stir. Perhaps a sixth sense warning me that something was nearby. Blinking, I looked around, the darkness momentarily disorienting me. I thought I was back beneath the stuffing tunnels of Robotropolis; trapped. But then I saw NICOLE lit up by the bedside. My breathing slowed; nothing could harm me in Knothole.

Still, the numerous shadows gave an intruder plenty of places to hide. I studied the room, looking for movement and listening for breathing or clothing brushing against furniture. I detected neither, and decided that it had just been Tails going to the bathroom.

Laying my head back upon the pillow, I closed my eyes.

That's when I heard footsteps.

They were coming into the room

There were whispers. I couldn't make out what was being said, except that it was a few Mobians who sounded cautious, probably trying not to wake me

They got closer. Another few seconds, and they'd reach me.

I never gave them the chance, leaping from the bed, my every muscle exploding in sudden movement. And for a second it caught my stalkers off guard, but they recovered quickly, for I heard a familiar twang say, "Now!" and I was tackled to the floor.

By the time I had fully come to my senses the last leather strap had been tightened and I found myself facing Bunnie and a bunch of burly orderlies, completely unable to so much as lift a limb in response.

"Sally Girl, Tails is safely in muh place so he doesn't have to see nuthin." Bunnie took a step forward "You're probably wondering why we strapped you down like we did. Truth is we didn't know how you'd react, if you would be logical, or violent. Ah jus didn't know, and erred on the side of caution. Please believe me, if there had been any other way to avoid it, any at all, ah would've taken it. Ah would've given anything, anything to make this easier for you."

I remained silent.

Bunnie paused, tried to find the words, sweating all the while. "The reason ah volunteered to do this is because... yer my friend and for a very long time mah only real one; actually. You stuck by me when no one else would after ah came out of that roboticizer looking like a ... freak."

She took a step closer to me. The orderlies, one of who had a muzzle in one hand flinched, but she indicated for them to remain where they were.

"Sally Girl... ah put up with a lot. But ever since you've got that idea that you're responsible for every one of us. Ah watched you agonize over it. Ah was so worried about you, especially when it seemed like things jus wasn't working out. Ah'd hoped you'd realize it too, but ya didn't. And then there's your family. They came to me and asked whether the war was affecting you personality-wise. I told them yes, it was."

I remained silent.

"And then all this happened. Ah've heard this happening before. People becoming so obsessed that they forget about all the important thangs."

She stopped, wiping sweat away.

"Yes, ah supported them in suspending you from your duties; but only to save your life. The Sally Girl ah know is kind and polite, doesn't attack others. She certainly wouldn't hurt herself and doesn't risk her life over such trivial things. But maybe ... maybe you're right. Maybe, yer would rather die than be taken out of the fight, but ah... ah couldn't let that happen. Not after all this."

She took another step closer to me and the orderlies tensed up.

"Ever since we met, you've encouraged me on. Yer were the one who helped me whenever bad things came. Now ah wanna help you. Ah know you don't believe me, but it's true. Ah've tried to find a good time to tell you, but ah never got the chance. But now... well, now seems as good a time as any."

She reached out and took my hand in hers. The orderlies took a step forward. She stopped, bit her lip, and waited for me to say something.

I didn't.

Bunnie sweated. She started to shake. "Please, Sally Girl, say something."

I didn't.

"Please... ah know you probably don't trust me. And our friendship if it still exists ... might not be the same again. But at least you'll be alive. We can work our way through this. Please."

I remained silent as Bunnie satisfied that I wasn't in a violent mood started to undo my straps and as soon as the last was removed she sat at my beside me.

"You destroyed it," I whispered.

"What?"

"You destroyed my dream," I said.

"Ah don't want to destroy anyone's dream," Bunnie blurted out.

"Liar." I got out of the bed, shaking so badly I had to grab the bedpost to steady myself. "You rotten, stinking, little liar."

The orderlies tensed, ready to tackle me.

My heart was racing. "All those years, all that effort, wasted by a pathetic two-bit hick who bailed at the first sign of difficulty. I don't know what I ever saw in you in the first place."

Bunnie took a step back. "What?"

"Wake up Bunnie!" I snapped. "Do you really think I helped you out of the generosity of my heart? That I cared about your stupid dreams of marrying a gallant guardsman or becoming a hairdresser?"

Bunnie went pale.

"I told you what you wanted to hear and you fell for them, hook line and sinker!" I couldn't stop, the words coming out faster and faster.

Bunnie was silent. So too, were the orderlies, who couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"All that time... all that kindness... yer friendship..." she whispered. "It was all... a lie?"

I turned away.

"Tell me that's not true," Bunnie said, her voice shaking. "Please, tell me it's not true!"

I remained silent.

"Tell me!" Bunnie begged, tears falling to the floor. "Tell me! Please, tell me!"

"I... I don't know," I finally said. "I don't know."

"Ya don't know if you're telling the truth or not?!"

I spun. "I said I don't know!" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath. "Maybe you did act to save my life. Fine. It's done. But I'm not giving up. I'm going to fight this decision and then-"

Bunnie wiped away her tears, "You can't."

"What? You're going to stop me?"

She shook her head. "As ah wus saying, while you were out, Elias asked us if your behaviour had changed and ..."

"So, I've had worse. I'll take a breather; reassess my position and-"

She sniffed. "No, ya don't geddit. Its already been done. They suspended you from your duties."

My heart froze. "You... You don't know that!"

She sniffed again. "They agreed."

The colour drained from my face.

"Ah'm sorry, but ah couldn't let you keep living like this. Ah... ah had to protect you from yourself. It was simply for your own good."

Something snapped inside me.

Wiping the last of her tears away, Bunnie said, "Now, we can work this out-"

"Get out." I whispered

"Sally Girl, we're both mad, but we-"

"Get out."

She took my hand. "Please, we can-"

"GET OUT!" I screamed.

Bunnie was so caught off guard that she fell to the floor. So did the orderlies. But their shock was nothing compared to Bunnie's, who stared at me in terror. Never had Sally raised her voice against her, or screamed with the unfettered fury of a soul who's only purpose in life had been taken away. In that moment, seeing the hatred in my eyes, she realized that everything I had said earlier was the truth.

Bunnie scrambled backwards. She only got out one anguished sob before running from the room. The orderlies, shocked, went with her.

Then I went ahead to vent my frustration against every inanimate object in the room till at last it lay in tatters. The table, sofa, and chairs demolished and holes embedded in the walls. I spun, looking for something else I could destroy, something precious and beautiful that I could tear apart. But there was nothing left.

For a long moment I stood there, running on nothing but adrenaline, which then seeped away, leaving me drained and feeling more empty than I had ever felt, and more alone than I had ever been. I collapsed to the ground, sobbing, wishing that everything would just go away.