"I think I understand something else, Ellen." Sky said, walking over to the cot and motioning for Ellen to follow. "It's not just the pain that ties you all together-- it's the fear of pain. All of you understand what hurt is. All of you don't want to hurt, most of you don't want others to hurt. Maybe I have found a way to be like you, after all."
Sky hesitated when she got to the cot. She looked up at Ellen. "I cannot self-destruct, Elly. I know you'll want to protect me, now. But you can't. You have to put me on there, and push the button."
Ellen looked at her, and did not see SkyNet. She only saw a child, a child about to die. She reached down and picked up the little girl, lifting Sky by the armpits, the way you would a little child, and laying her on the cot. Ellen's hand shook as she reluctantly reached to push the button.
Sky's voice made her freeze. "Elly?" The way Sky said it made it sound like 'Mommy?' "Does it hurt to die?"
"I don't think so," Ellen lied. She had never seen a death that was not painful.
"Elly? Would it be ok if you held my hand?" The little girl cringed, as if she was about to get a shot.
Ellen took her hand and squeezed it. The hand was warm, dry and smooth. Then, moving quickly so she would not change her mind, she leaned over and pushed the button. Sky whimpered a little, but didn't scream.
A hum went through the cot.
"Elly… can you tell them… please tell them… I'm sorry. I didn't want-- I didn't mean--" Already her words sounded hollow. Cracks appeared on her tiny face, and spread down the pink dress to her shiny shoes. The little hand gave suddenly under the pressure of Ellen's squeeze, like an eggshell. Then Sky splintered, crumbling into a pile of silver dust. Then even the silvery color slowly faded, like dying embers, into darkness.