Another big thanks to my reviewers! You guys make me happy! :)
Simon studied the weapon he had fashioned. Simple, yet deadly, the pen gun would drive a bearing ball into the target's flesh.
"Is this really our only option?" Jeanette asked in code.
"I see no other choice," Simon shook his head. "We have thoroughly considered several courses of action and weighed the consequences. I now feel that killing him is, indeed, the only plausible option."
"We…we're talking about ending someone's life, Simon-we can't just sit here like two computers processing data!"
"I thought we had agreed upon this!"
"I know. I thought we were, too, but we've only approached the situation from a logical standpoint. We need to approach it emotionally," she spoke more quietly, "morally."
"Damn it, Jeanette, our lives are at stake! This isn't the time to debate ethics!"
Seeing his friend wince, Simon attempted to calm himself.
"I'm sorry." he sighed.
"It's okay…"
Jean's face hardened.
"No, it's not okay. There's something wrong with this! It almost seems as if you want to kill him! You're my friend, Simon; I'd forgive you for a lot of things, but murder isn't one of them!"
"This isn't murder, this is self-defense!"
The two sat in silence for a moment, then Simon spoke in English.
"You stood up for yourself," he said softly.
Jeanette's eyes widened at the realization of what she had done.
"Yes…yes, I suppose I did, didn't I?"
"I'm proud of you."
"So am I."
Alvin's heart throbbed as he stared at Brittany.
The Chipette sat quietly in her prison, head bowed, soft wisps of auburn hair falling into her face.
She rocked slowly, back and forth, whispering the words to a lullaby.
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,
Go to sleep little baby.
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses…
"Brittany?" Alvin's voice choked. "I know this doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry."
She didn't respond.
Blacks and bays, dapples and grays,
All the pretty little horses…
"Please, Brittany, you don't have to answer, but listen to me! I'm sorry for everything…for pushing you, for calling you a bitch," Alvin's eyes welled with tears. "You mean everything to me, Brittany! If…if that means letting Leon have you, that's okay."
After a short pause, Brittany spoke.
"I broke up with Leon yesterday." she said emptily.
"Why?"
"Because he's a schmuck."
"Yes, he is. He doesn't deserve you, Brittany…no one does," Alvin lowered his head. "Especially not me."
"I forgive you, Alvin."
"What?"
"I forgive you."
"W…why?"
Brittany whispered so softly that Alvin could barely hear her.
"Because I love you."
"I love you, too."
"I know."
Eleanor wept pitifully. It's not fair! she thought, I never did anything to hurt anybody! What did I do to deserve this?
She looked at Theodore, who lay shuddering on the cold concrete floor.
What did he do deserve this? He's so innocent, so…perfect.
"Theodore?" she whispered.
The chubby little chipmunk responded with a whimper.
"I love you, Theodore. You don't have to say anything-I know you love me, too," Eleanor said confidently. "Don't be scared. If we don't get out of this, and I go first, don't worry. I'll be waiting for you."
"I don't want to die, Ellie!"
Tears flowed unchecked down the youngest Chipette's cheeks, but she remained strong.
"I know. But we'd all be together again soon," she smiled. "Hold me."
"I can't reach!" Theodore wailed.
Ellie put her arms through the bars of her cage.
"We can hold each other from a distance, Theodore. I'm doing it right now. Can you feel me?"
"Yes…"
"Good. Now, hold me."