Donovan stood in front of a huge window overlooking the vastness of space. He was waiting for a transport to take him to a research station on one of Saturn's moons. Below him was the earth, that big blue marble hanging on nothing but held in place by the gravity of the sun.

He was both anxious and reluctant as the minutes passed. He was anxious because it was the opportunity of a lifetime, but he was reluctant because it meant he would have limited contact with others of his kind. There was only a dozen people stationed at the research center and the isolation would mess with his head.

He had been trained for that. He spent 12 months in a biosphere with 4 other inhabitants. He knew what he was getting into, he was prepared. He was just staring out into space, but his attention was brought back. He felt a shift in the movement of the air which caused him to turn around. He was face to face with a young woman. She looked like she was in her early twenties. She had dark hair and dark eyes and was wearing standard issue clothing.

"May I help you?" Donovan asked matter-of-factly.

"It's pretty big, isn't it?" the young woman asked, staring out into space.

"Excuse me?" Donovan responded.

"Space." The young woman clarified, "There's just a whole lot of space. No matter how many times I see it, I just can't get over how big it is."

"Have you been in space?" Donovan asked, trying to be polite.

"I've been to Mars." the young woman explained, "I have some friends that live there. I don't know why anyone would want to leave the Earth, but I guess curiosity makes people want to go out into space. Where are you going?" The young woman added the last part because she didn't want to seem impolite herself.

"I'm headed for the research station on Titan. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity." Donovan answered.

"Wow" the young woman said softly, "You must be really smart. How long are you going to be there?"

"4 years." Donovan answered.

"That's a long time." The young woman followed up, "If I had to be in a research station for 4 years, I'd go bat-shit crazy." The young woman's voice was low and steady.

"I've had training." Donovan followed up, "I was in a biosphere for 12 months."

"How did that go?"

"It took some adjusting to, but I managed it well."

"That's good."

"Where are you headed?" Donovan asked, wanting to get his mind on something else.

"I'm going to the research station on Titan just like you are." The young woman answered.

"I didn't know anyone else was going to the research station." Donovan said with some uncertainty in his voice.

"They don't always tell you things you should know." The young woman admitted.

"Why are you going there?" Donovan asked.

"It's my home." The young woman admitted, "I don't like to be gone for too long."

"I didn't know that anyone permanently lived there." Donovan said.

"Like I said, there don't always tell you things you should know." The young woman restated.

"What else should I know?" Donovan asked.

"You'll find out." the young woman answered playfully, "but don't worry, you're in good hands with me." A chill went down Donovan's spine.

"Were you born there?" Donovan asked.

"Yes, I was born there." The woman answered. She let the words hang in the air and then started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Donovan asked.

"I was just messing with you. I just got back from Mars and I'm going back to Earth. The look on your face was priceless." Donovan felt relieved.

"Do you always mess with people like this?" Donovan asked.

"Only ones I like." She said as she walked away. Donovan felt the desire to pursue her but stopped himself. He was going to be gone for 4 years, falling for someone right before he left didn't seem like a good idea. It was better to just let her go.

The call finally came for Donovan to board the transport. He found his seat and was strapped in. Soon he lost consciousness. He was put in a state of suspended animation for the duration of the journey. When he "woke up" he was there.

He got up out of his seat and was walking toward the exit hatch when he heard a familiar voice from behind him. "Hey, stranger." The young woman said. She came up and took a hold of his hand like they were lovers and had known each other for years. She led him off the transport and into the research station. Once they were on the station she gave him a passionate kiss. "I have to go now." She said, "But I'll see you later."

After she had left, the chief administrator of the station greeted Donovan. "Donovan" He greeted him by shaking his hand, "I have been looking forward to meeting you." The administrator noticed Donovan's bewildered expression. "Is there something wrong?"

"Who was that woman?" Donovan asked.

"What woman?" The administrator asked back.

"The woman on the transport?" Donovan clarified.

"You were the only passenger on the transport." The administrator stated matter-of-factly.

"There was a woman. I met her at the transport station and then appeared on the transport when I got here." The administrator smiled.

"I know what is going on here. It is an effect of you coming out of hibernation. A side effect is that sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. You meet the woman at the transport station. You liked her and so your brain brought her with you here. Don't worry about it. The effect will pass."

"Are you sure?" Donovan asked, not entirely sure.

"You will see for yourself." the administrator assured, "I will show you to your quarters and you can get settled in." The administrator led Donovan down several corridors until he stopped in front of a door. After opening the door, it led into a single room. The room had a bed and that was pretty much it.

"Don't I get more than a bed?" Donovan asked.

"We live simply here, most of our time is spent in our work." The administrator replied.

After saying that, the administrator left, and Donovan was alone. He sat on his bed and put his head in his hands. He was still reluctant, but he was here, he couldn't back out now.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw the young woman again. "Don't worry" She said, "I'll help you relax." After saying that, she sat on his lap and started kissing him slowly and passionately. She felt real. She looked real. He pushed her away. She grabbed his hands. He tried to break free, but she was strong. She was stronger than she should be. She smiled and went back to kissing him. "You're my pet" said told him, "And the sooner you accept that, the more fun we'll have."

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone

The rain fell down as I start my day

I tell myself, this really sucks

Cause I have to work when I'd rather play

More than a ceiling

(More than a ceiling)

That's keeping the rain out

(More than a ceiling)

I can't help but feeling

(More than a ceiling)

That my chances have all washed away

I feel my chances have all washed away

So many times I've tried to cope

But inside these walls that have kept me sane

I think of the things I could have done

While I watch the rain from my window pane

More than a ceiling

(More than a ceiling)

That's keeping the rain out

(More than a ceiling)

I can't help but feeling

(More than a ceiling)

That my chances have all washed away

I feel my chances have all washed away

When I'm tired and feeling old

I hide in my house to escape the day

and dream of a place that's safe and warm

I close my eyes and it slips away

More than a ceiling

(More than a ceiling)

That's keeping the rain out

(More than a ceiling)

I can't help but feeling

(More than a ceiling)

That my chances have all washed away

I feel my chances have all washed away

Yeah

[Verse 1]

Nothing is quiet on Election Day

A nervous world gets underway

They want to frighten you, frighten you night and day

Nothing changes on Election Day

On Election Day

[Chorus]

They will be scaring you again

They will be scaring you again

[Verse 2]

although the sky is clear

A crowd has gathered in hope and fear

The Enlighted, the chosen few

The newspaper says, says

[Pre-Chorus]

Say it's true, it's true

if you want to break through

vote with us and

We can be one

[Chorus]

They will be scaring you again

They will be scaring you again

[Post-Chorus]

Yeah, oh, oh-oh-oh

[Instrumental Break]

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

Oh, maybe the time is right

Oh, maybe tonight

[Chorus]

They will be scaring you again

They will be scaring you again

[Verse 3]

And so we're told we better get in line

Trust in the process, it will all be fine

They want to frighten you, frighten you night and day

But nothing changes on Election Day

[Outro]

on Election Day

on Election Day

on Election Day

This is a parody of the Billy Idol song "The dead next door"

I can't say

why love fades away

over time

You come to me

in ecstasy

but love is blind

before love fades

I got mine

I think of you

how you never knew

how much I cried

I face the day

after you've gone away

I nearly died

before love fades

I got mine

before love fades

I got mine

Let me know in the comments if you have heard of the song this is a parody of.

I know you've been hurt girl

Like no one has before

You thought you were happy

into love had slammed the door

You hooked up with some player

and he crushed and broke your heart

You thought you learned your lesson

but now you're right back at the start

But one good apple

don't save the whole bunch girl

you don't care what I say

You'll still give up on love

One good apple

don't save the whole bunch girl

It doesn't matter how you try

You just can't find that one

I could give you love girl

Just like you always dreamed

but you're too scared love will fall

apart at the seams

You'd rather be lonely

than take a chance with me

When my love could

come and set you free

But one good apple

don't save the whole bunch girl

you don't care what I say

You'll still give up on love

One good apple

don't save the whole bunch girl

It doesn't matter how you try

You just can't find that one

"Why do I have to wear a uniform to school?" Chloe asked her mother.

"So, everyone knows who you are." was the answer her mother gave back to her.

"But I'll look like everyone else." Chloe protested.

"That is true." Her mother conceded, "and you will belong. No one will question you."

"I want to look different. I want to be able to express myself." Chloe continued making her points.

"No, you don't." Her mother corrected, "You want to fit in and be appreciated for who you are. No body cares who you are, they only care that you fit in. You can try to assert yourself over the group and when you do, they will not accept you."

"But how do I get noticed?" Chloe's pleaded.

"By fitting in." Chloe's mother answered.

"That doesn't make any sense. How do I get noticed if I'm like everyone else, if everyone's the same, nobody gets noticed" Chloe shot back.

"Do you notice people?" Chloe's mother asked.

"Yes." Chloe answered.

"What caused you to notice them?" Chloe's mother continued.

"They fit in." Chloe's found herself responding.

"If you want to fit in, do what they are doing." Chloe's mother advised.

"Okay, I'll try." Chloe answered.

"That's my girl." Chloe's mother encouraged.

Chloe was wearing a school uniform. It comprised of a white button-up shirt on top and a dark green skirt below and black sandals. While she was completely unaware of it, the boys very much paid attention to her as she walked from one class to the next mesmerized by the sway of her hips.

The boy's uniform was similar to the girls, they also wore a white shirt but instead of wearing a skirt they wore dark green slacks with black dress shoes. They were also required to wear a monotone-colored tie.

To open the school day, all the students paid tribute to their glorious leader. The state protected and provided for them, and it was their duty to show their gratitude. Through the wisdom of their glorious leader, they lived a life of meaning and service.

A huge picture of the glorious leader hung in the entrance of their school. It was the first thing anyone saw when they entered its illustrious halls, and it reminded everyone who was responsible for their prosperous way of life. Sometimes Chloe would stop and stare at the young, tall, handsome figure who risked everything to make all their lives better. He deserved to be praised, she thought. He had taken the most risk and they all benefitted from that. They should be grateful. Chloe learned about how greed and commercialism almost destroyed civilization in the dark times. Chloe learned how whole populations were discarded as if they were cattle and made to serve the whims of people who used their power for selfish ambitions.

There were basic reading and writing lessons and some lessons to do with math, but the part of the day Chloe loved most of all was learning how to cook. The glorious leader had commented on many occasions that the people needed to be able to take care of themselves and not being able to cook was a major problem in the dark times. So, he mandated that every person must be able to cook. Chloe didn't want to let the glorious leader down by not being able to cook.

Chloe also felt the desire to be an individual. She didn't exactly hate the uniforms, but she wanted to choose what she wore. She was getting older, and she wanted to show the world that she wasn't like everyone else. However, the pressure to maintain appearance were too strong for her to outright disobey, so she buried her frustration for the good of society. This she did daily.

One day her best friend Kristen, noticed she wasn't her usual self. "Hey, what's wrong?" She asked.

"I don't know" Chloe answered.

"I was feeling kind of down and I met someone who helped me. I think they can help you too. I'm going to be seeing them today, why don't you come with me?" Kristen offered.

"I don't know. You know how my mom doesn't like me being with people she doesn't know." Chloe answered.

"Yeah, I know." Kristen said sympathetically, "But I think she really can help."

Chloe didn't answer so Kristen tried genteelly persuading her, "I promise I will be with you the whole time."

"You promise." Chloe asked for assurance.

"I promise. You won't regret it." Kristen said sweetly.

"Okay" Chloe finally relented.

Chloe and Kristen went to a part of town that Chloe had never been to before. She was starting to feel a bit apprehensive about it. They came to the door of what looked like a long-abandoned building in need of a lot of repairs. Kristen knocked on the door. After a few moments the door opened, and they went inside. Once inside they heard music. Chloe had never heard anything like it before. It almost sounded like noise, but it had rhythm and a beat. Chloe and Kristen came to a large room where a lot of other kids her age was moving their bodies to this strange music. A girl noticed Kristen and greeted both of them.

"So, is this the girl you were telling me about?" The strange girl asked.

"Yeah, I think she's ready to join the underground." Kristen answered.

Chloe looks at the strange girl. She didn't wear a uniform. She wore clothes that Chloe hadn't seen before, and she was the only one who was wearing them. She looked around and noticed that all the kids were wearing something different, and they all stood out to her.

"Do you want to take off that uniform?" The strange girl asked. Chloe just nodded,

"Then follow me."

The strange girl led Chloe into a changing room. There were all kind of different clothes on hangers. "Try on whatever you like." The girl said, "hang up your uniform and when you are ready to leave, just change back."

Chloe started trying on clothes. She wanted to try on everything. She wanted to see how everything looked on her. It took her about an hour to decide but she finally did it. When she walked out on the floor where everyone was dancing, she felt like an individual rather than part of the collective.

"What do I do now?" She asked once she got to the floor.

"Just feel the music and move your body." The strange girl told her.

"But I don't know how to do that." Chloe protested.

"You'll get the hang of it." The strange girl answered, "Just try and relax." Kristen had also changed out of her school uniform, and she just started moving her body. Chloe tried mimicking her. She felt really self-conscious. The strange girl smiled; it was always the same, but she knew it wouldn't take long. Chloe noticed there were also boys there, but she didn't notice at first. The reason why was because all the strange clothes blended together, and you really had to look at someone to tell who they were. She saw kids there from her school and she saw kids from other schools.

"What is this place?" Chloe finally got the nerve to ask.

"It's a place to go when you want to just be yourself." The strange girl answered.

"Don't you worry about being caught?" Chloe followed up.

"There are worse things than being caught." The strange girl replied.

Someone came up and handed Chloe a drink.

"What's this?" Chloe asked.

"Just something to help you loosen up." The strange girl answered.

"Is it alcohol?" Chloe followed up. Alcohol was not permitted to minors and she had been well indoctrinated to stay away from it.

"Not exactly." The strange girl continued, "Alcohol is how the masses escaped in the past. This is how we do it in the future."

Chloe took a sip. It had a sweet fruity taste to it that she had to admit was good. She started feeling good and after about 10 minutes she started loosening up and was able to finally feel the music. It was the most amazing feeling she had ever had.

This went on for another good hour when the festivities were interrupted by a blast coming from somewhere outside. Moments after the blast, several adults, wearing the uniform of the official security forces, flooded into the warehouse and started capturing the kids there. No one resisted, they all knew better. Chloe was taken to a detention center and remained there for what seemed like hours. Finally, a young woman that Chloe had never met before took her out of detention. Chloe was taken to a room where her mother was there waiting for her. The three of them sat down.

"Chloe," The young woman began, "Since this is your first offense, we are releasing you to your mother. We know how much you want to follow our glorious leader, but we also know that sometimes young people get confused by their feelings. To help you, we have paired you up with another student who can help you work through your concerns. This person will help you sort out your feelings and provide an example of how you are to behave. You may go now."

Chloe and her mother left the detention center. For a long time neither of them spoke. Finally, Chloe had to break the silence. "I'm sorry mother for putting you through this shame." Chloe finally said.

"I know." Her mother answered, "Our glorious leader has given you mercy and you must show your gratitude by trying to mimic the mentor they are providing for you."

"I will try my best." Chloe confirmed. Chloe knew that she should have been punished more severely for her discretion. She was grateful that their glorious leader understood that sometimes people make mistakes.

Chloe entered the school building the next morning. She stopped in front of the portrait of the glorious leader. His confident, strong appearance gave Chloe courage. She reported to the front office and waited for her mentor. A girl was introduced to her. She looked familiar but she couldn't quite remember where she had seen her. She was dressed in the same school uniform that Chloe was wearing.

"Chloe" the administrator started, "This is Stephanie. She will be your mentor from now on. If you follow her example, you will make us all proud of you."

"Hi Chloe," Stephanie started, "I don't want you to feel bad about yourself. I was once caught like you were. I felt horrible and someone showed me the way just like I'm going to show you. Don't worry, you're in good hands with me." Stephanie spoke sweetly and smiled.

Chloe didn't answer. She was trying to remember where she saw this girl before. As they were walking to Chloe's first class, it finally hit her. This was the strange girl from the old warehouse. Chloe didn't know what to think.

Elisa sat in her room. She was lost in a story about a vampire who fell in love with a werewolf. The story wasn't deep, but it was full of imagery and emotion. The day had passed by fast enough and while she loved to read, she eventually needed a break.

She took that break when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. "Elisa, are you alright?" a voice came from beyond her room. She recognized the voice as her mothers. Her mother was always worried that she spent too much time in worlds of fantasy and not enough time in the one that mattered.

"Yeah," Elisa shot back through the door.

"It's time for dinner." came the reply and with that, Elisa got up and left her fantasy world behind. Well, at least for the time being. Elisa's mom was a decent cook and her father wasn't easy to please. Elisa imagined that the beef stew was really boar meet that she cooked over a fire after hunting in an enchanted forest. She had that faraway look in her eye that disturb her parents very much but didn't really know what to do about.

"So how was your day at school?" Elisa's father asked, hoping to spark a conversation with his withdrawn daughter.

"It was ok." Elisa replied. Strike one.

"Did you make any new friends?" Her mother asked.

"I'm not in preschool, mother." Came the reply. Strike two.

They both paused a moment. One more strike and they were out. The problem was they didn't know how to relate to their daughter. She had a vivid imagination. One they were frightened of.

Elisa finished her dinner and went back to her room. Back to a world of passion and intrigue. Soon she was lost in the story again. She wasn't sure just how long it had been but after some time she heard a noise. A noise that wasn't supposed to be there and it brought her out of her trance. She felt like she was no longer alone and the hair on her arms stood straight up. She froze in place and if movement would cause great harm to come to her. She slowly looked around the room and there was nothing there that wasn't supposed to be. While in the grip of this feeling, there is a knock on the door.

"Can I come in?" Her father asked.

"Sure" Elisa answers, still petrified. Her father opens the door and walks in.

"Are you okay? You look scared." Her father observes.

"It's a scary part of the book." Elisa offers as an explanation. Her father accepts this reason and continues.

"Your mom and I are really worried about you. You don't have any friends and you seem to get lost in these stories as if they are real." Her father explains.

"I know you are worried." Elisa responds, "But people make fun of me at school and I'm not really good at anything. This is the only thing that makes life bearable."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Her father sympathizes, "but we have to do something. Maybe a therapist will help this time."

"You know what happened the last time." Elisa warns.

"I know" Her father says, "Just think about it."

"Okay" Elisa answers. Elisa's father feels helpless, but he leaves his daughter. As the door closes, a tall young boy comes out of the shadows. He is wearing jeans and a leather jacket. He is holding a fireball in his hand like it was nothing.

"I thought he would never leave" the young boy says with an evil grin on his face, "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" Elisa's asks innocently.

"Ready to start living!" the young boy responds.

I'm gonna be free

oh yeah

I've been hurt babe

but I still try

you know I've got to find a way

do you remember I told you

that I don't believe that all women lie

maybe that's why

Everything little thing I do

never is enough to prove

I'm not losing again

why can't I win?

maybe when I finally

get to love somebody

guess what?

I'm gonna be free

I've got no choice babe

but to move on

you know that there's no room to fail

too blind

to see

but in the end I know I'm gonna be free

I can't deny

So I'm gonna try

Everything little thing I do

never is enough to prove

I'm not losing again

why can't I win?

maybe when I finally

get to love somebody

guess what?

I'm gonna be free

They'll be a day

When I'll be the one to see

I'm gonna, gonna, gonna, gonna, gonna

I'm gonna be free

All that I do

is not enough to prove

I'm not a loser

but I'm still trying

when finally (finally)

I get to love

guess what? guess what?

every little thing I do

never is enough to prove

I'm not losing again

why can't I win?

maybe when I finally

get to love somebody

Guess what? guess what? guess what?

every little thing I do

never is enough to prove

I'm not losing again

why can't I win?

maybe when I finally

get to love somebody

guess what?

I'm gonna be free

(parody of the Beatles)

Hey dude, it's not that bad

Don't chase her, it will get better

Remember, don't let her into your heart

That's not how you start, to make it better

Hey dude, don't be afraid

You don't have to go out and get her

The minute you let her under your skin

you fail to begin, to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain, hey dude it's plain

That world that you carry on your shoulders

And don't you know you play the fool, and life is cruel

When you're following everything, they told you

Hey dude, don't be so down

If you don't find her, it might be better

remember, don't let her into your heart

That's not how you start to make it better

So let it out and let it in, hey dude, begin,

You don't need somebody to perform with.

And don't you know that it's just you, hey dude, you'll do,

Don't listen to people who would shame you

Hey dude, it's not that bad

Don't chase her, it will get better

Remember, don't let her into your heart

That's not how you start, to make it better

Better better better better better better, oh.

Na na na nananana, nannana, hey dude...

“I’ve won!” The leader declares, “You can’t stop me.”

“The dream isn’t over yet.” Gina announces.

As the woman is bound in chains and cast down. The army that swept over the Earth is shattered into a million individual pieces. Just when the army is poised for its final victory, the remaining kingdoms of the Earth band together and field a large army of its own. These two armies fight and when the dust clears, the great army that swept over the world is gone and there is no one left to replace it.

The leader is captured and before he can be executed, he uses his magic to escape. The woman who opposed him, breaks free of her chains.

They all wake up from their dream.

“Now that you know the end of the dream, let me show you your final fate.” Gina announces. She grabs the hand of the young man and the great one and disappears, leaving the leader alone to contemplate his fate.

When they reappear, they are in a cave far away. The former leader is there. Having lived out the dream, he knew they would come. He just didn’t know when.

“Look at yourself.” Gina says to the young man, “Is this the fate you want?” The young man looks at himself, old and broken. He turns away in disgust.

“No.” he says quietly.

“Are you ready to give up your magic?” Gina asks.

“I am” the young man declares, “Will this hurt?”

“It will not” Gina assures. Gina waves her hands and says something that sounds like nonsense. The spark leaves the young man. Gina grabs both their hands and they disappear. When they reappear, they are back to where they started from in the past.

“You can be happy now with people who care about you.” Gina says, “I have one final thing for you.” Gina causes the young man to forget everything he had seen and heard about the possible future.

“Great one is it an honor to see you. “The young man says to the great one, “Miss” he says to Gina. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“No, I was just passing by you may go about your business.” The great one said.

“Thank you” The young man says as he goes on his way.

“I owe you a great debt.” The great one says to Gina, “You have kept me from making a terrible mistake. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No. Just be more careful.” Gina replies and with that she disappears and the great one never sees her again.

When Gina appears again, it is in her own time. She is in a small chamber and an old man is sitting there. He notices that she had the spark.

“I didn’t know you were a magician.” The old man says, “You certainly were not one when I saw you earlier today.”

“True” Gina answers, “I was given the ability to perform magic.”

“And who would give that ability to you.” The old man asks.

“You did.” Gina declares.

“I did, and why would I do something stupid like that.” The old man asks, amused.

“Because you are the wisest, smartest person I know.” Gina answers, “Thank you for believing in me.”

“You’re welcome, I think. What are you going to do, we can’t have two princesses running around.” The old man asks.

“You know I’m not the princess anymore. I think I’m going to travel, see the world.” Gina replies.

“Well, you be careful then.” The old man warns.

“I will” Gina assures. She then disappears again. When she appears, she is in another small chamber. There is no one there so she waits. She waits for what seems like a long time until suddenly Carla walks in. When she sees Gina, she is frightened and can’t speak.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” Gina declares.

“You have?” Carla can barely get out.

“Of course, I’m going to travel the world and I can’t do that without my best friend.” Gina says. Carla isn’t sure what is going on. The princess is never nice, and she is pretty sure the princess doesn’t know she exists. Gina takes both her hands in her own. “I will always have your back.” Gina assures. Carla is really confused. One moment they are in her room, the next moment they are somewhere else.

The somewhere else they are, is outside Mark’s quarters. Gina puts one finger over her mouth and tries to calm Carla down. Within a few minutes, Mark comes out of his quarters.

“Princess, what are you doing here?” Mark asks.

“I am going on a trip, and I need your protection.” Gina declares.

“Does the King know? Why don’t you have a real knight escort you?” Mark asks.

“Are you questioning me!?” Gina says, “You will change into some normal clothes right away and come with me.” This was highly unusual. Mark had bad feelings about this, but he couldn’t refuse the princess. If she wanted to make his life miserable, she could easily do it.

“Yes, princess.” Mark replied. Mark went and changed as quickly as he could.

“That’s better, do you know Carla?” Gina asked. When Mark saw Carla, he felt something he had never felt before.

“My name isn’t…” Carla was about to say but Gina stopped her from finishing her sentence.

“Your name is what I say it is.” Gina rebuked sternly, “We have one more stop before we leave.” Gina took them both by the hand and disappeared again. This time she reappeared in front of Toby’s modest shack.

“You two wait here.” Gina ordered. Gina entered the small shack. Toby had gone to sleep because it was late, but Gina woke him up.

“Princess, what are you doing here?” Toby asked. Toby couldn’t believe the princess was in his small shack. It was as if he were still dreaming. Toby got to his feet. When he did, Gina wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the lips. It was at this moment that Toby was sure he was dreaming. The princess didn’t even know he was alive, yet there she was.

“Are you ready?” Gina asked when she was done kissing Toby.

“Ready for what?” Toby asked.

“Ready to run away with me.” Gina continued. Toby didn’t know what to say. He had dreamed of this moment his entire life and it was happening.

“Yes” He affirmed.

“Then come with me” Gina ordered. Toby and Gina went outside where Mark and Carla were waiting for them. Gina had them all hold hands. Once they did, they all disappeared. When they reappeared, they were all in the future.

“Where are we?” Carla asked. She looked around and nothing looked familiar. They were on the side of a road and a car passed. “What was that?”

“We are in the future.” Gina declares, “A future where we can all be our best selves.”

“What will we do here?” Mark asked.

“Anything we want!” Gina replied, “I just have one final thing to do.” Gina let go of the spark. She was no longer a great sorcerous, now she was just herself, with the people she cared about.

THE END