"I shrugged, and kept my hands up as I stepped over the broken glass ofthe door, and out onto the street.A couple of blocks walking later, I found mys...lf looking at a what Ithink was once a sorority house. My captor had me kneel down while sheknocked on the door in some kind of code, and soon another woman hadopened the door and I was ushered in.There seemed to be about fiveteen to twenty women inside, of varyingages from children to grandmothers. One of the "grandmothers" came up tome, and. She was taking time with thesoup she had gotten for lunch. Her stomach was still feeling a littlequeasy due to morning sickness.Midori and Stuart were both thinking the same thing but didn't knowit. A farm in Australia was a long way from their home in DarringtonWashingtonSomething important suddenly popped back into Hiromi's mind. "Gabby,there are a couple of things we need to go over. Mom, Dad, can youexcuse Gabby and I?" You can stay here and talk about it if you want, Hiromi,". I am angry. Bastard. Anytime, anywhere, it doesn’t matter, does it? What the hell am I, a blowup doll, for chrissakes? A toy — a plaything. I know what I’m good for. ‘James! No! Not here!’ My voice is a hiss, venomous with my thoughts. Ineffectively I try batting your hands away, and you growl at me. Animal. I know that tone, and still, I fight, knowing I am making you angry. Good. I have my own mind, my own wants, and my own needs. I tear away from you, and turning to you I see the surprise in. Instantly, Dana retreated and peered shyly at the other woman through lowered lashes. When Mia made no objection, Dana again brought her mouth to Mia's, moving much slower this time, her lips parting slightly as she drew near.Mia returned the kiss gently while lightly probing Dana's surface thoughts. She discovered that the girl was reeling from witnessing so much death over such a short period of time and from coming so close to that state herself. This overture was, at least in part, an act.