by Sheena Bandy
Ellie was barely there at all anymore. She was a clone, yes, but a different person entirely. And she was scared.
It wasn't long before Trina, Ana, and Jakob were able to join her. It was quiet, then. There was still one last decision to be made.
"If we become one again, you'll get my personality too." Ellie said. "You won't be the same."
"I know." Maji said.
"You don't have to do this." Ellie said.
Ana, who'd known Ellie long before she knew Maji, wiped her nose on her sleeve and sniffed pathetically before looking up with a smile and sad, sad eyes, "She's right. You have the right to choose. Everyone deserves that."
"I've made my choice." Maji said, cupping her clone's cheek. "Neither of us will be like we are now, but we'll both still be here."
"It will be like dying." Trina said. "You won't be you anymore."
Maji stood before her clone and three friends with a decision in her hands. They all knew what her answer would be, and they all knew which path she would choose. Ellie looked at her with that steady gaze that Maji had never been able to pull off. She was a different person. Maji would be a different person.
Could Maji make that sacrifice?
"It won't be much longer." Ellie said.
Her hand was disappearing completely down to the wrist.
Maji pulled Ellie onto her lap and felt her through their link. It was stronger than any link she'd ever had. She felt every inch of herself and reached out to feel every inch of Elliana. their fingers intertwined and Maji's sprit curled around her missing piece.
Ellie closed her eyes and let go of herself.
Maji reached to the back of her neck and wrapped their silver cords together. If this didn't work, it would be the end of both of them. If it did, it would still be the end for both of them. But it would be the beginning of something else. Would she remember any of this? She wasn't sure. She didn't think so.
The cords were wrapped tight. Just one tug and they'd both go into the same body. They'd both be Maji.
Maji closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
She pulled.
