Each chair that grew from the floor looked designed for the person who sat in them, a throne-like chair for Gramps, one smaller and more personal for Abby, a pair of connected chairs for Winston and Alison. Mother Naturia's chair wrapped itself around her even as she sat upon it.  

     Gramps turned to look at some of the others in the room.

     "So...you people. None of you are real, right?" 

     Surprised indignation from a couple of them. Stony silence from a couple of the others. 

     "They're all real," Mother Naturia replied. 

     "But they're not human."

     "They most certainly..."

​     "They're not mammals."

     "I find that statement highly..."

     "I'm an Adam, remember? I've been alive for billions of years. I know the difference between a plant and an animal."

     Gramps turned to Winston. "Does Alison know about you?" he asked.

     "I know," Alison said.

     Abby caught a look between Winston and Alison, then. She saw pain in her daughter's look, some sadness, but also a good, strong portion of brave anger.

     Winston's look asked only for forgiveness.

     Mother Naturia smiled. "As much as I'm enjoying your company, I'm afraid my attention is being drawn elsewhere. Please continue to enjoy your stay." 

     "One more thing before you go?" Gramps asked.

​     "Certainly."

     "We're prisoners, right? I mean, just so there's no misunderstanding. I can leave whenever I want because, really, if I wanted to go, what could you do to stop me?"

     "Is that an actual question?"

     "Abby and Alison, though, they've been kidnapped. You eventually intend to hold them for ransom in some manner."

     "What a wild imagination you have."

     "So we can all leave? All three of us? Right now?"

     "We're in transit even as we speak," Mother Naturia said. "Just because you can't feel us moving doesn't mean we're not." 

     And, with that, she dissolved into the floor.

                                                  CONTINUE