Candi: "Those animals!"

Erin: "She had no choice. She would allow them to use her infant son for two key experiments. The first was to use some of his DNA to create a test tube baby...Ploribus."

Candi: "Who to this day, fights against the establishment that created him!"

Erin: "Yes. That is how, in spite similarity in age, Ploribus can claim your father as his. When Ploribus grew old enough to be too big for the test tube, he was placed inside a surrogate mother Phaelite, named Insila Murtillo. There he grew, and became, along with Mitch Brandel, one of Gerosha's heroes."



Erin: "To play the experiment safe the second time around, the Phaelite Malferinus, put in charge of Stan, decided not to make Stan himself a Centhuen prototype.

He laced Stan's DNA with the necessary centipede DNA, and ruled that in a chance encounter, a switch would be activated. This switch would cause one of his offspring to become the enhanced Gifted One that the Phaelites needed to end the Meethlite threat, or so it was believed. Stan himself would be only a carrier."

Candi: "And our mom Shalia was the catalyst? So by a selection of the genes, I won the centipede lottery?"

Erin: "Yes. That is why the Phaelites have been protecting us."



Candi got out of her chair. Suddenly, everything she and Miriam both knew about Candi and her adventures was coming together.

Erin: "I'm...so sorry I kept this from you for so long."



Miriam: "Incredible! Now all my research on this makes sense! This is worse than a Greek tragedy! And I get scolded for a little fooling around?"



Candi: "I can't believe it! I'm a total abomination!"

Miriam: "No you're not! The Phaelites are! All these dang aliens are! Who needs them anyway?"

Candi: "I...no. I can't. Donte wouldn't like it. But..."



Miriam: "Forget Mr. Magical Flying Boy! Candi, he's more than likely going to be in that war! He'll be on the front lines, and there's no telling what the Meethlites will do! You can forget running away with him, you'll only end up in worse danger!"

Candi: "I wanna marry him!"

Miriam: "And maybe some day you will. But don't rule out other guys. Men like that usually don't live very long! He's a wild, passionate spirit, and I know you love pursuing spirits.

But you need stability. Gosh, I've hacked more websites than most could dream of without going to jail for it, and even I know we're talking madness!"



Candi: "You're right. Tomorrow may be the last time I see him...ever, let alone alive! But I don't want to break up with him!"

Miriam: "Then don't look at it as the two of you breaking up, but as being broken by circumstance. That has helped me in getting over Phil...I know it's not easy!"



Candi: "What'll we do?"

Miriam: "What little we can, sis. I'm going to that party tomorrow, and I'm gonna have all fun I can...er, legally, of course! And then, I'm going to start packing my bags, and off to Farrenville! Good luck those Meethlites ever finding me!"



Candi: "I'm not sure about that. Maybe I'll join after I've wished Donte goodbye...assuming he is going to war."

Miriam: "Fine. You could use some time in the party scene. Socializing a little could do you some good. I'll make sure they don't corrupt you...too much!"



An uneasiness set over Erin yet again. Somehow, she just couldn't shake the feeling that her time was growing short. She was in her forties, but felt like she was younger than that - even looked so!

Yet, she was certain she would not live to see old age. She wasn't sure why she felt death walking by, but was convinced something horrible was destined to happen soon.

Erin: "Girls...we'd better be getting to bed. Much is about to happen tomorrow for you both. I don't want you to be too tired."

Candi: "Very well. I could use a night's rest--shake all those horrid thoughts!"

Miriam: "I can afford to sleep in. The party isn't till late, what am I afraid of? Ah, whatever! I'm hitting the sack too!"



Candi could feel her centipede powers growing slightly stronger even while she slept. The thoughts and realizations occurring in her after hearing Erin's words shook her.

She knew she could not sleep well that evening. But after what would soon happen to her, she would wonder for a while if she'd ever again be able to sleep peacefully.