If you came across a fork in the road, which path would you choose?

It was an early morning. I could feel the tug of my fluffy pillow.

“…no…I don’t…wanna,” I moaned, obviously not awake.

Little did I realize at the time that my “fluffy pillow” was actually Sienna’s tail, which I must’ve unconsciously laid my head upon last night while sleeping.

Sienna tugged on her tail again, trying to get me to budge. “Come on, sleepyhead,” she coaxed, “Can’t have my tail all to yourself you know?”

A little bit more aware of my surroundings I immediately realized her tail was trapped underneath the strength of my arms (they are surprisingly strong for my size, believe it or not) and released her from my grasp.

“Uh…sorry,” I apologized, a little embarrassed.

She gave me a big smile and a peck on the forehead. “It was cute watching you sleep like that. I’d normally let you cuddle with my tail for a bit, but unfortunately I have to go do what I came here for.”

“Yeah,” I began as I rubbed the dust from my eyes, “why are you here anyway?”

“In due time my beautiful vixen,” she teased. “It would be better to tell all when everyone is gathered together.”

“I guess you’re right,” I agreed. “I suppose you need to borrow my shower, hmmm?”

“Well,” she started, “We could always share showers if you wish…”

I just didn’t want to get involved at the moment. This whole week felt like it revolved entirely around me, like some force was trying to prod me out from my comfort zone. And who knows? It might be working, but it wears you out mentally. I really just want to focus on something else besides myself right now, because right now it’s all getting a little overwhelming.

“I think I’ll pass,” I told her, much to her disappointment. Still, she knew not to push, just shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ll be quick then,” she said as she headed over to my bathroom. Her gait was much more seductive than usual, walking as if she was letting me know just what I was missing.

And yes it did annoy me, because now I knew this wasn’t just my life I’m affecting. Whether I like it or not Sienna is involved. These past few years she could have moved on and found someone else, but she’s so infatuated with me, and every day I don’t resolve these issues only makes it worse for the both of us. And it pains me she’s loyal to a fault. Maybe it’s because I did save her life, or maybe it’s because I helped her pick up the pieces from her torn past and move forward. Maybe she sees the same thing that happened to her within me, and this all is her desperate attempt to help me reclaim a life of my own.

More than anything else I too want to be the quirky, upbeat little fuzzball that I had near my presence. I just didn’t know where to begin.

We made our way into City Hall. It was in the process of getting made over, and most of Ian’s day was spent going over blueprints for the remodel. I suppose there is a certain truth from an old saying: if you want to earn the part you got to be the part. Toledo was no longer some second rate town; it was literally a state capitol.

Ian spent the past few days hoping to convince me why he's wanting to do all this. First, because of the amount of people employed in order to run the nation’s operations soundly, and two, aesthetics do bring a certain amount of legitimacy within the nation. Even today, people still recognize the White House, even if its role is diminished. I guess I could see his point. While I don’t expect us to go overboard like Doge Giovanni would, for example, perhaps some minor improvements could prove useful.

...Not that I'm easy to persuade, mind you.

In any event, I was sure that all the planning was getting stressful for Ian; I could see it in his eyes. I’m sure he’d appreciate our arrival there.

“Hey there,” he greeted as Sienna and I made our way up the stairs.

“Hi, other Scott!” Sienna said. I gave her a little nudge as a sign to knock it off. I’d rather she not blow Ian’s cover.

“Come in!” he insisted. I couldn’t help but agree. It was a sunny autumn day, and even though my regeneration powers are rather effective, it still can’t protect me from the occasional sunburn.

We made our way into the conference room and it seemed like there were a few people already there waiting for us. Trish arrived early, and was already sitting down in as walked through the dual doors. She couldn’t help but smirk a little, and I assumed she thought something went on between Sienna and I last night. I just shook my head. C’mon, Trish.

Also in attendance was Sadiq, and Fatima. The last few days Ian promoted him as “Director of Muslim Related Issues.” He would be in charge of addressing Muslim complaints directly to Ian, who would then together try to resolve the issue in the best possible manner. Fatima, on the other hand, most likely was there just because I was, and didn’t wanna miss the moment.

Also present was Silverwisp, who stepped down from her role as Captain, and accepted the role as the “Director of National Ecological Issues.” I’m sure though her expertise on military tactics could still prove useful.

Lastly, there were Sienna’s travel companions Brick and Jade. I’ve heard some stories about these guys. They were the one’s Sienna trusted most. Sienna treats Jade like I would treat Trish, as a very close, almost sisterly like friendship. Brick, as much of a cynic he may be, has a good heart as well. Hell, I can understand his dry humor. I heard that before he went Wyld he was actually an expert carpenter. Talk about irony.

“Took you long enough!” Brick yelled in disgust. “While you were taking your sweet little time getting over here I was being bombarded with all these questions and blueprints! One more and I might have snapped.”

“You did snap,” Jade reminded him. “As in fact you dropped a floating brick on a construction worker’s head. I believe he may have had to have stitches.”

“Well, he should’ve been wearing his hard hat!” He retorted. “What do they teach these kids these days!?”

“…Anyway,” Ian said, trying to move the conversation along to something a little more productive, “Miss Sienna, is that right? I believe you had a problem that needs solving yes?”

“Right,” she replied. “As you know both Scott and I broke from the same group. She remained in the Ohio region and I formed a group over in Indiana.”

“Continue,” Ian urged her.

“Well, we were sort of in the same situation,” She began, “except our battle was taking place out west in the city of West Lafayette. From intel we’ve been receiving there were a lot of confusion and disorganization going on with the Confederate military stationed in the area. We felt that would be the perfect opportunity to strike.”

“What happened then?” I asked, obviously concerned.

“Well we went in,” She answered rather bluntly, “but once we were in battle we realized this wasn’t any ordinary fight.”

“If it was the military, it would’ve been quite easy,” Brick interjected. He began wincing as he lowered his head. “But…that...”

“The soldiers weren’t disorganized,” Jade helped fill in the blanks. “They were unstable.”

“We just marched into the eye of the storm,” Sienna continued. “They could see us from a mile away, but they didn’t seem to care. Instead, there they were, shooting each other, painting their faces with their own blood.”

“Not just them,” Brick continued. “But civilians, all of them going headstrong into the fray, killing each other, even going so far as to eat each other’s remains…”

This didn’t seem plausible. What could force someone to do that, let alone an entire population?

“It didn’t stop there,” Sienna stated. “Soon our own men and women were affected, and the results were cataclysmic. To have to put down some of our own...” I could see she was trying to hold back tears, but to no avail. Even in my calloused state, I couldn’t help but reach over to her and hug her.

“This was the first occurrence,” Jade continued. “Eventually it claimed Kokomo and Gas City. There seems to be a pattern with this, and it’s continuing to march east. We predict it might hit Fort Wayne next.”

“Fort Wayne,” Trish repeated, “That’s not even a hundred miles from our location.”

“Which is why we brought this information to you,” Sienna said as she pulled her head out from over my shoulder. “This is a major deal, for all of us. Please, help us.”

This was my country. I fought tooth and nail to finally claim a place I could call my own. But after that my abilities no longer had any purpose. Ian was much better with words than I could ever be. If I needed to get my point across I would do it in a manner a little less than tactful.

And it bothered me. Everyone seemed to have a life beyond war. They had places for them. Meanwhile all I knew was war. That was my specialty; the only thing I was useful for, and all this inactivity began to wear on me. All it allowed me was more time to think, and with the past I had thinking was something I’d rather not do. Truth was I needed to keep busy. Any more free time might drive me crazy.

The irony now, however, was that now my profession, the very thing that keeps my mind occupied, and the very past I dreaded to think about would finally cross paths. I kept telling myself it was bound to happen eventually. The madness, the insanity; these incidents reminded me of a lot of Columbus, and the Wyld Purge.

It still keeps me up at night. I could almost stake my life that a certain someone somehow was involved in this. And although my fear was monumental, I was hoping and pleading to find a way to resolve these issues in my life once and for all. Somehow fate gave me a starting point. How can I turn my back on it?

Whatever this unusual “energy,” or whatever, was attempting to do, I would have none of it. It ends here. I will not have another Columbus, no matter what the cause.

“I’m going,” I answered with a steadfast resolve that even I was surprised I had in me.

“You will?” Sienna asked, staring at me with those big, blue, puppy dog eyes.

“You’re my friend,” I replied, “and this seems all too familiar to be mere coincidence. We need to find out what’s going on, for our new nation, and for those about to be infected by it.”

“You mean Columbus?” She assumed.

“Yeah,” I confirmed, as I sighed at how uncanny this whole thing was becoming.

“I’ll come too!” I heard Fatima yell in the background.

“Fatima,” Sadiq said in a rather concerned fashion.

“I’ll be fine, brother,” She assured him. “I want to go out, and seek my own path. I trust Scott and her friends. I will be all right.”

“Well,” Trish interjected, “I guess the “Three Sisters” will be reunited once again. I better grab my superhero cape!”

“I can spare a decent amount of troops to assist you on the mission,” Ian told us. “I wish I could be of further assistance, but I believe you guys will be alright. I know who you’re working with, after all.”

“You better come back with some great news!” Silverwisp added.

“Don’t worry,” Jade assured her, “Our group is just as formidable. With all the additional firepower, I don’t think Fort Wayne will be difficult to capture.”

“Thanks, guys!” Sienna cried as her sorrow turned to elation. “I knew I could count on you!”

“Why!? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…My…My God. What have I? No…Miriam!”

...If only I would’ve stayed away from her. I could have lived anywhere. I was human enough. I could’ve traveled to Cascadia, or Japan. Be free. Pick up the pieces of my life and life a relatively normal life. Hell, maybe I could’ve embraced, and even love, being a woman. But I chose the most selfish action. I went to Miriam. I wanted her. I needed her. She was all I had left of my male self. And I should’ve known her brother would’ve eventually found out. But, did I know he was a Confederate Soldier? Did I know him at all? Why does it all seem so vague? Even throughout my male life, I couldn’t recollect anybody like him. And yet, this felt like the very first appearance.

I had this dream for a long while, almost on a nightly basis. But this was the first time it was retold in such a descriptive manner. Whatever the case was, soon we would meet again. And this time, all would be settled. Fate has dictated such.