Chapter Text
It was 11:00 P.M., and Dylan Ashbrook was past the point of being tired.
Having been stuck working on some additional projects, he was bored and dozing off as his stylus lazily trailed over the drawing tablet, a cold cup of coffee still situated in the same spot from before.
Head in his hands, Dylan could feel his eyes droop heavily as a loud yawn left his mouth, the slightest bit of drool leaking from the corner of his mouth.
Looking around sleepily, Dylan noted the brief silence. Deciding that now might be a good time, he moved the mouse over to close the application and shut the computer off with a resounding click.
Getting up from his chair and cracking his back, he rubbed his tired eyes, grabbed his bag, and began walking towards the door, body ready for sleep as his hand sleepily made its way to the knob.
Just as Dylan was about to walk out and head home to embrace sleep, a noise suddenly caught his attention, and his head jerked upwards. Wiping away at his chin, he rubbed his eyes gently as he looked around, now alert and awake. Whatever had grabbed his attention seemed to quiet down, but just barely.
Slowly turning and looking around the area, Dylan made his way from the counter to the main pathway and stood still, hoping to catch the noise again. Not even a minute had passed before it started again, ears catching wind of something.
"Hello? Hello, is anyone here," he asked as he looked around before that same noise reverberated in his ears. Turning from where it was coming, which just so happened to be a small storage room behind where he worked, he let out a small gulp before biting the inside of his cheek and taking one step forward.
Gathering his wits and allowing curiosity to come over him, Dylan slowly walked forward as he gripped the front of his shirt tightly. His senses were on high alert as he made his way closer and closer, the noise getting louder and louder before he finally stopped at the door and grabbed the handle firmly as he ripped the door open to reveal...
"WAH! WAHHHHH! WAH!" The sight of light brown skin, black hair, and tears streaming down chubby cheeks from brown eyes alerted Dylan that instead of some strange creature or robber coming in, it was a baby.
Dylan's face was filled with confusion as his body slightly relaxed. Moving carefully inside the room, he bent down to pick up the whimpering infant and looked around concerned.
"W-wha... h-how did..." was all he could stammer out as the baby looked at him, lip quivering as it prepared for another cry session. "Umm, hello? Did someone... did someone lose a baby? Hello?"
Dylan walked out slowly and carefully as he made his way to the door. The baby calmed down, if only for a little bit, as he reached for a random door handle. He stepped inside with the infant, only to look up and gasp in shock.
There in the room, sitting in various chairs, were wailing babies.
"Gasp!"
Bolting upright, Dylan let out several short breaths as he struggled to calm himself down. Letting out one final calming breath, he soon looked around to familiarize himself: greeting him was a small bedroom with a desk beside a closed balcony door, his pet cat Clover, who was currently sleeping in her bed, and clothes were strewn about. He let out a few short breaths, soon relaxed, and laid back in bed.
"Whoa... that was a weird dream," Dylan breathed out as he rubbed his eyes and looked up at his ceiling. "What the hell was that all about? I don't think I ever had a dream like that before..."
As Dylan lay in deep thought, trying to make sense of what he had just dreamed of, a slight buzzing soon gained his attention, making him turn towards his desk. Kicking the covers off his body, he picked up his phone, revealing a few text messages arriving rapidly until he clicked on one of them and read it.
6 New Messages: 7:50 A.M.
Terry W.: Hey Dylan!
Are you up yet?
Do you want to stop by the lab later today?
Mena and I are going to unveil our new project today!
The one I mentioned to you before?
We'll be presenting in about 2 hours, see you later!
Dylan stared at the messages in confusion before thumping his hand against his forehead. He suddenly remembered what Terry was talking about. Looking at the time, he closed his phone and settled on his bed.
"Well, I don't have work today... But I don't want to stay here and do nothing, as tempting as that is. Mmm, I'll figure out something to do. Meanwhile, why don't I get dressed, and I'll figure something out..."
With a slight nod, Dylan got up once more and headed towards the bathroom; he let out a small yawn, wondering what the day would bring him as he closed the door behind him.
NewDugWood Research Lab: 7:55 A.M.
"OK, Terry, let's go over our proposal one more time just to be sure," a soft voice sounded from outside a pair of double doors belonging to a short woman with red hair, fair skin, and green eyes. Wearing a purple formal work blouse and black pencil skirt with black kitten heels, she was holding a piece of paper in front of her as she skimmed through the words, biting her lip in apprehension.
"Aw, Philomena, do we have to? I think we already have it down and ready," another voice asked her, belonging to a man with brown, slightly wavy hair slicked back more professionally, olive skin, and heterochromia. He wore a black suit, dark grey slacks, and black loafers. He had a small, exasperated expression as he watched her read, his hands holding a small stack of files close to his chest.
"I don't want to think Terry; I want to be sure. And right now, we need to ensure that every word and sentence is articulated properly so as not to look unprofessional." The woman, now known as Philomena, gave a slight scowl to Terry, who in turn put his hands up to try and soothe his friend.
"Mena, you're worrying too much! We're like the most charming people there, and I can guarantee we'll impress the FDA easily. Before you know it, we'll be able to have a project ready and out in no time," he said as he placed his arm around her shoulder, moving her close to him. Philomena looked up at him in surprise before she turned her face down, uncertainty passing over her.
"And if we don't? We have been working so hard on this... I can't imagine what would happen if we get rejected," she asked, her voice much lower than previously. "Do you think we can make this project come to life?"
"Well... I'm not sure. But! I know we'll figure something out! After all, we always do, don't we?" Terry answered, giving Philomena a soft smile in return.
Philomena looked into Terry's gentle eyes before letting out a small sigh and giving him a small smile. "Yes, yes, we always do. We end up figuring something out in the end. But I want this to work out for us, and I want this to be a success."
"I know Mena," Terry said softly, "And it will be, one way or another. Right now, how about we push those worries down, and let's get our experiment approved! And, once that's done, we'll call Dylan and celebrate like the big dogs we are!"
Terry exclaimed, putting his hands up in a small celebration. All the while, Philomena let out a small giggle as bits of anxiety left her body, allowing her to relax.
"So," Terry said, asking her again with a shine in his eyes, "Are you ready?"
"Heh, yeah," Philomena replied, looking up at a clock hanging on the wall. Reading the time to be 7:00, she raised her head and let out a breath of air as she held Terry's hand. "Let's do this."
Terry smiled at her, and the two walked outside and towards a nearby building with their heads held high and their chests slightly puffed out. Once they finished their presentation, they would get their answer and work even harder to make their dreams successful.
As they looked upon a small dark brown brick building with two doors separated, one thought rushed through their heads: 'We can do it... We can do it... We can do it... Right?'
NewDugWood Town Square: 8:05 A.M.
Dylan shivered as he walked along the sidewalk; half-melting snow greeted him as his boots made contact with it with a small 'Squish'. Tightening his scarf, he continued, other people scattered about on benches or standing off to the side in deep discussion.
"Man, is it just me, or did it get colder today? My fingers feel like they're going numb from this damn wind! Ugh, why is NewDugWood always so cold around wintertime," Dylan muttered to himself, pushing his hands down into his coat pockets as he walked just a few feet before something caught his eye. Turning slightly to the right, he took note of a small walk-in cafe that sat between a bookstore and a thrift store. Chairs that were situated outside under large brown umbrellas were decorated with tiny bits of snow sprinkled throughout them.
'Hmm, never noticed this place before. Then again, that's probably because I'm either in a rush for work or because I've already eaten... usually the latter,' Dylan thought, scratching his head. His feet moved farther up to the door, and before he could even think about what to do next, warmth and the chatter of patrons seated greeted him.
'Oh, looks like my feet decided for me. Welp, I'm already in here; I might as well order something.' Nodding to himself, Dylan walked over to the booths and sat down on the soft cushions. Taking off his blue and black striped hat and dark grey scarf, he relaxed against the back of his seat with a sigh.
Looking towards the window, Dylan allowed his mind to wander as he closed his eyes for a bit. In that small daydream, he found himself thinking back to his dream as it replayed in his head, eyebrows furrowing unconsciously as his fingers tapped against the smooth oak of the table before him.
'Mmm, I don't want to think about it... but what did that dream mean exactly?'
"...Excuse me..."
'I mean... what kind of person has a dream about a baby? Isn't that the dream someone wanting kids would have? Does that... does that mean I want kids?'
"...Excuse me?..."
'Ugh! No, that doesn't make sense at all! I don't have myself together... what would I know about caring for a baby?'
Before Dylan could even think more, he heard a light tap coming from the table. Jolting him out of his daydream, he looked around in slight confusion before a soft voice called to him, making him turn his head towards the source: a young woman with medium brown skin, blue eyes, and a pink knit hat. Holding a red ski coat in her sweater-covered arms, she twiddled her fingers nervously and gave him a small smile.
"Yes?" Dylan asked, looking up at her with a look of confusion on his face.
"Ummm, hello there... I-I couldn't help but notice your seat, and there weren't any other seats available, so I was just wondering... ifi-itwouldbeokformetoseatwithyou?"
"Um, pardon?" Dylan asked again, eyebrows furrowing as he strained a bit to hear her, causing her to cough and try to clear her throat.
"I said... would it be ok to sit with you? There aren't any other seats to take here, and I don't want to sit outside, so I was just wondering if I could sit with you... I-If not, that's fine! I didn't mean to bother you, and I understand if you aren't okay with that," she replied and simultaneously quickly backtracked, nervously playing with a piece of her hair.
"Oh... Um, y-yeah, yeah! Sure, y-you can sit with me. I don't mind at all," Dylan said, earning a soft smile from the woman as she slid into the booth.
"Ah! Thank you so much! I came here to try out this place, but there were only a few seats or booths available for room. Then I saw you and figured maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask..."
"Hey, I understand, Miss..."
"Kris, Kris Monroe," she responded with a small smile, to which Dylan returned with a smile of his own.
"Ah, ok... Kris. I'm Dylan Ashbrook. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure to meet you too, Dylan."
"Ah, hello there!"
Another voice captured their attention, making them turn their heads as a waiter walked toward them, holding a notepad in their hand as they gave them a peppy smile. "Sorry if I took a while to get to you two! Are you guys here to try our couple's special? It was only $10.99!"
Dylan and Kris blushed madly as they looked back at each other, and the waiter furiously shook their heads.
"A-AH, n-no! We're not a couple!"
"Y-yeah, we're just- I mean, I-I just so happened to sit h-here!"
Both nodded at that statement, stammering out a few more excuses before they managed to calm themselves down, breathing heavily from moving around. The waiter was still standing there, seemingly unperturbed by the two as they nodded with that smile still planted.
"Do you still wish to try it," they asked, tilting their head as the two shook their heads, still flustered as they responded with a simultaneous "No."
"Alrighty then! Then, I recommend either of our most popular wintertime drinks: hot chocolate or chamomile tea.
"...I-I'll have the hot chocolate," Dylan finally said after some time.
"A-A-And I-I'll have some chamomile tea, please, thank you," Kris said as well.
"Okie Dokie! I'll be back with your drinks in a split of an ice cream second!"
And with that, they were gone, leaving Dylan and Kris in their booth as they looked down at the table with their faces burning. As they both placed their heads in their hands, one thought ran through their minds: '...Ooh boy.'
Meeting Room: 8:15 A.M
"...So, as exemplified in our charts and documents, our first trial involving our new drug called PotencX had us test it out on a chimp named Lilly. Lilly had had a few miscarriages in the past and thus made a perfect candidate. As a result, she is carried into her third week of pregnancy. Her behavior was noted and written down, with her having an increase in appetite, being territorial and aggressive in comparison to her normal behavior, as well as other behavior patterns in normal, unmedicated pregnancies..."
Philomena's voice carried gently but firmly within the room. Her eyes trailed the paper as she looked back up at the people before her. Terry stood beside her, giving small glances of pride and admiration as he did his best to stand still.
"...all of which have proven that our drug works as intended. Terry?" Philomena finished, looking at Terry expectantly. Terry nodded and walked forward a bit to the members.
"Thank you, Philomena. As my colleague has explained and shown, PotencX is 100% effective in combating miscarriages, so we respectfully request your and the Board's approval to carry on providing this. So that we can grant women and couples the chance to start a family..." Terry said, trailing off as one board member, a man with salt and pepper hair, put his hand up to silence him.
"Thank you, Dr. Hutchins and Professor Weber. I think I can speak on behalf of the rest of the members here that we've heard enough information to make a collective decision. Once again, we thank you for taking the time to speak to us, and we shall give you our decision soon," he said, nodding to the others as they got up and followed him. "Let us take our leave."
"T-thank you again," Philomena and Terry responded with a slight stammer as the members walked out. A few minutes passed before the two walked out slowly and outside as silence resonated.
"So," Terry started, breaking it as he turned to Philomena, "I think we did pretty well, don't you, Mena?"
"...Yeah. We did," she answered, voice soft as she looked down at her feet.
"Uh, h-hey! Maybe some donuts will take our minds off of the whole decision-making? That always takes your mind off things!"
"O-Oh, um... maybe not today. I think I should return to the office and probably help Maya or check. See if any patients called ahead for an appointment... I-I'll talk to you later, ok?"
"O-Oh... yeah, sure. Talk to you later, Philomena."
Given a slight nod, Philomena ambled away from him as she headed back towards the lab where her car was parked. Terry watched her as his shoulders sagged slightly, hands gripping his hair firmly as he slid his bangs down and covered his eyes with a frown.
'Best keep our fingers crossed...' Terry thought, his hand reaching for his phone as he sent a quick message to Dylan. Once done, Terry followed in the same direction as Philomena, heading for the entrance to the lab instead of changing and forgetting the meeting for just a bit.
The small waiting game had just begun.
NewDugWood Square: 8:30 A.M.
It had been about 15 minutes since Kris had sat down at the booth and 15 minutes since she and Dylan said another word to each other, primarily because of the waiter's small, innocent question.
Looking up at him slightly, Kris stared down at her cup as she picked up a spoon and placed it inside, stirring the tea slowly and carefully. When she got bored of that, she started messing with a piece of fabric from her sweater. She looked up again at Dylan, who had a slight cough in her throat.
'Ugh, come on, Kris! Say something! You can't just ask to sit with someone in a booth and then sit here playing the quiet game!' Kris thought as she frowned to herself before straightening up with a look of slight determination.
As she looked up at Dylan, looking out the window, she took in his appearance, studying him almost intently while playing with her hair. She jumped slightly when Dylan seemed to notice her and turned his head back in her direction.
"Mmm? Is something wrong," he asked softly.
"H-huh?! Oh, n-no! Nothing's wrong! I'm just... thinking, that's all."
"A-ah, ok... What were you thinking about?"
"O-oh... well... I was thinking a-about... well, h-how to talk to you, 'cause I feel so awkward," Kris admitted, twiddling her fingers nervously.
"Heh, I know... I-I was hoping something would pop into my head as well so that I could say something to you too. I-I guess we were both feeling awkward," Dylan said, nervously laughing as Kris smiled and joined in with him.
"Y-yeah... Maybe the nervousness is because you're the first person I've talked to in this town.
"Hmm?" Dylan tilted his head a bit. "I am?"
"Yep... I moved here during the holiday season, which in hindsight was not the smartest decision cause of all the traffic... but I hadn't gotten a chance to go out and greet people properly, save for a few hi's and hellos. And because I'm busy and waiting on some news about my job..."
"It keeps you from fully going out and interacting with people, right?"
"Yep. It's why I was driving around for a bit before I came in here, I was hoping to find someplace to sit down and maybe talk to someone... but I wasn't expecting the first place I walked in to be so... crowded." Kris murmured, taking a small sip as she grimaced at the icy taste near her teeth.
"Heh, yeah. For a small town, it can seem a bit crowded at times... Heck, it can be easy to get lost at times," Dylan explained, getting a nod from Kris.
"I know, right?! 'Sigh,' I wish it were a bit easier to be able to explore the town a bit more and get accustomed to the sights and sounds..." Kris stated, looking away before immediately jumping up and looking back at him. "Hey, wait a minute..."
"Hm? Yeah?"
"Um, I know I might be impeding on you right now, but... maybe, just maybe... in the future, show me around NewDugWood?" Kris asked shyly.
"Huh? Do you want me to show you around? I don't know... are you sure? I don't want to get you lost."
"I'm positive. And if you don't want to, I completely understand," Kris said softly before a sudden buzzing from her pocket caught her attention. Looking down in confusion, she rummaged before taking out her phone.
"Ah, sorry, Dylan. I have to take this for a bit," Kris spoke, getting a no-worry hand signal from him as she answered. A few minutes seemed to have taken as Kris quietly answered and responded with several head nods before the call, and she hung up, a small look of surprise displayed.
"Kris is something wrong," Dylan asked, a bit concerned.
"O-oh, y-yes! I'm fine; I... well, remember that small detail I mentioned about news for my job," Kris questioned as Dylan nodded before continuing, "Well, that call was for that. The person on the line wants me to come over and discuss some things with him, so I have to go... I'm sorry I had to cut our conversation so short..."
"Ah, that's ok, Kris. I understand," Dylan said, giving her a comforting smile. "Hey, maybe if we bump into each other again, we can just catch up."
"Or," Kris suggested as she opened up her phone. "If you like, we can share phone numbers and talk later?"
"O-Oh, sure. I wouldn't mind! Here's to good news for you, Kris!"
Kris giggled as they exchanged numbers before putting on her coat and getting ready. "Thanks again for listening to me, Dylan... you're a swell guy, and I hope to see you again. Bye!" She replied before heading out, waving at him as he waved back.
Deciding that he should be making his way out as well, Dylan got up and paid as well before putting on his coat as well. Stepping outside into the cool air again, he let out a small sigh as he decided to walk further down the street. Taking out his phone, he noticed another text message from Terry:
1 New Message: 8:30 A.M.
Terry W: Hey Dylan
Have to put the visit to the lab on hold
The meeting took a lot out of me and Mena ^^;
Talk to you later ;D
'Huh... I wonder what happened at the meeting that exhausted them? It probably wasn't anything too serious, and hopefully, it was something positive for them both... but I'm still going to text Terry in case he needs someone to talk to. Maybe I can tell him about Kris...'
Dylan thought before heading home, ready to sit, watch TV, and catch up on sketching.
One Week Later- NewDugWood Research Lab: 9:15 A.M.
"Hey Dylan, can you please hand me a 20-200ul single-channel micropipette?"
"Sure, Terry... it's the blue one, right?"
"Yep, that's the one."
Dylan nodded as he picked it up and handed it to Terry as he sat down in the small swivel chair again. Looking at where Terry was positioned, he leaned back into his chair and sighed as he slowly spun left and right. He took in the small silence that permeated the small workspaces as several small employees moved in and out on different experiments.
"Wow, it's really quiet in here," Dylan muttered, picking at the chair.
"Yeah. But I don't mind it, since it means I have more time and space to work. Which is what I need at the moment with... everything at the moment," Terry responded, temporarily looking up at Dylan.
"Still no word from the FDA," Dylan asked, earning a small shake from Terry.
"Nope, nothing. It's probably because it's only been a week, but I can't help but be concerned! I've contacted Mena about anything new popping up, but it's been radio silent..."
"W-well, maybe the reason they're taking so long is that they're so blown away by the drug that they're stunned!"
"Aw, Dylan," Terry responded, smiling at his friend, "are you trying to cheer me up with that false happy statement? Cause I'm not going to lie, it's working on me~"
"Heh, no problem, Terry-"
"And hey, since we're talking... maybe you can tell me more about this secret woman plaguing your mind~" Terry coyly mentioned as Dylan rolled his eyes.
"Terry, I thought I told you. I just met Kris, and so far, nothing happened. We just talked for a bit, and that was it. Nothing else. I mean, yeah, we texted a bit, but nothing," Dylan explained, shrugging as Terry nearly smirked.
"Suuuure~ 'Nothing else happened'... Dylan, you are so full of donkey dust, I swear. I bet you won't be saying that when the inevitable happens, and you find yourself in her arms as your two faces are just inches apart, under the warm covers amidst the warm sunset... and then-"
"Terry!" Dylan exclaimed, his face turning slightly red. "Come on! You're at work!"
Terry chuckled as Dylan huffed and turned away before it became quiet once more—for a total of two seconds—before the doors slowly creaked open. Both men noticed Philomena walk in with her head down and an older gentleman with greying black hair, glasses, and a bored expression on his face step in.
"Mena? What's wrong? Did something happen? Are you hurt?" Terry asked, concerned, as he quickly got up and approached her, Dylan following swiftly behind.
She, however, remained quiet as she looked away before letting out a sigh. Looking over to where the older gentleman was, Terry walked tentatively over to him.
"Harrison? What's going on, w-what happened?" Terry stammered politely as Harrison turned to face him slightly with a blank look.
"Ah, Professor Weber, how are you doing? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid that there's bad news, wicked bad news for both you and Dr. Hutchins." He answered as he kept his arms behind his back.
"...W-what's the bad news?"
"The F.D.A decision, it's not good." Harrison responded as Terry let out a gulp.
"They... they turned us down?"
"Afraid so. Even worse, the review board had decided that your project would be terminated. I apologize, but you two knew what stakes were at hand," Harrison added, checking under his fingernails as he noticed Terry looking even more downtrodden.
"You... you can't be serious... Harrison, please. Philomena and I had put a lot of work and money into this project; y-you have to cut us some slack," Terry responded, trying to keep calm as Philomena struggled not to cry.
"Sorry, Weber, believe me when I say I would if I could... but it's out of my hands completely. Every decision is from the review board; blame them if you like."
"I thought you were the head of the board," Dylan remarked, suppressing a shiver as Harrison turned to him with annoyance.
"Why yes, Mr. Ashbrook, thank you for pointing that out. But, it is between a rock and a hard place, so as I mentioned, my hands are tied. I did tell you two that your funding from the lab would be cut if your project didn't make the first rounds. It's why you needed human test subjects, not little bunny rabbits that won't make a good investment for them... or me. The lab's reputation matters more, and the board doesn't like to be made fools."
"W-well... is there any good news?" Terry begged, gripping his lab coat as he tried to keep calm, his heart pounding in his head harshly.
"Yes, I do... but it would be dancing on your graves at this point," Harrison voiced as he cleared his throat. "Are you two, at the very least, aware of ovum cryogenics?"
Both scientists looked at him as they nodded in response while Dylan tilted his head in confusion.
"Ovum cryogenics? What's that?"
"...It's a procedure that is often used to preserve a woman's ability to get pregnant," Philomena spoke, breaking the quiet as she looked up slightly. "Also known as oocyte cryopreservation or just egg freezing, it's a basic way of preserving reproduction in the future."
"Exactly, Dr. Hutchins," Harrison noted before continuing on, "Well, sometime before you presented your project, another doctor came by and introduced her project on the very same matter... It was interesting, to say the least."
Harrison paused, raising an eyebrow as he took in the three digesting the news, both Terry and Philomena bawling their hands into fists.
"So, when I was in the middle of the decision-making process, I reviewed her file and ran it with the board, and considering that lab space is tight and money is even tighter..."
"I landed Dr. Monroe for her ovum cryogenics project." Harrison finally announced, taking in the two scientists freezing up in anger.
"W-what?" Terry whispered as Philomena sucked in a breath, biting her lip to the point of nearly drawing blood.
"Now, now. Don't worry. This is for the best, after all," Harrison said, putting his hands in a mock placating manner. "Besides, this will help save us a few bucks in the department."
"This will now serve as Dr. Monroe's lab, so do be a bit respectful of the equipment here and make sure to pack everything not needed, or personally yours," He added rather harshly, watching the two flinch just subtly, like a cold knife cutting into flesh.
Terry and Philomena looked up but said nothing, not wanting to say or do anything that could get them into trouble. Harrison soon looked over at a clock on the wall before turning on his heel and heading back towards the doors.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, she should be arriving about now, and it would be rude for me to leave her unwelcomed."
Harrison gave a half-hearted wave before walking out, leaving the trio deep in worry and concern. With a slight thud of the door, his footsteps echoing before disappearing, a shudder rushed through, and Dylan let out a low growl.
"That Harrison, the nerve of him! That was just a low blow for him to give," Dylan fumed, crossing his arms before his expression softened, and he turned to face his friends. "Philomena, Terry... maybe you guys can try again with the board? Maybe try to convince them-"
"Even if we could get them as an audience once more... we can't," Terry sighed. "We still would need more results from the chimps, and they would probably still reject us for it..." He finally ended, shoulders sagging as he removed his goggles and started rubbing his eyes.
"W-well then... Philomena!" Dylan called, looking at her. "Philomena, surely there's a backup plan for you two! Maybe you can-"
"No," Philomena spoke, interrupting as she turned to him, her eyes slightly red as tears started falling down her cheeks. "There isn't any. There's no backup plan, and there's nothing. This is it. We have no funding and lost our lab, so what's the point?"
"Mena..." Terry choked.
"I-I knew that this would happen; we BOTH knew this would happen, and it still stings. This was our big chance... but now we have nothing to show for it."
"Years of work wasted. Years of many duds and successes were squashed," She sniffed, turning to look up at them with a broken smile. "Everything was for naught."
"Time to throw in the towel... It doesn't matter anymore..."