Cailin just stared at the ground, unable to look directly at either girl. She had gotten herself tangled up in this mess because she had to run from the bimbos yes, but then she remembered she had to run away because when her Mom offered to bring her to the Zoo with her youngest sister Joy, she stayed home. She had a chance to be with her mom before this all went down and she decided it was more valuable to play a game she had already beaten.
"What would Mom think of me now?" Cailin said quietly.
The other two looked over to her.
"I didn't go.... they're out there without Dad or any other person." Cailin continued.
Rachel scooted closer.
"And now they're out there... without me, a three year old and a woman without any combat experience or anything, out there without anybody.... because of me..." Cailin sulked as she began shedding tears.
"A-And now I'm waiting for a test that s-shows I was a guy.... after I-I tried to pretend I was the girlfriend of a complete stranger..."
Rachel got closer. Mei followed suit.
"M-m-m-mom.... Joy.... I'M SORRY!" Cailin sobbed out as Mei and Rachel held her.
"Sorry. sorry. sorry. I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy." the snowy haired girl bauled.
Dr. Grant walked in right at that moment, happening upon the scene of Cailin sobbing out in shame.
**************************
"So there... I've come clean....." Cailin said on the microphone. She stood before the soldiers and the girls, and had told them everything that had lead up to this moment.
"I'm just a pathetic coward, who tried to hide who he... she really was..."
"I wouldn't say coward." a voice said.
Everyone turned to see a soldier standing up.
"Dishonest, yes, but not a coward." he continued, "A coward would have shot those other four girls when they took one glance. A coward would have avoided people who needed help, and slunk off to join the criminals, looters, and others reeking havoc out there and taking advantage of a situation like this. I may be watching you, but the story you just told me isn't the story of a coward. And besides, a coward would've abandoned their family even when they needed them."
A boisterous, but slow, applause filled the air. She knew that guy was right: she wasn't some coward who would slink off on the people she loved.
"Thank you, sir. I'm going to the training hall now. Getting ready for a trip to the Zoo..." Cailin said.
Everyone looked confused.
"Why the Zoo?" Jamie asked.
Cailin turned to the crowd, "I'm going out there and finding my Mom. If anybody wants to come along, good. If not, I understand."
The soldier who spoke up walked off with fifteen others.
"You heard her, men. Time to go to the zoo." He said as the prepped a truck.