It was a few minutes later when everyone was gathered in the front room to decide what to do now and, more importantly, for the rest of their lives. It was clear to Sophie now that, with the exception of Laura, none of them would ever be human again. She just wasn't sure how to break the news to her friends.
"So what is all this *croak* about?" Annie hopped onto the couch, splashing it with dirty pond water as she did so "You look really serious Sophie"
"I'm afraid I've failed with my *ook* attempts at restoring any of us *ook* except Laura" Sophie announced nervously "We will never be our old selves again so we have some *ook* big decisions to make"
"What kind of *arf* decisions?" Lucy seemed nonplussed as she lay at Laura's feet.
"It may be easiest to just *ook* complete out transformations into animals" Sophie proposed "I'm pretty sure I can do it but there will *ook* be no way back"
"And our other options *squeak*?"
"We stay *ook* like this. At least we retain some of our *ook* humanity and independence but it may be very tough to live this way. As animals Laura has *ook* kindly agreed to look after us but as semi *ook* humans we will have to look after ourselves. We will be viewed as freaks *ook* by humans, monkeys, frogs, dogs and *eeek* rats. However, we can keep looking for an *ook* cure for our condition"
"Before any of you decide anything" Laura was sat cross legged and fully clothed on the couch "I will support you all whatever you do. Even if you choose to stay as you are I'll find away to look after all five of us, somehow"
"My father is *squeak* rich. Money will never be a problem for me and my *eek* friends" Portia offered.
Laura and Sophie looked at each other. Did they really want to rely on his help?
"Ok, we need to come to an *ook* decision" Sophie concluded "think carefully"