About four weeks after Katie vanished in the house of mysteries, Tiff woke up on a Saturday feeling absolutely miserable.
“Ugghhh…” She cradled her head in her hands.
*Morning Tiff!*
*Morning Katie… God I feel sick.*
*Oh dear, hope it isn’t contagious.*
*Must be something I ate…* Tiff groaned, fighting waves of nausea, until she muttered “I think I’m gonna be sick”.
She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, where she vomited into the toilet. She stayed there for a few minutes more, dry-heaving a bit.
*You okay?*
*No, absolutely not. Just threw up.*
*Sorry.*
*Not like it’s your fault.*
Tiff waited a bit longer until the nausea passed. She took a quick shower and then went to get dressed. That was when she noticed something else.
*Fucking hell!*
*Language, Tiff.*
*I swear this bra fit me last week!*
Katie sighed. She didn’t need to be reminded of how busty her friend was. *Probably natural ups and downs. You’re probably on your period or something.*
Tiff thought for a few seconds. *Nah, I haven’t had my period yet.*
There was a long silence as Tiff tried another bra on, with just as much success. Then Katie spoke up again. *When was your last period?*
*I dunno? A long time ago?*
Katie’s voice sounded more excited than usual. *Tiff… are you pregnant?*
Tiff almost screamed the answer. *WHAT? No! Of course not! I haven’t had a boyfriend for over a month!*
*It all makes sense!*
*What does?*
*The fruit I ate! It had 0 written on it! I became zero years old! And I somehow ended up inside you! Probably the only woman nearby.*
*This can’t be happening…*
*That explains why I was still nearby when you linked our minds! And why I can’t sense anything! I’m not developed enough yet!*
*I can’t be pregnant with my best friend!*
*Can you get a pregnancy test?*
A couple of hours later Tiff was staring at the readout of a home pregnancy test. It was positive.
*Toldya*, said Katie smugly.