I eyed Rick from across the feeding area. He was looking at me. I couldn't tell why, but he was smiling, sort of dreamily.
"Ruby, I know for a fact he likes you!" Mary said. "I mean, just look at him!"
He Was still staring at me. I noticed something. His expression was one of adoration, like he was entranced by what he was looking at.
"Alright, I'm doing it."
I sat next to Rick. He smiled. "So, Ruby, how are you?"
"Fine. Look, Rick, we've been together for 5 months now. I've been thinking, well, we consider each other friends, right?"
"Of course, Ruby! I'm here for ya!" I gulped. "Yeah, well, I was wondering about, I mean, if we should consider each other, y'know, uhh..." I couldn't spit it out.
"ATTENTION, ALL INHABITANTS."
The speaker system blasted an announcement through the hall. "WE HAVE NEWS THAT WILL LIKELY PLEASE ALL RESIDENTS OF 11543."
"WE KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ADJUSTING, AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE ADAPTED TO THIS NEW ECOSYSTEM. HOWEVER, BY MIDNIGHT OF TOMORROW, ALL RESIDENTS WILL BE SET FREE."
The noise was deafening. Everybody cheered, some screamed, a few even cried. Rick smiled and laughed. I laughed with him.
"YES. BY FRIDAY, ALL INMATES WILL BE RETURNED TO THEIR NATURAL HABITAT IN THEIR NATURAL FORM"
The cheering died down as we realized what he meant. "DO NOT WORRY. YOUR MATES WILL ACCOMPANY YOU AS YOU RETURN TO THE WILD. YOU WILL STILL BE TOGETHER."
They weren't setting us free. They were changing us back. I saw Rick's face as the truth dawned on him.
"REGRESSION TREATMENTS WILL BEGIN AT NOON TOMORROW." And he hung up.
"Ruby, what did he mean, natural form?" I could hardly speak. "I'm going to be a kangaroo again."
..........
I slumped onto the bed. I was absolutely miserable. They were going to turn me into an animal. And there was nothing I could do.
"Rick?"
Ruby sat next to me on the bed."I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have gotten involved with this. It really isn't fair.
(This is my last chance to tell her.) I thought.
"Ruby, I'm glad I found you in Vegas, 5 months ago." She looked confused. "But, I ruined your life. I broke up your relationship, got you in jail, turned you into an anthro, and now you're gonna be an animal."
"Yeah, so? I married you, too. I took away your freedom. Made you trek for miles, only to find I was cheating. I don't care about what happened. I care about you. Alot."
She smiled. "I care about you, too. I think it might be a bit more than care."
She leaned in, grabbing my back. She pulled me in, locking her lips with mine. We closed our eyes. It was weird. It was kinda gross. And I loved it.