Momentous events

You open the envelope, and within us a letter, hand written in ink, unusual these days. The handwriting is neat and precise, and easily readable.

Andy,

I hope that this letter finds you in good spirits and safe. As you know by now, I have gone into ‘hiding’. Don’t worry, this wasn’t **** upon me. Sylvia and I have been looking to get away for quite some time, and these gentlemen have simply given us an excuse to do so. They were very thankful for our cooperation, and have been very generous to set us up somewhere pleasant. Should you ever chance to visit a certain island vacation hit spot, perhaps you’ll run into us.

Now, I’m writing this for another reason as well. Obviously, I’m leaving behind my home, and a few other things. As you know, I’ve been visiting with your…friend, Dr Hass. A lovely woman, please give her my regards. She informed me further of your living situation, and while it sounds cozy, I believe you deserve better. To that end, I’m giving you partial control over the assets I’ve left behind. This includes my mansion.

Now, you’ll be sharing control with another family similar to yours, but I believe you’ll get along fine. And if not…well, it’s a big place, plenty of room to spread out. These fine government gentlemen have assisted me in writing up the paperwork, and it should be arriving for you to sign within a few days. Once you sign, it belongs to you.

All I ask in return is that you keep an eye out for other runaways, and help them out if you find them. How you help them is up to you, but that’s the only request I have.

My time is up, and I must go now. I wish you nothing but the best, and I thank you for what you’ve done.

Sincerely, Harold Albright

You can hardly believe what you’ve read. You read through a second time, and you still shake your head in disbelief. Sam, reading over your shoulder, laughs, her eyes wide.

“I guess that solves the problem of where we’re all going to live, doesn’t it?”

You chuckle, still a bit stunned. “Yeah. Wow. It doesn’t feel real.”

Lili tugs at your arm. “We can still share a bed in the big new house, yes-yes? I get lonely-lonely sleeping alone…”

You chuckle, hugging the harpy close. “Of course, Lili. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Lili cheers, as Emi looks at you, curious. “Should we turn on the news now? The guy at the door mentioned it.”

You nod. “Right, I nearly forgot. Must be important.”

You turn on the tv, and even though you didn’t leave it in a news channel, there’s a newscaster on the screen immediately.

“-nterrupt your regularly scheduled programming for this breaking news. Biotech pioneer and creator of the new Hybrid craze, Jack Marceau, has been found dead in his high rise apartment this morning. He was reported to police by his personal Hybrid, and we understand that he seems to have fallen victim to a tragic accident. Police do not suspect foul play at this time, but the investigation is ongoing. More on this story later. We now return to your regularly scheduled broadcast.”

Stunned once again, you turn the tv off again. The room is silent for a moment, and then Emi cheers, suddenly hugging you.

“We did it! He’s gone! He’s really gone!”

You chuckle, hugging the ecstatic cat girl. “So it seems. What a day, hmm?”

Emi doesn’t answer, crying onto your shoulder. Sam and Lili come and join the hug, and the four of you simply take a deep breath together, letting all the events of the morning sink in.