Too Many Digits

"She's not a freak. I think it's kinda' cool."

"Well, the government didn't ask you, Colin. She needs to be with her kind. They'll accommodate her...disfigurement. Let it go."

Colin stands opposite his mother, his arms crossed, determined, not wanting to admit that she is right. There was no way to fight their separatist government. They would send Lora to the colony. For his own good.

*****

"Colin, I'm devastated! I'll miss you! But, listen, I found out something and you mustn't tell!" Lora intertwines her six digits with his five. "They aren't trying to keep YOU pure. They're breeding US!"