Emily’s thoughts raced. She was overwhelmed with input, from the obvious dimensional warp necessary to be inside a tiny toy ball, to Ed, to who they would need to communicate -

She made the connection. “YOU,” said Emily. “You filthy bastard! You’re the one who’s been talking to me!” She lunged for Ed, only to be held in place by an unseen force.

“Normally, yes,” Ed replied calmly. “These things are wonders of the universe, but not without a price. At some point you have to get out.”

“So leave,” Emily seethed.

“There’s always two – one to teach, and one to learn and take over. No one has yet proven worthy. And those last two managed to gang up on me. Your friend unwittingly put the other one in here when she cracked open her ball. They lured you here, not me.”

“Why?”

“You obviously can’t see it, but there’s an essence in the soupy stuff you can’t leave behind, if you ever want to get out.”

The room went dark. A muffled, booming voice surrounded them, and Dana’s face filled the window.