Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Cleave: To adhere, or to separate (10/09/25)
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TITLE: The One Shall Be As Two | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Westefeld
10/16/25 -
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Tabitha was flushed, so he asked, “What’s wrong, sweetheart?’
She continued to stare at the floor. He quickly realized that whatever was bothering her was not physical.
She said quietly, “Remember when we said no secrets? I’ve been keeping one from you for years.”
Alex crossed the room and folded her into his arms. “Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”
Through tears, she looked at him. “No gentle way to say it, I guess, I might not be a virgin.”
He stepped back and repeated sceptically, “Might not?”
Making sure the door was closed and locked, Tabitha began to tell a tale from early in her career as Amazing Girl. “One day I was flying on patrol when this purple energy beam hit me and I was pulled up into an orbiting spacecraft. When I went in, I saw my first extraterrestrial being. Before I could react, it slammed me into a small clear box. He, it sounded male, said ‘I’ve been searching across the universe studying various cultural concepts. Morality for instance. I’m going to use my splitter to make you two people, one with your morality and one without, and study the two of you.’ Naturally I tried to use my powers to escape, but I couldn’t. Next thing I knew, I was dissolving into a red mist.”
Alex was intrigued, “Then what happened?’
Tabitha said, “The next thing I knew I was looking at myself. I asked other me if we could both grow out of this box, when the alien said, ’Sorry, only the moral one has any powers.’
“I was still in shock, when he pushed us back towards the hatch. We were in the purple beam again, and this time we were lowered to the ground.”
Alex interrupted his wife, “Not too bad so far. You were experimented on by an alien. Just another Monday for superheroes.”
She held up a hand. “I haven’t gotten to the worst part yet. The unpowered one started accusing me of being weak and not fighting harder. She used a lot of cuss words that I normally never use. She then used her morphing belt to change into immodest street clothes. I said in shock, ’What are you wearing?’ Her response chilled me. “Whatever I want, you little miss goody two shoes.’ I thought about going after her, but what could I do when I caught her? I tried to keep a discrete eye on myself. I saw her steal liquor and get dead drunk. Another time I saw me go into a motel room with a guy, and when they left there was blood on the sheets.”
Alex said nothing, but her disgusted look added to Tabihta’s feeling of shame. She reached inside herself for God’s strength to continue the story.
“About a week later, I was grabbed by that familiar purple beam. I had resolved to fight harder this time. My resolve faded when I saw my other half in the box. She was crying. I almost didn’t recognize her because of the goth makeup she wore. I was urged towards the box. ‘She’s dying without you,’ he said. ‘I must rejoin you.’ So I stepped into the box.”
Alex really wanted to ask her what happened next, but knew she had to tell the tale at her own pace.
Tabitha continued, “I knelt by her, trying to comfort myself. That sounded weird. You can probably guess what happened next?”
Alex responded, “A red mist?”
Tabitha nodded. “When my vision cleared, I was alone in the box. He gently led me back to the hatch and said, ’Watching you over the last time period was rather illuminating. Your moral side saved several people from crime, while your immoral self lived only for her own desires.’ I couldn’t respond as I was trying to integrate two sets of memories into my head. My powers were back, but I still don’t know if my body is the good one or the bad one.”
“Any more secrets,” he asked, “or shall we change for dinner?”
His flippant response surprised her. He then continued, “You weren’t yourself, and I love all of you, the good and bad girl.”
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