Jenny thought a moment. “Clearly I shouldn’t do something that would delete my own existence. Especially because it’s not even clear that you would be happier if I did. So if I’m not here on a mission to save my grandmother from some dire fate, then just what am I doing here?”
“That’s a very good question,” Amelia said. “And I have a very good answer: This was the only way you and I could meet.”
“Why did you two need to meet?” Josh asked.
“I think I can answer that,” Mr. Symarian interjected. “After all, I’m the one who arranged it.”
“You?” Jenny said. “But why?”
“Your grandmother and I had an argument some years back,” the teacher continued. “I’m afraid it was a rather strong argument. As a result, the relationship between us was severed.”
“Relationship?” Jenny said.
“In a manner of speaking. But we needn’t dwell on that point.” He cleared his throat hastily. “I warned Amelia that the freedom she believed she was embracing might actually turn out to be a prison.”
“But I misunderstood our dear friend’s intentions.” Amelia said. “I thought he was speaking from jealousy. It turns out his warning had nothing to do with jealousy.”
“Well,” Mr. Symarian smiled, “perhaps a little, but that is rather beside the point. You see, there was an impediment to Amelia and her shadowy friend achieving the happiness they sought.”
“And what was that impediment?” Jenny asked.
“Why Jenny,” he said, “the impediment was you.”