Alyssa and her childhood friend Dennis are sitting on a park bench. The sky is blue, the sun is bright. Despite this lovely mood, Alyssa's face is frozen, her gaze serious.
"Dennis..." She said slowly. "As you know, my Rooder powers will disappear around my twentieth birthday."
"I know."
She and Dennis are both 15.
"So you must know that I must have a daughter to continue the Rooders’ line. The Entities and Subordinates still exist. The fight against evil will last for eternity."
"What are you trying to tell me, Alyssa?" He said, raising his voice.
"You know very well. Dennis, I know you love me. I know it's risky to get pregnant at my age, but..."
"You want me… to get you pregnant? That's crazy!"
"Dennis! I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I don't want to sleep with just anyone."
"Alyssa..."
Dennis loves her. He knows that. He has for a long time. But getting her pregnant at 15 to ensure that her future daughter takes her place as a Rooder is insane. Yet he knows that Entities and Subordinates are dangerous. That without Rooders, the forces of evil can conquer the world and kill with impunity.
"You can think about it. My time of fertility is later in the month."
Alyssa rises from the bench.
"But give me an answer soon, will you?"
Despite Dennis telling her to wait, Alyssa moves away from him. When he loses sight of her, Dennis sighs. He has to think. What will he say to Alyssa?
***
8 months later, Alyssa is meeting Dennis again. Her face is full of life and she's smiling.
"Dennis! Dennis, look!"
She shows him a pregnancy test. Dennis sees the big plus in red and remains silent.
"Thank you! Thank you!!!"
She cries with joy and Dennis' stomach clenches. Has he made the right choice?
"Alyssa... what if the child is a boy? You're not going to have an abortion, I hope."
"Of course not! If it's a boy, we'll just have to make a second child! The Rooders’ line..."
"...must continue, I know." Dennis completes while sighing.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, no, I'm happy for you, but... raising a child alone, at your age."
"We'll raise him together. Dennis, I'm ready to marry you. As soon as we turn 18."
"WHAT!?!"
Dennis can't believe it. He'd always dreamed of marrying Alyssa but not like this.