[ WP ] Sesame Street turns out to be a real place . A government team is sent in .

Grover was the first to not come back. Then Oscar, then Bert, then Cookie Monster, everyone until it was just the Count, Elmo, and Ernie. After all this time, the three still did n't know what had happened to the rest or where they went but some days it felt that almost anything was better than staying in this white apartment. Their apartment had everything they needed, but there was no way out. They should know. They had tried everything. 
 
 Elmo and Ernie had lost track of how many days they had been imprisoned. The Count knew of course but when asked he would begin to count out each day up till then instead of giving a straight answer. That took way too long. But no matter how many days it was, they could still remember vividly the day they came here. The day the men with guns and loud voices dragged them out of their homes and put them into trucks. 
 
 They took everything in stride for they always were an optimistic group. It all must've been a huge mistake, they thought. Someone would realize what had happened and they'd all be back home soon. But with the passage of time and with each loss they slowly gave up hope of going back. They were paid sudden visits from people in black suits and others in white scrubs. They never knew when the people would come or which of them would be the next to go, but they understood that whoever left with those people would n't be coming back. Even Elmo, who had stayed more hopeful than most, now seemed a hollow, furry, red shell; a ghost of his former self. Big Bird was the most recent to go and that seemed to be the last straw for Elmo. Most days he did n't speak a word. The Count was also quiet. Occasionally, he found himself counting something, but would forget what that something was. 
 
 Ernie was now the emotional leader of the group. He had lost Bert early on but he still had Rubber Ducky. Rubber Ducky kept him grounded. Ernie got them to eat the meals that appeared through a slot in the wall. Ernie started up games or told jokes to see if he could get Elmo and the Count to smile. Ernie faithfully picked the letter of the day, trying to find something special and unique in those days that together too easily became a blank wash. Ernie always fought to remember the old days. 
 
 `` It feels like a'D' kind of day. What do you think, guys?'' 
 
 Elmo and the Count did n't look up. Ernie waited, then addressed Rubber Ducky. 
 
 `` Well, I'm sure *you* would agree.'D' for Ducky, right?'' 
 
 He let out his trademark chuckle. 
 
 `` Kuhehehe'' 
 
 The other two had n't heard. 
 
 `` There sure are some great things that start with'D' like'd-dog' and'd-doll'. Hmm, let me think. Oh, what about'd-disc'! I'm sure you guys know some good words.'' 
 
 Still no response. Ernie thought for a second then looked surprisingly at Rubber Ducky. 
 
 `` What's that Rubber Ducky?'Dorothy'? That's a great word. Elmo remember Dorothy. Dorothy was the best, was n't she?'' 
 
 Elmo finally looked up and Ernie could see on his face that he remembered. But Ernie could n't tell whether it was with a sadness or a fondness. 
 
 Suddenly they heard the front door open. They all looked towards the door, their hearts pounding. That door only opened for one reason. Two men in black suits first entered followed by a woman and a man in a white scrubs. The woman spoke. 
 
 `` Ernie, if you would kindly come with us.'' 
 
 Ernie did n't say anything for a moment and the room was still. Finally he took a deep breath and went over to the Count. The Count had begun counting, `` One. Two. Two of us left. One. Two. Two of us left...'' 
 
 Ernie wrapped his arms around the Count. 
 
 `` Just you see. We'll all be together soon. I'll go find them and we'll come back for you and Elmo. You will be able to count all of us!'' 
 
 The Count hugged him back weakly. Ernie went over to Elmo. 
 
 `` Hey, I know things are tough, but the Count is going to need you. You are strong Elmo. I know you are. The others might be still out there somewhere so we ca n't give up.'' 
 
 Elmo did n't respond. Ernie gave him a quick squeeze. 
 
 `` Bye, Elmo.'' 
 
 Ernie went towards the two in white scrubs. The people were comically taller than him. 
 
 `` Ok. I'm ready.'' 
 
 The two men in black suits stood behind him ready to escort him out. Suddenly from behind, they heard quick padded foot steps and before they could do anything Elmo had slipped between them and was hugging Ernie. 
 
 `` Elmo wo n't give up. Elmo- Elmo will always remember Ernie.'' 
 
 Before the two men pulled Elmo off. Ernie saw in Elmo's eyes the old Elmo and he smiled. As he was escorted out he yelled back. 
 
 `` I will always remember you too, Elmo, and you too, Count. Be strong. I'll find the others and-'' 
 
 The door slammed before he could finish. The two in black suits pushed him to follow the two in white scrubs. This was the first time he had seen any other part of this building. The hall was just as white as their apartment, but there were strange diagrams on their walls. Pictures of skeletons and creatures he had never seen with words that would be too long and difficult even for `` the word of the day''. 
 
 Lost in what he saw, Ernie did n't see the two in white scrubs turn the corner and one of the men pushed him in their direction. Ernie fell and as he hit the ground he heard Rubber Ducky squeaking and bouncing away from him, landing in front of a door. 
 
 `` Rubber Ducky!'' 
 
 Ernie made a run towards the door. The two men in black went after him. Just before Ernie could get to Rubber Ducky, one of the men tackled him, but his momentum carried both of them through the door. 
 
 On the ground, Ernie saw Rubber Ducky laying in front of a cot surrounded by other people in white scrubs. 
 
 `` Rubber Ducky, wait there! I'll get you! Please, sir. I just want my rubber ducky. I wo n't cause any more trouble I promise-'' 
 
 He stopped seeing something unmistakeable on the cot. 
 
 `` Big Bird?,'' he whispered. 
 
 But before he could call out to him the man carried him out of the room. On the way out he read the label on the door. 
 
 `` HIA # 83'' 
 
 As Ernie resumed his escorted walk, he felt his body trembling all over. Big Bird was dead. In that small moment before the door shut, he had seen Big Bird's lifeless eyes gaze out into nothing as those people were doing something unspeakable to his body. 
 
 Soon they were in a similar room but here the cot was empty. Ernie was too weak to resist the men tying him down to it. And too weak to scream when he saw the man in the white scrub bring out a tray of various sharp, metal objects. He did n't react when the woman set up a camera and spoke in strange terms. 
 
 `` June 11, 2016. 11:12 AM. We will now begin the first dissection of Highly Intelligent Aberration 94. Administer the sleeping gas.'' 
 
 A plastic mask with a tube was placed over his mouth. Ernie's hand closed wishing Rubber Ducky was there, but it only grasped the air. Ernie tried to recall memories of Sesame Street; of fishing with Bert, visiting Mr. Hooper's store, or watching Super Grover crash land, but all he could think of Big Bird unmoving on that cot. The gas had turned on. Ernie began to sing through staggered breaths. 
 
 `` Sunny day 
 sweepin' the clouds away, sniff, 
 on my way..'' 
 
 Ernie's eyelids became heavy and his face was warm where the tears streamed down. 
 
 `` Can you tell me, sniff, how to get 
 how to get to Sesame Street 
 how to get to Sesame stre- 
 -to get to Sesa-'' 
 
 Ernie's voice faded out until the room was filled with his deep breathing. 
 
 `` Ok. Let's make the first incision.'' 
 
 
 
 
 
 

