Author: Ashley Quigley
Date: 2014-05-13 07:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Post Apocalyptic; Paranormal; Dystopia; Science Fiction; Fantasy
Description: Ariet has been taken from her family, who are told she has died of an illness; when, in fact, she has been drugged and removed against her will to a secret underground location. Selected for a genetic breeding program by the Creators, the Monarchy of the New World, Ariet and her captor Mason, have to provide an offspring with a predetermined inherited genetic profile, or face termination. They find mutual empathy for one another when their unborn child does not carry the desirable gene. Unable to accept the scheduled termination of her pregnancy by the Creators and to save the life of her offs
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Breeders

By Ashley Quigley

Copyright © 2014 by Ashley Quigley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

30 Wager Avenue
Prestondale
Durban, SA 4320
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www.ashleyquigley.com

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ISBN 978-0-620-61082-7

First Edition

I dedicate this to my husband, family and friends;

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

Preface

Having been trained as a biological scientist, I became interested in the ethical issues and controversies surrounding genetic breeding and designer babies. I started to wonder what would happen if your genetic prowess was the new currency and determined your place in this world. Would our interference of natural selection by genetic breeding create super humans? This book has inspired me to investigate further the human reaction to a situation which could threaten our entire existence.  Although the book centre’s around science fiction, the scientific terms and genetic references are factual and make reference to studies performed worldwide, where researchers are trying to select for genetically favorable characteristics and disease free humans.

Chapter 1

Mondays are happy days for us, good family days. Most days are the same, mundane even, but Mondays add some variety to the week. Not only is it the first rest day for Superiors, but it is also the day we get our full medical, the results of which determine our supplies and rations for the week. Lying in bed, I can hear the birds chirping outside. They signal the start of spring, letting us know the sun is rising. Mother is up and shuffling in the kitchen, starting the preparations for today.

Food is abundant in Quadrant Four, provided your medical goes well. Some families have not been as lucky as us, but still they have more than they need. Our genetic viability has been solid for generations. Disease free, we obtain points each week which are uploaded onto our individual databases. Points can be used to obtain toiletries, clothing, anything at all really. Food rations are determined according to the cumulative number of points obtained by an entire family. Last week our points had been good, and provided a few rarities from Centre Market, which we used to spoil ourselves. The perusal of the market after the weekly medical makes the whole trip just that little bit less daunting. Beach Town has its own market, but Centre Market is more vibrant and has many things that we can’t get back home: honey and brown sugar for example, and lavender soap and such.

Every medical day, Mother and I wake early and prepare the last of the previous week’s rations for breakfast. Father and Alec get to rest in for a bit as we potter around. Men are not expected to work on medical days and have come to see it as a free day, a day where they do not have to report for duty in their various Sectors. Father is in the Agriculture Sector, having descended from a long line of botanists and growers. My brother Alec has reached the age where he is being taught the knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation; expected to join the Sector full time.

I swing my legs off the bed, yawning slightly and stretching. The first rays of sun glint off a mirrored doorway leading to the lavatory area. I walk slowly over to the mirror and observe myself. Having reached twenty years of age I am fully developed, thanks to a combination of good genes from my familial line of descendants and a healthy and active lifestyle. Long auburn hair cascades down my back in soft curls. I am slender, but not to the point that I look starved. Medium height and medium build, the perfect average, or so I have been told during the weekly medicals. Holding out my arm I insert my wrist into a small opening in the mirror. A whirring mechanical sound indicates the implantation device in my wrist is being scanned.

‘Good morning, Ariet’.

“Good morning,” I reply, but it’s not as if the machine or the Creators can hear me. It’s more out of a silly habit which often makes me giggle to myself.

‘Please complete your morning analysis.’

It’s the same routine every morning and has been all my life, yet every day that one instruction frustrates me. What if I don’t need to ‘go’ straight away? Tea before bed, my favorite luxury, has resolved this issue for me, but the annoyance of constantly making sure I am sufficiently hydrated before bed, so I may wake up with enough fluid to provide for my daily testing, tests my patience. After finishing, the automated response sounds.

‘Thank you, Ariet, have a prosperous day.’

The green light above the unit flashes, indicating that a urine sample has been successfully obtained and analyzed. The information gets sent to the Creators who will alert us of any issues at the weekly medicals. Splashing cold water on my face, I walk back to the window in my bedroom to watch the sun rise, my favorite part of the day. I fail to see the green light stop flashing and turn to yellow.

Mother hums softly to herself whilst preparing hard boiled eggs on the cooker. She is beautiful. They say I get my aesthetics from her. I have her milky, unblemished skin, petite frame and auburn hair. But I can only aspire to be as loving and nurturing a mother as she has been. Without turning her back, “Coffee is on the counter, freshly brewed.” She has this uncanny ability to know when her children are around her, and we have spent our childhood trying to surprise or startle her, but to no avail. She smiles sweetly at me, “Did you scan, Ariet?”

“Yeeeesss Mother, same as I do every morning.”

“Don’t yeeessss me. You know what happened when you missed your morning scan last year. I’m just making sure you don’t forget again.”

I shudder as I recall the incident. I had woken up earlier than usual and wanted to go for a run. Not needing to use the lavatory straight away, I headed down into the woods, finding the path that lead straight to the beach, my secret place. After a five mile run, with the waves lapping at my feet, I turned and decided to head back. A beating sound raised my suspicions that something was wrong, and I hurried back to the house. The sound got closer and closer, blasts of sand and salt air caught me, whipping around my face like tiny insects attacking me.

All I could think was, I didn’t scan, I didn’t scan, I didn’t scan. Adrenaline mixed with panic propelled me as fast as possible back toward the house. Three hovercrafts had found my location and continued to monitor me as I headed home. It was the automated message from the hovercraft that had terrified me the most: ‘Ms. Ariet Langley, please return immediately for your morning scan. Failing to do so will result in severe disciplinary measures.’

As I had made my way up the slope towards our dwelling, the hovercrafts continued to keep track of my every move. Mother had been pacing frantically in front of the window, and I’ll never forget the look of fear on her face as she caught sight of me propelling along the pathway. It was only when the green light had signaled a successfully completed scan that I heard the hovercrafts move off into the distance that I breathed again.

House arrest followed for the next month as punishment from the Creators, and my portion of the weekly ration contributions had been restricted to the bare minimum. That mistake had cost my family. A mistake I had never repeated again, but it was a constant reminder to us of how the rules have to be strictly adhered to.

Father’s twirling of Mother around the kitchen to the angelic tune she was humming snapped me back to the present. My parents are happy. After twenty-two years of being together they are still in love. They had been lucky enough to have found each other at the age of twenty-one, the pairing age. A pairing is arranged by the Creators if you have not selected a mate during this period. Superiors have two options when it comes to pairing with your life partner. Find a mate before you turn twenty-one, or a pairing will be arranged for you. You are expected to produce two offspring in the first three years of marriage. No more, no less.

My parents met when Mother had attended a medical in Quadrant Four whilst she was visiting family. Love at first sight saved them from what could have been an unhappy existence. “We better start getting a move on if we want to get the good seats on the train,” Father turned to me. “Morning, my Ariet.” It is his term of endearment for me. I am always ‘His Ariet’.

“Morning, Father. I’ll go and get Alec up.” Kissing him on the cheek, I go to wake my twin brother.

I nudge Alec with the ball of my foot. He detests it. “Get up. Father wants to leave in 30 minutes. Make sure to bring your supply bag down with you. We’ll need help carrying the rations back.”

Alec is not a morning person, especially not on these mornings. He hates needles, and the weekly medicals are always an issue for him.

“Ok, Ok. I’m coming. You know, it won’t be the worst thing in the world if we get to sit in the middle of the train, might spice things up a little.” I laughed. His auburn hair shone in the rays peeking through his curtains.

“You know how Father is. First in to the medical, first out. Hurry up, I’m going to change.”

Chapter 2

The walk to the train station was my favorite part of the journey. We lived in the uppermost corner of Quadrant Four, which lay parallel to the sea. The population was fifty thousand and rising steadily. It was the smallest of the four Quadrants, but was doing well. We were making advances in the Biotechnology and Agricultural sectors. Some of the Superiors had been selected to work with the Creators on certain projects, which was a great honor, as Superiors and Creators rarely crossed paths. We were slowly rebuilding the world after a devastating illness that almost wiped us out over a century ago now. All dwellings in the New World are similar in shape and design. Your dwelling is assigned to you by the Creators when you have successfully paired.

All families in Quadrant Four had their medicals on the same day, and the walk to the station was filled with laughter and catching up. Although the station was jammed with Superior families, it never ceased to amaze me how organized the chaos was. People simply filed in line with their families. Neighbors waved and greeted each other. We stood in line patiently, slowly shuffling forward. Only one family was allowed on the train at a time, where each family member was scanned and allocated seats. The travelling fee for the medical was, thankfully, largely reduced in comparison to regular travelling fees and was deducted from an individual’s total number of points accumulated.

There had been an instance, when I was younger, where a Superior had travelled extensively, using up all their points and had not allowed enough for the train ride to the medical. A harsh punishment was bestowed on him, the details of which I had never learned, but it had been instilled in me from an early age that our survival depended on the weekly Medical.

The train moved slowly out of the station. I loved to watch the residents of neighboring towns boarding, taking in new faces and surroundings. Our little town was aptly named Beach Town. All Quadrants radiated out from Centre Town and were made up of locational sub-divisions. I had learned over time, from people who had travelled and returned to the other three quadrants, that sub-divisions in all Quadrants were much the same as ours.

Our population consisted of survivors of the Great Illness that destroyed the Old World; who were genetically Superior to those that had succumbed to the disease. As the train moved towards Centre Town, slowly dipping and gliding through the hills and mountains around us, Father swiveled around in his seat leaning towards Alec and me, a serious look on his face. “You two need to keep your eyes open at the medical. This can be an opportunity for you both to find a mate. You have one year to select a partner or one will be provided for you.”

Alec and I looked at each other nervously. I got it; I got the importance of what Father was saying to me. But I wasn’t ready for this. I was still enjoying life, young and free. Looking at Alec, I could tell he felt the same way, although his pairing situation was not as dire as mine. He had already developed feelings for another Superior, their family resided in Beach Town as well. How serious it was for them we were not yet certain as he kept his silence strong on this matter. All I knew, at this point with absolute certainty and had known for a very long time was that I did not want a mate selected for me.

Some arranged pairings were happy, and life partners had eventually learned to love each other, but for many this was not the case. Arranged life partners, Selecteds as they had been termed, were paired according to genetic variability in order to prolong human life and maintain diversity. Genetic in-breeding between bloodlines was of huge concern to the Creators, and we were strongly encouraged to diversify and look for mates in Quadrants that were not our own. We only had to abide by one simple rule: Superiors could not pair with Creators, a small population responsible for our survival and our current state of existence. A few of the Creators known as Elders had formed a new Government based on medical necessity and were the highest accumulative point’s earners in the New World.

The train slowed as we approached the edge of Centre Town, the walls enclosing the Great Tower looming before us with tall trees shrouding our view. No Superior had seen beyond the walls of the Great Tower. It was arranged that our Medicals were performed at different stations around the edge of Centre Town. We were forbidden to cross into the forest, to get in any proximity to the boundary wall and, ultimately, the Great Tower.

As we approached the platform, I sighed inwardly, knowing this was to be my brother’s and my last medical before we reached pairing age. We filed off the train into separate lines of male and female. Medicals included weekly psychological monitoring and evaluation to maintain a successful genetic pairing. Happy but nervous faces peered around and waited for the barriers to the medical stations to be lifted.

Father gave me a quick wave as his line started to move forward, beyond our sight, “See you back at the market.”

Alec winked and stuck his tongue out as he filed in behind my father. “I can help you find a mate if you like. What about that one, that one or that one?” he pointed around aimlessly.

Laughter broke out at my expense, drawing unwanted attention from the male line of Superiors. He grinned ridiculously at me. I rolled my eyes in retaliation, making a mental note that I owed him a sibling rivalry comeback at some point. Standing in line behind Mother, our queue moved forward slowly; our wrists out in preparation for scanning.

As we got closer to the gates, Carers greeted us in full-length white jumpsuits, their cheerful but professional voices guiding us to our testing stations. Their pristine uniform sets them apart from the drab brown and grey clothing that Superiors were allowed to wear. I moved forward on autopilot. Scanning the crowd, dark hair and steel blue eyes caught my attention. A jolt of electricity surged through my veins as I realized I was being watched. Grabbing Mother’s arm tightly in panic, my voice barely a whisper, “Mother, there is a Creator, staring directly at me. To the right, by the archway. There, look!”

She turned hesitantly in the direction of the Creator, pretending to scan the crowd further than the area he was standing in. Turning back to me she whispered through clenched teeth, “Stay calm, and don’t draw any attention to yourself. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Her face and voice were reassuring, but her eyes glinted with concern.

“Ladies above thirty-five years of age please proceed this way; ladies below thirty-five years of age please proceed this way.”

The separation of female Superiors into age groups was normal as the tests performed were dependent on age; however, I couldn’t get rid of the nervous pit forming in my stomach. Turning to look away from the icy glare of the Creator, Mother gently squeezed my hand as she moved towards Phase One of the testing stations. “Bye, I love you. See you at the market.” I nodded silently. Glancing around nervously, I noticed that the Creator who had locked eyes with me moments ago was no longer there.

Chapter 3

Phases One, Two and Three of the medicals were performed in different sectors of the testing station. Each station was armed with Carers, one designated to you per medical testing session. The Carer was responsible for administering the test and escorting you from one section of the station to another. Phase One of the weekly medical was a routine full work-up. Bloods were drawn, heart rates were examined and full body scans were performed. They took place in a room equipped with machines, cords and monitors, all linked up to a plasma in front of you, so you were able to see your results as they came up. The room was sectioned off into 12 white cubicles. Fellow Superior females were undergoing the same battery of tests around me.

I couldn’t help but think of Alec as I was being stuck with a variety of needles. He was probably freaking out right about now. Poor baby. A smile sneaked through my lips. He absolutely hated this. It wasn’t great, but I didn’t mind it too much. I always hoped for the best result, so I could share the points with my family.

“Ms. Langley, well done. You are ready for Phase Two.” Phase Two testing was not my favorite. A battery of questions was asked from a report generated from the daily urine and metabolite checks performed at your dwelling. The questions were usually routine and didn’t really vary much from week to week, but they were long and complicated. A pretty dark haired Carer took her position in the chair next to me. She had a lovely welcoming face and her voice dripped with warmth. It always amazed me how Carers had the uncanny ability to soothe your nerves just with the way they spoke. I suppose that’s why they were deemed Carers.

“Ms. Langley, my name is Jord. I have been assigned as your Carer this week and will be conducting Phase Two, Ok?” I nodded in compliance. Jord smiled sweetly at me, “Have you been experiencing any unusual symptoms in the past week?”

“No,” I replied.

“Have you ever experienced dizziness, light headedness or nausea?”

“I have had some of those symptoms during menstruation only.”

“Thank you. Have you experienced any headaches, shortness of breath?”

“No.” My answers remained the same each week, yet the questions still came.

“Have you experienced any blurred vision or problems with your eyesight?”

You were required to answer truthfully, as further testing in Phase Three would confirm your answers given in Phase Two. Failure to answer truthfully would result in disciplinary action. I zoned out, automating my answers from memory.

“Ms. Langley. Please pay attention. I’ll repeat the question once more only.” Tight, clipped tones snapped me back into reality.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

“Have you had any vaginal discharge or irritation?”

“No,” I answered in surprise, paying more attention to this new set of medical questions.

“Have you had sexual intercourse?”

I straightened in the chair. Whoa, hold on a second! This was new. What was this about? Promiscuity wasn’t encouraged but there were no laws against having different sexual partners before you paired with your life mate although this was severely frowned upon. “No I have not,” I tested the waters. “Why do you ask?”

Jord checked her chart again, tapping a manicured nail on the screen in front of her. “It says here that we are required to ask about your sexual history at each of the medicals.” A chill shot up my spine, my nerves once again getting the better of me.

“Thank you, Ms. Langley. You may now move onto Phase Four.”  Jord escorted me further down the corridor to a door at the end that I had never been in before. I looked at her nervously. “As you are coming of pairing age, you are no longer required to undergo routine testing in Phase Three. You can proceed straight to Phase Four.” She smiled reassuringly, “Please scan to enter.”

The door slid open to reveal an elderly gentleman with slick dark hair. Silver strands matched the silver jumpsuit he was wearing. His face was kind, but his eyes betrayed him. He gestured for me to enter. “Ms. Langley, I am the Healer who has been assigned to your Phase Four testing. Please change into this gown.”

He held up a flimsy piece of cloth with an opening at the back. I will give you a minute. I stood nervously. Looking around, I noticed there were no other exits or entrances. He was waiting for me to get changed whilst he was there. This made me extremely uncomfortable. Clutching the cloth to me, I undid the tie on my wool coat, draping it loosely on the back of a metal chair. I unbuttoned my blouse slowly, quickly throwing the robe over my head before my shirt dropped to the floor. Stepping out of my skirt, I tiptoed to the steel grey reclining chair in front of me. Lying down, I gripped the cloth robe tightly closed, as anxiousness built up in the pit of my stomach.

I cleared my throat, signaling that I had changed as instructed. The medical gown flapped open above my thighs. “Ms. Langley, you are reaching the pairing age and are required to undergo Phase Four testing as I am sure your Carer explained to you. My name is Dr. Brand. I am a fifth generation Healer, and I am required to do a slightly more invasive procedure on you than you currently are used to.”

Not looking up from the electronic chart in his hand, he continued to scroll through my results with his left index finger as he spoke. No one had warned me of this, but I assumed this was the normal procedure for Phase Four. I lay very still whilst I was being examined by Dr. Brand, trying to take my mind off the exam by wondering what rarities we would be able to come by at the market.

His raspy voice floated up from my feet. “Ms. Langley, we are almost done here. I’m going to give you a mild sedative for the last part of this testing as it is painful for some.” Jord appeared out of nowhere, hovering to the right of me, fidgeting with my arm. I wasn’t even aware that she had re-entered the room. As she leaned over me, swabbing my arm in preparation for the sedative, I noticed there were tears in her eyes. A sharp prick, followed by a searing pain through my veins, twisted me in the chair. Dr. Brand held my legs down, the robe gaping at my thighs. I started to panic as I felt my body become numb and my eyelids heavy. Something was definitely wrong. Eyelids fluttering, I tried to communicate my fear, the wooziness slurring my speech.

As I drifted further from consciousness, I heard Jord whisper softly in my ear, “I’m sorry.”

Chapter 4

My eyelids felt heavy and my mouth was dry. A repetitive mechanical noise was all I could hear. I felt like I was moving in some sort of forward motion. I was lying in a bed that was much too big for me. Slowly sitting up, and adjusting to the light, I looked around. I was no longer at the medical station in Phase Four testing with Dr. Brand; this much was obvious. I was in a magnificent rectangular room. The walls were draped in a soft, luscious, pale yellow material I had never seen before. The ceiling was covered in tiny globes that resembled stars in the night sky.

Sitting up slowly, I swung my legs around to the side of the bed. My feet planted firmly in a luscious wool carpet of pure white. Next to me was a huge decanter filled with a cold orange liquid. I sniffed it, not sure if this was something I could trust. I was still under the impression that I was either hallucinating or this was a bad dream. I tried to stand. Feeling slightly woozy, I wobbled over to the opening in the wall on the left of me. Entering slowly, I noticed the most lavish of lavatories; the kind I did not know existed. There was a huge hole in the floor with what looked like jets all around. I turned on the tap and soft, sweet-smelling water stared to fill it. A bathtub. My mother had told me stories of this from the Old World. We no longer had such luxuries as we lived to conserve every natural resource we had access to. Or so I thought; this observation raised alarm bells.

Turning back, I noticed there were no windows in each of these two rooms. Searching further, I noticed a rectangular metal door on the far side of the room. Running my hands up and down the door, I desperately looked for a way to open it. There appeared to be some sort of control button to the side of it. I pushed a large square button and the lights dimmed around me. Another button opened a panel with vast amounts of fresh fruit and food. I gasped at the variety of them all. There were many I had never seen. A third button slid the door open. A sudden jerk threw me off balance, and I swung back into the room still holding onto the door as support.

A train, I’m on a train. I must be heading home. I felt a bit relieved, like this had all been some misunderstanding. The train moved faster than I had ever known was possible. Holding onto the wall for support, still light headed from the sedative I had been given, I walked slowly towards the end of the carriage. It opened automatically as I approached it. This room was similar to the one I had awoken in; it was extravagant and glorious. The walls and floor were covered in plush cream carpeting; cream and blue patterned couches lined each side of the carriage. In one of them sat the dark haired Creator I had seen at the medical previously. Hair standing on end, I slowly backed towards the door I had just come through, never taking my eyes off him.

“Wait. I mean you no harm.” Anxiety and tension strained his voice. “My name is Mason, Mason Black.”

“I would like to go home please,” my voice barely a whisper.

He let out a long deep sigh, “I’m sorry, but that is not possible.”

“What?” I hissed at him.

“You have been selected.”

“Selected for what?” I clutched the wall behind me coaxing my wobbly legs to keep me upright.

“You have been identified as having a unique genetic code; a code which has caught the attention of the Creators. Because of your genetic code you have been selected to pair with a Creator.”

I felt my whole world crash down on me. “I’m not twenty-one yet. I still have time to choose. That is the law of the New World.”

“No, you don’t. I am sorry to say that that choice is no longer yours.” He leant back in his chair, resting his palms on his thighs, his posture perfect. “Please sit so we can discuss this further.”

I crept along the wall towards the chair nearest to me. Perching on the edge, ready to flee, I glared at him.

“You have been monitored closely since birth,” he explained further. “This unique genetic code came to the attention of the Creators when you and your twin had your first screenings at a few days old. You were selected then. Since your birth, we have watched you develop over the years, paying specific attention to any illness, disease, your menstrual cycle even.” He cleared his throat as if this last part made him uncomfortable.

This was absurd, I was losing my mind. The shock at my situation swiftly turned to rage. “You have been spying on me?”

“No, not spying, monitoring.”

“That means the same thing to me.” My voice raised an octave higher and I could feel myself starting to lose control. “This is a huge invasion of my privacy and I would like to return to my family. Right now. Do you hear me?” I screeched at him.

“That is not possible. I am sorry. This is your future now.”

I looked around the room frantically searching for a way to escape. Although brightly lit to the point of almost conveying warmth, there were no windows, no openings, and no view to the outside world. I was trapped.

His steely gaze caught my attention. As if reading my mind, “There is no way off the train whilst it is moving. That is because we are underground, moving at high speed.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed myself to wake up, back in my bed, back in my home, together with my family. My Family. I snapped my eyes open. Glaring at him “Does my family know where I am?”

“No. No one but a select few of the Creators do. Your family has been told that you have been quarantined due to the detection of a rare illness, as is standard procedure. In time, we will tell them that you did not survive the illness.” His face took on a pained look. “For your sake and well-being, you need to say goodbye to your family, mentally. This is a new start for you and there is no going back.”

Shock prevented the tears that had formed in my eyes from falling. I dreaded asking the next question, fearing what the response would be, but I had to know. “Has a mate been selected for me?”

Leaning forward, he clasped his hands loosely in between his legs, pinning me with those cold eyes of his. “Yes,” he whispered. “Me.”

Rolling over and moaning softly, I stretched out into my fingers and toes. Opening my eyes slowly, sun streaming in, I convinced myself that I had just had the worst nightmare. Still sleepy, I swung my legs off the side of the bed. This was not my room; I panicked. And we were still moving. I must have collapsed and blacked out.

This room was different to the one I had woken in before. Again, the room was decorated in soft pastel colors, clean and fresh yet warm at the same time. A huge window spanned the far side of the room, mountains and foliage whizzing past us. Usually I would take a moment to soak up the beauty of a new place that I had never seen before, but panic steered me around the room looking for some kind of object to use to pry the window open. I searched frantically for something to aid my escape, bordering on the edge of hysteria.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I spun around in terror, my arms flailing as the train rounded a corner. Hanging onto the curtain for dear life, I looked to where the voice was coming from.

“Well you are not me, and I can do what I like.” I shouted in retaliation, fear taking control of my voice.

“No, you can’t. One, that is dangerous; and two, you have me to think about now.” I looked at him stupidly. This must be some new trick he is playing on me to get me to warm up to this idea.

“The Creators have deemed us mates, and we are now responsible for each other.” Scanning the full length of my body with those blue eyes, he looked at me in part disgust, part amusement. “Planning on showering anytime soon? It’s gross. Plus you need to scan. You missed one yesterday, and we have been warned.”

“Yesterday? How long have I been out?”

“Two days, give or take.”

Staring blankly at him, I managed to get control of my nerves. As calmly and as strongly as I could muster, “There has got to be some way around this. Some mistake maybe? I’m sure if we speak to the Creators we can work this out, and you can return me back to my family.”

“No, the arrangement has been made, and our pairing files are being created. We have been inputted into the system as life partners. I am your mate now.”

“What, wait, what files? I haven’t signed anything. I have to sign the agreement with my mate. That’s what the Partnering Law says,” my voice was starting to become a screech again.

“Yes, but it also says if a mate is chosen by a Creator, and not the individual themselves, the partners have to abide; consent is not required. Creators can also override any decision when it comes to pairing. If they feel that it serves the greater good.” Sadness was now evident in his demeanor.

I thought for a minute. “Yes, but I didn’t know they kidnapped people and forced them to pair with absolute strangers, away from the support of their family and the life they had known.”

He blinked at me, looking unfazed by my argument. “Please, calm down, Ariet. Scan, freshen up and join me in the main carriage for breakfast where we can discuss this further.” He exited my room without another word. I held on tightly to the curtain. It was all I could do not to collapse onto the ground in utter despair.

Approaching the main carriage, Mason was sitting at a dining table laden with food. The preparation of which looked intricate. I stood there for a few minutes watching him, trying to learn as much about him and my surroundings as possible, determined to find a way out. He looked up as if sensing my presence and gestured for me to join him.

Approaching slowly, I locked eyes with him. Why did they pair me with him, a Creator? I was a nobody from Beach Town. Sure, he was nice looking, handsome even. He had what looked like a strong build under his sleek cream suit. But, then again, we were all slender and good looking. Genetic selection by the Creators over the last few centuries had ensured the prosperity of a Superior race. Sitting opposite him, my body unwillingly sank into the soft padded arm chair. I took in the spread of food before us.

“Eat,” he said. “We’re almost there.” My lips were dry, and the hunger I felt filled my stomach with nausea, but eating was the farthest thing on my mind. I picked up some kind of cinnamon bread dipped in sugar and proceeded to nibble at it.

Breaking the silence, I kept my eyes trained on the moving hills outside the window. “Explain this to me again, please. I need to know what is happening. Why have they paired me with you of all people? I don’t even know you.”

“Me of all people? What is that supposed to mean?”

Surprised by the flash of hurt in his eyes, I replied quietly, “I didn’t mean to insult you; I apologize. What I meant is that you are just a stranger to me. And it’s Law that Creators and Superiors cannot pair, never mind having an arranged pairing.”

Sighing in what I could only imagine to be frustration, he looked up at me. “We have detected a marker for a gene that few humans carry. In fact, only one hundred or so people in our population have been confirmed as carriers over the last thirty or so years. The Creators have been waiting for you to come of pairing age. This was always to be the plan for you.”

“What do you mean, what gene, what plan?”

“You have been earmarked for the Genetic Breeding Project. You are no longer classified in our system as a Superior, but are now a Breeder.”

“A what?” Placing my hands over my ears, I started shaking my head furiously. “No, No, No…” Trying to find a momentary escape, I tried to convince myself that if I could hold my breath long enough, I might just be able to pass out, to escape this nightmare.

I was unaware that Mason was now standing next to me; he placed his hands firmly on my arms and gently removed them from ears. I curled my fists into a ball, fighting the contact. He spoke calmly, “Ariet, do you need me to sedate you again? I wouldn’t like to, these drugs are not good for our systems when used continuously.”

Yanking my arms from his grip, I glared at him. “A Breeder? That is against my rights, you can’t make me. I won’t take part in this.”

“It’s not me who is doing this, Ariet. This decision was already determined at your birth. Your twin does not carry the gene.”

“Alec? He was also tested?”

Sitting back down opposite me, he slowly buttered a warm slice of crispy bread, never taking his eyes off mine, “All Superiors and Creators are routinely screened at birth and a genetic map created.”

“Do my parents know about this gene I carry?”

“No, and they will never know.”

I thought silently about this for a while. If this was true then my family has remained untouched, unharmed by the people that took me. The knowledge that they were safe and living life as they had known it comforted me somewhat. “Why have they picked you as my mate?”

“I also carry the gene. They hope to breed two carriers to get a human who is capable of expressing the gene, meaning we have one copy of the gene but don’t use it.” I raised my eyebrows questioningly at him. Sighing impatiently, “The gene we carry is recessive; if two recessive carriers mate, they have a one in four chance of producing a homozygous offspring: a child who will be a true carrier of the gene.”

“I don’t want to do this. Do you hear me?” Anxiousness rose in my voice, “You let me off this train immediately. I will not be part of some science project. This is cruel. What you are doing is cruel.”

“Ariet, I understand how you feel. I—”

“No you don’t!” I shouted, interrupting him. “You have no idea. You were not abducted and forced into a pairing based solely on manipulation of genetics and nature.” He watched me closely, analyzing my every move. I hated being scrutinized. “I want to contact my family. Please,” I whispered.

“No, I am sorry. You cannot. You can never have contact with them again. Your status in Quadrant Four has now been changed. You can no longer live the life you were living. I am sorry.”

“No you’re not! Stop saying that. If you were truly sorry you would let me go.”

“I can’t, Ariet. And do not presume to tell me how I feel,” he said harshly. “Even if you try to escape and make it to who knows where, they will find you with your implantation device. And they will terminate you.”

“How does the breeding work?” I asked in frustration, avoiding the escape topic but not giving up on it completely.”

“I can’t tell you anymore at this time until you undergo further testing. We would also like to use your DNA in something called gene therapy.”

“So basically, I’m some sort of lab mule to you.”

“No, Ariet, you could be the savior of our existence. We could be.”

And then the tears started to fall. Crumbling onto the table, I sobbed until I fell asleep. The last thing I saw through blurry eyes before I drifted off into unconsciousness was Mason, sitting facing me, with his head in his hands.

Lifting my eyelids gently, I noticed rays of sunlight streaming through the window, reflecting off a window chime, sending sparkles around the room like kisses of magic. Pretty, I thought. I would love to have one of those. I wonder if the market has them?

Bolting upright, I realized I was no longer on the train. This room was larger than I had seen before for living quarters yet was soft and feminine. Streams of material cascaded over floor length windows. I caught my breath; the view was exquisite. A wooden door to the left of me was slightly ajar, and I could hear rustling from beyond. Padding softly across the lush green carpet, my feet absorbing every comfort along the way, I gently opened the door further, revealing a beautifully lit corridor lined in soft pastel blues and creams, similar to the interior of the train carriage where I first encountered Mason.

At least I’m not confined to my room, I thought snidely. Well, not yet anyway. I steered myself down the corridor, stepping gently, so as not to make a sound. Glancing through an open doorway on my right, I noticed another bedroom, also softly done in pastels, this time blue and yellow. A large intricately carved desk sat in front of a floor length window. It was the most exquisite piece of furniture I had ever seen. Entering quietly, running my hands over the carvings, I noticed they formed an intricate web of children and flowers, as if depicting a story. A soft tune coming from the end of the corridor pulled me away from the carvings. Peeking ever so slowly round the corner, I saw Mason standing with his back to me. In front of him was a huge window expanding the length of the room, from roof to floor. Through the window I saw the most amazing view I had ever seen, different to the one that I awoke to. Fields and fields of greenery expanded through rolling hills. A waterfall was in the distance, casting a rainbow over its icy beauty. I gasped. How exquisite, I had never seen anything like it.

Aware of my presence, Mason turned towards me. “Good morning, Ariet. Would you like something to eat?” he spoke to me in rather odd, formal clipped tones.

“No, thank you. I’m quite thirsty though.”

The Cold Room is at the far side of the kitchen. Please help yourself.” Turning his back to me, he carried on with the preparation of our meal. “Oh, and welcome to my home…your home.”

I closed my eyes and stood silently for a moment, grasping what he had just said. Trying to fathom with every ounce of my being what was happening to me. Get your thoughts about you, Ariet. The Creators have clearly got something else planned for you instead of the life you were living. You can get through this. Find a way to escape. For now, do as they ask, and you can get out of this. My eyelids fluttered open to find him watching me intently.

“Do you always do that?”

“Do what?” I snapped.

“Take a minute to process when you are in a challenging situation. I’ve seen you close your eyes like that once before.”

“Don’t pretend to know me, and stop analyzing me,” I growled at him. He shrugged and resumed his chopping.

“I wasn’t. It’s just a weird talent I have.” Moving towards a kitchen area, I saw the Cold Room he mentioned. Pushing the metallic button next to it, the sliver door slid open revealing the food storage area before me. Cold Rooms in the Quadrants resembled that of a small cupboard, with just enough space to store your rations for the week. You could walk into this cold room where steel shelves lined the four walls. I had never seen so much food or drink in my entire existence. My hairs prickled as I felt him behind me.

“Creators get monthly food rations and more, depending on your need and requirements as dictated by the Elders. We have to scan morning and night to determine what our nutrient requirements are and a list of suitable foods will appear on that screen. Please scan there.” He gestured towards an alcove just behind and to the right of him. I obliged him, putting my wrist in.

‘Welcome, Breeder 107. Please proceed to the open drawers for your daily requirements.’ Whirring sounds to the right and left of me caught my attention. Select drawers slid open revealing a variety of food groups.

“What happened to my name?” I asked him sharply. “I’m just a subject now? A number to you?”

“I explained that your Superior status has been removed, and you are no longer classified as such. You are a Breeder.”

“No, I am a human being. A person. Not number 107.” Pushing roughly past him I marched back to my room.

“You need to eat, Ariet,” he called after me.

“I’ve lost my appetite.” I muttered in defiance.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been crying. It felt like hours, days even. I could feel myself slipping deep into a defiant depression. Mason knocked softly at the door. Ignoring it, I rolled over, turning my back towards the sound. The door creaked open anyway.

“Ariet?” He spoke softly. “Ariet, please eat something. You need to keep your strength up.”

“Please take me back home.” I begged between sobs.

“I can’t, Ariet. I’m sorry.”

“This is not what I wanted for my life either. Believe me. I know this is hard for you to understand, but this is your new life now, your new home.” He put a tray down gently on the bed next to me. “I need you to start trusting me. I will not hurt you. But I will be your life partner. You will learn to be able to talk to me and even come to rely on me. Maybe even like me. Please eat this.” He pushed the tray gently towards me.

The appetizing smell made my mouth water, but refusing to eat was my only weapon at this point. Maybe I would get ill, and they’d realize they couldn’t use me. Tentatively, I picked up the tray removing the lid on the plate, curious about the smell underneath.

“It’s chicken broth with mashed green potatoes and blueberries on the side.”

“Blue berries?” I had never tasted those before. He smiled at me gently as I pushed a blueberry into my mouth, feeling it explode with sweetness. My body, having been starved for days now, craved more. Mason continued to talk as I slowly ate the spread before me. Rationalizing with myself that I needed strength to be able to escape and that I would have to eat every so often.

“I know this is hard for you and a lot to process.” Wiping my bowl clean with the last of the fresh roll, I looked up at him.

“You have no idea what I’m feeling or what I am thinking. My whole world as I know it is over. I don’t know where I am, I’m trapped in this house…with YOU,” I jabbed my finger at him, “against my will. And the worst of it is I have no say in what is about to happen to me. How I live the rest of my life is going to be dictated from this point onwards by the Creators. I can’t share my life with you, my bed with you. How do they expect us to reproduce?”

He sighed, “I was hoping to avoid this question for a while.” Turning to stare out of the window, he answered slowly, “When it comes to us, uhmmm, breeding, if you want to call it that, it can happen one of two ways. One, we can do it naturally, which would be scheduled, of course, to ensure it is during your ovulation phase, maximizing the chance of fertilization. Or two, it can be done medically.”

I gaped at him. “Medically? How?” No one in the Quadrant had undergone medical procedures in order to produce offspring.

“You will be heavily sedated and a fertilized egg will be surgically implanted in your womb. It’s a crude form of technique used before the illness came; it’s called in vitro fertilization.”

“Where do you get the egg from?”

“It will be surgically removed from your ovary whilst you are awake. I have been advised that it can be very painful.”

Fear washed through me in waves. “Can I die from this medical procedure?”

“Not likely, however it is invasive, and you will require bed-rest for most of the gestation period. This also means your movements will be highly restricted and you will be required to stay in the Maternity floor of the Great Tower.”

“So it’s like imprisonment?”

“If you want to look at it that way, yes.” He looked at the floor, trying to avoid my gaze. “We are expected to start the project within the next few weeks. You will be required to continue to produce offspring until a homozygous fetus is conceived.”

“What happens to the offspring who are not homo…whatever?”

“They will be terminated early in the pregnancy, as you will not be required to carry to full term. The Breeding Project only requires an offspring who carries the gene from both of us.”

Slowly taking this all in, “What happens to my baby once it is born, say I do conceive a child with the correct genetic make-up?”

“The offspring will be removed from you soon after its first year and remain in an undisclosed location to monitor expression of the gene and its effects on the human body.”

“What? So let me get this straight. You expect me to keep falling pregnant, aborting those that do not meet this genetic requirement, and then just hand it over to a Creator and walk away?”

He gulped loudly, “Um, yes. Something to that effect. Which option of conception you choose is at your discretion, however I need to report our decision back to Mother Creator.”

“Mother Creator? She knows about this?”

“She is the head of the Creators, a direct descendant of the geneticist who made life in the New World, for both the Creators and for the Superiors, as we know it possible. Of course she knows. She is also my Grandmother.”

Chapter 5

The very next morning I was woken by Mason, shaking my arm quite furiously. “Get up, Ariet. We need to prepare.”

Rays of sun were just peeping over the mountains. “What are you talking about?” nerves showing in my voice.

“There was a message left for us this morning by the Creators. We have been summoned to the Great Tower.”

“The Great tower,” I repeated, acting as if the thought of entering it didn’t frighten me in the least. Superiors were never allowed access to it, and I had only seen it from afar. It was well known throughout the Four Quadrants that the Great Tower was a fortress, out from which Centre Town and the Four Quadrants radiated; controlling them from one central region. “I want to see the message.”

Mason led me to the main living area of our dwelling. Flicking on the plasma located on the far side of the wall, it flashed red indicating a new message had been received. An elderly woman with silver grey hair and deep brown eyes greeted us. She was dressed completely in white, a blue sky as the background making her look almost surreal.

“Good Morning. As you have safely arrived and settled into your new dwelling, we would like to welcome you, Breeder 107, to Centre Town. We have scheduled your first medical today, due to your next ovulation date being so soon. Please make sure to report to the medical floor of the Great Tower at 09.00 this morning.”

I looked at Mason in horror. “I thought we had a little while to choose which option we would like and to process this whole ridiculous idea.”

“As did I, Ariet. We have to attend this meeting. Something must have changed. Please get ready. You need to wear the outfit in your wardrobe that’s labeled Medical Attire.”

Allowing the soft, jasmine scented water to rush over me whilst I showered; I eyed the metallic navy jumpsuit that I had found in the wardrobe, hanging on the rail. It looked skin tight and uncomfortable. I loathed having to wear such ridiculous clothing, longing for the comfort of my knitted jacket and skirt.

After snacking on some dry bread, Mason lead me up the pathway leading away from the front door to a silver archway. Looking back to each side of the dwelling, we appeared completely isolated. The metallic and chrome walls of the Great Tower glinted in the distance. Layers of alternating metals overlapped each other forming an intricate pattern, like an armored coating of some sort. It looked cold and clinical. Mason inserted his arm into an alcove in the left side of the archway, motioning for me to do the same. Heavy metal doors slid open revealing a narrow stairwell. At the bottom of the stair well was a relatively large holding area next to railway tracks heading into an underground tunnel.

“What is this place?” A slow grinding and screeching of metal to the right of me caught my attention.

“Pretty cool, huh?” he grinned. “Come on, this is how we travel around Centre Town and get to the Great Tower. It’s an underground train,” he explained further. “The Creators managed to keep them running after the Great Illness happened. Over the last century they have been adapted as our technology has evolved and are much faster now. There is a whole network of underground tunnels connecting us to all points of Centre Town.” After only a few minutes, the train slowed to a stop alongside the concrete platform. Stepping off the train, a thought occurred to me, “Do the same travel rules apply here as they do in the Four Quadrants? I don’t think I have enough cumulative points to get back to the dwelling.”  I made a point of refusing to call it my home.

“As part of the Breeding Project, we are given an unlimited supply of points to ensure that we have access to the correct food and can travel at any time we need to, without worry.”

“How nice,” I answered sarcastically.

A steel plate extended from the side of the wall slightly to the left of the ramp, illuminating the station. Placing his wrist firmly on the underside of the steel plate, the light shone blue for a few seconds before turning to green. ‘Welcome, Mr. Black.’ He stepped aside and indicated towards the plate. Silently cursing him, I extended my wrist. ‘Welcome, Breeder 107.’ Glaring at him, I walked through the doorway that had just opened for us.

“How high is the Tower?” I asked walking forward into a cold, sterile, cylindrical room.

“Twelve stories,” he said.

“It doesn’t seem very big, considering its purpose.”

“That’s because the majority of the Great Tower is underground.” He smiled a knowing smile. “You’ll soon see,” he whispered, winking at me. He led me towards another doorway which opened after another scan of Mason’s wrist. The doors slid closed, and the room we were in descended suddenly. Much to my horror, I clung onto him in support. “I need to return my exit pass before we attend your medical.” Doors slid open to reveal a massive hall filled with hundreds of hovercrafts lined neatly side by side.

A tall, well built guardian in a black jumpsuit met us at the door and indicated for us to follow him. Mason walked towards an island in the centre of the room where a square machine sat on top of a clear cylindrical tube filled with multi-colored wires. I watched as he extended his arm into the opening in the metal block. “Thank you, Mr. Black. Your return to Centre Town has been updated. Mother Creator is expecting you,” the Guardian said stiffly.

“Thank you, Guardian.” Mason replied politely.

“Follow me.” the Guardian gestured towards the end of the hall.

“As if I have a choice.” I rolled my eyes, ignoring the hand he held out to me. The black suited guardian raised his eyebrow at us curiously.

“She has yet to accept her fate, Guardian Sterling.”

“Aah,” he nodded knowingly. “Will she be a problem?”

“Hello, I’m here. Could you not discuss me as if I am not even standing right in front of you?” I shrieked.

“I'll alert the others of your arrival.” Turning upon his heel and ignoring me completely, he walked away to the side of the hall.

Mason looked furious, “Enough of this. If you do not give the appearance of having accepted your new position as a Breeder, you will not be allowed to leave here and return to our dwelling, where you will have a lot more freedom than you have here. They will keep you in the medical wing and the only people you will see will be myself and a Healer until it’s time to procreate. That is the worst case scenario. I am trying to stop that from happening. Believe you me; I did not want this either. My dream was not to be paired with a selfish, moody brat. It’s your choice Ariet, but know this. Once we enter those doors, I cannot help you,” he snapped. With that, he turned swiftly and stalked toward the glass doors opened in front of us.

Stunned, I watched him walk away from me. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. I was furious. Yet the distress in his voice was obvious. Perhaps you need to play along and heed what he says a little bit more, Ariet, I chided myself. I walked quietly after him, slipping through the doorway as it closed gently shut.

“Ready?” he asked without turning towards me. A silent nod was all I could manage at this point. The salty tears stinging my eyes were the one thing at this moment that felt real, that reminded me I was not a test subject but a human being.

“This way,” he gestured with a nod of his head. Three corridors spanned around us. Each corridor was lit in a different colored hue. Blue, pink and yellow lights lined the corridors, creating a peaceful ambience. He picked the yellow tunnel to the right and walked down the long corridor towards a heavy metal door at the end. A large ‘Restricted Access’ sign covered the top half of the door.

“How many times have you been here?” I asked gently.

“More than I can count. I was born here.” The hint of sadness in his voice concerned me.

He moved towards an alcove station to the right and scanned in. The heavy door slid across revealing a huge white room bustling with people. I moved slowly forward. A sleek, immaculately groomed woman breezed past us. “Morning, Mason.”

“Morning, Sue,” he replied politely.

Mason steered me through the sea of bustling Creators carrying charts and files and clipboards and monitors. “Off to see the Mother Creator?” someone nudged Mason gently. I turned to find myself staring into the most beautiful elfish face I had ever seen. “Good luck,” she whispered and hurried off.

“What is this place?” I asked him.

“This is the Medical Research Centre. Mouth agape, I scanned the room.

“Are they all genetically selected?” I asked him slowly.

“Not really, few are. These are Carers; all selected due to a variety of different skill sets. They monitor the Breeding and other Genetic programs. You will be assigned a Carer in the upcoming months if you choose to reproduce naturally,” he added.

“There is nothing natural about this,” I whispered.

A rectangular white desk stretched out in front of me. A large chair swiveled around to face us. In it was an elegant, immaculately presented woman I had seen on the screen earlier that morning. Long wisps of grey hair framed her aged but glowing face. She stood to greet us. “Mason, my dear boy,” she extended her hand courteously. It surprised me to hear that her hard, clipped voice did not match her elegant and warm appearance.

“Grandmother,” Mason said, taking her hand across the desk. I lowered my eyes, but felt her scrutiny as she embraced him.

“Mason, dear, how was your trip?”

“Um, okay, Grandmother. Happy to be back at home.” As I, too, would be, I thought, glaring at him. He grimaced, perhaps realizing the insensitivity of his words. “Grandmother, meet Ariet Langley.” Stepping back, he pushed me forward slightly.

We scrutinized each other whilst in the pretense of a meet and greet. “Hello, Ariet, even more beautiful in person.”

I raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Mason. He shrugged helplessly, a look of guilt sweeping his face. “Hi,” I whispered.

She continued to look me over. “You can call me Evelyn. How was your trip?” she asked tersely. I silently threw daggers at her. Her cold blue eyes piercing me with every question. I could see where Mason inherited that trait, although his face resembled nothing of her. His was kinder, I noticed. “Are you happy with your dwelling?”

I said nothing. I couldn’t, I had frozen in the unnaturalness of the situation. Mason answered for me. “Yes, she has settled quite nicely in her room and has already made use of our new walk-in scanner.”

“Don’t answer for her, Mason. I would like to hear her speak. Do you like your new dwelling, Ariet?”

“Yes,” I whispered, a wave of defiance coating me in protection.

“Good. I’m aware that your purpose here has been explained to you. Here is the Breeder’s manual which the Creators expect you to go over in the next two weeks. For this period, you are not to leave the area of your dwelling. After today, failure to adhere to this will result in lock down of you here, at this facility. The perimeter of your dwelling will be explained to you by Mason. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.”

“Lastly, you need to be scanned every day, twice a day. Mason will assist you when you need to come in for the medical after the two week period. It is absolutely essential that you do this. All of which is detailed in the manual. I need you to be very clear on this last point, Ariet. Remember what happened the last time you missed a scan?” I blinked rapidly in alarm. Mason looked between the two of us in confusion, clearly unaware of this incident on my part. “Ariet, you need to answer me. Are we clear?” I nodded slowly. The threat was unmistakable. A chill swept across my back and I knew in that instant this was a woman not to be trusted but a woman to be feared. What did that make her grandson then, my new partner? I mused fearfully.

“We can walk around here for a bit, and you can meet some of the Carers and make a few friends, if you want. We could maybe have lunch here?” Mason trotted beside me, chatting light-heartedly.

“I want to go home. Now,” I replied sharply.

“Okay, we will go back to the dwelling then. You can relax and we can discuss things further over dinner.”

I clutched the manual hard against my chest, the pages digging into me, burning me as if it was made of fire. I closed my eyes and let him guide me back down the pale yellow corridor towards the exit. We boarded the train and sat across from what appeared to be a “new” family. A mother sat nursing her newborn, the father gazing down lovingly at the offspring, his arm protectively around his mate. I looked away sharply, tears springing to my eyes. That is the path I would have chosen, now I am forced, the term Breeder floating around my head, spiraling me into the depths of despair.

“This is our exit,” Mason whispered, gently maneuvering me out onto the platform. I just managed to keep the tears at bay, hoping the new family in front of me could not see my utter desperation. I wished that their moment was mine. The realization that it would never be buckled my knees. Tears left my eyes, flooding my face until I was doubled over in wretches, sobbing uncontrollably. Mason tried to guide me up the dark tunnel towards the stairs.

“We are almost there, please walk for me, Ariet,” he requested patiently. One foot in front of the other, he led me slowly up the stairs. Scanning his arm, I heard the automated voice ‘Welcome, Mr. Black.’ He gently lifted my arm for me to be scanned. ‘Breeder 107, entry accepted.’ The door slid open and he walked me out into the sunlight. If I wasn’t in such despair, I might have taken note at how warm and inviting our dwelling actually was, how flowers of every color lined the pathways, how the front door glittered in a rainbow of colors, nothing like the pastel tones that I had seen in Centre Town before. All I noticed was how isolated it was, with not another human in sight. This was my new prison.

Chapter 6

The Breeder manual slammed down on the table beside me. “You need to read this, Ariet. You cannot mope around here forever. It’s been almost two weeks. Your medical is tomorrow, after which there is another meeting with some more of the senior members of the Creators, where they will question you about our partnership. This will happen every week for the next four weeks. You need to be aware of this. Ariet, Ariet, I’m talking to you!!!” Mason leant down to my height and roughly shook me by the shoulders. “Ariet, it is not you, or me even, that determines whether Option One or Two is chosen for conception, it is the Creators decision. You need to take a stand regarding your future!”

Reality hit me and, for the first time in almost a week, I uttered a single word, “What?”

He collapsed in a heap onto the chair next to me. “That’s why you need to read the manual. It’s important that you know all of this. What I told you about the two options for conception is true; it’s just that we don’t decide which it will be. The Board will meet with us on a weekly basis and assess our current compatibility. If they determine it is forced, and we have not progressed beyond our first meet, they will lock you up and force you to have in vitro fertilization, a process which could harm you.”

“What do we need to do?” I queried hesitantly.

“We need to represent a united front. Stay after the medicals and converse with the Carers. They will also give feedback on the status, or rather their interpretation of the status, of our pairing to the Board. We eventually need to act like we are lovers. But, for the start, we need to act amicable, friends even. You need to hide your hatred of me, which is written on your face every time you look at me. I need you to know one thing: I didn’t do this to you. This is not the path I had chosen for myself. I am being forced every bit as you are.”

“I don’t believe you!” I yelled.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“You have mentioned this twice to me, and I don’t know if I believe you. Or if you are just trying to get me to submit to being a Breeder.”

“I was in love with someone,” he whispered, looking away. “Still am, maybe, I don’t know. We were forced to end it when I found out I was a carrier for the gene. The same gene as you. I was selected and chosen for this arranged pairing just as you were. The only difference is, as a Creator, I was given two months to prepare. I had to choose a dwelling, prepare for you…”

“Prepare for me?” I interrupted.

“Yes, captivation of another human is mentally harmful to their well-being, not to mention being assigned Breeder status and all that goes with it.”

“And what else, medical knowledge, in case I try to hurt myself?” I asked sarcastically.

“No,” he looked at me strangely. “All Creators have some medical knowledge that is passed on from generation to generation. I was given additional nutritional training to maintain your health and that of the fetus if, indeed, Option Two was selected for us.”

“And this girl, who was she?”

“Her name was…is, Hanneth. She was a Carer at the Research Facility. She has now been moved to another research division, taken away from me to a place where I have no access. This is my life now, as it is yours. You need to accept this, no matter the hurt you feel, and move on from here. Things can either get better or get worse. The decision is yours.”

For the first time since my arrival at Centre Town, I sat down and ate a meal with my mate. Night after night he had laid two table settings, but I had eaten in solitary, alone with my own sadness. Every evening he had prepared dinner and bought it to me, laying it down on my bed. Always with the added information that he was eating at the table, and I had the option to dine with him, should I wish to do so. Tonight’s meal was a selection of green vegetables, freshly baked bread with butter and a meat I had never tasted before, covered in a cherry glaze.

“What is this?” I asked, gingerly stabbing it with my fork. It had a wonderful woody, grainy texture. “It’s smoked turkey breast. The Creators genetically engineered them about thirty years ago, and it’s taken twenty years to determine their safety in us eating them. It’s good, huh?” I nodded in response, my mouth full. “It’s one of the projects in our Biotechnology department. When the Great Illness devastated much of the worldwide human population, it jumped species and wiped out many of our animal food sources. When the Creators got together and formed the New World, they made a list of all the natural food sources we previously had access to. Samples were taken, where possible, and frozen until we had the technology to recreate them. Every few years, you get a new trade at the market, or in your supplies, such as beets, rice and cheese.”

I nodded in understanding. Strawberries were a new addition during my twenty years in Quadrant Four that I had particularly taken a fancy to. My mouth watered thinking about the juiciness of them, reminding me of the small strawberry patch my mother had made for me in our vegetable garden. The thought of home immediately clouded my thoughts. My mother singing in the kitchen, my jolly father poking fun at my twin. Oh Alec, I missed him so. He was part of my soul, my other half. I wonder if he sensed I was alive, if he knew. Could I get word to him? What if he could still feel my presence and had decided to set out and find me? What harm would come to him?

As if reading my thoughts, Mason offered me some water. “They’ll be okay, Ariet.”

“How, how can you be so sure? Can you be sure? Because I can’t? What if they don’t believe this story of me being diseased? What if they come looking for me? It breaks my heart to think that…” Panic took over and I choked back my tears. Mason leaned across the table and gently took my hand. Turning my palm over in his, he drew circles around and around my palm, shushing me softly. Alarmed by his touch I immediately moved to yank my arm away, but the circular motion felt oddly soothing.

After a few moments, when my breathing had slowed, he whispered, “Let’s get through tomorrow, and we can talk further, about them even, if you’d like.”

“I have just one question?” I asked. “How could your own family tear you apart, from the one you had chosen to love, from Hanneth. Your own Grandmother even? How do you still love her and bear to be next to her and do her bidding no less?”

“You will come to understand, Ariet. This is the way of the New World. The more you live in the Creators world, the more you will see how much our well-being is at stake. How our population is not expanding at the rate we had hoped. How we are not adapting and diversifying accordingly. The Creators primary duty is to ensure the genetic diversity of the human race and make sure that, as a species, we survive.” The humming of the buzzer signaled the end to the evening. ‘Lights out in thirty minutes. Please prepare for the resting stage.’ commanded the automated voice.

Chapter 7

The next morning we made our way back to the Great Tower, using the underground train tunnels. I found them quite amazing as the distance they traveled in such short time was incredible. Within a few minutes, our train slowed and stopped at Zone Three.

“This is new, why are we stopping here?” I asked Mason.

“This is the entrance that will take us directly through to the medical centre, it is the most rapid route.”

“How many zones are there?” I was curious.

“Six,” he answered. “One for each discipline required to keep us alive.” We scanned our way into a similar tunnel that I had seen two weeks before. Long corridors with many metal doors spanned before us.

“What are through all these doors?”

“Offices, storage. The main activities happen below, in each of the reception areas you saw the other day. The Carers have their own floor; the medical floors are eight levels below that.”

“How many floors down does the Great Tower descend?”

“That I cannot answer.” he said. I looked quizzically at him. We had decided last night, that no matter what, from this point on, I had to trust in what he said and he would be truthful with me. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve never been further than the fourth level of the medical wards.” He walked me up to a holding area, where a scanner extended out of the floor barring the entrance to a doorway. “We both have to scan.”

“Please don’t leave me,” I whispered.

“I won’t. I have to be present with you at all times. Only during your physical exams will I be asked to leave your side, but I will remain just outside the door. You are a Breeder, not a Creator. The Law states that you cannot be left to run around here on your own. Again, it’s all in the manual,” he chastised. I stuck my hand out sulkily. The scanner moved across to the side allowing both of us entry. ‘Hello, Mr. Black. Please proceed to room four with Breeder 107.’ I tensed immediately at the reminder that I was a captive, my freedom no longer my own.

Mason’s eyes silently begged me to proceed forward and not cause a scene. About to say something to him, he tersely shook his head and motioned his eyes upwards. I hadn’t realized we were under surveillance in this medical wing. It looked as though our every move and sound was monitored. I felt even more strangled and stifled. As if I couldn’t breathe. He gestured for me to follow him. I realized now how important appearances were and wished I had taken note of the other pointers he gave me last night. I switched the manual to the underneath of my right arm. I had insisted on bringing it with me, wanting to make sure I was not roped into any other projects or any such thing I was not aware of.

Room four was half way down the brightly lit, but cold, sterile corridor. Entering the room, I noticed it appeared exactly as the other exam rooms had so far. A Carer stepped out from behind an examination table. “Hi. I’m Paige,” She smiled sweetly at me, extending her hand. “I’ve been assigned as your Carer for the gestation period.” I couldn’t help but smile back. It was the tiny elfish girl, who had pulled us aside on my first trip to the medical centre. “Please could you put this on and lie on the table.”

“I’ll be right outside,” Mason whispered to me.

Paige chatted incessantly. “Your Healer is lovely. Quite advanced in the medical sector. He comes from a long line of Healers. Aah, here he is, Dr. Weler.”

“Hello, Ariet,” he peered down at me. Finally my name, I thought.

“Hello,” I replied. Aware that I was being observed at every moment, I looked around slowly, as if taking in my surroundings, all the while looking for a camera. I spotted one in each corner of the room.

“Okay. So the weekly medicals won’t differ much from what you have previously experienced. You are to please tell me if you experience any signs of ill health during the gestational period once you have conceived,” Dr. Weler instructed.

“Fine,” I muttered. The exam continued without a hitch and was the same as I had undergone in Phase Four of my final medical in Centre Town. Paige fluttered around me, “Ariet, you can get dressed now. Mason will escort you to the next stage of the examination.”

Mason was sitting on a white square plank jutting out of the wall just outside the examination room. “How did it go?” he asked. I shrugged my shoulders walking towards him, refusing to give him any indication that I was even remotely okay with this. Ignoring my defiance, he took me gently by the shoulder. “Right, the next stage is the briefing. Please try to behave yourself and be respectful during this meeting. Our future depends on it.” The anxiousness in his voice made me turn towards him. I was about to question it when a Guardian interrupted my thoughts.

“Hello, Mr. Black.” He nodded curtly at me. I guess everyone isn’t as friendly as what I thought. “The Elders are waiting for you. Please follow me.” He turned and led us down a circular corridor, with a slight incline. It felt as if we were spiraling downwards.

“Is this? Are we…?”

“We are,” replied Mason. “This is the first level and the start of the underground tower. It is a superficial level, the only one you can get to by walking.” We stopped at a huge metal door.

“Scan please,” the Guardian spat out in my direction. Automatically I held out my hand. As the doors slid open, Mason clasped my left hand gently, taking me by surprise.

“Ready?” he whispered. He looked more nervous then I, which worried me.

“Sit there,” commanded the Guardian gruffly, before I had a chance to answer.

“What’s his problem?” I asked Mason, as we walked towards two chairs in the centre of the room. Before he could respond, the room was suddenly flooded in a soft pallor of lights, illuminating a raised desk spanning the length of the room, which I noticed was also circular. At the first half of the desk were seated twelve of the most beautiful and perfectly groomed people I had ever seen, beaming down warmly at us. They were all dressed in pastel shades of the same suited one-piece.

“Welcome, Mason, Breeder 107.” It was an elderly gentleman who spoke first. I nodded courteously, taking my lead from Mason. I searched the twelve faces looking for those icy blue eyes that I had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing yesterday. Having made sure Mother Creator was not in attendance, I settled back into my chair a little.

“Ariet, how has your transition been?” Elder Number Two addressed me, his long slender hands adjusting the microphone to his level.

“Um, okay, I guess,” I replied simply.

“I’m sure it’s been a shock to you, and we know that this period of adjustment is extremely difficult. Please try to understand that you have been selected to help ensure the survival of our species. There is no other matter to us which is more important than that. Dr. Maple will address you now on the procedure for this next month.”

“Hello, Ariet,” Dr. Maple peered down at me; creases lined his warm eyes giving his age away. I wondered if his last name was due to the color of his eyes, a wonderful syrupy brown. “Ariet, you are now referred to as Breeder 107, which I am sure you already know. You have been selected to join our Breeding program, whereby we are trying to genetically diversify or select if you will, for a specific set of genes, as is in your case. I see by your file, you have recently passed your twenty-first birthday, at which point your partnership with Mr. Black,” he gestured towards Mason inconsequentially, become official. Reproduction is to be started from the first of the new month. Have you been made aware of the two options available for conception?” I nodded in response.

“Great. The point of these meetings will be to ascertain, on a weekly basis, the status of your partnership with Mr. Black and whether or not you meet the criteria under which we believe that you could have a successful, natural partnership and conceive using the coitus method.” He paused for a moment, as if allowing this to sink in. “If we deem that the natural method of conception is not possible, you will be removed from your dwelling and will reside permanently in the medical residence, whereby fertilization in vitro will occur.” He removed his glasses and looked solemnly at me. “I urge you very strongly, Ariet, to please do your utmost to convince us that we should select Option One. Do you have any questions?”

Mason shook his head, and rose to stand. Quickly pulling him down, I eagerly squeaked out “Yes, I do. What, exactly, have I been selected for?” Eyebrows raised at me, I pressed on. “I mean, I know I have this gene, and Mason has this gene, but what is it for? Why is it so important?”

“Hello, Ariet,” Elder Number Nine spoke. “I am the Head Geneticist here, and I run the Human Genetic Engineering department which leads the Breeding program. We cannot divulge the full details of the gene of interest, but what I can tell you is that the gene both you and Mason carry is essential to our survival. Over the last century, we have investigated genes which may be selected to enhance popularly desired traits such as athletic ability, intelligence, appearance and personality. The Creators have been using these genetic markers to select for the perfect human. The gene you both carry, we hope when expressed, will result in disease resistance.” I stared blankly at him. “Your offspring and others of the same genetic code will be paired with other set of breeders to ensure that the new generation of humans will have exceptional memory and will be able to retain all knowledge we have gained since the Great Illness. They will be able to carry on our work, in the event that another illness occurs due to disease resistance.”

“So, in effect you are creating a superhuman?” I asked disagreeably.

He looked down stiffly at me, “You could call it that. We prefer to rather look at it as genetic selection. The result of germline engineering is that since the gene is inheritable, offspring and all succeeding generations would carry the modified trait.”

“But this type of engineering could lead to irreversible alteration of the entire human species. What if it doesn’t work?” I argued. “What if you create an undesirable trait?”

“Then you, your offspring and fellow breeders carrying the same gene, will be terminated at our discretion…”

“We need to talk,” Mason sat down next to me on the chair. I had not moved or said a word since our meeting with the Elders. “Ariet, please,” his voice hinted of sadness and concern. “We need to decide what approach we will be using for conception. I need to know what you want to do. We have to report back next week.”

A long sigh escaped my lips, as I surrendered to my fate. “What if neither method works for us, what if we don’t produce offspring, never mind with the trait they are looking for?” Turning sideways to look at him, my knees bunched up beneath me, I searched his face for the answers.

“They will make sure we keep trying until something happens. They know we are both healthy, fertility-wise anyway.”

“As if there even is such a thing,” I scoffed.

His impatience grew. “Look, I know you don’t want to do this, but I’m letting you decide, to be a part of this decision, when…” his voice trailed off.

“When what?” I startled.

“When,” he took a deep breath, “when the decision isn’t actually yours to make. It is mine.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, it’s the male’s decision.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how things are run here in Centre Town, Ariet, and in all of the Quadrants actually. Males produce the genetic seed for fertilization. Women are just carriers, housing vessels, if you will.”

“So why are you even asking me then?” I screeched defiantly.

“Because I am not a monster. I don’t want this anymore than you do, but I am in this predicament as much as you are and I am trying to be sensitive to this situation, our situation.”

That seemed to soften me up just a little bit. “Option one is definitely better than the other. At least I get to have some semblance of freedom,” I gestured with my hand towards the beautiful view in front of me.

“So what are you saying?” he asked patiently. I turned away from him, “I choose natural conception,” the defeat in my voice so obvious he winced with pain.

“Ok. If this is your choice, I will alert the others. We begin next week”.

Chapter 8

The next few days went by relatively quietly. Having alerted the Elders to “our” decision of the method of conception, we were allowed more access to Centre Town but stayed within the walls surrounding the Great Tower. We visited with a few of Mason’s friends. I noticed, strangely, that I hadn’t met any of his family, other than Evelyn, and no one had made mention of them either. Making a mental note to question him about this later, I tried to focus all my energy on the pretense of being calmer and fitting in. At this point, I could not muster trying to fake happiness as this situation was so far removed from any reality of mine that I still couldn’t fathom my circumstances.

On the fourth day since our decision had been made known, Mason asked me after breakfast if I would like to visit two more of his friends. I shrugged apathetically but stood up from where I was sitting and followed him out. He seemed so excited about this particular visit; chatting incessantly about random facts I could care nothing about, whilst we rode the train. I nodded every now and again politely, giving just the necessary hint that I was actually listening, but what I was really doing was planning my escape. I noticed that the train had gone further into the outer layers of the circles surrounding the Great Tower where we had never been allowed before.

“We’re here,” he jumped up excitedly.

“And where is here?” I asked.

Ignoring my question, “There is someone I can’t wait for you to meet.”

The train doors opened and we walked up to a small platform containing a door with many numbers on it. He pushed a button for Number 62. An outlet opened in the side of the wall. Extending his wrist, he scanned; ‘Welcome, Mr. Black.’ I did the same; ‘Welcome, Mrs. Black.’ That was the day I found out the partnership was official and had gone though; my identity even further removed than when I arrived. At least I have a name now, I thought bitterly. Mason turned to look at me, evidently surprised by this as well. I avoided his gaze and looked back at the platform we had just walked up.

The door slid open, interrupting the uncomfortable direction the journey was starting to take. ‘Access granted.’ We walked through to another platform, which descended what felt like a few floors. It stopped at a similar platform leading down towards a small garden. Looking around, a single row of identically neat little houses stretched in a circumference around us. A well-built man and a sweet smiling, blonde-haired petite woman awaited us.

Mason started hollering boyishly and leapt down the platform to the stone steps leading into a delightful garden. I couldn’t help but smile. Bear hugs with gruff acceptance of masculinity from the man brought a small laugh to my throat. Getting a little bit closer, Mason turned to introduce us, “Ariet, this is Thor. He is a Guardian at the Great Tower.” I cringed. Thor was the big, surly and, frankly, quite rude Guardian I met on my way to the first medical the previous week. “Thor, this is Ariet. I think you two have met before.”

He approached me slowly, summing me up in his every move. “Ariet,” he nodded somewhat courteously.

I nodded back without saying a word, Mason never taking his eyes off me. Thor looked quite different out of his uniform, handsome maybe, but I still didn’t care for him much. He turned towards the lady standing just beside him. “This is my partner, Jules.”

“Hello, Ariet. Welcome to our Houselet.” Linking arms with me, she led me down the path towards their dwelling. “Can I get you something to drink?” she offered sweetly.

“Water is fine, thank you.” Their home was filled with bright vibrant colors, flowers lining every window shelf available. I immediately felt the happiness and warmth in their home.

“Lunch will be served soon, make yourself comfortable,” She said warmly. I sat at the table which had been neatly laden for four; everything was mismatched but full of color. Thor and Mason made their way towards the table. Thor muttering something I just couldn’t make out. Mason looked slightly uncomfortable.

Breaking the silence, I smiled superficially at Thor, “How long have you and Mason known each other?”

“My whole life,” Mason beamed with affection.

“Lucky me,” Thor smiled sarcastically, but the fondness in his eyes was undeniable.

“Mason and Thor were raised together in the Great Tower. Their mothers were in the same Breeding program,” Jules explained.

I gasped, “Where are they now, your parents?” The shock on my face silenced the room.

Thor banged his glass on the table, “You haven’t told her? What is wrong with you, Mason?”

“Don’t lecture me, Thor, I just needed some time.”

“Well, she knows now,” Thor replied tersely.

“Could you please stop speaking as if I am not sitting here? Knows what exactly? Where are your parents?” I repeated my question.

“They were terminated,” Mason whispered sadly. I felt faint. “They were looking for a particular gene from both of our parents, we didn’t have it. Our mothers were allowed to carry full term as I had a new gene they were interested in, and Thor expressed a gene previously switched off in humans. That is why I have been selected for this breeding program, whilst Thor exhibited superior signs of strength and agility and is now a Guardian for the Great Tower. We grew up together in the Children’s Centre until we reached maturity.

“Thor and I were subjects of vast amounts of testing, trying to establish how we exhibited the expression of these genes. Subsequently, once they were done with us, Thor was assigned to Guardian protection, where his strength could be fully utilized, and I…” His voiced dropped off, “And I, well, I was matched with a Breeder who has the same genetic profile.”

“Does your Grandmother know?” I asked tentatively. “Evelyn?” I repeated. “Surely she could have saved your parents?”

Jules voice whispered gently, “It was Evelyn who made the decision.”

We continued the meal in silence. Lunch consisted of roasted beef, potatoes, jellied pineapple and a herbed vegetable I had never seen before. Inwardly, I felt as if a bomb had been dropped. Only now did I realize the gravity of my situation. I helped Jules wash up in her small but immaculate kitchen whilst Mason and Thor went outside to talk.

“It’s not all bad,” Jules said. I remained silent. “Sometimes arranged parings can work. I’ve seen it happen.”

“But sometimes they don’t, and we also have the fact that we are in the Breeding program, and we could be terminated, or our offspring could be terminated, to contend with,” I responded, probably a little bit more harshly than I should’ve.

“I know,” she said gently.

“I just don’t understand. How could his Grandmother have done that to them, to Mason in particular?”

“Evelyn is Mother Creator. She believes that the whole survival of the human race rests on her and the twelve Elders’ shoulders.” She explained.

“What do you believe?” I quizzed her.

“I think that we have survived for over two centuries after the Great Illness, and we have flourished. We have worked our way back into technology and medicine that we lost when we almost became extinct. We owe what we have now and how we survive now to her and the Elders.”

“It’s how we are forced to survive that makes me uncomfortable. More than that even,” I couldn’t let it go.

She sighed, “Ariet. Please don’t cause trouble for Mason, if you can help it, I mean. Not only is he part of the Breeding project, against his will, but he is in line to take over Evelyn’s place, as a direct descendant, should he survive the Breeding program. He can make changes then. You can be at his side, guiding him to make the right decisions. He is a good man. You are both in this situation together,” she continued. “Help one another. Maybe even one day you will grow to love one another.”

“I don’t even know him.”

“Exactly. Why don’t you start by trying to get to know him?” she pushed further.

Switching topics, so I could process this conversation later, I commented, “You have a lovely view. It’s different to ours.”

“Thank you. It’s not real you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a projected image of what was here long before we ever came into existence. If you get close enough, you can stick your hand through the image; it’s projected light, that’s all. Thor showed me once when he was out on one of his patrols.”

“What’s behind it then?” I asked curiously.

“A wall, a very big wall.”

“A wall for what? To keep people out?”

“Maybe to keep us in.” She shrugged and turned away to stack the dishes.

The train ride back was quiet. Mason and I each in our own thoughts. The tiny parcel Jules had given me to open at home only, privately, was nestled safely in my pocket. Despite my current resentment to being held captive, I found an easiness and comfort with them, which made me long even more for my family back home.

“I’m sorry you had to find out that way. About my parents, I mean.” Mason broke the silence.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I didn’t want to frighten you even more.”

“More than what, than being taken against my will and forced to live this life, away from my family?” Mason sighed and looked out the window in exasperation. “You were right though,” I said dejectedly. “I am more frightened now that I know the Leader of the New World, the woman that determines our fate, is a murderer.”

“Please don’t say that, Ariet,” tears laced his eyes. “I know what she is, but she believes in what she is doing. She is also my only remaining blood relative.”

“I’m sorry, Mason. It’s just hard for me to understand how you can love her after what she has done. You don’t know family like I do,” I said sadly. “I wish you did. It is more than words can describe.”

He looked away from me. The train neared the platform, “It’s late. We need to scan before lights out.” With that, he got up and walked away.

Chapter 9

I felt increasingly stressed over the next few days as the week of conception was drawing near. I had made the decision of natural conception, but I didn’t know how I was going to go through with it. These thoughts had begun to consume me, and I had even had an incident where Mason had been alerted by a Carer at the medical centre over results of that morning’s scan.

“Ariet, your metabolite levels from this morning’s testing are showing signs of stress. Please, tell me what’s bothering you. You need to calm down. Process things,” Mason expressed his concern.

“I’m trying. It’s just next week. I’m nervous. I don’t know how to do this with someone I don’t love.”

“I feel the same way, but we are going to have to try.”

That afternoon, an automated message arrived on our plasma screen: Evelyn wanted to have dinner with us at her dwelling. I froze, “What’s this about Mason?”

“I’m not sure,” concern wrinkled his brow.

“I’m not going. The less I have to deal with her the better,” I said firmly.

“We don’t have a choice, Ariet. This was not an invitation of the usual sort, it’s a summons. We will be leaving here in half an hour. You need to freshen up, and put on one of the more formal outfits previously selected for you in the wardrobe.” His mood had shifted.

“Aah,” I whispered. “I was wondering what those were for.”

“Please be prompt. You have thirty minutes; that is all.” Turning abruptly, he marched off to his room and slammed the door. I had never seen him like this. Panic started to rise in my gut.

Nervously, I opened my cupboard examining all the fine silk garments in soft pale colors hanging neatly before me. I had never seen anything more beautiful. We only had cotton and nylon in the Quadrants and wool during winter. This was exquisite. I selected a pale blue knee length dress with nude stockings and nude boots. I looked slightly awkward, but Ok I guessed. I had never really applied make-up before, only having seen my mother do it once, so I opted on some rouge for my cheeks, and that was it. I grabbed the only coat I felt comfortable in, and had practically lived in since I arrived here, I pulled it on. Twenty-seven minutes, three to spare, I muttered triumphantly. That should shut him up, I thought spitefully. I walked into the lounge to find him pacing up and down by the front door.

“Ready?” he asked. Looking me once over, he said nothing about the change in my appearance.

We arrived at a platform similar to ours, except this one had a door with only one number on it. He scanned and raised my arm, so I could scan whilst he still clutched my hand. ‘Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Black.’ The doors parted to reveal a short path to a square white door. As we approached the door, it opened as if on cue.

“Mason. How nice to see you,” Evelyn enveloped him in a stiff, non-affectionate hug, all the while eyeing me over his shoulder. “Ariet,” she greeted tersely. “Come.” The first floor was a huge open-planned living area with seating to one side and a kitchen to another. A winding staircase lead extravagantly downwards. Everything was white and sparkling, as if brand new. It felt cold and hard.

Lacking any warmth, like her, I supposed to myself.

“Dinner is ready,” she said. “Please sit.” A huge banqueting table laid out before us, taking up half of the open-floored space. I sat tentatively next to Mason, daring to breathe even. Evelyn dished out a rich, hearty stew, filled with an assortment of meats, carrots, potatoes and leeks. Fresh rolls were piled up in front of us. We ate in strained silence. I kept my eyes on my plate, trying to keep the food down; although delicious, I had no appetite.

“So, Grandmother, to what do we owe this pleasure?” Mason was the first to speak.

“I wanted to see you before the initiation of the Breeding project. Making sure you were on track. To remind you of what is required.” She looked directly at me as she said that.

“We know, Grandmother. It has been made very clear. We are aware of the consequences.”

Ignoring Mason, she turned to me. “Ariet, I hear you have been asking questions at the medical centre? Yes?”

Never taking my eyes off the stew, I answered politely. “Yes, I am curious about my new surroundings and am trying to understand my situation.”

“Well, make sure that is all it is. Do you understand?” She said the last bit very slowly, in icy, clipped tones.

"Yes," I answered quietly.

“Good. Well, eat up, you’ll need your energy for this week. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Winking at Mason, she got up and left the table. “Good Night.” She descended the stairs, never to surface for the rest of the evening.

“Mason?” I asked.

He abruptly interrupted me, putting a single finger to his lips, shaking his head. “Finish your supper then we will turn in. It’s getting late.” Quietly, side by side, we ate in silence. He still gripped my hand under the table, the circulation felt like it was now starting to get affected, but I refused to let go.

He waited patiently for me to finish eating. “Ready?” he asked gently. Nodding in silence, he pulled me up from the table and led me towards the door. Once on the train, he let go of my hand and let out a loud whoosh of air.

“What was that, Mason? Why did she call us there?”

“That was a warning, Ariet. And if you knew my Grandmother, it was a very serious warning.”

We said goodnight at our front door, both too emotionally exhausted to talk further. Flinging my coat on the padded chair in my room, I heard something tinkle. Scratching in the pockets I found the small parcel Jules had given me a few nights earlier. I had completely forgotten about it. Opening it slowly, I found a small vial labeled ‘Haze’ with a note wrapped around it. The note read, ‘Ariet, place a few drops of this in your tea before the act of coitus. This will help you. It is untraceable. Jules.’ Opening the cork stopper, I smelled the liquid. It was harsh and acrid smelling. It was clearly only meant for me to know about or use even. Did I trust her enough to try it? I fell asleep clutching it in my hands, wondering if I should tell Mason.

I awoke, feeling an empty pit in my stomach. Today would be the start of the Breeding program. Conception was to begin at a date specified by the Healer during my medical. With any luck, I thought, that date would be in a few weeks. Mason and I made small talk over a breakfast of hot rolls, sweet jam and tea. We made our way to the Medical Centre, the train ride becoming routine now.

Paige greeted me at the waiting area, her friendly face cheering me up slightly. “Hi, Ariet. You ready?” I nodded. Despite her small frame, she gave me a strong pat on the back and gently led me to the examination room. A different Healer to the one before, gave me a white gown and asked me to lie on the table. After endless prodding and poking of my intimate parts, he pushed his chair backwards and stood up.

“Thank you for your patience, Ariet, you can get dressed now. Paige will take the routine bloods from you. I’ll see you next door in a few minutes with Mason.”

Once dressed, Paige came in and proceeded with the routine blood workup. Gingerly sticking the needle in my arm, she asked, “So, how are you really feeling, Ariet? Frightened, nervous?”

“Yes to both,” I agreed.

“Don’t worry, I know this is hard, unreal even, but please know I am here as your personal Carer. To assist you in any way possible.” I couldn’t help but smile. She made me feel warm inside.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Mason stood before a large white desk, the Healer seated in front of him, scrolling through my results on a plasma screen to his right. “Ah, here you are, Ariet. Please sit.” He gestured to the chair next to Mason. “Your examination went well, all looks in order for you to commence with the breeding program. Good news,” he beamed. “Your ovulation cycle started yesterday, so you may begin with conception tonight.”

I felt the color drain from my cheeks, wishing I could morph into nothingness. Mason shifted in his chair awkwardly. “You have one week to procreate then you may take a break for two weeks. We will talk again next week and see how it has been going. Good luck.” With that he exited the room.

Mason, having said nothing the entire time, leant forward on his knees, rubbing his temples with his forefingers. He looked as stressed as I felt. Sad even. “Should we go home, Ariet?” I nodded as tears welled in my eyes and began to stream down my face.

I spent the rest of the day curled up in a fetal position on my bed. Mason brought lunch to my room, a warm broth he had made. When the dark had taken away the light, he knocked gently at the door. “Ariet, it’s time to scan.” I walked robotically to the scanner and noticed he had spread a lavish meal on the table. I paused to look at it. Fresh flowers scented the room. “Trying to cheer you up a bit,” he said quietly. I smiled softly at his attempt.

Mason tried to get through dinner, chatting about stories from his youth in the Children’s Centre with Thor; getting up to mischief with Thor’s strength and his photographic memory. They had caused all sorts of trouble. But fun trouble, he explained. I just couldn’t let go of what was coming. We had to do this every night for two weeks. As I started to panic again, realizing it was only a few minutes away, I remembered the vial Jules had given me. Without thinking, I got up from the table, asking Mason if he could make me some tea and bring it to my room while I got ready. I scampered down the passageway.

Mason arrived a few minutes later, tea in hand. Placing it on the table next to the bed, he looked at his feet awkwardly. “So, where do you want to do this?” I look at him strangely. “My room or your room?” he explained.

“Your room!” I almost shouted.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you in there?”

Nodding, “Please close the door behind you.” I hurriedly fished the vial out from under my mattress. Placing exactly four drops in my tea as Jules had directed, I returned it back to its hiding place. Gulping down my tea, I nervously paced the room, waiting to feel something different. Nothing happened. Nothing at all. I couldn’t wait any longer without drawing attention from Mason. I cursed inwardly, feeling alone all again.

Let’s just get this over and done with, I commanded myself. I tiptoed down to Mason’s room, hoping he would be asleep and we could skip tonight. As fate would have it, he was pacing his room as well. He turned as I entered the room and walked towards me, slowly placing his arms on my shoulders. Looking deeply into my eyes, he whispered, “Are you ready? Please know this is difficult for me, too.”

With that he leant down and kissed me. Gently, probing my mouth open, stroking my arms. As the kiss deepened, I noticed my body responding involuntarily, leaning in to kiss him back. Without saying anything he walked us towards the bed and sat down, removing his shirt, waiting for me to join him. Sitting down tentatively, I slowly removed my suit, following his lead. As we lay down looking at each other, barely touching, I suddenly felt at peace. As if I had accepted my fate. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to drift off to another place, always aware of his body touching mine, responding, despite my lack of emotion for this man. When it was over, I drifted off to sleep, blissfully unaware of Mason lying next to me, watching me angrily.

I woke up feeling refreshed. It was the best I had felt since I had arrived at Centre Town. Stretching my limbs, I opened my eyes. Wait a second. This isn’t my room. Where am I? I jumped up and ran to the doorway, fearing that I had been taken again. Yanking the door open, I collided with Mason.

“You’re up.” Ok, this was Mason’s room. My panic subsided. “Your morning meal is almost ready. Don’t forget to scan after you have washed up.”

I padded back to my room, the sheet still wrapped protectively around me. My memory was muddy. I remembered the tea, walking towards Mason’s room, then nothing until this morning. Oh my goodness, the drops. They worked. I made a mental note to talk to Jules about this at our next visit. Freshly dressed, I went to scan.

Mason was sitting patiently at the table waiting for me. “Good morning,” I said softly, aware of the awkwardness that hung between us. Or was it tension. His posture indicated the latter.

“Tea?” he asked sternly.

“Yes, please.” I added honey to it, something which I had grown to love since being in Centre Town.

“Is that it?” he asked as I sipped it gently. “Aren’t you going to lace it?”

“Excuse me?” I choked.

Mason pushed back angrily from the table. “I know what you did, Ariet. What did you take? Where did you get it from?” The rage flashing across his eyes frightened me. How did he know?

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Jumping up suddenly, knocking his chair over, he banged his fists on the table. “I will only ask you one more time, Ariet. Where did you get it?”

“Jules,” my voice shaky.

“Show me,” he commanded. I sat gravely still. I had never seen him this enraged before. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me towards my room. “Show me, Ariet,” he yelled. I removed the vial slowly from its hiding place, my eyes never leaving his. He watched me intensely. “Give it to me,” he demanded angrily.

“No!” I responded firmly, surprising myself with that answer.

“Give it to me or I will take it from you and report you to the Elders and Evelyn,”

I hastily removed it from his hiding place and flung it on the bed, collapsing to the floor in despair. Racing over to pick it up he turned it around and around in his hands. “Dammit, Ariet. I could kill Jules.”

“Don’t, please. Don’t report her. She was trying to help me. I wasn’t even sure what it would do.”

“It makes you compliant, Ariet, and then removes it from your memory as if it never happened.”

“Jules said it was untraceable.”

“It is, but that is not the point. What if someone finds this? Do you really need this to be with me?” hurt showed in his voice.

“No,” I stumbled. Fresh tears came to the surface. “I’m sorry, Mason. I just didn’t know what to do, how to do it.”

“Ariet, you can’t use this. What if you become pregnant? We don’t know its effects on the fetus if you continue to use it before you get tested for the presence of an offspring.”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” I stuttered through tears.

“I’m sorry you felt you had the need to use this. I should have known, I should have known when you were…”

“What, when I was what?” I asked.

“When you were responsive. Tender even,” his voice hardened. “I’m going out. You stay here. Do not leave the dwelling, do you understand?” Without waiting for my response, Mason turned to leave the room, but not before I caught the look of sadness and disappointment in his eyes.

It was late when he returned home. He was sweaty and tired looking. I worried frantically that he would not be home in time to scan before lights out. He stopped in the doorway, his shoulders stooping, as if the weight of this burden, of dealing with me, was too much to bear. We stared at each other for a few minutes, the silence deafening.

“I’m sorry, Mason.”

“You put us both in danger, Ariet. This is not just about you anymore, but it is about me as well. Both our lives depend on this, and I need you to make it clear to me that you understand this.”

“I do. I’m sorry. I made supper, please join me.” I gestured to the table where a chicken and fragrant rice dish, one of my favorites from home, awaited us. “It's cold,” I smiled apologetically.

He shrugged, wolfing his food down within a few mouthfuls. “I’m going to wash.” He stalked away from the table towards his room. Clearing the table, I chastised myself. I never realized how difficult this was for him as well for me. I could hear the shower running. Awkwardly, I made my way into his room, opening the lavatory door softly. Dropping my clothes into a pile at my feet, I opened the shower door and stepped in. His face registered surprise and distrust simultaneously. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“Trying,” I whispered, looking anywhere but at his naked form.

“Thank you,” he whispered back.

Chapter 10

After that night, I made an attempt to trust Mason more. We spent the days exploring the Medical Centre, meeting more of the Carers, and trying to actively show our unity. Night times were a little more strained as we hadn’t gotten used to copulation, but I performed it without resistance and without any added help.

I had been in the Breeding Program for six weeks now. That was six weeks away from my family, the fact never escaping my mind. Mason and I were on more friendly terms, but I didn’t love him and I suspected he didn’t love me. He remained a stranger to me, and I still felt like a science experiment. Which, in truth, was exactly what both of us were. We had no more unexpected invitations to see Evelyn, which relaxed me a little. But, at the back of my mind, it worried me she had left us alone. Mason had seemed to withdraw from me after his discovery of the vial. He was courteous but never as gentle and warm as I had seen him demonstrate before. Sitting at lunch together, the silence between us was drawing me more and more closely to the edge of despair.

“Should we have Thor and Jules over? It might be nice for a change?” I suggested.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Not before your next medical.”

Rolling my eyes, “I won’t do that again, Mason. Plus, you have taken it away from me, so I can’t get my hands on it anyway.”

“So you would use Haze if you had it then, Ariet?”

“No, that’s not what I meant!” I cried in exasperation.

“Have your weekly medical, and then we can discuss this again.”

The days dragged on until my scheduled medical. Mason bought me a book from the Bookkeeper as I had expressed my love of reading. I had only read a few pages of one book my mother had from the Old World, most of the pages having been torn out. But here in the Great Tower they had gone to great lengths to scour the Four Quadrants for books remaining after the Great Illness, storing them in a huge vault underground. At least that’s the brief explanation Mason gave me. The books managed to make the next few days on my own bearable. Even though Mason was there, he wasn’t really there. And I had given up trying to make him forgive me. After all, it was his family’s fault I was even here in the first place.

On the day of my medical, Mason and I walked nervously down the corridor. Paige led me to the medical room whilst Mason waited outside. The Healer performed his examination, but half way through he asked Paige to go and get the UST machine. I had never seen one before and the look of it scared me. “Lay still, Ariet,” he commanded. This might hurt a little. I winced as I felt it in my stomach which lasted for a few minutes. “Thank you, Ariet. You may get changed now.”

Mason sat impatiently for me whilst Dr. Weler and the Healer who examined me before flipped on the plasma. “Ariet, Mason,” Dr. Weler looked at both of us. “You have successfully conceived.” Turning the plasma to face us, I gawked in disbelief. You are three weeks pregnant.”

“What?” Mason gasped. “How could this happen so quickly?”

“Well, considering that we set it up that coitus took place in Ariet’s fertile window, the chances of conceiving were high. The UST we performed shows the presence of a fertilized embryo. Congratulations, the first stage of the Breeding Program was successful.”

Mason and I sat in shock on the journey back to our dwelling. We didn’t even stay for the lunch and our usual meet and greet with the Carers after my medical. Paige came in after Dr. Weler and the Healer left, fluttering about us in excitement, giving me all sorts of nutrients in little jars to take. I barely remember her instructions. Both Mason and I couldn’t eat that night. We just sat silently, side by side on the deck watching the stars.

Mason was the first to speak, “Well, Ariet. We did it. We are going to be parents.”

“Parents of a scientific experiment,” I replied sarcastically, but my hand instinctively went to my belly.

“You must know that we will be watched even more closely now. Our conversations will be monitored. You need to make sure to take the nutrients they gave you and eat at all the designated times. The Healers can detect if you are not, or have not been, abiding by their rules with your daily urine scans.”

I nodded in agreement. Fear, now, was all I felt. “What if,” I whispered, “what if he, she, is not what they want?”

“We can’t think of that now, Ariet. We just need to do everything by the book and hope that the project has been successful. We’ll get through this, together.” He took my hand and rubbed my palm, slowly. We sat there, the two of us for the longest time, side by side.

The next morning at breakfast, Mason hovered over me, making sure I had swallowed the nutrients and had a good selection of fresh food around me. Bumping into me every time I tried to have a sip of water or reach for some food, I jumped, “Are you going to be like this the whole nine months?” I snapped. “It is very irritating.”

He slumped in his chair, like a scolded child. “I’m just helping.”

“Yes, well, it’s day one since we heard the news, and you are not helping, you are hovering.” He rolled his eyes, which curled my lips into an upward grin, despite myself. “So, what is on the plate for us today? More tests?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know much more about the Breeding Program than you do now. Maybe we should look at the manual?” he suggested. “Be as ready and prepared as we can be?”

“I think that’s a great idea,” I responded somewhat positively. The mood shifted slightly into a more optimistic light, and we sat side by side on the couch, almost comfortable with each other. Paging through the manual, we highlighted what we thought were the most important points, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on us.

“So, for the next few weeks we can expect our routine daily testing as per normal, and then the weekly medical, which will include scans of the fetus. Your progress will be monitored, and should any issue be detected in your daily testing, you will be confined to the medical ward for further testing.”

“Great, what if I’m just having an off day?” I joked.

“There are no off days here, Ariet,” he warned seriously.

“I know,” I whispered.

He continued to read aloud, “At two months the gender of the fetus will be determined although, for the purposes of this breeding project, that does not affect the genetic outcome. At three months, a sample of the fetal material will be genetically screened to determine if the fetus is a homozygous carrier of the required gene.” He snapped the book shut. “I don’t want to read anymore. We have some idea of what will happen from this point onward. Let’s just get to the three month genetic determination and take it from there.”

Chapter 11

“Right, Ariet, this shouldn’t hurt a bit,” Dr. Weler flicked a long needle before me. “We are just going to push this through your belly and down into the baby to get the sample we need.” I squeezed my eyes shut and held onto the edge of the examination table. The numbing cream they had rubbed around the testing site prevented me from feeling any pain but didn’t stop me from feeling fear. Fear of the unknown. Of not knowing what would happen to us and my son. I could hear Mason pacing nervously outside the room. After a few minutes, the Healer addressed me. “Okay, Ariet. You can get dressed and join Mason.”

Paige, always by my side, gave my hand an affectionate squeeze. We had grown close over the last few weeks. She had been visiting daily, bringing new variations of nutrients and instructions from the Medical Centre, plus treats from the market, which I loved. “Paige,” I whispered, “Please let me know what you can find out about the baby’s genetic profile,” I begged. She held a single finger to her lips and shook her head cautiously, warning me to be quiet. Stepping out of the room, Mason grabbed my hand and walked me slowly out of the examination room into the Carers’ waiting room. “I want to go home,” I whispered. He nodded and continued to guide me through the waiting area and onto the platform.

Once at home, I tried to calm my nerves with tea. “How long did they say it would take?”

“That’s the fourth time you have asked me, and the answer is still the same. I don’t know,” Mason replied patiently. “Dr. Weler said they would be in touch, and we would know the baby’s fate when it was time.”

I cringed as I repeated what he said out loud. “All we can do is wait then?” I asked.

He sat beside me. “Yes, I guess we have no other choice.”

On the third day of waiting, we were summoned back to the Medical Center. Dr. Weler had us sit before him at his desk. “We have had the preliminary results back. There is little evidence to prove that the fetus is homologous for the gene. But, we cannot determine that conclusively as the sample was compromised by a mishap in the laboratory.”

“What kind of mishap?” I asked, clenching my knuckles so tightly they had turned white.

“Your sample had been left under the UV sterilization light accidently. UV light degrades genetic material,” he explained. “The Carer in question has been dealt with accordingly. We do not tolerate any ‘accidents’ in the Breeding Project. With that said, we will need to take another sample, as before. You will need to come in two days from now. Please make sure you have eaten a full breakfast and have done your morning scan. We will need those results as part of the new analysis. The same as before, Ariet, nothing new yet,” He stood up. “Oh, and before I forget, a new Carer has been assigned to you. Eden.”

“What happened to Paige?” I asked anxiously.

“As I said, Ariet, we do not tolerate mistakes of any kind in the Breeding Project. Paige has been dealt with accordingly.” I inhaled sharply. Mason squeezed my hand tightly, warning me to hush.

“If that’s all,” Mason got up impatiently. “We would like to get home now.” Without looking up, Dr. Weler gestured us out with a flick of his hand.

Pacing our living room, I questioned Mason frantically. “We need to find Paige. Find out what happened. There is still a chance that the baby could be homologous.”

“No, Ariet. I could read it on Dr. Weler’s face. I doubt that what happened with Paige was an accident.” Mason set about putting a long wool coat over him, with thick boots.

“Where are you going? Are you going to find Paige?” I asked frantically, concerned for the well-being of my only friend.

“No, I need to speak to Thor. Stay here. I mean it, Ariet.” With that he disappeared to the bottom of our garden into a small alcove I had not noticed before. Why didn’t he take the train? I wondered.

Mason returned a few hours later, appearing suddenly at the kitchen door. He gestured silently down the path to the edge of the garden to where he had disappeared earlier. “What’s down there? Where have you been?” I whispered, stumbling after him.

“With Thor. I used a pathway that interconnects the dwellings. We discovered it when we were children playing in the grounds.”

“Why?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

“I wanted to see what he could find out about what happened to Paige.”

“And…?”

“And, it’s bad.”

“What?” I screeched.

“Shhh…” he clasped a hand over my mouth, pointing above, “…they can hear us, there are satellites above us.” I looked at him confused. “Thor is going to sneak into the Medical Centre and find out exactly what happened to Paige. All I know right now is that they have taken away her Carer privileges and her access is severely restricted.”

“Is she hurt?”

“I’m not sure, Ariet. But what I’m more concerned about is if the incident in the medical testing facility was actually an accident.”

Inhaling sharply, I started to realize. “Paige could have been protecting us.”

“Yes and no. This could also be a completely random event,” he answered, as if thinking out loud. Poor Paige, my eyes welled up. She had been so good to me in the last few weeks. Feeling weak and nauseous, the effects of early gestation combined with nerves, I raced back towards the house to relieve myself.

I slept restlessly that night, waiting for the feedback from Thor about Paige. I could hear Mason pacing nervously outside my room. I had one more day until the repeat testing was scheduled, which was also contributing to my anxiousness. At exactly 1.45 in the afternoon, Mason excused himself and dashed off down the path. An hour later he returned with an ashen look on his face. I was already at the bottom of the garden waiting for him. “It was no accident, Ariet. Paige deliberately sabotaged the tests. Which means…which means that she was trying to protect us. The baby doesn’t carry the gene.” I felt my legs crumble beneath me. Mason caught me before I hit the grass, and we both collapsed onto the soft grass beneath us. Placing my hands instinctively around my tiny bump, I closed my eyes.

“According to the manual, it means he is to be terminated,” he said quietly whilst holding me tightly.

“We can’t let this happen, Mason,” I begged. “Can’t you speak to your Grandmother, plead with her.”

“It won’t work, Ariet, she wrote the manual. After all, she scheduled the termination of her own daughter,” he said bitterly.

“Why did your parents have to be terminated?” I asked fearful of the answer.

“They wouldn’t give me up to the program,” Mason whispered in such sadness.

“What do we do? I don’t want our baby to die.”

Placing his hands over mine on my belly, he leaned his forehead against mine. “I’ll find a way to protect us, Ariet. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you two.”

“We don’t have long, Mason. The retesting is tomorrow and then it’s two more days until the results are given. Even then, I’m sure the Elders already suspect the answer. We have to run. We have to get out of here. Go back to Quadrant Four. My parents will help us.”

“The Creators will find us, Ariet. The devices in our wrists are also trackers. They can track us anywhere.”

Thor appeared later that afternoon, his usual demeanor overtaken with something darker. “I’ve come for supper,” he announced at the front door.

“Hello,” I greeted him cautiously.

Mason motioned us towards the bottom of the garden. Under the protection of the trees, Thor was the first to speak, “I found Paige. I spoke to her. She has been scheduled for termination.” He paused to let that sink in for a few minutes. “When looking for her termination date, I found your name listed, with the fetus Ariet, as the carrier. I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to find out why you have been scheduled as well. They already know what they need to from the original testing. This second round of testing is just to get you back to the lab where they will drug you and send you for termination.”

“How do we get out of this?” Mason squeezed Thor’s arms tightly. “There must be something we can do, Thor. I cannot let them exterminate my partner and unborn child, help me please.” The desperation in his voice sent shivers down my spine. We stood in silence for a few minutes, each trying to grasp the severity of our situation. Tears streamed down my face.

“There is a way…maybe,” We both looked at him sharply. “One of the underground tunnels connects the New World to the Old World.

“How long has this been in existence?” Mason looked as though he wanted to strangle his childhood friend. “For always. It was created by the Elders as a method of dumping any ill or undesirable humans to the outside of the Four Quadrants. No one knows how long the tunnel is or where it goes. All I know is that it is heavily patrolled.”

“How long have you known about this, Thor?” Mason growled.

“Only for a few months, since I went on the roster system to guard it. From what I can gather, it hasn’t been used for at least ten years, but is maintained routinely.”

“Can you get us to the tunnel?”

“No, Mason. It’s too risky. They can track your every movement. Also, the location of the tunnel itself is risky.”

“Where is it?” Mason demanded. Thor said nothing. Mason grabbed him pulling him by the scruff of his collar.

“Don’t fight me, Mason,” Thor cautioned. “We both know who will win this.” Mason reluctantly let go, smoothing his uniform, the evidence of Thor’s strength apparent. “It’s below the Medical Center, Mason. It’s off the old train lines which used to run underground in the city. The door is sealed shut and is only opened by scanning one of the recruited engineers who work in the Great Tower. We will never be able to pull this off.”

“We can,” I whispered. They both looked at me curiously. “The drug that Jules gave me, Haze. If we could somehow give it to the Guardian or engineer, it could work.”

“That’s brilliant, Ariet. How do we get our hands on more of it, Thor? We need a vial of it.”

“I can’t, Mason, it will put Jules at risk.”

“Please, Thor, you know what they have taken from us, from you and Jules, and now from Ariet and me. We have to end this. Find a way to survive.” A knowing glance passed between them.

Feeling tired and overwhelmed, I walked over to a garden chair and sat down, just out of hearing distance of the two of them. Their conversation went on for two more hours. A bear hug between them with a courteous nod in my direction signaled the end of the discussion. Mason trudged towards me, sheer exhaustion and terror enveloping him.

“It’s been planned,” he said softly. “Tomorrow we escape. Thor can get us to the tunnel, but you need to follow my very instruction to the detail. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Thank you, Mason, I know how hard this must be for you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. But we definitely owe Jules and Thor. They are both putting their lives at risk for us.”

I nodded compassionately. “How will it work, tomorrow?”

“Because of my memory, I know the Great Tower like the back of my hand. It will be an asset when descending down the levels. I cannot tell you the exact nature of the plans, for fear they get wind of our escape and question you. The less you know the better. All you need to know for now is that the testing will go on as scheduled tomorrow. When necessary, I will tell you the next stage of the plan. For now, pack a bag with a change of clothing and something warm. We don’t know what it’s like on the outside.” He paused and let out a low sigh. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this, Ariet. You will be alone, no medical attention, nothing. How will you survive?”

“At least we’ll be free, Mason. Anything is better than being held captive and being forced to take place in a science project. We will find a way to make this work. For the sake of our child.”

Chapter 12

We shared a bed together for the first time since the night copulation was scheduled. Mason enveloped me and held me protectively all night long. The next morning we went about our routine as normal. The train ride to the Medical Centre was the first time we spoke. “Go to your medical,” he whispered. “I’ll be waiting outside as normal. When Dr. Weler is not looking, your Carer will hand you a needle with Haze in it. You need to find a way to inject it into the Healer’s neck when he is not looking. You only get one shot at this, okay?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

The train came to a halt. We scanned our way into the Medical Centre, waving hello to the Carers as per normal. The newly assigned Carer, Eden, greeted me at the entrance of the testing facility. She eyed Mason nervously. He nodded in response. Placing a hand gently in the small of my back, Eden escorted me down the corridor. Without looking at me, and with a forced smile fixed in place, she whispered through clenched teeth, “I’m Paige’s cousin.” The door opened before I could respond, and I came face to face with Dr. Weler looking significantly less pleasant than normal.

“Please get changed, Ariet, we need to repeat the testing from last week, same procedures, you understand.” I nodded. Eden placed a robe gently in my hands. Unfolding it to get changed, I noticed a long metal cylindrical object in the middle of it. Lying gently on the table I clasped and unclasped the syringe in my sweaty hand, unsure if I could go through with this, but knowing what was riding on this. After a few minutes, Dr. Weler came in, “Ready?” he asked. I nodded silently, trying not to show how stressed I was. “Your urine levels this morning indicated some abnormalities, Ariet. Anything you want to tell me?”

“I, ummm...just had some nausea and I’m worried about how that will affect the offspring.”

“Okay. Well, try not to worry too much.”

I gave him a small tight-lipped smile. He turned around to where Eden had surgical gloves extended out toward him. She looked stoically past him, focusing her attention on putting gloves on him. I crept off the table and slid up silently behind him. He turned as I pulled out the hypodermic needle and I lunged towards him. Eden grabbed him around the waist as he fought both of us. I slammed the needle sharply in the side of his neck pushing down with all my might. Dr. Weler struggled for a few more minutes before becoming very still, blinking up at us.

Stepping over him, Eden rapped twice at the door with her slender hands. Mason slipped in silently. “You okay?” he asked. I walked to my clothes to get dressed.

“No. You need to stay in your robe, Ariet,” Eden instructed quickly.

Picking up Dr. Weler under both arms, Mason dragged him onto a chair. Kneeling in front of the Healer, he whispered in a calm but strong voice. “Dr. Weler, there has been a small complication following Ariet’s testing. You have authorized for her to be kept in a private medical wing in order to monitor the fetus and ensure her wellbeing. Ariet will be kept there for a few hours. You will personally take her there with Eden. Do you understand?”

Dr. Weler nodded firmly. “Yes, Mr. Black.”

Eden obtained a roller medical bed with a glass cover over it resembling a cocoon. “Ariet, you need to lie down in there and pretend to be asleep. No matter what happens, do not open your eyes until I tell you to.”

I climbed in the cocoon-like bed and wrapped myself up warmly, the chill of the situation starting to affect me. Dr. Weler ushered me through a set of double doors at the edge of the examining room, with Eden directing the bed at my head. There was a small opening on each side of the cocoon lid, where Mason had slipped one hand through and was rubbing circular motions on my palm as we moved. There were a few minutes of silence before I felt us slow slightly and could hear Dr. Weler instruct the Carer on duty to allow us access to the medical recovery room. Mason squeezed my hand sharply. The bed came to a full stop and I heard the beeping of machines around me. “Stay here for a few moments, Ariet,” he whispered. “I will be back”.

“Thank you for your help, Dr. Weler. You will check on Ariet in three hours. No one is to disturb her until then, do you understand?”

“Of course, Mr. Black.”

A sharp gust of cold air blew over me. I opened my eyes to find Mason smiling down at me. “Right, Ariet,” he said softly. Eden was pacing nervously in front of a sealed metal door. “The next part is going to be tricky. There is a medical disposal tunnel that only one person can enter at a time. I’ll go first and then you will follow. Eden will stay up here to keep watch. Thor will meet us at the exit of the tunnel. Okay?” He smiled warmly but it didn’t reach his eyes. They were laced with fear and worry.

Crawling gingerly into the small opening after Mason, I had scooted around carefully until my bottom planted firmly on the cold, hard metal. Slowly I shuffled downward, feet first as instructed. After what seemed like forever, I saw a small opening ahead of me. “Mason,” I whispered. “Are you there?”

A light shone up into the tunnel. “Yes, I can see your feet, keep going. There is going to be a sharp drop at the end. Thor will catch you.”

I had no idea where I was, and having twisted and turned in the dark access way, the only thing I knew was that we had descended far downwards. All of a sudden I felt the tunnel give out from under me and I had a quick sensation of falling until landing safely in Thor’s arms. He nodded curtly as he lowered me to the ground. I scanned the room in silence.

“Did your part go okay, Thor?” Mason asked. “The engineers?”

“Without a Hitch, Mas,” he replied.

“Thank you for this. I know what a risk both you and Jules are taking.”

“Well, we have nothing else to live for,” he smirked sourly.

Mason quickly yanked me behind a small alcove in the wall with Thor following suit. He quietly held a finger to his lips. Shaking silently in position, I heard footsteps coming from the right of us. Two men, who looked as though they were Guardians, shined beams across the platform in front of us. Thor nodded silently. This was expected. We waited for a few more minutes until we were certain they had passed. Mason led me out slowly, his arm protectively around my waist.

We crept along the wall, staying in the shadows with Thor leading the way. After a few feet, we came to a heavy grate with a valve attached. Thor opened it with ease. Gesturing for us to kneel, we crawled for a few feet until the roof reached high enough so we could stand. The small service way ended on an old train platform. The whole area was dark, except for a small light beam held by both Thor and Mason. On the tracks was a large oval shaped craft. It couldn’t have fit more than two people in it. Turning expectantly to Mason, I held out my hand. He looked at it for a few seconds then enveloped me in his arms. Thor stood back as if to give us a moment of privacy and carried our supplies to the craft. Mason held my arms firmly, locking eyes with me. “I’m not coming with you, Ariet.”

Angry tears stung my eyes. “You are leaving me to fend for myself and this child out there?”

“No. Thor is going with you. We need his strength and agility to keep you safe. Jules has also been teaching him how to be a Carer and what is needed to keep the baby safe and to bring it to term. He has also packed a bag of medical supplies. You will have to source more rations within a few days of exiting the tunnel.”

“You have to come, Mason,” I begged. “What about the baby, your baby?”

“I’ve got to stay here, Ariet. I need to stop this from happening to more families. I’m going to stop Evelyn once and for all.” He turned to Thor, “Take care of her. And yourself, my friend.” They roughly hugged each other, emotions rising. Mason pushed back. “It’s time to go.”

I felt torn between the two of them. This stranger, who was to protect me yet our dislike for each other mutually evident; and Mason, who I had grown to care deeply about, who was the father of my offspring.

Thor grabbed my wrist tightly, pulling me towards the craft. “We have to go. The Guardians we saw just now will be back, they do their rounds every fifteen minutes. We need to give Mason time to close the tunnel and get back up to the rehabilitation room.”

“But they’ll kill him!” I cried, my voice bordering on sheer hysteria.

“Mason can take care of himself, trust me.” Thor said strongly.

I allowed myself to be led into the craft, all the while never taking my eyes off Mason. He held the light beam over a panel of buttons aligned next to the craft on the platform. On his command, the lid of the craft slid back. Thor gently lifted me and tucked me safely inside, clipping a harness over me. “Put this on, Ariet.” He held out a dirty looking helmet. Ignoring him, I was still staring at Mason, willing him to switch with Thor, when he rammed the helmet over my head. He jumped into the seat in front of me wearing his own helmet. Giving Mason the thumbs-up, he faced the front. I had my hands pinned to the glass lid, sobbing frantically now, searching for a way out. Mason waved slowly as he pushed the last command button. The craft came to life and, with a final wave, we shot into the darkness.

I had this uneasy feeling that my nightmare had only just begun. Too stiff and tired from crying, I couldn’t move. The craft traveled in darkness for a few hours, eventually slowing to a stop. Thor opened the lid and exited quickly. He gestured frantically for me to get out. I felt nothing but fear and bewilderment. Giving up on my refusal to budge, he disappeared behind me and yanked me out of the pod.

“We have to hurry, Ariet,” he reprimanded me sharply. “The Creators will be looking for us now.”

Quietly, we followed the wall, with the light beam gently illuminating the way, until a heavy metal ladder appeared before us. Thor indicated for me to stand still and pushed me flat up against the wall. He climbed the ladder two rungs at a time and disappeared out of sight. I could hear his movement above me, heavy grunting sounds and clangs of metal. All of a sudden there was light, blinding me from above. Thor slid down the ladder jumping down to a halt in front of me. “I’ve opened the hatch. You need to climb up, be careful. It’s damp and the rungs are slippery. I’ll be right behind you.” Gingerly, I climbed the ladder. Reaching the opening, I froze, not sure of what dangers awaited us in this world.

Thor nudged me from below. “Hurry, Ariet. I hear something in the distance below us.”

Panic swept through me, and I scrambled through the opening, Thor right behind me, almost landing on top of me. With some effort he swung the hatch closed and shoved a thick metal object he removed from his back pack through the handle opening.

“They must know we are missing by now, Ariet, and are tracking us. We need to get as far away from the hatch as possible.” He grabbed my arm and we ran across what seemed to be a wide pasture of some kind. The golden grass was long enough to cover us midway so we could barely be seen if we ran in a crouch of sorts. Thor guided us to the edge of a wooded area ahead. It looked cold and dark but would provide the necessary shelter to hide us temporarily. Reaching the edge of the forest, he knelt down and gestured for me to do the same.

He removed a square object from his pocket and pushed a yellow button. A loud crunch sounded from the direction we had come in. We rose slowly to see a tuft of smoke billowing from the hatch in the centre of the pasture.

“What was that?”

“I’ve just melted the metal of the hatch closed. It will buy us some time.” He stood up fully and walked slowly into the forest. Although it was damp and dark, it was not at all cold. Warm musty air matted my hair and skin. “We need to get as far into the woodland as possible and find shelter for tonight. It will be dark soon.” I nodded in silence, following his every footstep, stepping in the exact spot he stepped. Fearful that we had blocked Mason’s only way of escape if he managed to survive the fallback.

My life and that of my unborn son were completely in his hands. I wasn’t sure which frightened me more. The fact that we were in the middle of nowhere, and there were people looking to terminate us, or that I was in the middle of nowhere with someone that I distrusted and couldn’t frankly stand. We pushed on through the forest silently, neither of us speaking. The heat was starting to take control, and I needed to rest for the baby’s sake.

We had been walking for what felt like hours, and I was certain the hatch was far behind us. Reaching near exhaustion, I lost my footing on a rock and stumbled, crashing into Thor. With his instincts super in tune, he turned to catch me before I fell to the ground. Panting heavily and rubbing my stomach, I motioned for water. He pulled out a small metal flask. “That’s it, that’s all we’ve got?” I asked, panic stricken at the sight of the tiny flask.

“Just drink it. Three small sips at the most.” Ignoring him, I gulped back the liquid; it stung my throat as I swallowed. He grabbed the flask from me. “Don’t you ever listen?” he growled.

“That wasn’t water,” I gagged.

“No, it was not. It’s a special metabolite drink for you and the baby. You only need a few sips to replenish what nutrients you may have used up in the day. There is enough to last you a few weeks.” Although the acrid taste in my mouth made me want to throw up, I started to feel better almost immediately, recharged somehow.

“I need to rest, Thor, I can’t go much further.”

“We have one more hour before the sun starts to settle, Ariet. We need to keep going.” He turned and carried on walking. Unlike Mason, he had definitely not grasped the concept of manners or politeness. Thinking of Mason bought sadness to me. I hoped he had made it back safely and was alive. He had promised to get word to my family before the Guardians got hold of them. Thor was almost out of sight now. Sighing, I heaved myself up and trudged forward slowly. Sticks and branches had scraped my arms, my sweat dripping into the wounds, burning them.

After a while, Thor slowed down and looked around him. “I think we will sleep here tonight. We need to be up at sunrise to get us further away from the hatch.”

I sat down on the large boulder closest to me. Thor pulled out the second backpack he was carrying. Using a stick, he moved dried leaves and moss into a circular area under a tree. He pulled out tightly rolled fabric. Loosening the tie, it expanded into a large spongy sheet. “Rest,” he said softly. Covering me with a blanket of some sort, he scratched further into the backpack and pulled out a large clear flask with water. I gulped it down greedily. He took it after me and sipped slowly. I immediately felt ashamed and looked away.

“We need to find water tomorrow. We have enough supply for two days. With this heat, maybe even less.” He handed me a small foil bundle, “Here is your ration pack.” I was amazed at what had been crammed into such a tiny bundle. There were two portions of dried fruit, bread and cheese, and what looked to be a grain or pulse of some kind. I munched through the supplies hungrily. My eyes blinked sleepily and, creeping down further into the blanket, I drifted off without saying anything to Thor.

Chapter 13

It was barely light when I heard the rustling of leaves next to me. The night had been cool, and I was relieved to find I felt energized and rested. Looking around for Thor, I noticed him staring at something on a branch above him. Craning my head further, I saw the most beautiful bird. It was blue and yellow with a striking red beak, its body and tail the length of my arm. I had never seen anything like it. Studying Thor’s face, I saw he felt the same amazement, and for the first time ever, he was smiling. I left him like that for a minute or two more before I stirred. He turned instantly when I moved. Nodding, he walked towards me. “What is that bird? It’s amazing,” I asked.

“You saw it too, huh? I’m not sure, but I know that they don’t have anything of this kind in the New World. It must have been one that got away during the Great Illness.” Changing the subject sharply, “We need to keep moving. There are supplements next to you,” I looked down to see that I was still clinging greedily to my ration pack. Having replenished further, I helped him pack up the supplies.

He stirred the mossy mattress he had made for me. “Covering our tracks,” he stated, as if reading my mind. It was uncanny how Mason and he had the same ability. We started to track to the left, going deeper into the woodland.

“What is this place?” I asked from behind. Not feeling so shell-shocked, I had taken in my surroundings and was curious yet still fearful of where we were.

“All I know is this is what must be left of the Old World. When the Great Illness wiped out most of the world’s population, the Creators chose the most profitable land that they could find.”

“Profitable?” I interrupted him.

“Yes, the most viable source of agriculture, soil, water, weather and such. They enclosed what they thought was the most resourceful area they could find and named that the New World. Everything on the outside was left as it was. We have no idea what is out here, Ariet, so you need to be alert at all times.”

We trudged on for a few more hours, alone with our thoughts, the silence oddly comforting. I needed to process this. We stopped for several minutes only once to replenish. While Thor re-laced his boots, I explored the alcove of the forest we were in. A little pathway off to the right caught my attention. I walked slowly forward. Standing on what felt like a loose rock, I stumbled and leant onto a tree in support. Within seconds Thor was at my side. Fear had taken my voice away.

Pointing to where I had stood, a large white bone had been dislodged in the ground. Thor bent down, sweeping the dirt off in a circular motion, he uncovered more and more. I stood frozen in place. “It’s a human skeleton. Looks like parts have been removed, maybe by wild animals, but what’s left here is definitely human. We need to move.” Without saying another word, he grasped my arm roughly and pulled in a direction opposite to the skeleton.

The humid air now started to feel as though it were strangling me. Thor moved quickly through the forest. With night fall approaching us, we chose to shelter in between some tall trees with large roots.

Whilst snacking on a new ration pack, I asked tentatively, “Thor, that skeleton, are you sure it was human?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think it was from the Great Illness?”

“No. It was too close to the ground’s surface. It would have been covered and more eroded if that human had died centuries ago. This is more recent.”

“How recent?” my voice now barely a whisper.

“That I can’t say, but I’m sure that skeleton is of this generation. We need to rest now.” Turning his back to me, he prepared an area for us to sleep and lay down. Looking up at the trees above, I could just make out the stars. Wondering if Mason was okay, I let exhaustion take over and fell into darkness.

Waking with a start, Thor clasped his hand over my mouth. Dragging me slowly backwards, he crept further into the roots of the trees. Alarmed, I moved with him under the root and crouched in hiding. Thor leant forward silently, slowly pulling our supplies in. I raised my eyebrows in alarm. He gestured behind him, motioning for me to listen. And that’s when I heard it. Sticks breaking and leaves crunching, something coming quickly towards us.

“Animal?” I mouthed to Thor.

He shrugged, his body poised to fight, the knife in his hand ready to strike. The sounds became continuous and louder as if all around us.

“It looks as if someone has come through here,” a male voice stated. Strangers! I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to press myself as far back into the root as I could.

Another voice spoke, gruff and deep, “Looks like it was two of them. Tracks end here. Scan the tree tops, they couldn’t have gone far.”

Beads of sweat glazed Thor’s brow, and for the first time I could see worry sweep his face. We sat still in our hiding place for the longest time, listening to the rustling of leaves get further away from us, disappearing into the distance. We crouched there for a while longer until we could hear nothing but birds chirping around us. Thor crept out slowly, motioning for me to follow. We headed out in a direction opposite to the trackers.

“Who were those people, Thor?” I whispered.

“I don’t know, Ariet. Survivor’s maybe? I’m not sure, but they are aware of our presence. We need to get as far away from here as possible. Move quickly, yet carefully.”

We zipped and trudged a pathway through the forest, Thor trying to disturb the natural forest as little as possible. Stumbling a few times, I managed to keep up his pace which was almost a slight run now, but exhaustion was creeping in. Grabbing his arm, I pulled him to a stop. He rifled through our packs and handed out replenishments, leaning in a crevice of a dead tree.

“Do you think there are more of them?” I panted.

“There must be. It seemed as if they were doing patrols of the forest, they knew this forest well.” We kept walking, our pace slowed slightly from before. A crunch behind froze me in terror, grabbing Thor’s arm I turned slowly, a deer stood in a clearing just to the left of us. Munching on a tree filled with berries. Fear turned to relief.

“Look, Thor. The berries must be safe if the deer is eating them.” We gathered as many as we could carry, munching on them as we picked.

“Do you hear that?” He leaned towards the direction we were headed in. “A slight trickling sound just beyond the trees?” We crept forward slowly, parting the leaves and branches. Peering closely, we saw a small clearing, sparkling with what looked like a freshwater pond. Thor raced forward, eager that we had found water.

Crouching beside the pond, a stream filling it from a rocky interface above, we drank plentifully. I was thankful to wash my face and hair, and wipe the mud and sweat off me. Immersing my body in the water, I found swift relief from the heat. Thor did the same, and for the first time since we had arrived in this unknown territory, I felt like we could maybe, just maybe, make it through this.

Drying off in the shade, we refilled our canisters with as much water as we could carry. Hoisting up the back packs and securing them to him, I watched Thor in amazement. His strength and agility never ceased to impress me. I turned back to exit the way we entered the clearing, only to find myself staring into the face of a heavily armed, masked stranger.

Chapter 14

It was apparent that they had been watching us since we made our way to the pond. We were surrounded. I felt Thor’s presence next to me, strong and defiant. For a few minutes, we all stared at each other, the circle surrounding us getting smaller and smaller.

“We mean no harm,” Thor said, gravely inching nearer to me.

The man closest to us gestured for us to follow him. I looked hesitantly at Thor. “We have no choice,” he whispered silently. Slowly we made our way back up the hill and into the forest, heading down a pathway we had not been aware of before. A few of the men lead the way, whilst the rest followed behind Thor and me. Not once did they ever remove their masks or say a word.

Clutching my small bump protectively, I turned to Thor and whispered, “Why are they wearing those masks?” He shook his head uncertainly. We walked in silence for what must have been a few hours. Eventually, absolutely exhausted, I stumbled over a tree root and collapsed into the groove slinking to the floor. Thor, immediately at my side, dug furiously in his back pack and put the medical solution to my lips. I felt the cold acrid liquid slide down my throat, waiting for the relief to come.

“She needs rest,” Thor shouted. The men, still very much armed, had us and the tree surrounded, preventing any attempt to escape, exchanged glances. I panted slowly, feeling my body rehydrate. After a few minutes of rest, they gestured for us to stand up and continue with them. We followed begrudgingly; lines of concern crinkling Thor’s face every step we took deeper into the forest.

Questions kept running through my mind. Are these men Guardians from the New World, come to retrieve us? If so, then we are certainly walking to our death. And if they aren’t Guardians from the world we had just escaped, then who the hell are they, and why is no one speaking to us? I had no idea which of the two options was the worst, but the uncertainty of the fate that awaited my unborn son frightened me. I swore inwardly that I would do everything in my power to protect him.

I was suddenly drawn away from my thoughts as the forest receded and we were able to see further than a few feet ahead. In front of us was a large field, like the one we had escaped from the hatch into, but this one was edged with a high wired fence. One of the guards signaled for us to stop. Stepping forward slowly, he walked towards an alcove in a tree and pulled out a device which he softly spoke into. Immediately, a gate slid open before us and we walked through. I took note of the fact that it was too high to get over and too low to creep under. As the gate closed behind us, a crackle of electricity reconnecting to the gate made me jump.

I leapt onto Thor’s arm. He patted me calmly, and we hiked like that for the rest of the way. We walked through the clearing, the fence running parallel to each side of us, into another forest. After what seemed like an hour, we made our way out of the trees onto what looked like a dirt road. As we descended down the road, guards still surrounding us, we could just make out a huge city. Tall buildings and houses lined the hillside and valley below. We had just entered an unknown civilization.

I gasped as we turned the corner and saw how much further the city expanded to the left and right of us. It was bigger than all four of our quadrants put together. Although excited by this, I was nervous as I had found out the hard way not to trust strangers. The road in front of us forked, and the guards lead us to the left; away from the path that seemed would lead us to the city below. After a mile or two, a large concrete building loomed before us, the words ‘Quarantine Facility’ were painted in red on the side of a large steel doorway.

A sudden, overwhelming fear gripped me and I panicked. Turning to run, I crashed into Thor, but keeping my balance I tried to push through the guards that were now running towards me. Thor scrambled to get to me before they could and managed to envelop me in his arms, his speed and agility again proving highly useful in this situation.

Holding me strongly, he shouted to the guards. “Stop. Let me calm her down. She is dehydrated and anxious. Just stop. Stay where you are. We won’t run.” He spun me around to face him. “Ariet, listen to me. You need to comply. I’m not sure what is going on, but I cannot protect you if you are not with me. Do you understand? We will get through this. They have not hurt us so far.” Hugging me tightly he whispered softly into my ear, “I will get the both of you out of here safely. I promise.”

I nodded whilst sobbing into his neck. He scooped me up and carried me slowly towards the facility. Peeking through my hair, I could see the facility was buried in the side of a mountain and seemed much bigger up close. Thor put me down in front of the entrance and gripped my hand. Standing outside the metal doorway, the guard from earlier spoke into the device again. I assumed it was another entry authorization as the doors pulled forward. More men wearing masks and dressed in brown protective clothing gestured us in.

Silent greetings passed between the others as they nodded at each other on their arrival. We were lead through the warehouse to a small door on the far right hand side. It opened as we approached. We walked through but noticed our escorts did not follow. A mechanical lock fastened automatically behind us and a male voice boomed from above. ‘Please proceed to the changing area, and remove all clothing and concealed weapons. Place such items into the bins on the far side of the room.’

I inched closer to Thor, gripping his arm tightly. Neither of us said or did anything to comply. The voice boomed again. ‘The instruction will not be repeated. Please comply or we will sedate you and do it for you.’

“Just do it, Ariet,” Thor whispered gently into my ear. “The voice is in real time which means they can see and probably hear us. It’s better if we are awake and keep our wits about us.” I nodded in understanding.

Once undressed, the floor beneath us began to move forward. Doors opened and we passed through a shower of a scalding hot chemical which burned our eyes and made our skin sting. The runway moved into another room where we were coated in cool foam which immediately soothed the burn from before. The final stage rinsed us with warm jets of water which smelt of herbs and fruit. The runway motioned to a stop.

‘Please dress in the garments before you and proceed towards the exit.’ The garment was a cold hard grey fabric that chafed the now sensitive skin, but at this point I welcomed anything to cover myself. Doors slid open revealing a long dark corridor. We followed the lights to the exit sign as instructed. Thor grabbed my hand protectively, pulling me close.

“What is this place?” I whispered.

“I think it’s a hospital or lab facility of some kind. We have just been disinfected, a very crude form of what we have back home. I’m not sure what is going on, Ariet. But I don’t like it. Be alert. We don’t know who these people are or what they want.”

We walked into a glass room that held two small beds, which at this point, considering how tired I was, looked increasingly inviting. A small table separated the two beds. On it was water and what looked like some old food. Thor guided me forward. Slumping onto the bed, I ate and drank mechanically. Pushing the two beds to the farthest wall away from the door, Thor made sure I was settled in before he lay down in front of me, always on the ready to protect me from immediate danger. I couldn’t think anymore, exhaustion took over. The room descended into darkness and I felt nothing.

Sharp lights blinded us and I sat up with a jolt, Thor already alert beside me. The voice boomed again, different this time. ‘Please proceed to the first door on your left.’ We complied and walked through the exit. White illuminated hospital beds lined one side of the room with all sorts of equipment and what I assumed was medical paraphernalia surrounding each bed. ‘Please proceed to a bed and lie down.’ Thor and I chose beds closest to the exit. Suddenly hard sheets of white plastic descended, surrounding our beds individually.

Thor had been unwillingly separated from me. I could just make him out through a see-through opening in one side of the tent. He was being restrained to his bed and putting up a serious fight. It took five men to do this. The side of my wall opened and I automatically scrambled to the top of my bed in defense. The visitor was dressed in a white padded suit with a clear visor on her face. This was the first woman I had seen since we were captured. She smiled gently at me.

“Hello. I am a Medical Healer. I am not here to hurt you. We just want to assess a few things and find out some information from you.”

I sneered at her sarcastically, “I don’t trust Healers. They are what got me in this position in the first place.”

She gave me a knowing smile. “I can understand your fear, but please know you are not the only person that has had to go through this procedure. Everyone who arrives at the Old World has to go through the same procedures on arrival.”

“There are more like us? The Old World? How many people are here? Where did you come from?” I had so many questions, all of which she deftly avoided.

“If you could lie down on the bed so we can begin, please. I don’t want to restrain you, as we had to do your friend,” she gestured towards the restraints that Thor was in, “but it will happen if you don’t allow me to proceed or if you try to harm me in any way. Okay?” I just glared at her. “Okay. Let’s begin then.”

The exam lasted for a few minutes in which she took some biological samples from me and did what appeared to be a routine physical examination. Rolling up my gown she gasped at the sight of the small bump which was now my belly. I grabbed at my clothes instinctively. She gasped, “Oh my. You’re pregnant?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“How far along?”

“Three months and a bit.”

As she backed away from me slowly, I couldn’t help but notice the look of absolute shock on her face. She excused herself and left with the samples. I got up to the window and saw Thor lying in his bed, still restrained but alone. I tapped on the window and he looked up. He mouthed something at me, but I couldn’t decipher it. Holding a hand up to the screen I nodded and gave him a small smile, reassuring him that I was okay. He exhaled what looked like a huge sigh of relief. I could visibly see his body relax.

I had been alone in the isolation tent for a couple of hours when I must have drifted off to sleep. I awoke a while later to find a man and the woman from before sitting at the side of my bed, going over a written document of some kind. This time they wore no protective clothing. I lay for a little bit peering at them through my lashes, pretending to still be asleep, taking in this new development.

They looked no different from Thor or myself, except their clothes were a bit scraggly and the man had a scar the length of his cheek. It looked old but deep, and I had never seen anything like it before. I had no scars on my body and didn’t know anyone in the New World really who had had any such trauma which would leave scarring. As if sensing my gaze on his face, the man looked up above the paperwork he was reading.

“Good morning. You slept for quite a while. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gander and the Healer who you met yesterday is Poppy.”

“What is this place?” I dared ask.

“This is what we, the Refugees, call the Old World. I waited patiently for him to explain. He didn’t. “Could you tell us your name?”

“It's Ariet.”

“Which Quadrant are you from, Ariet?”

“Four.”

“Do you have any family?”

Tears sprung to my eyes, “Yes.”

“Are they still in Quadrant Four?” I nodded, afraid of the fear and sadness which I couldn’t keep from my voice any longer.

“When last did you see them?”

“Before I was taken.”

“Aah, so you were part of the genetic breeding program?”

“Yes.”

“What division?”

“Breeder. How do you know so much about this?” I demanded.

“We will explain all in time, but for right now, we need to get as much information from you as possible, for yours and our safety. Do you think they will be looking for you?”

“Yes. I was scheduled for termination.”

They looked knowingly at each other. “Do you know what genetic trait was expected from the fetus?” They knew so much.

“No,” I lied warily.

“Who is the man you travelled with?”

“Thor. He is my Guardian. When can I see him?”

“Soon, Ariet, soon. He, like you, is being screened and tested.”

“For what?”

“To make sure you have no illnesses which you could bring into our World. We have to ascertain that your escape was not because of a scheduled termination due to illness. What was the status of the person you were scheduled to breed with?”

“He is a Creator.”

Poppy and Gander exchanged a concerned glance. “And you?”

“And me what?” I asked, even more confused as to how this was relevant.

“Your status?”

“I was a Superior, then it changed to Breeder 107.”

“Okay. That is enough for now. Thank you for answering our questions. You will be reunited with your Guardian soon. Until then, get some rest, the baby’s heartbeat is a little erratic. Probably due to the current stress you have found yourself in. Please know we are not here to harm you or your fetus. Once you have been cleared, you will be released from this facility. We will also need to remove your implantation device before you leave here. And with all that being said, we will leave you now to get some rest.”

The isolation room was so quiet. I could almost hear my own heartbeat. Who are these people? A soft knock at the entrance of the panel interrupted the wave of anxiety that started to make its way through me. Thor! I had never been so happy to see anyone. I leapt off the bed and clung to him. He patted my back awkwardly, making me smile, just a little. He was still as grumpy and surly as the day I had met him. But I had grown to trust him. Pushing back gently, I crept onto the bed.

“How are you? Did they hurt you?” he asked worriedly.

“No, actually. They did a few tests and asked me some questions about where we were from. You?”

“Same. They were particularly interested in why you were selected for the Breeder program. That concerns me, Ariet.”

“Me too. I didn’t tell them about the illness resistance gene.”

“Good call. I just have an uncomfortable feeling in my gut. For whatever reason, I don’t trust these people. Just follow my lead and be compliant wherever necessary. I’ll find a way out of this, we just need to stay close and not give them any reason to mistrust us. Also, you can never be sure who is listening, so watch what you say and how much information you give them.” he whispered.

“Okay. What do we do now?”

“For now, we wait. I’m not actually sure what happens next. You need to rest though. How is the baby?”

“A little stressed, they said.”

“Have you eaten today?” the concern in his voice evident. I shook my head. “Here, they put one of these in my room earlier from our rations. Eat.”

He laid out some bread, cheese and dried meat on the blanket in front of me. I hadn’t realized until then how hungry I actually was. Scoffing the food down greedily, I watched Thor from the corner of my eye. He was pacing the small area in front of my bed.

“Please stop, Thor. It’s making me anxious.”

“Sorry. I just want to get out of here.” He slumped in the chair to the side of my bed. At that moment Poppy entered, giving both of us a start.

“Hello, Thor and Ariet. You have both been cleared of any infectious agents and are, at this time, not a biological threat to our safety. I’m sorry for the cloak-and-dagger way we handled the quarantine period, but we have had problems before. Here are your belongings. When you are dressed, please meet me outside the isolation room.

Thor and I sorted through the belongings placed on the bed. Our weapons and rations had been removed, along with the canteen of liquid I had been using during our escape in the woods. We dressed quickly and made our way through the opening. The room was still empty except for us and completely shrouded in darkness. Poppy waited patiently.

“Please follow me. This, as you have probably deduced already, is the quarantine area where you are screened on arrival. The facility is placed outside the city for our protection, you understand.”

She lead us through double doors to a dimly lit corridor. “Other than your arrival, or in any event you are unwell, you will not be authorized to return to this facility.” She opened the door to reveal a large open room with a variety of desks which, although filled with paperwork, were absent of people. “It’s pretty quiet here today, as it’s one of our rest days. You have been assigned temporary living quarters in Compound A. Accommodation here is pretty rustic, we battle for certain supplies, but we make do as well as we can. Cole will show you to your Compound. For now, you need to be escorted everywhere until we determine your security clearance.”

We walked into the large empty space which we had been marched through a few days earlier. Cole waited on the far side of the hall. Poppy left us as we approached him. Thor whispered whilst never taking his eyes off Cole, “Just do what they say, Ariet. We need to gain their trust and find out what we can.” he reminded me. Instinctively, I grasped his hand tightly.

Cole was a man of few words who led us by using hand signals. We proceeded out the back of the building down a long dirt road. Slowly the town came into view as we neared. Some of the structures were much older looking and dilapidated but unique in their design and build. The remainder of the buildings were what I had become accustomed to in the New World, constructed of steel and chrome, shiny and vulgar but sterile and neat in appearance. It was interesting how the new buildings stood out in harsh contrast to the old.

As we approached the outskirts of the city, Cole led us towards a building where we descended into an underground tunnel. Looking quizzically at him, “Train,” he spat out as if talking to us went against every grain of his being. A train approached and we hung onto the ceiling rails for support, as there were no seats in this compartment. It moved fairly quickly in a direction which I assumed was towards the city centre. Some illumination was given by lights on the side of the tunnel, and I could just make out some kind of graffiti lining the walls of the platforms we passed. Dirt and debris lined the walkways and stairwells.

Cole exited off to a side car gesturing for us to stay put, but he returned shortly after. The train slowed to a stop, and doors opened to reveal an old platform with Compound A and an arrow painted on a dimly lit wall. He led us up a stairwell and out into an old courtyard of some kind. We passed through it and crossed a tarred street which extended from one side of the town to as far as I could make out.

“Why is it deserted?” I asked.

Cole kept on walking, avoiding the question which was becoming an increasingly infuriating trait of the residents here. Thor raised his eyebrows at me in a warning as I was about to snap at Cole and let my temper get the better of me. We crossed the street and passed through an old alleyway. At the end of it, Cole rapped three times on a large steel door. The door opened with a large man giving us a once over and a courteous nod to Cole. Letting us pass, we walked through a small winding tunnel which opened into a huge building. Rooms and rooms lined winding corridors that coiled up into the heavens, with a half opened ceiling.

We walked slowly into the centre of the building, making our way through tents and make shift quarters. Faces peered out at us, watching our every move. Most looked concerned and frightened, whilst I got a small smile from a child playing with an old doll. On the far side of the building was a large area designated the ‘Receiving Room’ with a hand painted sign. An old man sat at a wooden desk shuffling through some papers. Cole cleared his throat to announce our presence.

“Here are the new refugees, Walt, assigned to Compound A.” Turning towards us, “Walt will be responsible for you whilst you remain in here.” Unlike any of the staff we had met since our arrival in this strange world, Walt had a gentle but wise face, lined with wrinkles and knowledge. Gray stubble coated his face and hair. He looked up at us, smiling.

“Welcome. Please, sit.” He gestured towards two old sofa chairs. Directing his attention to me first, “You will remain in this Compound while you carry your child to full term. Your Guardian will be assigned to another Compound where we will evaluate his skill set, and he will be put to good use.”

In an instant, Thor was on his feet stalking towards the desk and gripping it with both hands, “I stay with Ariet. There will be no deviation to that plan. Ever. I am her Guardian. Is that clear?” he growled menacingly.

This seemed to have little effect on Walt. “What is your name, son?”

“Thor.”

“I know that, Thor who?”

“Thor Sterling. But I was previously Thor Birch.”

A gasp escaped the elder man’s lips, and his face went ashen. This took Thor aback and he settled next to me again protectively. “Your family?” the old man whispered.

“I have no family. Ariet is now my family. I don’t see how this is relevant.” he snapped.

The elderly man’s voice was barely a whisper. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the same scar we had just received where our implantation device had been removed, although his was well healed and had aged.

“My full name is Walter Birch, they call me Walt though. I am your Grandfather, son.”

Epilogue

Watching Thor play with Sam on the small patch of grass in front of me, I cannot help but smile. Amazed at how Sam has softened him, I feel so much love and gratefulness to Thor, it hurts sometimes. I continue to worry about our safety here in the Old World. Although the Refugees have been protective of us and have welcomed us, I know a war is coming, and we are at the centre of it. Soon we will have to leave this place. I cannot hide Sam’s genetic ability for much longer. His advanced memory skills, together with something else Thor and I have noticed, have set him apart from any other infant I have come into contact with.  Every day it amazes me and makes me proud, but I know that when they find out, they will use him as a weapon and steal his innocence.

For now though, I watch the sun set and allow the five minutes of peace I feel to warm me. I wait daily for the arrival of Mason, still holding onto the belief that he will find us, that he will escape and bring my family to me. Be reunited with his son. I fear that this will not happen before we are forced to leave this world. So I wait every day with expectations that are not met. But, for now, I lie down on the grass beside them and watch the sun set.

Table of Contents

- Copyright
- Preface
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Epilogue