Given Page 2

  “Listen?”

  “Here.” She turned up the radio on her desk.

  “Welcome, gentlemen. Today sector three has four birthdays to celebrate. One is in Wisconsin, two are in Iowa, and the final young woman comes of age in Michigan. Each state in the sector has an equal opportunity for selection. Let the randomizer generate our first lucky six.”

  “I’m the first one to be Given, aren’t I?”

  “Yes.”

  Krista bit her nails, the pause was excruciating.

  “Blue zone,” another man’s voice said; blue zone was Minnesota. “One alpha nine delta seven tango bravo eight.” The number meant nothing to Krista. There was applause on the radio.

  “Is that it? My six are one A nine D seven T B eight?”

  “Yes, let’s take a peek to see who they are.” Miss Neal began typing furiously on her keyboard. “Here we go. I’m happy for you, honey. They’re young, and they’re all from Bloomington, Minnesota. That’ll make it easier for you, no bouncing between cities. They have already drawn up the legal papers required. There will be no bickering and it will be an easier transition for you. They’re friends and filled out the twelve-forty-seven form to be a unit, you can’t ask for a better arrangement. I’m so glad you’ve been Given to a group that’s both prepared and amicable, it doesn’t get much more ideal than that!” She paused, giving Krista a hard stare. “Do you have any questions for me? Is there anything that you might not want to ask general instructors or guardians?”

  “How does the ‘sharing’ work? Do I go to six houses every night?”

  Miss Neal smiled sadly. “Unfortunately, every contract is different. In some cases that might happen, in others, everyone shares one house. It’s very complicated. There is legislation about women’s rights and the need for consistency, but, the repopulation act really stripped any say in this from women. I’m sorry that I can’t be more help. I will tell you that, in a situation like this, the men usually live close by. These men have been planning for today for years, hoping for you. You are the thing they’ve wanted most in the entire world. I hope you’ll think about how much they’ve done to ensure this day came, and how desperately they surely want you. If any of them hurt you in any way, besides the protected act of penetration, you’ll be free to request a new six immediately.” She pushed a small box toward Krista. “This is a panic button. It reports to our system here. If you activate it, we’ll send a retrieval unit to you. The implant you’ll be getting this afternoon has a GPS locator.”

  “Do you know they use the same type of GPS for pets? Am I someone’s pet now?”

  Miss Neal frowned. “I care about my girls, Krista. I know this isn’t the romantic future young girls used to dream of, but in these times, we must be practical. There was a time when the government talked about artificial insemination and just housing you girls here for life. I think ‘given-to-six’ is a much better arrangement. The government realized men needed hope to have a woman, and women wanted to have a relationship with the fathers of their children. No matter what you think right now, things could be darker. Focus on the good in this situation and you’ll have a much easier life. I’ve heard from girls, who felt much as you do right now, that they’ve fallen in love with one, if not all, of their six after being Given. Give it time before you decide you’re unhappy. Give these men who worked so hard to earn you a chance for happiness.”

  Miss Neal was a wise woman. Krista nodded. “Okay, sorry.”

  “Oh sweetie, don’t apologize. You aren’t the first girl to experience this anger and you won’t be the last. This isn’t easy for you, but it is for the best. We aren’t supposed to have favorites, but you’ve been here for so long, many of us feel like you are our own little girl. I’m going to miss you. You might be motherless, but you have far more mothers than you realize.”

  Those words choked Krista up a bit and she swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thanks.”

  Miss Neal reached out and patted her hand affectionately. “Keep in touch. Six months from now, I can’t wait to hear about how much you care for your six and how good they are to you. You are already precious to them, I’m certain of it. Everything will be all right, I promise.”

  Kristannie wished she could be as confident as the older woman sounded.

  “Now, let’s see.” Miss Neal flipped through some paperwork. “We have several agenda items for you this afternoon. The implant first, and then you’ll have a special video to watch with Miss Stanley. Afterward, you get to enjoy the afternoon by tending to yourself in the spa room. Shave your legs, take a bubble bath, paint your finger and toe nails, just relax, and remember you’ll be all right. Go to Miss Stanley’s room for a physical and the implant first. I’m told it doesn’t hurt much at all.”

  Krista nodded grimly. Miss Neal’s words didn’t take away the butterflies fluttering in her stomach or her dread of Miss Stanley. She stood. The older woman grabbed her hand and Krista turned in surprise.

  “You’re stronger than most girls I’ve seen leave, Krista. Remember, a woman’s power has always been strongest over men who adore them. Make your six adore you.” The stark honesty in the woman’s expression gave Krista a moment’s pause.

  “How?”

  Miss Neal smiled slowly. “I hope the video may shed some light on the subject. You girls are very sheltered here, but I know you talk. I was once one of you before it was determined I was sterile. Be bold, Krista, don’t let fear rule your actions tomorrow. They will love you if you remember to trust yourself.”

  Krista nodded and the other woman let go of the hand she’d captured. “Thank you.”

  “There’s more to the world out there than the whims of men, you’ll see. I’ve been here far too long. You are lucky, even if you don’t realize it.”

  Krista gave the guardian one final glance as she went out the door. Miss Stanley’s office was just around the corner and Krista ducked her head in the door. The woman looked up, her usual sour scowl etched deeply into her features. When she saw Krista, her eyes softened just a bit. “Hello there, birthday girl. I hate to see you go.”

  The uncharacteristic kindness of the woman’s tone made Krista’s eyes widen. When the guardian stood up chuckling, Krista realized how her expression must look and managed to pull herself together.

  “I know what the girls think of me. You’ve always been a good girl, and I’m sad to see you leave, but I’m happy for you. There’s a great, big world waiting for your spark, Kristannie, but before you can leave, I have to sign off on your medical evaluation and show you the instructional video. I’m sorry, this is basically government-approved porn. Let’s get your implant and exam out of the way first.” She handed Krista an alcohol swab. “Rub your upper arm, the left one, with this.”

  Tearing open the package, Krista did as requested. A movement out of the corner of her eye was her only warning. “Ouch!” She jumped and covered her aching upper right arm with her left hand.

  “Sorry, it’s easier if you don’t see it coming.” Miss Stanley moved to place a band-aid over the small drops of blood where the implant had gone into Krista’s arm. “I learned a long time ago never to tell a girl when it’s coming. Don’t worry about infection. This device cleaned your skin just before the implant went in. If everything goes well for you, the device will function for a least a decade before it needs to be replaced.”

  “You mean I have to have it taken out?”

  “Yes, and a replacement put back in, but you have many years before you have to worry about it. Put on this gown and hop up on the table.” Miss Stanley left the room.

  Krista lay nervously on the table. A moment after she situated herself under the paper sheet, Miss Stanley returned.

  “This won’t be pleasant. I’m afraid I have to break your hymen.”

  “My what?” Krista glared at the woman, her lower lip trembling. Her eyes were watering, and she tried desperately not to cry.

  “This will actually be better for you. I know it see
ms strange, but it’s official protocol before I can sign off on you medically. After interviewing some of the first girls to leave these institutions, the government decided to remove the hymen in a medical office to avoid unnecessary emotional duress after The Giving. This way, you won’t associate sex with pain, or at least that’s the male theory.” She handed Krista a tissue. “Please don’t cry. I’ve done this often, and I promise to make it as quick and painless as possible.”

  Krista nodded, but she was shaking uncontrollably. She lay back and closed her eyes tightly. The woman gave her no warning. It was painful, but over quickly. Krista cried silently as Miss Stanley finished the rest of the exam.

  “You can get dressed now, Krista. You were brave. I’ve had girls faint. Others scream and thrash until I must call security to have them restrained. I’m sorry. After you dress, press play on the remote sitting on top of the television. The video will help you understand your role and what will be expected of you soon.”

  Krista shrugged, unable to look at the woman who’d stolen something from her. She knew the guardian was just doing her job. Miss Stanley was no more to blame for the state of the world or idiotic government decisions than she herself was, but deep down a bitter anger rose in her very soul.

  The woman left and Krista started to get dressed. Clothing made her feel slightly better. She was sore and felt violated, but she did win the victory over her emotions and managed not to break down sobbing. Taking a deep breath, she wrapped her arms around her middle and focused on trying to see the positive aspect of what she’d endured. Now she only had to fear the act, not necessarily the pain that awaited her after The Giving.

  Relief that the exam was over and everything checked out well and the anxiety over the “educational videos” battled within Krista as she finished dressing. At least Miss Stanley had given Krista privacy to watch the awful footage. She sat down, remote in hand, and pressed play.

  Scenes of a man and a woman disrobing awkwardly and the woman laying down and spreading her legs began playing. They’d given her enough sex education to make the video only mildly shocking. Neither of them seemed happy or in love. Passionate wasn’t the word she’d use to describe what she was seeing, painful was. The woman wore a faraway, zombified gaze and the man kept glancing nervously at the camera.

  The next scene showed the woman letting two men take turns. This time, at least one of the men looked happy, but it was more of the same for the poor woman. After the men had left the room, the woman stood and cleaned herself. A narrator explained the importance of cleanliness before the woman went back to the bed and lay down again. Three more men entered the room. They didn’t kiss or caress her. Each man waited in line at the foot of the bed as if they were waiting for the bathroom to open up or to be served dinner in the cafeteria. They all essential raped the empty-eyed woman before politely leaving.

  After they’d left, the woman sat up and said, “I’m doing my duty for my country. This has been the best day of my life, a baby is a treasure.” She spoke woodenly. Frankly, Krista thought she looked insane and it creeped her out completely. When the horror show ended, she happily turned off the TV.

  Miss Stanley returned. “I heard the television shut off. Do you have any questions about the video? I know you girls live sheltered lives here. Please remember, sex is a beautiful and completely natural act. Without sex, the human race won’t survive. They Give you to six to increase the odds of conception.”

  “What happens when I get pregnant?”

  “You are carefully monitored. A live-in doctor will stay with you until you give birth.”

  “What about the baby?”

  “It depends greatly on your six. Most men allow the male children to stay with you, however, after six months you will be required to begin the breeding process again.”

  Breeding process. The words caused a shudder to run through Krista. She said no more and stood to leave. Having seen the graphic depiction of the future awaiting her only heightened her anxiety.

  Chapter 2

  After a fitful night of tossing and turning, Krista awoke in the half-year dorm feeling discombobulated from the strange bed. Happy Birthday to you, Krista. Today’s going to be a hell’uva long day. In the not so distant past, she’d probably be a college student, happily anticipating her first night of buying alcohol and excited about a big party. In this other reality, Cina would have a fake ID so they could go to the bar together and look for hot guys. She’d be looking for Mr. Right, not given to Mr. I-can-afford-you. But that world was long gone. Six men awaited her in Madison. They would pick her up after signing some papers and shaking the governor’s hand.

  She stood up and walked quietly into the bathroom for a quick shower. She was happy to see the jeans and sweater fit. It had been years since she’d dressed in anything besides the protection facility’s uniform, so the clothes felt odd against her skin. She applied a light coat of makeup and left her hair loose. She made big, soft curls with the curling iron she’d borrowed from Miss Neal. Satisfied, she left the bathroom just as the morning bell rang. The other girls began to stir.

  “Are you scared?”

  “Do you know what they look like?”

  “Did you see the video?”

  She looked at the eight half-years who were sitting up in bed and staring at her curiously.

  “Yes. No. Yes,” Krista answered the questions then quickly left the room before they could ask more. She hurried past several offices.

  “You look beautiful, Kristannie,” Miss Lane said, looking out into the hallway and smiling.

  “Thanks,” Krista muttered, stopping and turning to look at her teacher.

  “Come into the guardian’s lounge for breakfast. You can order anything you’d like. A few of us would like to say our goodbyes properly.”

  “But we aren’t allowed in…”

  “Pfft.” The older woman made a disgusted noise. “We’ve been planning your sendoff all week. You’re the closest thing to a daughter most of us will ever have. I remember rocking you on my lap and reading you books.”

  Krista followed the woman down to the guardian’s lounge.

  “Surprise!” screamed most of guardians. Krista jumped and Miss Lane laughed.

  “You should see the look on your face. Oh, I’m so in heaven, cake for breakfast, yum!”

  “Birthday cake!” Krista said, smiling widely. “I haven’t had birthday cake since I was little. I can’t even remember what it tastes like.”

  “Well, have a bite, and then you’ll know.” Miss Neal laughed, handing Krista a huge piece. “I know we aren’t supposed to celebrate birthdays, but what the heck. Jory made this herself last night. Oh crap, we forgot the candle. You were supposed to make a wish.”

  “I’m eating cake! What more could I wish for right now? I do wish I could stay here. This is my home,” Krista said, frowning and looking down at her feet.

  “No. This is where you grew up, but it’s not really a home. Love your six, raise your sons with them. Then you’ll feel what it’s like to be home.” Miss Neal said.

  Krista took another bite of the white cake with colorful dots.

  “Don’t forget to open your present.” Miss Neal’s voice trembled slightly.

  Krista set her cake down as they slid a big box into her lap. When she pulled off the lid, a gasp escaped her. She picked up a beautiful dress; it was dark, navy blue and made of soft, shimmering fabric. The front was low-cut and the dress was sleeveless. Underneath was a pair of matching pumps and a headband made of the same material as the dress. Heat rose to her cheeks when she saw the risqué black lace bra and panties. She looked up at the women sitting in a circle around her smiling and eating cake for breakfast.

  “Think of this as your wedding dress. We can’t very well send our girl out into the world without anything special to wear,” said Miss Neal.

  Kristannie’s eyes misted. “Thank you.”

  “Keep looking,” Miss Stewart suggested.

 
Krista saw a hardcover book. She carefully set the dress aside and picked the album up. Inside were pictures, drawings, and even report cards from when she was small. The women had used a combination of officially documented photos and candid snapshots to illustrate her childhood. She’d forgotten how much the teens had played with her as a child. One picture was of her sleeping, all cuddled up with a rag doll one of the other girls had made for her. Another showed her jumping rope with Cina not long after her friend had been ripped away from her family. She could still see the haunted look on Cina’s face.

  Krista giggled when she saw the picture of the little dog the older girls had found and hidden when the camp was nothing but a tent city. They’d gotten away with hiding him for almost three months. She’d enjoyed the dog more than anything else the wretched place had to offer.

  “I didn’t know anyone had a camera.”

  “We weren’t supposed to. Just like you girls hide contraband now, we did too,” said Miss Stanley.

  “Who dug up all these old report cards and awards?”

  “They were in your file. We had a wine night and put this together for you. I won’t lie, there were tears. You’ll be missed, Krista. All of our email addresses, our personal ones, are on the back page. Don’t forget us,” said Miss Blake quietly.

  “How can I forget my family?”

  The teachers swarmed her. She was smothered in a comforting, but crushing, group hug. Cina came into the room, looking around fugitively. “Come in and order breakfast with us,” Miss Blake told Cina.

  “Oh cake, I found my breakfast!” She set Krista’s bag by the door and hugged her friend. Both girls started to cry.

  “Okay, no more tears. Let’s eat!” Miss Neal said with false cheeriness.

  * * * *

  The drive to Madison, the state capitol, took several hours. Krista’s nervousness increased with each passing mile. Looking out the window at the beautiful scenery, she realized just how much she’d forgotten about the world. Watching as the miles of open, rural countryside rushed by caused her to feel small and afraid. The high walls of the Young Women’s Educational Protection Facility of the Northern Quadrant made her feel safe, but this expansive space was too big. The rolling hills and corpses of trees were beautiful, but there was just too much…freedom.