Chapter 194
- Kaysi -
This isn't fair; this isn't right. Something felt off.
Becky muttered under her breath, eyes still locked on the chaos ahead. "How can we know they will be safe? What does this even really mean?"
"I hate to say it..." Baby quietly interjected. "But it looks like they're only taking families with high-value genetics and survival potential. I would bet you that the elites are consolidating outcomes. If two-thirds survival is what they are projecting, that means they are weighing who is best to keep things moving for their probable futures.
"I am going," I said immediately. "I'll get to Mary before they have a chance to pair her with the matchmaker. And keep her and the kids safe."
Micah stepped beside me at once. "You're not going alone. I am going with you. I think they are selecting mainly the women, so we should stick together."
Becky raised her fist lightly to her chest like a vow. "You can't expect me to let you go without me, more numbers, and a better outcome."
Baby frowned. "I would come with you girls, but they're running blood tests. Angel DNA isn't on their system… I don't think I'd even register properly."
"Becky..." Josh grabbed Becky's arm. "I don't like you being shoved off to be matched with anyone else but me."
Becky leaned in and kissed his cheek like it was nothing serious at all. "It's not like they are going to marry us off." She giggled. "There is a process: We'll be in and out of waiting for you."
Josh pouted anyway.
Frank sighed, pulling out a radio from his jacket.
"This has a two-way channel that is open to everyone, even the silent police. We will fall back out of sight, regrouping with the redbands."
Elisa puts a hand on Frank's shoulder. "There are old sewer tunnels that lead to under City 5, where I used to slip in and out quietly, and my adopted family dwells there and should take us in. They are the best but aren't bad people. I can lead to the citizens who were unlucky to be selected into the city."
Frank shook his head. "You mean smuggle them. I get it, though. Anyone willing to come and take the risk needs to move quickly. The waters are rising, and those tunnels may get washed out or shut off soon."
"Then that is the plan," Duke spoke up.
Frank hands me the radio.
"Code only. One—for accepted and moving forward. Two—If you were denied entry. Fall back and meet us at the city's sewer tunnel off of Shade Street, five blocks southeast."
I nodded as I took it and turned, heading towards the incline, when something caught my wrist.
I turned.
"Evan?"
"Kaysi...
His grip tightened slightly before I thought he could even realize it, but he didn't release.
"I..." he stalled. "Just... want you to be careful.
My gaze didn't leave his for a second.
"Kaysi, you don't have to do this."
"She has two kids by herself," I said. "At least you forget she just delivered less than a full week ago; she needs backup."
Evan stood there as if he were searching for another reason not to let me go. Then he was released, turning back to the others. "...Don't do anything reckless until we meet again."
The line was worse than I expected; the sound of people complaining grew louder with every step we made. Scanners were beeping, a red or green light flashing on the screen as others slapped bands on their arms, pushing them through the narrow doors or to the side for second screenings.
Then it was our turn; they stuck Becky and Micah with needles, placed the sample on a glass tray, and put it into a small hematology analyzer.
.
Ting—
Green light flashes on the screen.
The doctor smiles. "Waymakers, why did you choose to leave your group and join our city?"
Before the others could answer, I spoke up as the nurse drew my blood.
"I've seen what Bushel Shell Cities could offer, and I want to live here once the flooding is over."
That was a hard lie I am sure I couldn't fulfill, but before she had a chance to question me any further, the screen flashed green, then golden yellow.
"Oh, auto draft selection. That's rare.
The other workers around whispered and smiled.
"Lucky girl, you look like you will be well taken care of."
I felt like I was going to be sick. What did she mean?
But before I could ask, the silent police moved instantly to grab Becky and Micah, pulling them into City 5.
"Hey—what are you doing?" Becky snapped.
Micah stepped closer to me, but more officers moved in.
This felt too fast and too coordinated.
An officer grabbed my arm. Another stepped beside me so I wouldn't put up a fight.
Another nurse appeared beside a black van already idling next to us.
This isn't processing; it was an extraction.
I reached into my pocket and pulled the radio.
Static crackled.
I pulled the radio out. "They are one, but I am three."
The officer leaned in and took the radio from my hand. "You don't need that love, not where you're going." The officer pushed me into the vehicle and closed the door as I met Becky's and Micah's scared eyes.
Before it could shut, I yelled back. "Keep them safe." The final metallic click sealed the doors, and the engine hummed as we moved.
Inside the place was cold, clean, and controlled.
I turned and leaned forward, elbows on my knees, looking at the nurse and officer, looking at me with disgusting smiles as they sat across from me in the vertical seats mounted on the van's walls like a police tank.
"Where are you taking me?"
No answer at first, just the hum of the tires over the wet pavement.
Then the nurse finally spoke.
"Don't worry your pretty little head," she said softly. "You've been selected for priority housing and continual placement."
That word sat wrong in my brain.
Selected continuational placement? What did this mean?
This wasn't a rescue or one of their normal screenings.
It was sorting.
And I had been sorted into something different, off.
"Are we going to see a matchmaker?"
"Oh... You know of some of the processing. But no, honey, we have a family that was looking for very specific genetics. They entered it into the database for future opportunities, and you fit the bill. Count your lucky stars, though this is the richest family in all of Bushel Shell City. You will be climbing the social hierarchy ladder and will be well taken care of."
I think this is part of their forced adoption program, like what they did to Elisa?