Chapter Two

A Utopian world where humans are created for the sole purpose of prolonging the lives of rich people.

Chapter Two

 

   The rhythmic beeping of hospital equipment woke me several hours later. I blinked slowly, not daring to open my eyes yet. The throbbing in my head warned me against any sudden movements. I shifted my arms, testing their sturdiness. Then my legs, and when I was sure that I wasn’t going to vomit, I opened one eye.

   I was alone, and for that I was grateful.

   The room I found myself in was one I’d been in several times during the last several weeks. It’s where I’d had all my physical exams and tests. The ones leading up to my Harvest.

   I swallowed harshly at the thought.

   There wasn’t going to be a Harvest anymore. She didn’t want me.

   “Ah, you’re awake.” Healer Saurin walked into the room accompanied by Healer Frigga. I was assaulted by the kindness in the younger Healers blue eyes. She tucked her short blonde hair behind her ears as walked over to my hospital bed.

   “I understand that you had a negative reaction when Healer Saurin informed you of Mrs. Rupert’s decision.” She spoke quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, like she was afraid someone would over hear her.

   I shrugged as much as I could while lying down. “I’d just been told that my life had no meaning any more. I’m sure that you can understand where the panic came from.”

   Healer Frigga nodded. “I do. In fact, I understand more than you realize.”

   I just frowned at her, flicking my eyes to Healer Saurin who stood near the door.

  “I was to be Harvested ten years ago. In the San Diego Institute.” Healer Frigga told me quietly. “I was informed the morning of my Harvest that my person was no longer willing to live and had taken her life.”

   I felt my heart constrict at her words. “What did you do?”

   “I became a Healer.” She smiled, “I chose to give myself a new purpose.”

   “How?” I asked.

   “I approached the Healers of my Institute and asked to be Taught.” She told me. “And they were more than willing to oblige me.”

   “No. How…how did you find it in yourself to…?”

   “To continue living?” Healer Frigga sighed. “The problem, Adalyn, is that you see yourself as an object first and a person second �" if at all. You were created because somebody in this world wanted to Harvest you. That was your purpose. But that person has decided to give you a life. They’ve given you the opportunity to find a greater purpose.”

   I leaned back against the pillows heavily. “I don’t think I can.”

   I closed my eyes, but I could feel two pairs of eyes on me. I knew Healer Frigga wanted to say more but Healer Saurin spoke up. “We’ll leave you to rest a bit longer, Adalyn. Then we’ll talk again. If you need anything, push the button on the side of the bedside table, okay?”

   She waited until I nodded my understanding before ushering Healer Frigga from the room.

   A greater purpose? Greater than giving somebody the chance at a longer life? Greater than giving somebody the gift of health?

   This couldn’t be right. It couldn’t end like this. Not after twenty years of waiting and preparing and anticipation.

   It wasn’t supposed to end like this. It won’t end like this.

 

   When I called Healer Saurin back into my room she was hesitant at first to allow me out of bed, much less where I wanted to go. Outside the walls. I wanted to see Mrs. Roberts. I had to talk to her. I had to speak with her.

   “I don’t think this is a good idea, Adalyn.” Healer Saurin told me insistently.

   “I need to do this.” I told her, sitting up in bed. “It’s important...if I’m going to move on. I need closure.”

   It was a lie. I had no intention of finding a new purpose. I was going to change Mrs. Roberts mind. I was going to be Harvested even though it terrified me to think of. This is my purpose.

  “I’ll send word to the Rupert residence. If she’s okay to see you, you may go.” Healer Saurin back out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her as she went.

   It was agony, the wait. I rested against the plump pillows, counting the beeps on the heart monitor. I got to two-hundred before my ears stopped hearing the beeps. I recited all of the poems that I knew �" twice. I said the alphabet backwards until I could do it with no mistakes and then I pushed the blankets off my legs.

  “Alright,” I mumbled to myself. “Let’s be useful.” I made sure the small cuff link was still counting the beats of my heart and moved towards the bathroom to fill up the cup on the side on the sink. I carried it back into the main room and gave the flowers on the bedside table a drink. I repeated the trek until all four of the plants had been watered. I’d just sat down on the window seat when the door opened and Healer Saurin came in.

   I got to my feet, my hands linked together in front of me. “Well?”

   “You’re expected for dinner.” The Healer told me. “Come. I’ve drawn you a bath.”

   She led me out of the Hospital wing, through the halls and into the dormitory wing of the Institute. Once we reached my room, she turned to me. She opened her mouth like she wanted to tell me something but closed it just as quickly. She brushed her hand over my shoulder as she left me.

   “A driver will be waiting at the front door in one hour.” She said over her shoulder.

   I could hardly contain my excitement as I bathed. I was really going to do it. I was going to meet Mrs. Rupert. I was going to look at her face and I was going to convince her to Harvest me.

   Everything was going to be fine.

 

 

   “Is it true?” The door opened while I was getting dressed, but years of having been examined and prodded at had diverted me of any bashfulness. I looked over my shoulder as Amy shut the door behind her.

    “Is what true?” I asked, slipping into the under garments I had thrown over the chair of my vanity.

    “That you’re going past the walls of the Institute? That you’re going to meet your person? That you were given the chance to live a normal life and you’re going to give that up?”

    “Yes.”

   “Yes, what?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

   “Yes, I’m going beyond the Institute. Yes, I’m going to meet my person. Yes, I’m going to ask her to change her mind.” I pulled on the simple cotton dress with the long sleeves and the A-line bodice that was the color or ripe peaches. I turned to check out the end result in the mirror of my vanity. I was pleased that the color of the dress made my skin look ethereal, that the dress stopped just above my knees and the pumps that I slipped on added a couple of inches to my meager 5’4 height. I looked beautiful, and I knew that it was going to work in my favour.

   I sat at my vanity and started opening pots and jars to get at the makeup that I’d hardly ever used. I winged my eyes with black liner, covered my lids with a shimmering gold shadow and lined my lashes so they were full and long. I slicked some pale pink gloss on my lips and turned my face this way and that, looking for any imperfection that would made this trip a complete bust.

   I found none.

  “Are you even listening to me?”

   I turned at the sharp tone. “Amy, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

   “I want you to tell me that this isn’t happening. You’ve been given the chance to live freely and you’re throwing it away!”

   “My purpose in life is to be of use. That’s what I’m going to do.”

   “Yes, but �"”

   “Amy, how long have we known each other?”

   “Twenty years.” Was the hesitant response. “Why?”

   “Have I ever, in the time that we’ve known each other, made a bad decision?”

   “Well, no. But that doesn’t mean you’re incapable of making them. You’re not perfect.”

   I hissed at that. She couldn’t have stung me more had she slapped me. I stood, the heels bringing me to her height. “I’ve known you my entire life. I’ve shared everything with you, confided in you, and trusted you. I come to you for advice about many things. This, however, is not one of them. If you have any respect for me, you’ll hold your tongue and allow me to do with my life as I please.” My tone was cool, my face impassive.

   She sighed loudly. “Fine. But when this all goes to s**t, don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”

  There was a knock at my door. “Miss Adalyn. You’re driver is ready.”