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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