Deviator

The vaccine

2024
Clary

Now that the city is finally evacuated and we have created a safe place to live away from the infected, we can begin looking forward. The vaccine is finally ready and will be distributed to the citizens soon. I can't wait. It will be great to be able to hug my dad again. To talk to other teenagers like me. To have some sense of a normal life. I've already had my first shot. First out of four. So has the rest of the council and their families. Then the rest of section A will get theirs. Then section b and finally section C. I don't know when Protectors and Houseservant will get theirs.

And maybe one day we can even find a cure for those infected. Dad says that it isn't possible because the virus has attracted their brains, but I'm still hoping.

Sitting in my room, I'm looking out the window. I'm lucky, because I have a beautiful room with wide windows where I can sit and look out over The City. The sun is setting and it's creating the most beautiful romantic light.

I love sitting here, reading my romance novels while being bathed in the light from the sun.

"Goddamnit!"

I jump slightly from the yelling downstairs. My dad is getting the usual news. I sneak out and sit on the top of the stairs. I can't help being curious. My mother always said I took after her.

"This can't keep happening! Find those damn kids and drag them back to The City! I will personally rip their head from their bodies!"

I swallow thickly as the words from my dad's threat roams the air. I know he isn't serious. I mean, he can't be. It's just teenagers.

For a few months now, someone in The Wasteland has been sabotaging The City. They slice tires, stops busses, and kidnap the people we are trying to save. Dad calls them terrorists. I find it rather intriguing. But I will never say that to my father. Mom always said that my reading those stories would get me to fall for the bad guys. I guess she was right because I like the idea of them being out there. Not because they do damage to our stuff, but because it's fascinating. It has all the material to be a great love story.

I sigh lightly as my dad continues to yell, then I sneak back into my room and keep reading the stories I love.

****

It turns out that the vaccine isn't the dream come true as I've hoped. Everyone in section A has been vaccinated and most of section B too, but they have discovered a side effect. A very horrendous side effect.

Infertility.

A lot of men and women who have been vaccinated suffers from infertility. In different variations of course. Some will never be able to bear children while others will be able to get pregnant with help. But all of the pregnancies so far have been risky, and a lot of mothers and children has died.

In collaboration with fertility experts, my dad and his scientists has created the ProCreationCenter, which is a center that will provide a safe way to procreate.

We are now able donate eggs and seamen and then the fertility doctors will use that to create babies, so the human race doesn't go instinct. That's why a new Obligation has been added to the law. We can't risk underpopulation. And right now, no one in section A has been able to go through an entire pregnancy after the Vaccine. Those who carry to term has delivered stillborn.

I haven't been checked for viable eggs yet. But I'm going to.

It is scary going to the ProCreationCenter for the first time. My dad has been kind enough to take me there. I am too scared to go alone. Since I'm only a teenager my chance for pregnancy is higher than most women. That's why I'm going here today. It's not to have a child of my own but to donate some of my eggs to those unfortunates who can't get pregnant.

We have been told it's mandatory to donate eggs and semen now if you are lucky enough to not be infertile. We have to stand together to create a new society. To survive this pandemic. After all, children are the most important thing to rebuild the new world.

As we enter the clinically white building, my hands began to shake. I know my chances are better than most but I'm still terrified. I've heard stories of what happens to people who doesn't donate. And after all I was one of the first to get vaccinated. One of the perks of being the chancellor's daughter.

We aren't waiting long before the chief of the Center himself comes to get me. My father comes with as he leads me into a room where a nurse is already waiting.

"Take of you clothes and lie down with your feet in the stirrups. There will be a doctor in here shortly. I'll be outside, talking to your father."

I nod and as soon as they leave, I remove my clothes. My hands are shaking slightly and the nurse notices.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It won't hurt at all, and you will be providing a chance for a baby to some lucky parents."

I smile and nod as I lie down. Within a few seconds a female doctor comes in.

"Miss Morgenstern. Thank you for your donation." The woman smiles at me and sits down on her small chair at my feet. I take a deep breath and as I exhale, she uses her tools to open up my cervix. It's a bit cold, but I try not to move. "don't worry miss Morgenstern, this is just a routine check before we harvest some of your eggs."

I nod and clamp my teeth together. It's uncomfortable to have someone shoving their fingers up inside you. And it is taking forever.

"Nurse, would you please bring the ultrasound machine?"

She removes her fingers, and I can breathe normally again. At least for a little while. The nurse pour gel on my stomach and then scans my abdomen. I watch the monitor but apparently, I can't see what they are seeing, because they are not looking pleased.

As they remove the machine and the nurse wipes off my stomach, the doctor leaves the room.

"Is something wrong?" my voice is shaking. I don't know why, but I'm terrified.

"The doctor will be back in a minute to talk to you." The nurse smiles and leaves the room to.

My heart start hammering in my chest, and I want to cry. I'm scared and I need my dad. As if he has heard me, he enters alongside the doctor.

"Oh darling..." He grabs my hand. "My sweet, sweet girl..."

"Daddy..." I sob, "what's going on?"

"They've found a tumor in your left ovary. They must remove it. And then you need chemo."

"But... I was just..."

"The good news is, I can take out a few good eggs, and then you might still have children someday." The doctor smiles at me like she is saving my life, but it feels like I'm drowning. I can't donate. I can't help other people, which means I can't do my part. If I hadn't been the Chancellor's daughter, I'm not even sure I would have been allowed to stay in The City. Especially not since I require an expensive surgery and aftercare.

I sob silently as my father holds my hand and the doctor begins to harvest a few good eggs.