Elicerent

III.

I woke with a jolt to Enna standing over me.

"I'm so sorry to have startled you."

I shook my head, "No. It wasn't you. I had images playing in my mind."

"Hmmm, dreaming. It is normal," Enna handed me some coverings, bidding me to dress. The shirt was loose and hung off my shoulders awkwardly.

Enna steered me through the maze of halls and levels.

"Where are you taking me?"

"I've been asked to bring you to your Carrier."

"Carrier?"

"The female with whom you share your genetic material. They wouldn't like me saying this, but hundreds of years ago, people used to call them muthers," she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.

"And why must I see this Carrier?"

"Doctor Robynson just wants you to meet her so that he can ask you some questions afterward about any connection you may feel."

I could not tell where we were heading in relation to anything that I had seen, but I did anticipate that we had left the Facility without actually leaving it. We entered a dimly lit vertical machine that brightened as the doors closed to box us in. A sudden feeling of light headedness indicated that we were descending. Enna didn't speak, only looking forward at the closed doors. When we came to a halt, I could see her lean to grab the rail on her left side. I understood why as we began moving again. This time horizontally, and rather than smooth, the journey was jarring. The lights flickered and whirred at every jolt, until we came to another stop.

I knew that we were connected genetically, but I felt no connection to this woman. She was superficial and tottered around her quarters, waiting on her mate hand and foot. There was no doubt that she was the right woman, for I looked much like her. According to the information that Enna had provided, her mate was a gift from the Facility for her service as a Carrier. Her mate grunted and huffed in his chair. I could not see the appeal in him. He was a severe looking man, with disapproval of my presence written all over the stern lines etched in his forehead. It was forbidden for offspring to seek out their Carrier. He rose and grunted to announce his exit from the room.

"Never mind him dear. I think that it is delightful to be able to meet one of my offspring, especially after..."

Enna interrupted her to announce that our time was almost at an end. The Carrier stared at me, or past me, a memory flitting before her. I fidgeted awkwardly in the chair and the movement seemed to drag her from her trance. She shook her head and I smiled at her reassuringly. Enna indicated to the door and as I rose to exit, the Carrier grasped my hand, "May The One guide you and keep you from harm."