The Seventh Angel

Chapter 2

"Will it hurt me?" Nexis asked, her voice trembling slightly as I lifted her arm for the vaccine.

"You'll feel a tiny sting, and by the time you even notice it-" My hands moved quickly, confidently, as I injected the vaccine, "-it'll be over." I pulled the needle out just as Nexis, whose name I had only learned ten minutes ago, furrowed her brows at the slight sting.

"That wasn't bad at all! Thank you, doc!" She hopped up from her seat and ran to her mother, who enveloped her in a warm hug.

"You're very welcome," I replied, smiling as warmth flooded me from her gratitude. But as she smiled back, a pang hit my chest. I would never see a smile like that from my own child... I pushed the intrusive thought away, focusing instead on my duty. "This will keep you safe and healthy from now on," I added, handing the mother a list of instructions. "Make sure fruits and vegetables are in her diet every day, and these vitamins," I pointed to the bottle in my hand, "are to be taken regularly. Light exercises will also be required in the coming weeks."

Nexis wrinkled her nose. "But I don't like bananas... or tablets." She made a disgusted face that made me chuckle.

"Do you want to know a little secret?" I whispered. Her eyes widened as she nodded. "I hate pills too. But trust me, they help." I lied.They did not help us get fertile. Her mother smiled, but her eyes betrayed a deep concern.

"Doctor Chloera, could I have a word?" The mother, Elain, tucked her brown hair behind her ears as she approached me. I nodded, and we moved from the expansive living room into the hallway, leaving my colleagues with Nexis.

"Of course," I said, walking beside her. There was a heaviness in the air, her steps slow and deliberate. "Is there something on your mind?"

"The vaccine..." she started, her voice hesitant, almost as if she feared saying the words aloud.

I frowned, waiting patiently. "Yes?"

"I know... I know we're not supposed to question the vaccine. It's cured all the diseases we once feared, and it's given us longer, healthier lives, but... what if..." She swallowed, her nervousness growing.

I glanced around, ensuring we were alone. I didn't like where this was going. "What if...?" I prompted.

"What if the vaccine causes infertility?" Her words spilled out in a rush. "What if it's the reason so many can't have children anymore? Could it be a side effect of all this prolonged life and health?"

I stiffened, her words hanging in the air like a dangerous fog. "That's impossible," I replied firmly. "I've conducted extensive research. The vaccine isn't the cause. Genevax was the virus that caused infertility,death and the vaccine cured it. We monitor everyone's blood samples regularly. No trace of the virus remains."

"I know, the research says that," she admitted, shaking her head, clearly disappointed with my response. "But what if the technology hasn't caught up? What if we missed something? Maybe the virus mutated after the vaccine..."

"Elain..." I tried to keep my voice calm, noticing my colleagues glancing in our direction. "You must understand, questioning the vaccine can have severe consequences." My voice dropped to a whisper. "You could be executed for even hinting at doubt. Do you understand?"

She looked away, biting her lip. "Of course... I won't say anything. It's a gift from God," she muttered, more for show than conviction, as one of my coworkers, Anthony, approached.

"Good." I sighed in relief. "We've already checked Nexis' blood sample. She's cured. Her leukemia is gone."

Anthony nodded in agreement, though his watchful eyes hadn't left us since we started talking. Elain exhaled, though the worry in her gaze remained. "Thank you, doctor," she whispered, but I could tell the doubt hadn't left her mind.