Offred

The Wife

Joy was waking up from the effect of the sedative. Next to her was a doctor. As soon as she saw him she tried to stand up, crying and screaming.

- Where did you take her?! Where is she? Why did you do this to me? Why?!

The doctor tried to calm her down.

- Please, lay down. You need to recover. If your situation gets bad it's going to be your fault for whatever your fate will be.
- HOW CAN MY SITUATION GET WORSE?! WHERE IS MY BABY?!!

At that moment, one of The Eyes got in.

- Leave the room, the patient has visits.

The doctor left. Serena was trying to follow Fred who was running. He pushed the man that was standing in front of the door and got in. He shocked. Joy was laying in that hospital bed, sobbing. She looked so pale. And the baby.. was gone. He almost collapsed. Tears were streaming down his face.

- Joy..

She tried to get up to see if it was really him or her ears were playing her.

- Fred! Oh my God!!

He ran to her and hugged her tight. They were both crying, their hearts had been broken so badly.

- Look what they did to me! I couldn't protect her! I failed her..
- No, no, my love. Oh God!

- We lost her, Fred!! They took her out of me as if I was an animal!!!

Fred couldn't keep himself together. He was broken. The tears wouldn't stop.

- Oh, my God! Oh God! Oh God! Joy.. I'm so.. sorry.. my.. love

He was sobbing.

- I.. failed.. you!! Oh God!!

Joy put his head on her chest and hugged him tight.
Serena was watching them from outside. It was a really heartbreaking scene. But they deserved it. That's what she thought.

- Joy, we.. we have.. to think of something..
- About what?
- The.. the new rules. Have you heard about.. them yet?

Fred was trying to normalize his breathing.

- I.. two women were here before. They told me something about it but.. I don't remember much.
- Things.. everything has changed now, my love. But I will save you. We're gonna get through this together, I promise. I'll be back in a minute.
- No, where are you going, Fred! Don't leave me alone!
- I'm right here, my love.

Fred got out and closed the door. Serena was waiting for him to talk.

- I.. I will marry you only under one condition.
- What's that?
- Joy.. Joy will be my Handsmaid.

Serena shocked. She had actually not thought about that.

- Absolutely not.
- Then you can go and fuck yourself. Nothing will separate me from Joy. Only death.

As he was about to get back in, Serena grabbed his hand.

- I'll accept your condition, but you'll have to follow every single rule. Everything will work as it should. I will rule our house.

Fred looked her in the eyes for a long while until he turned his back at her and left. Joy had covered her face with her hands. He sat next to her, took her hands in his and kissed them.

- We won't be separated anymore, my love. You'll be with me.
- What's going on, Fred? I don't understand anything..

In that moment one of the Aunts got in.

- Mr. Waterford, I'll need you to get out.  The visit is over.
- Who are you to..

Serena rushed in.

- Fred, please. Come. She'll explain her everything she needs to know.
- I'm not leaving her alone.
- Don't make things worse. Come.

Fred kissed Joy and hugged her tight.

- I'll be right here, my love. Don't worry.

As he got out, the Aunt started explaining Joy about her new life.

Serena was waiting for him at the hospital's hall.

- Seems like your Joy is a strong and healthy woman. The doctor just told me we can take her home by tomorrow.
- I'm staying with her here tonight.
- No, dear. We got a whole lot of other things to finish. First things first, we have to finalize our marriage. She will be staying with the other Handsmaids for five months, the Aunts will train them. Her name is not Joy anymore. All Handsmaids will be named according to their masters. Therefore, her name will be Offred. That means she's your Handmaid. She's your slave now.

Fred could barely maintain calmness.

- I can't stay away from her for that long. She doesn't need that stupid training, you can tell her..
- Shut up now, Fred! I've had enough of you today! Do you want to lose the chance of having her as your sex slave? Cause that's all she's gonna be to you. I will be your wife. You will have to rape her every night in my presence until she gets pregnant again. And after what happened today, I think it's gonna take a long, long time.

Fred was shocked. He didn't know anything about this part. Serena had to be present?! What did she mean with 'rape'?!
Their lives had turned upside down.