Perfect Flaw (17 page)

With that, the couple stood and left.

She stayed a few moments before settling the bill and leaving, eager to open the packet.

* * *

The Dash Clinic did not look like a regular Clinic; it was more like a bed and breakfast. She could see people eating through the front windows, and knew that the rear and the upstairs were entertaining different business. Breeders entered and were superficially identified, which is what made it safer to go to than a Hospital. After all, this was not where someone went for an exam. This was where some of the more ‘archaic’ breeders went to meet their donors face-to-face. This Dash Clinic catered to such interaction. It operated much like the old time Date & Dash, where potential matches sat and talked for five minutes and, if they cliqued, were given a room for as long as they needed. Thankfully the Clinic provided pregnancy indicators which informed the woman just hours after conception. In the meantime, meals and comfort would be provided until the business was complete. From what she understood, impregnation should happen within 24 hours if both had waited seven days after receiving the injection to reverse each party’s contraception.

She hoped what she heard about Dash Clinics being able to supply the Reversal were true, otherwise all of this would be for nothing. There were two types of impregnation: insemination and direct copulation. Riley could not have insemination done due to her faux identification; the Hospital would spot it immediately. This was a bit more risky than she had in mind, but she did not mind. In fact, before her interviews she had already decided that she wanted to do have direct copulation. She was no stranger to sex, this was true. However, this would be her one chance to choose who the father of her child would be. For whatever reason, she felt compelled to at least know something about him before she accepted his seed.

She needed to get going before she lost her nerve.

Reaching into her jacket pocket, she pulled out the ID card sized felt box and opened it to reveal its contents. Snugly fit into the container was a Breeder Permit, a needle with a strange liquid in it, and another small disk that looked like it fit in her phone. Taking it out, she placed the disk in one of the side slots and placed the earpiece in her ear while she waited for it to load.

“After this recording, destroy the disk,” intoned the computerized audio. “Included in your packet are your permit and the Reversal injection so that the Dash Clinic’s reserves do not read any lost inventory. It is not unusual for a Breeder to bring their own supply, so do not worry about drawing attention. In fact, they prefer it because it tells them that you are Approved since Reversals are only available through Hospitals, so be sure to have it in view when you are put through security. Budget is set for fourteen days, so do not overstay. After you are finished, it is strongly recommended you have your Scheduled Check-Ups at a Clinic where the Hot Tea Rose is in the window. This location will change, so always wear your rose when you visit the Clinic to help the nurses know who you are. Good Luck.”

Riley’s stomach clenched, and she quickly pulled out the disk, exited the car, dropped it, and ground it into the pavement with her heel as she shut the vehicle door. All this sly maneuvering was slightly exciting, but also scary. Was she sure she wanted to do this?

A couple walked by pushing a stroller, with a small baby looking around seated inside. The women looked so proud, and the baby so lovely. She felt the all too familiar longing surge through her.

Squaring her shoulders, she crossed the street to the Dash Clinic and ascended the steps.

She was not sure what she expected when she entered, but the mere normality of the inside was a little startling. Looking around, she took a few moments to take in the friendly atmosphere. The couples sitting at the tables were laughing as they ate, seeming like friends rather than one-time lovers. It was encouraging. Seeing the clerk at the far counter, she made her way across the dining area. When she got there, she smiled. The clerk smiled in return.

“Identification?”

She nodded and pulled out the felt box. Opening it, she handed over the faux permit, making sure to have the small injection in full view as she handed over the ID card. The clerk noticed it, and she could almost see the man’s shoulders relax. It helped ease her nerves.

“First time?”

She nodded again, her throat too tight to answer.

He smiled reassuringly at her as he spoke again. “Place your forefinger in the reader.”

“Okay,” she breathed as she did so. She was familiar with this; it was the lie detector which was standard for all interviews.

“State your name.”

“Riley Mason.”

“Age?”

“25,” this was important since all Breeders had to be above the age of 21. Something about the body’s chemistry changing every seven years, so it was selected as the best age beyond puberty to begin allowing pregnancies.

“Previous pregnancies?”

“No,” her voice was a bit confused, had he not asked her if this was her first time.

He smiled as he heard her annoyance. “Standard questions, miss.”

“Oh,” she grinned sheepishly, “sorry.”

He nodded to her and typed in some information.

She remembered then that Breeders were only allowed a certain number of children, and that was dependent on their health. Any Breeder who tried to go beyond that was, at best, severely reprimanded and punished. She hated to think of the worst case scenario. Now that she thought about it, disobeying a Dictate was almost a guaranteed death sentence. Was she sure she really wanted to do this? Looking around, she reminded herself that this had always been a dream of hers. Right now she was sure she was being tested, how far was she willing to go? Apparently, all the way – she was willing to risk death.

His voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you sexually involved with an immediate family member?”

She shuddered. “No,” she answered firmly. Aside from the Dictate against it, it was unthinkable to her. Not to mention it was rather difficult to accomplish given that Breeders were usually selected from separate Demenses as their progeny.

He continued to type. “Are you sexually involved with a minor or student?”

She was proud to say, “No,” to that one. Though she had begun having sex at fourteen, like many others, it was strongly discouraged to have sex with someone beyond your age group. Apparently before The Decay, adults used to take advantages of minors’ need for acceptance and abuse was common, so it was no longer tolerated. In addition, any adult in a position of instruction over young minds was strictly forbidden to copulate with students. Both offenses were punishable by termination, on multiple levels. Besides, she took her position as an instructor very seriously, and would never abuse her position of trust.

“Last question,” he seemed to tense, “do you practice bestiality or necrophilia?”

She could not suppress the shudder of revulsion. “Absolutely not.”

He relaxed. “Apologies. Standard questions.”

“I understand. But really… ick.”

He made a face in agreement. Once again, aside from the fact that doing such a thing would mean death, the mere thought of it was repulsive. What kind of a place was The Decayed World that these questions had to be asked?!

“Remove your finger,” he finished typing as she complied. “You do know that optimum time before insemination is seven days after Reversal?”

“Yes.”

“You plan to stay here the entire time, or go back to your home?”

She thought about it. “Stay.”

He took the Breeder Permit and ran the card through a reader before handing it to her. “Room number is on the key. Credits will be deducted after you leave. Don’t forget to check out.”

She placed the card back in its cushioned slot and looked at the clerk. “Am I allowed to participate in the Dash before my time?”

“Of course,” he assured her. “Some Breeders like to use the time they are waiting to carefully select their partner. Enjoy.”

She grinned and moved past him, her heart racing as she walked down the hall and up the stairs to where her room awaited.

The next few days were a bit of a blur. The shot itself was not very painful, though she was a bit sleepy the first day. On the second, she made a point of watching the Dash, to get an idea of how it worked. Fairly straightforward: participants sat across from one another and tried to impress each other within five minutes. If it did not work, a bell chimed and the men shifted position – she liked how the women were the only ones sitting still. By the third day she was sitting in the Dash, and the thrill of it rushed through her as she received numerous pitches.

Too needy.

Handsome, but too self-absorbed.

Too chatty.

Too quiet.

Too self-centered.

It was amazing to her how many different personality types she could meet in one day of these Dash encounters. All the while, she was waiting for that reaction that would tell her that, at the very least, she would not mind bedding the man. On the sixth day she met him, or rather heard him. His voice was like a beastly purr that tickled along her skin. She barely was able to concentrate on the man in front of her, and waited eagerly for the bell to chime. When he sat before her, she was a bit surprised to see that his face and physique did not match his voice. She had half-expected to see a rugged appearance and a burly frame, but the man was slender and his features were average. However, his voice was heavenly, he was intelligent, and had wit. Apparently she impressed him as well because when the bell chimed they stood and left the Dash arena for the dining hall, where they spent her final day talking and enjoying each other’s company before sealing the deal.

His name was Carlton, and to be honest he was perfect for her even beyond what they were here for. She had no complaint, especially since the sex was fabulous. He was attentive and giving, not to mention patient. After all, there was no real rush, and they were determined to enjoy one another. She made sure she was as thorough with him, drawing sounds from him that made her skin tingle with delight. It was not long before she was pregnant, and they both shared a laugh and a hug. She was getting what she wanted: a child by a man who wanted to breed and, as a bonus, it was a man she desired. In fact, she would not mind keeping his contact information and staying in touch with him afterward. A sentiment he apparently shared since he gave her his card.

Day ten saw her checking out, satisfied on a multiple levels.

* * *

Riley wondered for the ‘n’th time if she had made a mistake.

Sitting in the Hospital exam room, she felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature control. She had not wanted to come here, but she had not thought she had a choice. After visiting the Hot Tea Rose Clinics suggested by her ‘contacts’, she realized she was not going to be able to keep it up. She could not claim it on her insurance without flagging her illegal condition so the cost involved was coming out of her account, especially since it could not be funded by the government. She had not known how much the regular check-ups would cost, but she knew now that she could not keep it up. Initially it had not been so bad, a check up once a month she could handle. Yet now she was beyond the three month mark and had been told that the check-ups would have to be more frequent, especially approaching the time of birth. She was an instructor; she could not afford this without help.

She dared not ask Carlton, even though they had been seeing a lot of each other since the Dash Clinic. He had been more than happy to accompany her on the scheduled check-ups, though he did express initial confusion at her not going to a Hospital. She was only partially honest when she told him she now preferred Clinics since it reminded her of how they met, and was delighted when he accepted that explanation. She wished she had asked him to come with her here, but as close as they were getting she still had been too afraid to tell him that she had gotten his child illegally. She was afraid of what his reaction would be. Would he turn her in? Would he be sympathetic? Would he even be as curious as she was why she had been denied? If only she could puzzle that out.

That, and the odd pain that she was experiencing. The Clinic doctors could find no reason for it, and it was not constant. So she just reasoned it had to do with the pregnancy. Still, at times it was so intense that she could not move and was using up her paid time off at work. This could not keep up without someone getting suspicious. Especially now that she was starting to show, well a little.

In a moment of weakness, she had gone into the Hospital to get a thorough exam with better technology.

Yet it was taking too long. They had drawn blood and taken her ID card, surely it did not take that long to find out if anything was wrong with her or her child. But what if something was wrong? What if her child was malformed?

The door opening interrupted her thoughts.

A nurse quickly crossed the room and gathered her clothes. “Get dressed.”

“What?” she repeated blankly, automatically taking off the hospital gown and donning on her clothes.

“You were told not to go to a Hospital!” the woman hissed as she peeked out the door. “The doctor is calling you in as we speak. Your ID has been flagged and no Hospital or Clinic will give you sanctuary now, not to mention the Enforcers will be hunting you. We have to get you out of here… now!”

“Wait…” she hesitated as the woman led her down the hall. “They won’t hurt me… will they?”

The nurse gave her a scathing look. “You disobeyed a Dictate, used falsified information to steal a child, and were dumb enough to go to a Hospital.”

She paled with each word, remembering why she was going to the Hot Tea Rose Clinics to start with.

“You’ll be lucky if they wait to terminate you.”

“Terminate?” she squeaked.

“Yes, terminate,” was the rejoiner. “Not aborted, as that is stopping something before it happens. Not erased, as what has been done cannot be undone. Terminated. You and your child will both be killed.”