The Fallout

Alright, I couldn\'t resist putting this in here since it is already completed. Still no reviews, waiting patiently. Okay, this part may start out somewhat confusing, but read on and it will become clear (you can go back and re-read if you feel the need once you know who\'s POV this is from). Some better activities in this one, at least I was a bit flustered when I wrote it. lol Well, enjoy this next installment, and hopefully it will provoke some reviews!

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Early the previous day...

They have just informed us that the long awaited pairing ceremony is to take place tomorrow evening. The other women seem barely able to conceal their excitement as we are given our instructions, but I feel little emotion over the announcement. I suppose I am simply subdued because of the incident that occurred yesterday.

* * *

In a place where partiality is forbidden, friendships are hard to find. I had been lucky enough, however, to create some sort of familiarity with another woman in my Community Cycle Group. During this time we are removed from The Community and taken to a specific area where we reside until the week of our cycle is complete. There are usually only around a couple hundred women who are together during this time, considerably less than the count of all the women Producers which I believe is somewhere near to one thousand.

I met Sara at my first CCG, we both happen to cycle during the same time each month. At the time I was not only wary, but nigh unapproachable. The Fallout and our recruitment had taken a toll on me emotionally. Any woman who attempted to be cordial with me simply recieved a rather fierce look in return.

I must take a moment to say that I was never of an unkindly nature. I was shy, demure... and had an uncanny talent for solving other peoples problems. I suppose the only link that I might draw to my sudden rudeness is that I have always been somewhat of an introvert, and if you put an introvert in a highly stressful situation such as this, there are two things that will most likely result. The person in question will either bring about their own untimely demise through any method of suicide they find suitable, or they will slowly (but surely) let the anger boil within until the time comes when they can no longer stand it and must take action. Well, since suicide wasn\'t particularly appealing to me, I suppose I subconsciously opted for the second choice.

It was Sara\'s unrelenting endeavors to procure some form of vocal response from me (assuming I wasn\'t mute) that finally brought me around. By the third day, after trying (and failing) several times to get me to respond, she resorted to uniquely crafty means. She had decided that since I obviously did not respond to the many \"Greetings Neighbor!\" salutations that I recieved daily, that perhaps she would try a more personable approach, something that might appeal to that emotionally shocked spirit within.

\"Hi, my name is Sara.\"

I looked up in shock, though I knew by her slightly disconcerted look that I was not showing the emotion she had expected to recieve. I think for a moment she might have taken a second thought and perhaps believed I would turn her in for what she had said. We weren\'t permitted to reveal the names we had used before the Fallout, and any who did so were certain to recieve a first class ticket through the door. However, instead of abandoning her initial plan, she plunged on valiantly.

\"I had two children and a husband who were killed in the war. I was out getting groceries.\"

She had done it. I have a weak spot, and that is sympathy. My stony face softened for the first time in days. I saw the relief wash over her instantly as she smiled with a sense of accomplishment.

\"My name is Kendra.\"

I smiled weakly, though it felt strange. It seemed I couldn\'t remember the last time I had done so. A moment later an image flashed through my mind. Yes, I could remember. I was walking down the street around eleven o\'clock in the evening, a place I would often haunt when restless or lonely, an all too familiar feeling that I had aquired throughout the years. I recall a rather plain young girl had been gazing dreamily from her window on the second floor of a slightly derelict apartment building. I remember catching her eye for a quick moment. She had smiled at me, and I had smiled in return. Neither of us knew that in only a few hours that entire neighborhood would be completely erased from the face of the earth. In that fleeting moment our ignorance to our impending doom seemed timeless.

It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes. I was suddenly so aware of myself that it was almost jarring. I stood up from the corner where I had been silently rooted for three days. I looked around carefully to make sure that we wouldn\'t be overheard.

\"Is it safe to speak here?\" I asked in an urgent whisper.

\"Yes, it is loud enough that we won\'t be overheard, and I don\'t think there are any cameras.\" As she said this I noticed her gaze flit to the nearby wall. For a moment I hesitated. What if there was a camera somewhere nearby? Despite the frightening thoughts that swirled in my mind, I decided I didn\'t care. If I got caught, at least I would go knowing I hadn\'t transformed into a mindless, living robot, as we were all certain to become.

\"So, did you have any family?\" she asked, genuinely interested. Her tone was somewhat subdued, obviously this subject was one that still brought freshly painful memories. Who could blame her? Something like that was sure to haunt her with plenty of \'what if\'s.

\"No, I never had the time,\" I replied honestly. It was one of the things I most regretted. At one point in my life I had been faced with the choice of family or career, a difficult choice for most people. I had chosen the latter path which brought me plenty of money to remain comfortable for most of my life, a useless luxury now that money no longer exists. Also, there is something in that old adage \"money can\'t buy love\". I spent every evening solitary and exhausted with nothing but my lonely thoughts and a few romance novels to keep me warm at night. \"I regret it every day of my life.\"

\"I\'m sorry to hear that. I would do it all over again, even if things were to happen the same way. I loved my family, but in a way I\'m glad they didn\'t have to live to see this,\" her eyes clouded for a moment. I let her words sink in and realized she was right, it would be better to be dead than forced to do what we were preparing for.

* * *

We spoke every chance we could get, both during our CCG and when we were back in The Community. Looking back I suppose that our constant conversations were probably what first drew the Doctors attention to us, and it musn\'t have taken too long for them to discern that our relationship must be hindered quickly. We weren\'t careful enough, but we didn\'t know the vastness of their means by which they collected their information.

About five days ago I began to notice we were being watched. When Sara approached me that day I gave her a sharp warning look to tell her to avoid me. She took a quick left and swiftly joined another group. I watched her carefully out of the corner of my eye and I knew she had seen the nearby Doctor watching us both closely.

I can\'t stop thinking that if maybe we had just not taken the risk of our one final conversation, if I had just simply walked away, she would still be here. Two days ago we chanced a few quick words. We knew that we were drawing near to the pairing, rumors were circulating at an amazing rate among the women, and the Doctors all seemed slightly happier than usual (an amazing feat as they usually went about their business as if wrought of a metal impenetrable to emotion of any kind).

During the evening meal Sara sat down inconspicuously across from me. In an effort to draw less suspicion she spoke first to both women in neighboring seats before turning to me. Our first words were casual, all of it a show put on for the hawk-eyed Doctors. Glancing quickly while the Doctor closest to us was distracted by another group, she leaned forward anxiously.

In hind sight I suppose she knew that she would never see me again. The importance in her tone was surprising. With some authority she had given me what might be deemed as instructions which I had no choice but to follow. I remember that she had made me promise never to give up.

\"You realize that if you give in there is no reason for living,\" she said gravely. \"I see something in you, Kendra, something unique. I think that before the end you are going to do something great.\" Her serious demeanor turned suddenly into a look of amusement. \"Who knows, maybe you will be the one who saves us all!\"

* * *

The next morning I woke up feeling distinctly ill. The Doctors removed me to the Community Infirmary to make certain it wasn\'t anything serious. After being given a quick once over it was determined that I simply had a slight bought of the flu which, to my dismay, was nothing life threatening. I was given an influenza injection (somehow both the virus and the vaccine had survived the war) and was given allowance to sleep peacefully until around mid-afternoon.

I remained in the infirmary until our evening meal was called. As soon as I entered the room I knew something had happened. The room was buzzing with hurried whispers, though I caught bits and pieces as I made my way slowly to my appointed seat.

\"Yes, through that door there.\"

\"But I thought only the Doctors were allowed through that door?\"

\"Well, of course they are, but she isn\'t ever coming back is she... so no need to be secretive about it, eh?\"

I quickened my pace and set my tray down. My pulse was racing, though for a second I didn\'t know why. It took one look where I know she should have been sitting to confirm what I realized I had already known. Sara was gone, taken through the door that none return from. I shook, but quickly subdued my emotion in an effort to detract any attention that might wander in my direction.

\"Yes, I recall seing her sometimes. She was in my CCG actually, very friendly. I suppose maybe too friendly, too familiar with people. There was some girl she was always with, never got a good look at her though. Red hair, but there are a few of those here.\"

I stared at the food at my tray. I silently waited, expecting at any moment to feel the vice grip of a Doctor\'s hands on my arm leading me to following in Sara\'s footsteps, but it never came. I was vaguely aware that I had forced myself to eat, managed a conversation with some girl, even smiled at one of the Doctors. I didn\'t know why I wasn\'t taken, but I had decided to take her advice... I wasn\'t going to give in, no matter what they threw at me.

* * *

The morning meal is complete. A Doctor has just announced that the second term CCG (the one I am a part of) is to report directly for our weekly examinations. I still haven\'t gotten used to these procedures, they still scare the shit out of me. It\'s not the painful exams that frighten me like most of the women here, its those tests of passion that bring such violent waves of desire and craving from deep within my body that I feel rent from my very being. These cravings horrify me... its a piece of myself I never knew existed, whether from years of limited sexual confrontations, or simply never being given the opportunity to explore that piece of myself. On the positive side, these intense sexual displays pleased the Doctors greatly (I would later learn that it was this among other things that prevented me from being led through that door). In fact, they even went so far as to mention that I was their most impressive subjects.

I walk through the familiar red door, the other two no longer drawing my curiosity. Since we will not recieve numbers until we are paired, the Technicians are required to identify us all by our catalogued features. On the clipboard each of us is listed by our height, weight, hair and eye color, and some other identifying qualities. The technician scanned me quickly and found me on the list in virtually no time at all. Checking my name off and handing me a piece of paper, he turned and pointed behind across the room.

\"Third door to your left.\"

I enter in, glancing briefly at the mirror which I know is a mirror on the other side. I hand the scrap of identification to the Doctor within, who takes a brief look at it and smiles.

\"Ah, yes. You are the one they have been talking about.\"

I looked at him, puzzled at this strange remark. None of the Doctors had ever addressed me in such a personal manner, and I could only stare at him with what must have been a look of sheer confusion. He simply grinned wider.

\"It is a pleasure to be your Doctor this morning, I\'ve been wanting to test you for some time. They say you are quite the prodigy. Little previous sexual experience, but simply brimming with promise.\" He laughed softly as I felt my face grow hot at these remarks. \"Well, let\'s get started then, shall we?\"

An Assistant stepped forward from his position near the wall and quickly undressed me. I still was not used to being entirely nude, I had never even been comfortable with it when I was alone. The Assistant gently pressed me forward to chair and seated me. Covering me with a thin sheet, he leans the back of the chair so that all I can see is the ceiling above me.

The first few tests are nothing special, mostly to judge fertility, output, etc. As we haven\'t been paired yet they haven\'t commenced the pregnancy testing. The Doctor proceeds diligently, with the Assistant delivering the instruments before he even has the chance to ask for them. His work is steady and precise, almost automatic. He is obviously overly used to these procedures.

\"No need to be so tense,\" came the words from between my legs. Truth was I was tense with apprehension, not what was currently taking place. I knew what was coming and I was wrestling in my mind between excitement and loathing. I tried taking a deep breath and exhaling in a effort to relax my muscles. \"That\'s better now.\"

His head emerged into my line of sight in a slightly comical manner, though I was in no mood for humor at the moment. His cocky grin didn\'t help either.

\"Alright then, now for the fun part!\"

Nodding to the Assistant he went to the sink and removed his gloves. His manner was slightly jaunty, and I even think he was humming for a moment or two. I was too distracted by the man who removed the sheet as I was once again revealed fully nude. I gazed at him imploringly, willing him to put the sheet back over me, to cover me from this immense humiliation, but I might as well have tried to plead with a brick wall. Folding the sheet, he placed it under his arm and left the room.

\"Alright, let\'s see here. We can do the romance simulation, candles and roses... that\'s boring, we need a good one.\" He scrutinized the list carefully, coming to a stop near the end of the page. \"Ah, this one sounds tempting. How about the bondage simulation, no control with some painful physical trials... what do you think?\"

I didn\'t know what to think. Maybe I entertained a slight hope that these \"painful physical trials\" might prevent me from losing control as I had during the previous simulations, but I knew that he had chosen this one because I would put on the best show. I was his star, the puppet who would go through all the motions for his audience with the utmost precision... I could only hope they wouldn\'t plead for an encore.

\"Very good then,\" he said cheerfully. Moving swiftly to the wall he entered the code into the panel. An electronic beep was emitted and the room seemed to spin. A second later I found myself looking around a completely different room. The first time this had ever happened I had yelled out in surprise. I knew it was only a trick of the mind, somehow more tangible than a holligram in that there were actual objects, but as soon as it was over I knew I wouls find myself back in that blinding white room.

Breathing deeply I attempted to shift myself but found it impossible. I hadn\'t even noticed that my arms had been drawn and bound tightly above my head, my ankles rooted virtually immobile to the ground. I was standing up! This was something entirely new, and more horrifying than anything I had yet experienced. In every other simulation I had remained on my back in the same position I had been before the simulation.

\"Very nice,\" whispered a deep voice in my ear.

I gasped aloud. The Doctor was behind me. I began to panic slightly, unable to control my heaving breaths. This was all too much. My mind reeled as my emotions began to take over despite my efforts. I felt my calm thoughts diminish as I became fully engrossed in my situation. I struggled to regain myself.

\"Relax my pet,\" came the whisper again. \"You are putting on a good show.\"

I felt a blindfold roughly cover my eyes. My mind went blank, all mental processes abandoned. Gasping, I began to struggle against my bonds using every bit of strength I was able to muster within myself. All I got was a soft laugh.

\"You are a fiesty one, aren\'t you. I can see why they kept you.\" At these words something in my mind snapped and for a moment I saw Sara\'s face.

\"No!\" I screamed to the darkness.

\"Yes,\" came the soft answer from the darkness. A moment later there was the sound of whip being cracked and I felt the flesh of my buttocks sear with pain. I felt myself struggle harder to escape the next ruthless snap of the whip.

\"Oh God,\" I moaned as the leather slapped across my flesh again. I struggled in vain, letting my head fall backwards in hopes that my body might arc away from the lashes. The tender flesh burned hot as the switch fell upon it over and over, but instead of giving in I found myself wanting more, struggling so that another would fall, then another.

\"You want it don\'t you,\" he whispered quietly in my ear. I felt him kiss my neck passionately, biting hard on the flesh. His hand crept around my chest and squeezed my breasts roughly. I drew my breath in sharply and gritted my teeth. \"Tell me you want it,\" he demanded.

\"I want it,\" I whispered.

\"Louder!\" he demanded.

\"I want it!\" I screamed to the darkness. It was almost more than I could stand. I felt my body pulsating with heat, the adrenaline mounting to a crux of undeniable desire. I wanted the pain, I wanted more... I wanted him. He let go of me and lashed the whip across my flesh a few more times. I couldn\'t stand it, it was more than I could bear. I wanted him to take me, wanted to feel him inside me, take pleasure in the harsh thrusts.

\"Good girl,\" he praised as I strained my hips forward. A second later I feel the support of the chair back. It was over... no relief. We aren\'t allowed to climax, we are simply brought to the brink and left helpless. It is a horrible feeling.

\"Excellent demonstration!\" he said jubilantly, beaming down at me. He seemed to read the frustration on my face immediately though. \"Don\'t worry my pet, when the pairing is complete you will have all the relief you could possibly wish for. Besides, judging from this fantastic performance I believe you may have scored top marks!\" He lifted his eyes to where I knew the mirror to be and gave dashing full-toothed grin and thumbs up. Looking back at me he caught my eyes. His expression became serious as he bent down one final time and whispered in earnest, \"In all honesty it took every bit of my will power not to take you, to bring you to that point,\" he paused for a moment. \"You are going to haunt my dreams.\"

* * *

That night I was torn between such extreme peaks of sadness and disgust that I felt sundered from my very being. For some reason I thought about Sara. I can see why they kept you. These words raced through my mind as I stared into the darkness. I thought about him too, the Doctor. His final words resounded in my ears. I found it strange that this Doctor was permitted to say the things he did. I knew that there were sound devices within the rooms so that the spectators watching through to mirror might also hear what was happening inside. Was he perhaps permitted to do so, or simply reckless? I had never seen or heard the Doctors show any amount of temptation during any of the procedures before, but this man certainly had.

While it was happening I entertained the idea that he would rape me. The mere thought sent a shudder rippling through my body. There was no denying that I had wanted it... still wanted it. It was such an overwhelming need in me that I found myself actually looking forward to the ceremony on the following day. Maybe this time tomorrow I might finally recieve that release he promised. I turned over in my bed and shoved my face into the pillow. All the relief you could possibly wish for...


The next day...

By the following morning, all signs of yesterdays trials had disappeared. I made my way to the meal hall in a sort of daze but as soon as I entered I was acutely aware of the degree of excitement resounding throughout the room. For a moment I was confused, then I remembered... pairing day. The women bustled about talking excitedly. I wondered that the Doctors allowed the choas to ensue, but I suppose they let the women go on with their proceedings in an effort to encourage the importance of the day.

\"Oh, it is so exciting, I simply cannot wait until this evening,\" said one woman breathlessly. \"Greetings Neighbor,\" she said to me as I joined the group. I simply smiled in return, not really caring for proper etiquette at the moment. \"Oh yes, I am nervous as well,\" she went on assuming my lack of response to be a means of expressing my uneasiness.

\"I only hope that the man they have chosen for me is well built... I couldn\'t stand to be paired with a scrawny sort of man.\" I glanced to see who had spoken. The woman was blonde and slightly more muscular than most women.

\"Well of course you won\'t be, weren\'t you listening yesterday?\" a rather cute brunette girl piped in. She was young and on the short side, but she made up for this in good proportions. \"You will be matched with a man from your group, what group are you in?\"

\"The blue group,\" she responded with pride. I couldn\'t help smiing at her slightly obvious egotistical nature.

\"Yup, I should have guessed. You are a Producer who has been chosen for strength, so like as not you will have yourself a well built man.\" She smiled heartily obviously pleased with being able to draw this conclusion.

\"Well, good then,\" replied the woman, folding her arms resolutely.

\"What group are you?\" My attention had been temporarily drawn to some women across the room who seemed to be arguing heatedly about something. \"Miss?\" I jumped slightly and stared at the brunette.

\"Erm, I\'m sorry. What were you saying?\" I flushed, feeling rather stupid at the moment as the blonde laughed.

\"What group are you?\" she repeated good naturedly.

\"Red,\" I answered shortly. I didn\'t quite know where she was going with this, perhaps she felt she was on a roll and wished to predict everyones potential mate.

\"Splendid!\" she yelled enthusiastically, causing a few women nearby to stare. \"I am a red Producer as well! How exciting!\" She did indeed seem overly excited, but I was apt to wonder at this. The whole situation seemed to me a bit melodramatic.

\"Do you know what qualities we have been selected for?\" she asked. I knew that she was going to tell me anyway. \"Intelligence,\" she whispered. It was as if she was letting me in on a secret that nobody else should hear in case it hurt their feelings. However, the blonde woman had heard.

\"Intelligence? Well how the hell do they determine something like that!\" she asked, slightly put out.

The girl just rolled her eyes. \"What do you think all those tests were about when we arrived here?\"

Here was a subject I knew about. I was a science major in college and I was able to gauge the advancements by the testing they used, though I\'ll admit I still couldn\'t figure out the simulations. \"Science has taken a spectacular leap,\" I interjected. Truth was this subject captured my interest. \"During the war the government was working on two specific projects. One was an effort to be able to predetermine potential genetic output from male and female pairs, something they obviously succeeded in. As far as I can guess they have also found a way to speed up the developement process in the fetus for faster growth.\" I could see now that I had sparked their attention so much that the blonde woman gaped openly. Another tall woman who hadn\'t spoken since I joined them looked at me as if I had suddenly dropped out of the sky. It was quite amusing.

The brunette gazed at me fixedly, her brows knitted in intense concentration as if to read my very thoughts. When she spoke it was as if she already knew the answer. \"And what about the other project?\"

I shot her a swift calculating look before replying automatically, \"I don\'t know.\" Truth was, I did know, and it was this knowledge that invoked an unrelenting fear in me.

* * *

The day sped by in a blur. After our midday meal we were led to the eastern portion of the North wing, a place we had never seen. We entered into what seemed at first to be a spa like the ones women used to visit for relaxation, except this one was in enormous proportions. There were hundreds of baths each containing one woman who was being bathed and pampered by her very own Assistant. There were occassional squeals of glee when women entered the hall for their turn. I noted several Doctors moving slowly throughout the room. When one saw a woman that seemed to interest him he motioned for the Assistant to temporarily halt his activities while he examined every inch of her body.

\"Over here,\" an Assistant beckoned me from a small pool near the right wall.

\"Undress now and step in,\" he instructed in a workman-like tone. He was younger than most of the men I had seen. I realized that he rather avoiding looking at me full on, perhaps he wasn\'t quite used to seeing a woman fully nude.

Once in the blissfully warm water he became less uncomfortable. Mind you, I was also surrounded by bubbles, so he couldn\'t see much. He proceeded to wash my hair artfully and scrub me from head to toe. I felt my eyes slip shut as he massaged my shoulders. I had never been to a spa before, but I actually found myself regretting it now that I was here. I only hoped a Doctor wouldn\'t turn up to spoil the moment of serenity for me.

\"Turn around please,\" the Assistant instructed. He worked his way downward with the sponge. When he reached my pelvic region he paused for just a moment and quickly glanced up to see if I had noticed. I simply smiled back at him and couldn\'t help laughing softly when he blushed furiously in response. He quickly finished his job, rinsed me with fresh water and wrapped me in a soft towel.

I suppose I must have been a bit giddy from the overpowering smell of perfume and soaps within the room because before I could stop myself I spoke.

\"You needn\'t be shy of looking, all the Doctors do.\" His face turned bright red, though I caught him glancing quickly at a Doctor nearby who was indeed inspecting one woman at uncomfortably close quarters. Perhaps for a moment he considered the idea, but when he looked back to see me wink enticingly I knew he wouldn\'t dare.

* * *

\"Are we all in order? Good then.\" The Doctors walked up and down the winding line eyeing us like convicts on death row. \"Don\'t fidget now,\" came the reprimand from one Doctor. We are hidden behind the curtains of the Community Auditorium before our unveiling. I could hear the CPC addressing the men who were seated as an audience, waiting (rather impatiently I am certain) to finally be presented with their female counterparts. I couldn\'t help feeling sorry for them. At least we had been around the Doctors, we had gotten some fill of the masculinity we hungered for; the men, however, had been secluded from the opposite sex for months.

I shifted uneasily. I was nearer to the beginning of the line, I guessed somewhere over one hundred and a quarter... it was difficult to calculate in the darkness. The only light came from the stage beyond the black veil.

\"Before the official ceremony is to commence I am going to give you a few instructions as to your duties,\" came the voice of the CPC. I listened intently to his speech, wondering if there was anything hidden within it that might answer some of the lingering questions I held.

\"Sexual intercourse may be performed in any way you please, feel free to \'mix things up\' if you will.\" There was one answer, one that had bothered me intently. So that was why the simulations were used... well, one of the reasons, I\'m sure there were many. I suppose we were being gauged on our sexual preferences and reactions to those situations. I couldn\'t help suddenly reflecting on the previous day, what it would be like to finally be satisfied if put once again in that situation. It was a thought that, to my dismay, aroused me immediately. I would later come to embrace these emotions and use them to my advantage, but at the moment I still felt as if these feelings would condemn me to an eternity spent burning in Dante\'s Inferno.

\"Once you have achieved the fertilization of the egg, it will be removed and will continue to mature in our laboratories. We have already found a way to cut the developing period of the fetus to one-third its original gestation period of nine months. Three months is all it takes now, a great achievement.\" So I was correct. Even though I had known, hearing someone say it with such finality still shocked me. I listened to his final directions vaguely but snapped to attention when he called the first man to the stage.

The line shortened steadily, the entire procession seeming to move quicker than I had thought it would. I suppose they would have made a huge deal of it if it weren\'t for the fact that pairing around one thousand men with an equal amount of women could possibly take until tomorrow afternoon. As the line shortened I became increasingly nervous. I had never had stage fright, but this was something bigger, and I knew it. I was about to be faced with the man who would have complete control over me, as the Doctor had the night before. He would wield the whip, and if we was successful, he would make me scream out for him. Yes, I knew all of this, but I only hoped he was prepared for the challenge.

* * *

There are around ten women left, now nine. The silence, only broken by the CPC\'s booming voice, seemed to generate its own electricity. I concentrated hard on the voice in an effort to steady my mind. I had thought I was handling myself quite well until one of the Doctors addressed me.

\"Calm down, no need to be so scared.\"

At first I thought he was talking to someone else, but then I realized that he was talking to me. No wonder, I was shaking as violently as a mouse in a cat dish. I tried breathing deeply in order to retain some sort of composure, which was, to my immediate relief, somewhat successful. I was just congratulating myself on a job well done when something caught my eye.

The young brunette girl from this morning was a few spots in front of me. I hadn\'t noticed her until the curtain parted to allow some light through. I happened to catch a glimpse of her partner in the brief moment that the stage was visible, before she stepped gracefully through the archway. He was young, like her, and slighty goofy looking. They would make a good couple. I quickly scanned the remaining women. There were no more red Producers ahead of me.

The calm that I had regained turned into a numbness as the last woman in front of me disappeared. I felt like I had walked into a dream, the ones where you have no control over your actions. Everything about me seemed surreal, something out of another world. It was as if any moment now I would simply wake up and find that none of this had ever happened.

\"Number one hundred and forty-seven!\"

I stepped forward, waiting for my cue to step through the threshold. It was as if every ability to think for myself had been stripped from me, I was simply doing what I knew was expected from me. I felt the Doctor nudge me as the curtains drew aside. I took one step, then another. The light from the stage was blinding after the darkness I had left behind. In the moment it took for my eyes to adjust I found myself already midstage.

I came to a halt and looked for the first time into the eyes of the man I was destined to be with.

END PART TWO