Chapter 16
7.5 Months After The Choosing
Parker
Our answer comes back quickly—ten days after the caravan left Cria.
They must have gone straight to Kedua and had the governor rule on an answer, same day, to make this kind of time.
I see the messenger’s dust cloud approaching as I hold my daily vigil on the front steps of the compound. I give it until they are about five minutes away before going inside and calling for the other Chosen.
We gather in the living room and prepare for the worst. Everyone stands in their pairings, showing solidarity with us and leaning on each other as we brace for whatever verdict may come our way. I curl my arms around Imani’s shoulders, pulling her close to my chest and resting my chin on her head, kissing it softly as the messenger opens the envelope that will seal our fate.
The messenger reads:
To the Chosen,
I am compelled by your unprecedented actions to take unprecedented measures. All pairings will stand as decided on by the Chosen themselves, as it has been for the past forty-three Mating Grounds, but because of your disobedience, we have had to make a change to the destination zone of one particular pairing.
Parker and Imani Kedua, in light of your maneuvering, you are being banished to Ektos, to start your family and spread your genes there. Never will you return to Kedua.
In doing this, I can help boost Ektos’ birth rate by setting them up with two new families this cycle, while also punishing you both in the way that seems most impactful. As proven to me by the incessant pleading for mercy from both your families, this will be the hardest punishment you could bear while still serving the government’s righteous goal of repopulation. All without spoiling the diversified bloodlines we have worked to cultivate.
Your new zone will be delighted to gain such valuable new members.