#prologue.one#
The sound a buzzer signals the opening of the door. It's a rather loud, obnoxious sound. But not one that Maya is new to. She's heard it all her life. She'll never be surprised by the noise.
She walks into the room and sits down on the white sofa. She places her hands in her lap as her eyes dart around nervously. Rubbing her palms together, as they begin to sweat, she swallows thickly. Trying to maintain and hide her nervous nature is a task.
Even more so with the knowledge that she is the only one in the room feeling this way. Or feeling anything at all for that matter.
"Good afternoon, Miss Dexter. Thank you for attending with no avoidance." The man in white speaks to her eloquently.
"You're welcome." She replies.
"How have you been adapting to the emotions?"
"..good. I guess. I've never had them before so... I don't know what normal and what isn't. I feel.. impulsive some days. My heart beats too fast often. It's concerning."
The man nods as he listens to her.
"Understandable. Feeling impulsive and out of control are things often associated with emotion. It's not a very pleasant thing. My condolences in advance for your upcoming experiences with them."
Maya gulps and looks at her fingers, nodding to acknowledge that she's heard him. She takes his condolences gratefully. Shes curious to what extent she is about to experience things but it isn't something that she's particularly looking forward to.
She wants to feel these new things for herself. But based off of what she's heard, she's not sure what this will bring. The most common symptom of the process is always said to be pain. That's it. The women just say that it hurts.
"You understand why you are here. Twelve weeks ago, you were given two doses of medication to release the hold on your gene silencing. You were contacted seven days ago and had your physical exam and blood examination two days ago. Both were in alignment with the steady progression of hormone chemicals building up in the body needed to produce and bond with viable offspring. Being that you are a fertile adult, we can now proceed to the final portion of your mandatory conception assignment."
Maya sits up straighter in her chair, realizing that she's slouching a little compared to the other people in the room. There's just the doctor speaking to her and another man as well. He hasn't said anything, he's just observed her. The staring is making her a bit uncomfortable but she's avoiding looking him in the eyes.
"To keep the future generations of DNA clean of mutation, it is necessary that we run your blood through the Genetic Coding System. Through that, we have found a male eligible and suitable for procreation via the guidelines set by the Admonishers." The doctor gestures to the the door on her left.
It buzzes and clicks as it's opened.
In walks a man that Maya has never seen before. Though she supposes that's normal. There's a lot of people that she doesn't know. She can't identify every single person in the city.
"Maya Dexter, this is Jungkook Jeon. Your Coding match." The doctor introduces the pair and she stands up, wiping the palms of her hands on her pants.
"Hello." He sticks his hand out and she looks at it before lightly shaking it. His grip is firm and strong. A professional handshake that she's sure he didn't have to practice.
"Hi."
His eye contact with her is strong and unwavering. Looking into his eyes, she can see that there's not a single emotion behind them. Just dark brown eyes and an unblinking blank look.
It's almost chilling how shallow of a gaze it is.
They sit down on the couch and Maya keeps her arms and legs as close as possible. It's a two cushion couch and Jungkook sits on the cushion next to her. He sits up straight with his hands on his lap. They're flat with his palms facing down.
"As a part of your mandatory conception assignment, you will be together from now until the end of the term." The man that's been silent now speaks. Maya assumes that he is the member of the Admonisher Counsel required to attend Coding Initiations.
"As per the law of the Admonishers, the term is ongoing until Coding pairs produce at least two children or one half is deemed medically incapable of providing offspring. A home of your choosing will be provided for you. Medical appointments are required to be attended by the both halves. The male half is required to physically and financially provide for the female half for the duration of the term. The end of the term is confirmed by the viable birth of the second child."
The Admonisher explains as the doctor hands them papers.
"At that time, the female half keeps the home and the vehicle provided. Throughout the duration of the female's gestational period, the male is required to take medication for the total elimination of emotion hormone production. This is to ensure that no disease is developed during the term of the conception assignment. The male is required to maintain contact with the children at least once a week until they are 13 years of age. At this time, they will be placed under watch for the development of any diseases as they are most common in teenage adolescence."
Maya and Jungkook both listen as they are told about the guidelines and code of conduct for their conception assignment. It's not anything that they weren't aware of for the most part. They learn about this is in school every year growing up. It's always more in depth for the women.
At the end of the Admonisher's reading, he looks between them.
"Any violation of this Code or Law of the Admonishers is punishable by trial. Consequences include incarceration and|or termination of life."
The room is eerily silent. It's as silent as it's always been but for Maya, it feels as if she can hear the blood rushing in her ears.
"Do you understand your mandatory duties and the information that has been provided to you as I have relayed it?"
Maya and Jungkook reply in the same monotone voice.
"Yes, Admonisher."
