THE INSTITUTE, JULY 1975
IT FEELS LIKE I’VE BEEN ON THIS HARD, COLD TABLE FOR hours, but when I look at the clock on the wall I see it’s been less than thirty minutes. The door opens, and the woman gets up from her chair and withdraws from the room without a word. When a man comes in right after, I feel a momentary flicker of hope. Surely someone this beautiful is not to be feared. His face is almost perfect, marred only by a small, round scar on one cheek. Otherwise, it is a face to rival any movie star’s: chiseled cheekbones, straight Roman nose, full lips. My gaze moves to meet his and then my hope crashes.
I have never before seen what I see in those eyes. They are predatory and penetrating. Something intangible terrifies me when I look into them. There is a heaviness in the air, an invisible darkness that threatens to invade me, and I want to cover my own eyes like a child and pretend I am invisible. He looks at me as if we know each other.
I take a deep breath, affect a bravado I don’t feel, and swing my legs off the bed, ready to stand.
“Don’t get up.” His voice is deep, pleasant.
“Who are you?”
His lips curl in a smile. “All in good time, my dear.” His tone is mocking.
I take a deep breath and stare at him.
He pulls a chair next to my bed and sits. “You are a brilliant young woman. It’s why I chose you.”
“What have you done? Why am I here?”
He arches one eyebrow. “You have been chosen to bear my child.”
His child? My stomach tightens, and I feel sick. I glare at him. “Did you rape me?”
A look of repulsion transforms his face, and the corners of his mouth point to the floor.
“Please, Maya. I am not an animal. There are other ways to impregnate someone.”
“Why? Why would you hope to impregnate me?”
“We do not hope. We plan. I have your entire medical history; you have been monitored for the past month. I’m fairly certain that you are pregnant.”
I jump off the bed and began to pace. “Why in God’s name?” I scream. I don’t understand.
“God has nothing to do with it. For now, you need know nothing but this: you have been chosen from thousands. You should be pleased. You have not only made it to the top of the class, you have made it to the top of the world.”
“I don’t understand. I came here to learn medicine. Who are you?”
“Damon Crosse. I am the one in charge here. You were selected from a great many to come here—but not for the medical internship.” He stands and walks to the corner of the room, picks up a folder, and opens it. After reading something inside, he closes it and returns to the chair.
“It was very close. I almost chose someone else. But your pedigree was better.”
What is he talking about? “Pedigree? I’m not a dog.”
He smiles again. “No, Maya, you are more like a brood mare.”
“Go to hell, you bastard.” Spittle flies from my mouth.
He looks at me with no change in expression.
“I’m getting out of here. I’m going home. This is insane!” I rant.
He withdraws from the room without another word, and then the men arrive. They push me down on the bed and strap me into a white vest.
“You’re making this harder than it has to be,” one whispers in my ear.
I scream until my throat is raw. I can no longer move my arms, and the more I struggle, the tighter everything becomes. I don’t know when I finally fall into an exhausted sleep. When I awake, he is there again. Watching. Calm. Cold.
“The sooner you learn to accept things, the better.”
“I’ll never accept being held prisoner. Why have you done this?” I croak, my voice barely audible.
“In good time. In good time you will know the part you will play, but not quite yet.”
“I need to move. Take these off.”
He frowns. “You must learn the proper way to address me. You may request but never demand.” He stands up and hovers over me. “Do you understand?”
My stomach tightens. I nod my head.
He sits back down. “Good.”
“Would you please take this vest off me?”
“Not yet. When I believe you can be trusted, then I will have it removed.”
I lie there still restrained, while he sits a few feet away staring at me. I fear I shall never see my family or anyone else ever again.