Page 35 of Harbinger of Destiny

A little apprehensive about having to face this new world on her own today, she left the pod and followed the signs posted along the footpath. Other women her age came out of their pods too and walked in the same direction. She didn’t have to go far, until she reached an amphitheater, where many women had already taken a seat. At a small podium on the stage stood a woman. She wore a white lab coat. Behind her, a large movie screen showed a static image: Welcome to 2085.

Amy looked around and noticed that some of the girls had started chatting quietly. Amy took a seat on one of the benches, and watched as more and more girls filled the seats. A young woman sat down next to Amy and smiled at her.

“Hi, I’m Julie.”

“I’m Amy.”

“This is exciting, isn’t it?” Julie asked, her face beaming.

“Yes,” Amy admitted, though she didn’t feel quite as carefree as Julie appeared to be.

“I can’t wait for this orientation to be over, so Carter and I can live together. He’s picking me up the moment I’ve got my holocom.”

Amy turned her face to the girl. She was beautiful, charming, and sweet. “Oh? I thought we had to stay here longer.”

“I heard that’s only the case if the guy who brought you here doesn’t want to marry you. But Carter has already proposed.” She smiled from one ear to the other. “He’s gone to see his parents to get started on the wedding preparations. I can’t wait.”

Amy’s heart pounded. She was happy for Julie, but also worried. Joshua hadn’t once told her that he loved her or that he wanted them to be a couple. In fact, they’d both avoided the subject. Maybe it was just too early. After all, they hadn’t spent six months with each other like the other couples had.

“I only met Joshua two weeks ago,” Amy said. “We’re still getting to know each other. I guess after six months together—”

“Oh,” Julie said, “Carter and I have known each other for only a week, because something went wrong with his time jump, and he only arrived in my time a week before the outbreak of the virus. So we had to act quickly. But I guess, when you’re right for each other, you don’t need all that time.”

Amy pasted a smile on her face. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” But did that mean that she and Joshua weren’t right for each other? Did Joshua not have the same feelings for her as she had for him? Because even though she’d never told him that she loved him, she did.

She was glad to be interrupted by the person standing at the podium. “Welcome to 2085. I’m Eliza Dorchester, and I’m here to give you an overview of everything you need to know about your new lives.”

Everybody fell silent.

“First and foremost, there’s one very important thing you need to know. You have the same rights as every other citizen. You can choose your life partner freely. Nobody will force you to be with a man you don’t love, even if that man saved you from dying in the 2025 pandemic by bringing you here. However, the same goes for the Romeo: he has no obligation to enter into a relationship with you or marry you.”

Hushed murmurs travelled through the crowd. Amy’s heart pounded out of control.

“And another important thing. I was young like you once, and I’m assuming that many of you have already had sex with your assigned Romeo. Should you find yourselves pregnant, but your Romeo isn’t willing to commit to you, don’t worry: we will take care of you. You will be able to raise your child without any financial worries. Healthcare is free in 2085, and we’ll provide you with suitable accommodations. So, should you and your Romeo decide not to stay together, we’ll help you with finding another partner, if you wish.”

Amy let the words sink in as she thought back to the last twenty-four hours. She and Joshua had had unprotected sex more than just once. And she’d seen it as a sign that he wanted them to be a real couple. But what if that wasn’t the case? Surely, he knew that the Institute for Time Travel would take care of her should she become pregnant. Was that why he’d told her not to worry?

* * *

Orientation day was interspersed with a break for lunch, where everybody assembled in a large tent where a delicious buffet was awaiting them. In the afternoon, more presentations by different people introduced the newcomers to the technology and customs of the 2080s. By late afternoon, Amy was exhausted from having to take in so much new information. She was glad when Mrs. Dorchester finally released them to return to their pods to rest before dinner.

Amy followed the footpath back to her pod. When she arrived there, a young woman her age stood waiting in front of it. She was the epitome of beauty: long blond hair, blue eyes, perfect skin, a stunning model-like body.

The woman looked her up and down, her gaze lingering on Amy’s scarred face for longer than was polite. “Did you come to 2085 with Joshua?”

Amy nodded, curious. “Yes, I’m Amy.” Was there something else on the agenda for today?

“Well,” she said, smirking now. “I’m Kelly, and I’m Joshua’s girlfriend. I just want to let you know not to expect him back.”

Shock charged through Amy, and a gasp ripped from her lips. Joshua had a girlfriend while he’d slept with her? That couldn’t be true. “But he—”

With an icy look, Kelly cut her off. “He only did his duty. I wasn’t happy about him signing up for this program, but I forgave him. I suppose every man wants a last fling before he gets married.” Then she pointed to Amy’s scars. “And you didn’t really think that a handsome man like Joshua could love a girl like you. Let me tell you something about Joshua: he likes to surround himself with pretty things. And you don’t fit that category. He’s out of your league. Maybe a guy who’s desperate to have a family will take pity on you.”

At the cruel words, tears welled up in Amy’s eyes, but she pushed them down. She wouldn’t give this heartless woman the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Still, the truth hurt. Joshua didn’t want her. Despite everything that had happened between them, he’d only done his duty to his people. He’d brought her to the future with him. But he had no intention of spending this new future with her. She was on her own.

With her last ounce of control, she lifted her chin and looked straight into Kelly’s cold eyes. “Don’t worry. I only used him to make a better life for myself.”

She turned away from Kelly and entered the pod, letting the door fall shut behind her. The tears started flowing the moment she was alone. She was in love with Joshua, but he was in love with somebody else.