Population Control

Jason VIII

Onsra – this word refers to the bittersweet feeling of loving for the last time, or realising your love won't last.

0o0

How do you react when your not-quite-girlfriend-from-the-end-of-the-world 'breaks up' with you while you're lying on a hospital bed after being treated since you're now an amputee? I ordered chocolate souffle. And a steak. The nurse was waiting until our visitors left before talking to us, but since Camille's visit was a brief meet-and-greet she asked me first. Eventually, Sami came over to me, sitting a chair between our hospital beds. "The wooden arm wasn't good enough?"

"Nah, not like I need both of them, is it?"

"The leader here, Carol, she wants to meet all of us when you guys are fit. Apparently, the doctor told Matthew you'll be fine tomorrow." He looked sceptical.

"That's what she said! We're all bunking together, aren't we? Single beds? Shame for you and Matthew."

"What about you and Camille?" I should have known he would bring that up. "Why did she just leave?" There was a sense of accusation, like I was the one in the wrong.

I brushed him off. "It's nothing mate."

"It has to be something: why would your girlfriend leave you like this?"

The term 'girlfriend' made my insides sink. "We were never actually together."

I looked up from my lap, and Sami was as awkward as ever. He never has done well with confrontation, or emotions. I'm surprised he managed to sort through his own so quickly. "It's cool; it's not like I was in love with her." But it still hurts even liking her. I can't imagine how crushed I would have felt if I had fallen deep. "Like Camille said: we were thrown together, it wouldn't have happened otherwise."

Finally, after messing with his legs, Sami came over to sit on my bed. I looked at Matthew, who was now focused on the TV above his head. "Matthew and I talked about that, at Gemstone. This whole situation... it made me feel inadequate, of his emotions. Why me, when, before BBZ took over, he would not look my way at all? But, life happened, we met, and... I think we have something." The difference is, I looked Camille's way, but she never fully met my gaze.

It was like a bonding experience for Matthew and I that night. We couldn't sleep, so we talked, for hours. About the past, the future, Sami, Camille, Dylan. We were travelling with each other for months, but I never knew his favourite colour was lavender, or that he believed in Santa until he was ten. After being discharged, we were led to an office: Camille and Sami were already sat down, with, who I can only assume, Carol on the other side.

"Good morning boys, I hope your recovery was speedy."

"Yeah, how was it that quick? A mate of mine broke his leg and he was away healing for months." Matthew folded his arms, walking up to stand behind Sami's chair.

"Governments have access to many experimental medicines, and when officials are on your side, they can get you many things." Her gaze silenced us so we didn't ask any more questions. "I've asked to meet with you all because I'd like to offer a compromise."

We all looked at each other. "What compromise?" Camille asked.

"You will get to attend school, stay as a group, visit places, live similarly to how you were before with the benefit of unlimited freedoms. However, in return, we would like you to be the spokespeople for this operation."

"For just France or..."

"For everywhere."