Wattys Shortlist 2022 -
When she isn't looking, they call her the Princess of the Ghouls, but they haven't seen the assassination order on her secret identity: viper.
Stuck in Lake Darling, ruled by her father's gang, Vi has one objective... run awa...
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - [2071]: 22 YEARS POST BOMBING
...
The speaker stands atop his lavish stage, pausing to peacock his iridescent mint-green hair with a manicured hand, "We all know M.A.D is incurable." He lectures across the cold auditorium filled with health professionals and military personnel.
Dr Jaco sits somewhere in the middle, holding his breath to stifle the needles of frustration pricking at him. Can he really endure two hours of this lunatic?
"The disease breeds mania and violence; it breeds contempt and barbarism, and despite every piece of health literature out there alluding to a cure, it is in fact, an enigma. The Manics are a lost cause, a terrible thing, but the truth—" Dr Jaco balls his fist atop his knee. He only likes lies when he's telling them. "—But we're not here for M.A.D. Before I begin, on behalf of my team and the Michigan Duncan Foundation, we extend a humble and gracious thank you to each of you for your unyielding work in these trying times." There are people in this room who have sacrificed everything to help the plague effort. By validating their work, he soothes the anxious cloud hovering over everyone.
"D.V.B has claimed more than just the lives of our loved ones, and as you know, Newcastle has endured the worst. Our population halved. Patients remaining severely ill despite months of treatment, businesses and livelihoods decimated... however worst of all. Infertility. Widespread and irreversible." He gestures at a wall behind him which lights up into a grand display of numbers and statistics. "We cannot produce another generation." He goes so far as to swallow against a thick throat, like the thought aggrieves him.
But a trickle of perspiration bubbles under Dr Jaco's cheeks. Newcastle is infertile because of this bastard and the Foundation that funds him. The D.V.B outbreak was a political attack, because that's all this place is. A Politician's chess board.
"We must rectify this. Without fertility, there is no future! So, let me direct your minds to our brother and sister cities... settlements like Lake Darling Reservoir and Holders Bay. We have supported them for decades..." He looks at the floor quickly, then directs his hawk-eyes to the crowd, "Now it is their turn." His voice hums with authority, where it was once grave and compassionate.
"I am here today to show you why, we must take support from them, and more importantly, how." A bout of murmurs colours the cold room. "We are infertile. They are not... Lake Darling holds the very key to our survival, and we must take our survival in this trying time."
Pop! A bullet whizzes past the speaker's ear, earning a few stray screams from the crowd. "Shooter!" A soldier shouts, triggering a frenzy.
...
hiyaa, my name is Cailyn, and I'm so happy to meet all of u ! <3 <3
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
<3 <3 <3 please feel free to comment!! Don't be shy ❤️❤️❤️
