100 years ago, amidst WW3's nuclear bombing, a deadly virus was released in the atmosphere and nearly wiping out the humanity.
It lives inside the human brain thriving on the empathy receptors, leading to irrational behaviour and ultimately brain death. To slow the damage, scientists created L.O.V.E, short for Living Off Vital Emotions, a nanovaccine that numbs the virus and switches off all strong emotions.
As a last resort and with a dying planet, the Supreme Government created the City, a place to contain the infected survivors suitable for the experiment. Those in the first stages of illness became ideal candidates to receive the neuroinhibitor. Having their feelings restrained and their memory altered, those who come of age are designated a life partner through a Selection process, thus preserving the humankind.
A few decades after the trial had started, scientists had a major breakthrough. The nanites, which are highly chemically reactive organisms, are changing their bio-engineered purpose when dopamine levels are high. With a new generation of nanoids, stronger and smarter to fight the battle, the virus doesn't have a chance. Many attempts were made to create a man-made version of synthetic dopamine and each time the outcome was a disaster.
Their goal is to create new generations, immune to the virus. These are called Purebloods, the offsprings of those who find pure love, the only cure to save them from a violent death.
Running out of time, the Experiment entered in its final stages. To minimize the threats, the Colonies have sent their best soldiers to oversee the trial and protect its key subjects. If only things were going according to plan, or better...stay hidden.
With Iron Guard, the resistance outside the walls, hunting the Purebloods too, will the trial save human race before it's too late?
#3 in #dystopianfuture (27.06.2020)
guys please don't read this anymore lmao i write totally differently now💋
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In a future where humans are genetically modified -- 'altered' -- at the age of sixteen, the world has been, until now, a safe place. Without changing a person's personality, undergoing the Alteration perfects their appearance, IQ, and even their immunity to diseases. No human passes the age of sixteen without being Altered.
In the blink of an eye, things change.
An ominous message is sent out to all of those below the age of sixteen, providing precise instructions that suggest they flee. Simultaneously, a deadly virus starts to spread all about the world, attacking only the Altered -- every human over the age of sixteen. The virus eats at the modified human brain, and soon the Unaltered begin to realise that the Altered are losing their minds.
Home is no longer safe. Friends and family turn on one another, losing control of their own minds and bodies.
The Unaltered aren't safe. Even if the virus isn't attacking them, the ones with the virus are.
Set on a pristine, futuristic Earth, this is the apocalypse like you've never seen it before.
(Rated mature for graphic depictions of violence and mild language.)
Banner credit to @itsnothardtodreamx
1st Place winner in the 2020 Spring Awards!
Runner up in the 2020 Harmony Awards!
2nd place in the Belle Amé Awards 2020!
[This piece was originally for the Open Novella Contest 2020, but has now surpassed the length of a novella and is a novel.]