Donor 23 by Cate Beatty Read Free Book Online Page B

As a result, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—let herself develop strong feelings in that way. She wouldn’t fall in love, at least not right now. She concentrated on maintaining her athletic talents, keeping up donations, and earning bonuses. She couldn’t deal with a boyfriend. Being alone with Reck was problematic, and she was glad when the three of them hung out together. Kaleb took the pressure off. Maybe that was why she liked Duncan. There was no pressure. Nothing could ever come of it.
    She told them, “I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, but it’s later in the morning. How about a flicker? Isn’t there something new playing at the theater?”
    Kaleb spoke up, “It’s just another propaganda flick.”
    “Kaleb, with you everything is propaganda,” she laughed.
    Kaleb was the intellectual one in the group—determined, articulate, and persuasive. Reck, rugged and ready for action, looked after his smaller friend. Kaleb always had something reactionary to say—usually something dangerous. Once he explained to Joan donors didn’t cause the now forgotten disease after the Impact. The Alliance relied upon that “fact” for implementing the System many, many years ago.
    The reason was straightforward enough at the beginning: some of the population had a precious immunity against a disease that was decimating mankind. The new disease was most likely caused by the asteroid and its resultant dust cloud, coupled with the immediate squalor and lack of food. While many succumbed to the illness, there were many who did not. Not because they were physically superior; it was just geneticluck. The System forced these people with the immunity—later called donors—to transfer it to others through blood transfusions.
    Simple enough. That was the undemanding way it started. But over the years, the Alliance gradually broadened the reaches of the System, taking away more and more rights of the donors. Like a poisonous vine, its tentacles now reached into the entire body of a donor, slinking through, wrapping around, and taking whatever organ a citizen desired.
    “The new flick is about our heroic First Governor,” Kaleb said sarcastically. “As usual, he’s the saving grace after the Impact. It shows him single-handedly fighting off hoards of violent barbarians, saving what was left of mankind’s knowledge and forming the Alliance, which now protects us from the dangers of the bloodthirsty people Outside. Is that something you really want to see? Didn’t you get enough in school? It’s always the same. You know, Zenobia told me everyone used to be citizens. It was only after—”
    Joan interrupted with a lowered voice, “Now
you’re
talking propaganda. You shouldn’t talk like that out here on the street.” She raised her voice, “I gotta go. My dad should be home by now. Reck, did you happen to see him at work today?”
    Both Reck and Mr. Lion worked for the city sewer department.
    “Yup,” he said.
    She looked at Reck and thought of the kiss they recently shared on the rooftop—not a quick kiss, but long, leisurely and caring. Their lips had parted. She had not pulled away. A boy had never kissed her like that. While extremely fond of Reck, she expected to feel something more…well,
something more
. She didn’t know what, though.
    One time at the Center, Duncan put his arms around her to help her with archery. He had stood behind her, his right arm barely touching hers as he moved her elbow into the perfectposition to pre-draw the bow. His left arm reached around to her chin, tenderly shifting it. She had gasped and caught her breath. Tingling had traveled up and down her spine. Goose bumps appeared. Duncan must have noticed because he whispered, “You’re breathing too fast. Remember, take slow, deep breaths from your diaphragm. Exhale as you nock the arrow.”
    Joan turned her thoughts from Duncan, and when Reck didn’t respond further, she finally asked, “Well, how was he?”
    Reck obviously