Covid 19 and counting.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Terry Harrington woke slowly as the numbing cold bit through his face and hands. The night before he had been ecstatic to have found a dead vagrant wrapped in a sleeping bag that on inspection, proved to be not too badly damaged. It had been the early evening and he had realised that as the sun was setting his usual crash had been taken by a largish vagrant who looked as though he could have beaten Terry to a pulp with a single blow.
Resigned to a possible early death from the bitter cold, he had sneaked away to try his luck elsewhere.
The reason Terry had found himself homeless was because the authorities had recently selected him for compulsory transitioning consequent upon the recently confirmed long term side effects on male sperm.
After noticing that there seemed to be a slow but catastrophic fall in female births over the last few decades, the authorities in all countries had eventually determined that the Covid 21 virus, a mutation of the Covid 19 virus; had stopped the production of X sperms in the male semen of all infected males.
Furthermore, the Covid 21 virus had proved to be an infinitely more virulent and infective strain than it’s progenitor and when it appeared, it had broken out to infect the world population long before the first symptoms began to manifest themselves.
Countries that now had stringent and effective arrangements to nail such viruses early, were shocked to learn that millions of people worldwide were already infected before the first victims began to manifest any symptoms.
Firstly, after desperate efforts to stem the virus, governments world-wide had been forced to conclude that the only solution would be to isolate uninfected males and ‘milk’ them of their sperm in sterile isolation. This meant containing those uninfected males in what were in reality, prisons; albeit comfortable prisons even with female companionship but nevertheless, they were prisons.
Unfortunately, for the human race, Covid 21 proved to be infinitely more adaptable and mobile than it’s forebearer and one by one, the ‘sperm-donor’ prisons became infected until the day came when the last sperm bank had become infected. A new strategy had to be found; for after forty years of Covid 21, the viable female population to support the continuation of the human race had collapsed below that nadir of sustainability. The human race was on its way out.
The last gasp strategy had been re-examine the transgender option and return to research involving altering some of the male population by hormone therapy prior to puberty. This was combined with the implantation of various animal uteruses, usually simian, and hope by advancing the chemical suppression of organ rejection there might be an avenue of rescue for the human race. Eventually, after a concentrated, co-ordinated world-wide effort, a medical solution had been partially effected but it was exceptionally risky for the transitioned male children.
Research had determined the profile of the children most likely to benefit from the transitioning therapy but even then there were nowhere near enough likely male candidates and many millions of unsuitable male candidates were thrown into the ‘melting pot’ simply to boost the numbers of suitable ‘wombs’ to carry human foetuses to successful term.
Nevertheless, any male child who fitted the potentially successful profile was automatically selected for compulsory transition before puberty. Terry Harrington was one of those boys.
ooo000ooo
That fateful afternoon as Terry dodged and swerved around the defending full-back to score a spectacular goal, two visitors approached the games master to ask.
“Which one is Terry Harrington?”
The games master turned with a smile but the smile faded as he recognised the pair. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to remark.
“He’s the ‘pocket-rocket’ that just left that larger full-back and the goal-keeper for dead. Did you see the swerve on the boy.”
“We need to speak to him after school this afternoon. Which bus does he take to get home?”
The games master was no lover of the necessary government policy that forced them to literally pluck any seemingly suitable child out of the ranks and forcibly transition them without any respect for the child’s rights. Sadly, he had been waiting with a sickening certainty for the axe to fall on Terry Harrington for, despite being a remarkably athletic and nimble footballer, the boy was small and regretfully displayed a somewhat feminine nature at other times off the playing field. Nevertheless, he was compelled by law to assist the government agents because of the immensely important issues surrounding human survival. With a sickening sense of inevitability, the master advised the agents.
“He takes the number four bus that goes via the main A’ class road to Highton. I’m sure you’ll already have his address; have you informed his parents?”
The agents turned to leave and failed to notice that the ever alert Terry Harrington had already copped them talking to the games master.
“What where they doing here sir?” he asked the games master; already anticipating the answer.
“I think you already know Terry.”
“Shit, shit, shit! Why me? I’m good at sport and academic stuff.”
“Good gracious Terry! I’ve never heard you use language like that before. You surprise me.”
“You’ve never seen me angry before sir. Why me, why, why, why?”
“I’m so sorry lad, It’s cruel necessity. Being a girl is not all bad and you’ll get treated very well.”
“Huh, only if I start producing brats like some sort of breeding sow. You know we’re not allowed to go to further education until we’ve produced at least three babies. That puts us years behind the boys in higher education. How many girls get to make it in their mid-twenties?”
“Well I’m so sorry for you Terry. Unfortunately, you fit the profile just too perfectly and they’ll have your profile stats to hand as they do every child.”
“Yeah, cos’ of the dammed micro-chips. Why don’t adults carry microchips?”
“They’ve only just introduced them in the last sixteen years; after they developed the womb transplant technology. They’ve been harvesting female human eggs for years now but the gestation technology was the last hurdle they’ve managed to clear. It’s expected that with the new gene splicing technology and chromosome technology, we’ll soon be seeing natal female babies again.”
“But it’s still not a solution is it. Until they find some way of blocking Covid 21 from fucking with human sperm we’ll have to continue with this transitioning thing for all eternity.”
“Language Terry! You’ll not be expected to use language like that when you transition!”
“You mean IF I transition!” Terry thought to himself for already, he was planning somehow to avoid it.
When the school day ended, Terry Harrington was already several miles away from the school. He’d skipped the last two lessons and gone AWOL for every child was familiar with the stratagems the government agents used. Wait at the bus stop and grab the boy then take him to his home to explain to the parents that their particular son had been selected for transitioning.
There was no argument, if their son had been deemed suitable and the child’s DNA matched the criteria then so be it. Tony Harrington had been selected for transition but unfortunately, Tony Harrington was not there.
“Has he been home Mrs Harrington?”
“No. I was expecting him off the bus this past twenty minutes. What did you say to him?”
“We have not spoken to him at all. We saw him at school playing football then he disappeared.”
“If he saw you then he’ll probably have absconded. He was always terrified of this because he’s small and dare I say it, somewhat effeminate.”
“Well that’s two of the main reasons he fits the profile.
“Yes, but the trouble is, he’s extremely good at sport, especially football, and he’s dammed good at Maths and Sciences. The last thing he wanted was to turned into a brood mare and spend his teens breeding babies. If he’s gone AWOL, I hold you, the government responsible.”
“Whether were culpable or not. He’s still been selected and there’s no chance of a reprieve. The welfare of the human race is the big issue not the whim of an individual.”
The argument became irrelevant at this juncture because the government agents admitted that if the child was not there then legal arguments were immaterial. They left feeling confident that the child’s material needs would soon drive him out from cover and they would eventually find their quarry.
ooo000ooo
By nightfall, Terry was over a dozen miles away and beginning to feel hungry. He was slightly angry with himself for failing to prepare for his ordeal but was forced to accept that his circumstances had not allowed for preparation. Furthermore, his school uniform was a dead give-away if he was going to succeed in going underground.
He had heard of other boys managing to escape ‘the net’ as the selection process was known but for the life of him, Terry had no idea how or where this invisible underground was to be contacted. Consequently, he virtually slept where he fell as the midnight hour struck.
Morning found him cold, hungry and stiff as he took stock of his whereabouts. Lowing cattle dragged him out of his fitful sleep and when he looked around he realised he was inside some sort of remote barn with fields all around then a farm-house some three fields away where the noise of cattle calling to be milked had disturbed him. Cautiously, for it was still pretty dark, he sneaked towards the farm just as a figure appeared in the yard and promptly started gathering the cattle.
Having realised that it was a large dairy farm, Terry concluded that if he could somehow get a drink of milk, it would go a long way to assuaging his hunger.
Cautiously he reconnoitred the milking parlour and soon concluded that the milk was automatically transferred to a large tank to await collection. Later he watched the dairy-maid adjust some taps and take a sample of the milk. After running what looked like density tests or some sort of quality check he watched her take a sampling bottle and de-cant the sample before sealing it and labelling it for collection. She then returned to the farmhouse and Terry seized his chance.
He quickly took an empty sampling bottle and filled it from the testing valve before gulping it down, then, after assuaging his immediate thirst he filled two sample bottles and quickly made himself scarce. The mild tided him over until the evening when he came upon a small village and decided to do something about a disguise. As the shadows gathered, he cased the village for washing lines and spotted a couple of likely opportunities. One line had a dress drying while the other had a girl’s jersey supported on a coat-hanger.
“Easy pickings,” he concluded as he waited for the dark. When it came, he wasted no time stealing the articles then swiftly made himself scarce. His theft meant he would have to put distance between him and the crime so he set out to walk due west by using the pole star as a guide.
“Thank God for astronomy lessons,” he congratulated himself as the stars were intermittently visible between the clouds. Dawn found him at the edge of a large city that he soon discovered to be Bristol. With the jersey and dress for extra cover, he located a remote, safe hiding place and settled down to a few hours’ sleep before deciding to carry on into Bristol.
At noon, the high sun had inadvertently shone through the cover of his hide-out and the warm sun wakened him. Once again, food was the priority but there were no dairy farms in the city. Carefully, he dressed in the girl’s frock and jumper and stashed his clothes in his school bag before hiding it under some dead leaves then trudging into Bristol city centre.
To his delight, he found a charitable organisation handing out sandwiches and tea so he quickly availed himself of their generosity and filled up on assorted sandwiches. Here a charity worker noticed the new face and soon approached him.
“You’re new here then darling?”
Startled by her sudden appearance, Terry almost dropped his fourth sandwich as he span around in alarm. The elderly lady noticed his fearful reaction and quickly moved to reassure him.
“You should be careful on your own in the city darling. Girls are very vulnerable and even more so in these troubled times.”
“I’m okay!” Terry replied too quickly as she sagged with relief that the woman had mistaken her for a girl.
However the woman continued inspecting her.
“Are you living rough darling.”
Terry didn’t answer ‘See all, hear all, smell all, take all and say nowt’ were her watchwords, while brevity was all.
She shrugged non-committedly and finished off her large plastic beaker of tea before setting to leave – quickly.
“Wait a minute darling. You didn’t answer my question.” The woman called after her.
Without looking back, Terry waved her hand and called out “Thanks for the grub!” before a few quick strides took her out of sight.
“One more hurdle cleared,” she surmised as her hunger pangs were quenched. The food issue was sorted.
The next day she reappeared at the food station and cautiously approached the sandwich table.
“Back again love?” The same lady asked.
Terry nodded but refrained from reaching for the pile of sandwiches. The woman noticed Terry’s hesitation and used it as a lever to possibly pry open the girl’s shell.
“You are living rough aren’t you darling.”
“It’s not a crime is it?”
“No love but for young girls, it’s dangerous. How come you’re on the streets anyway? Young transitioners are invariably well looked after.”
Having been read as a ‘transitioner’; Terry was not fazed by the discovery. All girls during those times were transitioners because female babies were not being born. The lady pressed gently.
“Are you having a hard time adjusting?”
Terry simply nodded and gratefully took the sandwich that the lady had offered.
“Try not to worry darling. Quite a few kids do. Being a girl is not that bad, in fact it can be fun.”
“What! Walking around with a permanently swollen belly. No bloody way.”
Terry chose her next words carefully. “Other kids might accept it but I can’t. I’m a boy and that’s that!”
“Are you saying you’ve run away?”
“Happen I have, so what! They’re not cutting me and that’s that.”
“They’ll catch up with you eventually darling. You’re only making it more difficult for yourself. There’s no chance of avoiding it.”
“There is! Suicide!” Terry declared softly but determinedly. “Even if I die on the streets, they’re not cutting me.”
So saying, she took two more sandwiches from the pile and said “Thanks for these though. They keep me alive for now, Byee!”
Once again, Terry waltzed away waving the sandwiches as she sought a quiet place to eat them. In the loading area behind the shops, she found a pile of carboard stuffed into two bins. Quickly, she tugged out a large carboard case containing some bubble-wrap and bent it between the bins to form a comfortable sheltered bower where she plonked herself down and lay back to eat the sandwiches. When she had finished them, she realised that the bower was quite a comfortable niche and she decided to stay there. Within minutes, she’d dozed off and did not wake until her bladder made its customary demand.
Fortunately, she knew where the local Mac Donald’s was and decided to go and relieve herself. In the days when there were almost no neonatal girls the distinction between transitioned girls and neo-natals was immaterial. Terry quickly nipped in and locked the cubicle door before anybody realised she was not a customer. In any event, she had spent several hours in the mall that morning and she had noticed several people doing exactly the same thing. Glad to be able to wash her hands and freshen her face, she emerged feeling slightly cleaner and returned to her niche between the bins.
“Hey! What-choo doin’ with my box?” She demanded as she caught a street girl loading the precious bubble packed box onto a supermarket trolly that was already loaded with personal junk.”
“Who said it was yours love?”
“I got it out of the skip and made the bed. Purr’it back.”
“It’s no good sleepin’ ere’ the garbage truck comes around at seven and carts everything away. If you’re sleepin’ ere’ you’ll as likely end up in the truck.”
“You’re still not getting it. Give it back.”
“So where are you going to put it and yev’ got nothin’ to carry it. You’ll look a right dip-shite hawkin’ it around!”
Terry realised the girl was right and released her grip on the box. The girl promptly finished securing it and turned as she made to move off.
“What choo’ sleepin ere’ for anyway, you’ll get soaked if it rains.”
“I ‘aven’t found a proper place yet.”
The girl wagged her head and sighed.
“There’s plenty of places down by the river, not all the old warehouses are poshed up yet. There’s a couple of empty cellars if you don’t mind the rats.”
“Ugh Rats! No thanks, I’ll stick with my old place.”
“Where’s that?”
“D’ yer’ think I’d tell you?”
“Suite yer ’self.”
“Anyway, you’re a girl so what are you doin’ livin’ rough?” Terry wondered.
“I don’ intend ‘avin a dozen fuckin brats an’ bein’ worn out at thirty.”
“Me neither.” Terry agreed. “I’m a boy and I’m stayin’ a boy!”
“You’ll be lucky, yer chip’ ll get yer the first time you need anything. Yer’ can’t live rough forever.”
“If I can get over puberty, I’m in with a chance. My body’ ll likely reject an ape’s womb, compatible or not.”
“So you’re still a boy then, for now.”
Terry shrugged and nodded and the girl frowned.
“What choo’ like with yer fists?”
“What d’ yer wanna’ know for?”
“Well most of us who live rough like to share a bash, yer’ know; mutual protection.”
“I get by alone. If I find I need protection, I’ll come lookin’”
“Yer gonna have to watch it. You look full on girl even now. Some arsehole is bound to try it on. I’m Sam by the way, short for Samantha. What’s yours?”
“Terry with a ‘y’ for a boy.”
ooo000ooo
By dint of having nowhere specific to go the pair continued talking as the girl wheeled her supermarket trolly across the town towards the river. Eventually they came to her bash and she called into the cellar. A couple of female voices replied and after some cautious questioning, Terry was allowed to enter. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark, he counted five girls and a couple of biggish dogs that growled at him.
“They’re our protection “
“Oh! Nice Doggy! Nice Doggies!” Terry offered until one of the other girls ordered the dogs to sit.
“That’s better.” The second girl continued. I’m Theodora though everybody calls me Dora and you are?”
“Terry, Terry with a Y.”
“Oh. You’re a boy then!”
Sensing that the girls would not be happy having a boy amongst them, Terry immediately offered to leave.
“Oh there’s no need for that.” Dora explained. “None of us can get pregnant unless we have eggs implanted, except of course for Jessica, she’s neo-natal. So stay away from her unless she specifically invites you!”
“I’ll stay away from all of you cos’ I’m not stopping as I’ve got my own little bash out on the ring road. This is too near the city and the cops for my liking.”
“Oooh! Secrets eh! What, you running from then? .And where-abouts is your ‘bash’ as you call it.” Dora demanded.
“It’s no secret I don’ wanna be cut and turned into one of you guys so I ran. The other thing, my bash is a secret. I have to hide for a few years until I’m past puberty then they tend to give up on us.”
Dora studied Terry and grinned knowingly.
“I don’ think they’ll ever give up on you love, you look like a girl already and they really like finding girly boys. They offer the best chances for foetal survival. Are you a real tranny?”
“No! No! No I’m not, I’m just small but I’m pretty fit. So don’t try coming at me. Look, I’ll be off now, this is getting scary!”
So saying, he turned to leave but even as he reached the exit to the cellar, both dogs were in his way. Suddenly he realised that Dora had been serious about the dogs being protection. He turned angrily.
“Look! I said I wanted no trouble, now call your dogs off.”
“What’re you afraid of, it’s only us girls.”
“Girls are trouble. If you guys are on the run then you’re just more trouble as far as I’m concerned. They’ll be looking for you just like me.”
“Yeah but we’re safe because we’ve de-chipped ourselves. Even Jessica’s had her chip removed.”
“But that means you cant get anything, no medical help, no housing, no transport, nothing.”
“We get by. If you want to keep out of the net, you’d better get rid of your as well.”
Terry made a note that somehow these girls were now operating below the radar, presumably like many others she had seen wandering the streets. Her immediate problem was the dogs though and she had to find a way clear. Then she noticed an old reinforcing bar sticking out of the archway and beyond that some broken bricks jutting out. Obviously bomb damaged from way, way back during the second world war.
Without making it too obvious she checked out the structure and calculated she could jump up and then scramble up the outer cornice of the archway and escape along the ledge that formed the railing base of the park above the old cellars. Having judged the leap, she suddenly sprang up and just managed to grip the iron bar. It was rusty and cut her hand slightly but she still managed to swing onto the cornice and quickly scramble up the outer wall. By the time the dogs managed to get to the far end of the wall, Terry was gone. The girls joined their dogs and marvelled at the fugitive’s acrobatics.
“Fuck she must be a gymnast or something, did you see that.” Dora gasped.
“Or a bloody Ninja.” Jessica added. “She could be useful for getting into places.”
“Like what?” Dora demanded.
“Like getting into pharmacies and such like, like stealing sanitary dressings. It’s O-bloody-kay for you guys, you don’t have periods, I bloody do!”
The remaining transitioned kids fell silent. being a ‘real’ neo-natal girl and having real ‘women’s problems’ was always Jessica’s trump card. She could have babies from her own ovaries, albeit only boy babies. Additionally, her eggs were priceless in terms of the human race surviving. There were no more girls being born and the human race had little time left to somehow start producing neo-natal girls again.
In the whole of Britain, there were only a couple of hundred girls left of child-bearing age and no more were being born. The whole group knew that while they were being hunted, the search for Jessica was like a fox hunt with authorities and the medical establishment in full cry, desperately searching for Jessica and her eggs.
In parallel to this of course, the search to create a fertile male with both X and Y sperm was also a desperate endeavour.
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 and counting to twenty one.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
Tiff Q’s story concerning the Covid 19 delayed side effect prompted me to enter into the same theme and write 19 and counting. This is the second part of ‘Nineteen and counting.’
Thank you Tiff Q for giving me the inspiration to write something in the same vein and in the same ‘universe’ as your story about Covid 19.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Part two.
It did not take long for Terry to return to his well-hidden bash with several sheets of brown cardboard and prepare his bed for the night. His search had also produced a largish sheet of heavy polythene that provided him with a dry shelter that offered much better protection from the elements. Nevertheless he was still cold that third night and he knew he had to find some decent, warm bed covers. That would have to wait however until the next day for he was too tired to care that night. Sleep came upon him quickly.
The next day was to reflect how the rest of his life would pan out for the next few years but for now, he took each day as it came. He was disappointed to learn that the charity Kitchen did not appear on Mondays and this unexpected development meant he had to go hungry, a condition that would come to control and direct his every waking hour.
Tuesday morning found him with a ravenous hunger and he appeared at the food station long before it opened. Despite this, he kept an eye out for the girls and their dogs for he did not want to become entangled with them. A group of five girls plus himself would serve to attract attention and he had already realised that singly, he was virtually invisible. Once he had collected his food, he sneaked away to any of a dozen different locations he had identified to avoid anybody becoming familiar with his movements.
His caution enabled him to avoid the girls and it was another month before they happened upon him as he snoozed in what he thought was an invisible location. It was one of the dogs that had sniffed him out and he cursed as he suddenly felt a wet nose investigating his ear.
“Fuck off dog!”
“That’s no way to talk to her.” A recognisable voice intoned.
Terry turned to look around and saw Samantha standing beside the broken door that had provided Terry with his cover.
“I don’t like dogs licking my face. I could get worms – toxocaris canis’. You know."
“D’ you know about parasites?”
“Enough,” Terry confirmed; “enough to know that dog worms can make you go blind if they lick your face.”
Sam ignored that line of conversation and turned to more mundane but necessary things.
“They caught Jackie. She was snoozing in the park and the police jumped her. When they checked her for a chip and found none, they arrested her.”
“She should have been more careful. Have you eaten?”
“No. It’s not safe to hang around the charity kitchen now unless you’re chipped and the bastards are checking. The charity people are furious because it means kids are going without.”
“That’s a bummer. Where do you go for food now?”
“The old way, begging for money, then buying stuff but you have to look out. They’ve stepped up the searches cos they know Jessica’s in Bristol and they need to harvest her eggs.”
“What! All of them?”
“We dunno. We’ve never met a Neo who’s been harvested. I’ve met one who had born five kids though and she looked like shit – worn out and prematurely aged. Too fucked even to take advantage of the education they offered her in her thirties. Now she is just going through the motions in a Mc Job. She felt the only way out was to have some more kids then live on the bonus benefits she got if she had eight or more kids.”
“Become a brood mare.”
“Yeah and you’ve seen plenty of those just hanging around doing fuck all and waiting for God.”
“Yeah, got that,” Terry agreed. “Fuckin’ zombies!”
Sam shrugged despondently and looked down the street to the square where the charity kitchen was dolling out sandwiches. Terry followed her gaze and asked.
“Should we risk it?”
“I don’t see any cops or egg snatchers around.”
“Tell you what. You distract the charity worker and I’ll grab some sandwiches.”
“Is that safe?”
“I think so. I’ve seen that old biddy have quite a few altercations with the egg-snatchers. Besides, I’m pretty quick and I can easily outrun those fat bastards.”
“Well, if they do chase you, I can set Trixie free and she can delay them. I’ve used the trick a couple of times.”
“But they’ll know you by now.”
“I’ll stay hidden. Trixie can stay put under that closed market stall and I’ll call her out if she’s needed.”
Terry weighed up the pro’s and con’s then decided to risk it. By now, with some judicious but nefarious thieving, she had outfitted herself to pass quite well for her short dress and properly fitting trainers enable her to streak away from danger as she always had when once she played football as a boy. They arranged a plan and soon Terry appeared at the food kitchen begging for extra food to feed her friends.
“You again. Haven’t seen you in a while, where’s that kid Samantha you hang out with?”
“She’s hiding, you know why.”
“Yeah, they’re getting tougher on you kids. Do you know about a neo-girl, goes by the name of Jessie or Jessica. The egg snatchers are always looking out for her,”
Terry shrugged as the lady wrapped up a large pack of sandwiches in a polythene bag and handed them to her. Terry turned to leave as the woman asked.
“No time for a cuppa then?”
“Sorry! Gorra go.” Terry had just heard a low warning whistle and immediately sprinted through the crowd.
An ‘egg-snatcher’ pursued her but soon gave up as she cursed on her radio. That bitch is bloody fast. I don’t think she’s the Neo-girl.”
“Well one day she’ll slip up, we’ll question the charity worker.” Replied the radio.
Their brief inquisition of the charity lady produced nothing and they returned to their usual beats.
Samantha eventually returned to their hidden cellar and brought the news. To her remaining friends.
“I met up with that Terry kid. “She got some sandwiches and I think she got away.”
“Yeah, but will she bring them here,” Jessica sighed hungrily, “you know she doesn’t like mixing with strangers and none of us know her that well.”
“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. She seems to know how to avoid the cameras. I never saw her once after she disappeared into the crowds. Besides, we did a deal. I kept lookout for her and set Trixie to guard.”
It was fully dark when Terry eventually appeared at the cellar entrance and crept carefully into the stygian blackness. Samantha immediately recognised the silhouette and called out as she briefly lit her flashlight.
“Over here girl. How many sandwiches did she give you.”
“Fifteen cos she knows you lot of old. I’ve eaten one but there’s still two for me and three each for the rest.” I also sneaked a large bottle of orange juice from the back of a stall down at the harbour festival. Here, take them.”
With her route over the rubble floor illuminated by Samantha’s torch, she picked her way towards them and handed over the polythene bag. The gratitude was obvious as all the girls clamoured around and hugged their provider. For the next few minutes, silence reigned as the girls ate ravenously. Finally they finished and Dora turned to Terry.
“Thanks Terry. How did you avoid the searchers?”
“They’re too fat and too slow; oh and they can’t climb. I can.”
“Yeah, we noticed. Would you like to come and live with us here?”
“I’d rather not, that would make six of us and that would attract attention. This way works best by me just meeting up occasionally. My own bash is well hidden and quite comfy now. See you around.”
So saying he slipped away without the dogs preventing him and disappeared into the night.
ooo000ooo
His arrangement eventually evolved into twice weekly visits to the girls and extended through the summer into the winter. Then one morning he peeped out of his bash and saw the inch of snow that had fallen during the night..
“Damn!” He concluded. “This would mean leaving tracks.”
Nevertheless, nature called and he was, as always, hungry. After sorting his bodily needs far away from his bash he set off for town by one of the several different routes and stopped by at a food source he knew well. A kindly restaurateur often had some work for him and this morning was no exception. He cleaned the snow off the front pavement and backyard then sorted the garbage before washing the windows and floors for the price of a large hot breakfast and several cups of coffee.
He ate this in the back yard to avoid being noticed by passers-by because naturally, he was filthy and his appearance in the main café would deter ordinary diners. It also meant he could eat in peace and he often spent half the morning there while the owner occasionally gave him another dirty but essential cleaning task. Terry knew he was being taken advantage of but beggars could not be choosers. There was also a tap in the yard and of course a staff lavatory that he had taken to cleaning.
At noon, he made his way into the city centre and found Dora and Sam unusually together.
“Jeeze! You two look rough!”
Through haunted, sunken cheeks, Dora replied.
“We all are. We think we’ve got the virus Corona 21. Charlie and Jan are really bad.”
“Have you thought of getting tested?”
“We can’t, we’re not chipped and they’ll arrest us.”
“Shit! What about Jessie?”
“She’s decided to leave until this bug has run its course. Be careful if you find her, she’s got one of the dogs for her protection.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s been doorway blocking for the past few nights, usually on Baldwin Street. She’s probably there now.”
Terry did not respond immediately, but he asked the charity worker for several extra sandwiches and after chatting with Dora and Sam, he slipped away. He quickly found Jessie curled up in a sleeping bag with her dog guarding her and keeping her warm. At first she did not respond to his efforts but when her dog did not show aggression, she peeped out from the sleeping bag and recognised Terry.
“Oh. It’s you. Have you got anything?”
“Of course,” replied Terry, “your favourites, some large bacon and egg butties. They’re still warm.”
“Thanks.”
Terry watched her wolf them down whilst he slipped a couple to the dog.
“If you want tea, we’ll have to go back to the charity stall.”
“Is it safe?”
“I think the police are too busy finding frozen stiffs or sufferers from exposure to worry about active runaways and I haven’t seen any agency searchers all morning. Do you feel okay? I know the others have been infected. I can’t tell if it’s the virus.”
“Oh it’s the virus okay, Charlie and Jan are really bad, they could be dying.”
“Shit don’t say that!” Terry pleaded.
“Can you go and check?” Jessie begged.
“Well Dora and Sam said they were bad, but I’ll go and see.”
“Thanks.”
As Terry approached the hidden entrance to the cellar she was disturbed to see a couple of the agency searchers detaining Dora and Sam. She cursed silently and pulled back out of sight as an ambulance pulled up and minutes later she watched Charlie and Jan being stretchered away. Then Dora and Sam were bundled roughly into the agency patrol car and driven away.
“Shit, shit, shit! She cursed loudly enough for a couple of passers-by to stop and stare.”
Realising she had attracted attention, she slipped away and avoided going back to Jessie until late afternoon. The doorway was empty, as she had anticipated so she tried the charity stall where the regular lady was still serving cups of tea.
“She said to meet her at the other place, whatever that means.” The lady replied as she offered a hot cup of sweet milky coffee.
“These are the last of the sandwiches. They’re a bit stale now but they’ll only be thrown out.”
“Thanks,” Terry replied as he gathered them into the proffered plastic bag and set off in exactly the opposite direction to their alternative rendezvous location.
After a round-a-bout route, he entered the trees and found Jessie shivering under a polythene sheet that Terry had hidden nearby in preparation for just such a situation as this.
“Here you are love, Stale butties and a cup of warm milky tea.”
“Th-th-thanks.” Jessie replied as she reached out feverishly and grabbed the proffered food.
“They’ve captured the others; I think they had to give themselves up to get Jan and Charlie some medical help. We’re on our own now.”
Jessie continued shivering and Terry became concerned.
“You can’t stay here; you look sick as well and it’s going to freeze again tonight.”
“I’m not going into hospital for them to rip me open and steal my eggs.”
“Well, we’ll have to get you somewhere warm. Trixie can keep you warm but where’s the other dog, Sally.
“She was captured some weeks ago by the dog catchers. They’ve probably put her down by now.”
“Well, one dog’s better than no dogs and Trixie’s a big bitch.”
There was a moment’s pregnant silence before Jessie looked up with sunken shadowed eyes.
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
After a longer pause as Terry considered the situation.
“I could get sick as well then.”
“Pleease! If I have got the Virus, I don’t want to die alone.”
“Aaaw’ll-right then but if you get any worse, I’m getting an ambulance and I’ll drag you away from my bash so they won’t find it or me.”
“Thanks.”
They finished the food and started out for the Bristol circular road where Terry had his well-hidden and half buried bash. Trixie, the Alsatian cross followed them and secretly, Terry was glad of her extra company. When they left the park they had used to rendezvous , a large vagrant approached them and demanded to know where they were sleeping tonight. When they refused to say he became aggressive and tried to attack them without realising that the dog shambling and sniffing around the bushes some distance off was theirs. He went to strike Terry who ducked as Jessie whistled urgently and Trixie came streaking in to assist.
It was all over in a couple of moments and the man cursed in fear as both bitch and boy confronted him. Realising he was out-numbered, he dropped his sleeping bag and ran.
As they watched him leave the park and stumble away own the road, Terry checked the sleeping bag over.
“This could be useful, it’s still in good nick.”
“It could have lice or bugs in it,” Jessie cautioned.
“A night in the frost should kill those. I’ll leave it out to freeze tonight and see what it’s like in the morning. Anyway, beggars can’t be choosers; what’s it to be – bed-bugs or death by hypothermia?”
“You can share my bag tonight. It smells a bit but -.”
“Really! As if. I haven’t bathed in months.”
“Uuhm – neither have I.” Jessie confessed.
“Welcome to the smellies.” Terry remarked as he addressed the bitch Trixie.
“She doesn’t mind,” Jessie observed with a distasteful smirk. “You’ll just have to get used to her and me.”
Having reconciled themselves to their lack of personal hygiene, they set off slowly for the city outskirts and Terry’s bash. When they got there, Jessica was impressed by the invisibility for she had walked straight past it. When Terry finally guided her down under the trees and into the brambles she marvelled.
“Did you build this yourself?”
“Yes.”
“How come it’s not wet?”
“See those builder’s merchants over there.”
Jessie craned her neck out of the entrance and spotted a DIY store as Terry explained.
“I raided their waste bins and stole some old aqua board sheets. I started out with the grey ones to make the roof cos’ grey is invisible under the brambles. Then I dug out some more and gradually lined the hole with other thicker, waterproof, polystyrene sheets. It’s quite invisible even from the circular road and people don’t walk here cos they use the bike path up there. Cos’ it’s dug into the road-side embankment, it drains okay and doesn’t get wet. The roof is totally waterproof and invisible under the bushes.”
“God! This better than the cellar!” Jessica observed.
“And warmer,” Terry added, “but it’s a bit snug for two.”
“Snug is okay, provided you don’t – you know.”
“Hey. We’ll be in separate sleeping bags with a bitch between us.”
“Yeah. Like Moll Flanders. I’ve heard that before.”
“Look, d’ you want to sleep here or not?”
“I’d better It’s getting dark and I’m getting cold.”
“Okay. I won’t share your sleeping bag. I spent all the other nights without much cover so one more night won’t hurt. Besides, Trixie’s here, she’ll keep me warm.”
“Thanks,” Jessica replied with the gratitude plain to see in her sunken. shadowed eyes.
Terry couldn’t fail to noticed Jessie’s pallor but she kept a brave face and never mentioned it. Instead she reinforced her offer of hospitality.
“Well get in girl. We can’t stay standing out here or we’ll get noticed.”
Jessica quickly crawled inside while Terry arranged the other sleeping bag over some low brambles to freeze and kill any bugs. It was invisible under the trees from the road. As she crawled inside, Trixie let out a low growl but Jessie scolded her and eventually, Terry lay ensconced between Trixie’s warm fur and the polystyrene. Jessica sighed once and fell asleep. Terry spent a fitful worrisome night thinking about Jessica’s condition.
In the morning, Jessica was slightly worse so by agreement, Terry left to get food by working at the restaurant and he returned eventually with a large quantity of ‘left-overs’ from the breakfast session. Jessica could not face the food but Trixie more than made up for it and there were no left-overs.
“You’ve got to eat something girl.” Terry pressed. “Feed a cold and starve a fever.”
“Yeah, my mum used to say that,” Jessie agreed. “I’ll try something later.”
“There won’t be any later unless I trudge all the way down to the charity stall.” Terry warned her.
“Can you do that. I’ll eat whatever you bring back.”
“Is that a promise now?” Terry beseeched her.
“Just go.” Jessica croaked.
With those sounds ringing in his ears, Terry set off at a trot and returned two hours later to find Jessica still curled up in pain. The sight was too much to bear and he begged her to let him call a hospital.
“With what?” Jessie demanded. “You don’t have a phone and they’ll immediately detain you if you’ve been in touch with an infected person. Just let me rest. Have you got some water?”
Terry felt a huge wave of relief that she had even asked for water. It was at least something to get into her system and he offered the plastic bottle to her dried, cracked lips. She took a few weak sips and then settled back into her foetal curl.
“Thanks,” she whispered softly as Terry debated what to do.
“I’m going to tell the hospital. This is bad.”
“No! No, no, no !” Jessie begged. “I’d prefer to die than let them cut out my eggs.”
“But you’ll die without treatment.”
“Then let me die. The world’s dying anyway.”
With that final and seemingly irrefutable argument, Terry had nothing left to offer. He pushed gently behind Trixie and lay down to sleep.
Because of the cold, he slept fitfully and each time he woke he could not resist checking to see of Jessica was still breathing
He met the dawn feeling cold but there was the stale food and water to assuage his hunger. After sharing some with Trixie, he gently checked Jessie’s condition. She was breathing but her condition was worse. Now he was in a terrifying dilemma. Her last words about hospital had been no, a loud and definite no.
He had never been a forceful person and rarely got involved in arguments. All he could do was watch and wait. To this end and to occupy his mind, he decided to go to the restaurant and see if there was any work – and food. Somehow, he was too afraid to actually be present if or when Jessie died. He would have to leave that horrible duty to Trixie.
With guilt forcing tears to his eyes, he crept from the bash and stumbled remorsefully towards the café and presented himself for work.
“You look like death girl. Are you fit for work?” The restaurateur asked.
“I’ve gorra’ hav’n I? Body an’ soul and all that.”
Terry’s part-time employer shrugged and told him what to do. She completed the tasks to leave the café scrupulously clean as though working doubly hard would lift the guilt from her shoulders.
“That’s a good job kid, I’d take you on full time but as you well know, times are tough.”
“Yeah. And then some,” Terry added as he stood waiting for his reward.
“There you are kid. I’ve added some titbits and a couple of oranges as extra for a treat. Thanks for doing a good job.”
Grateful for the extras, Terry returned to his Bash fully expecting to find a corpse curled up in the sleeping bag. The relief swept through to his core when he found Jessica still curled up and seemingly not having moved an inch; but she was still alive and he knelt down to feel her forehead as Trixie whined softly.
“I know girl, I’m as frightened as you are. Here’s some sandwiches and few rashers of bacon for you. - No, eat them outside girl.”
The dog chased the food outside as Terry threw it under the bushes then he turned again to Jessica and gently kissed her forehead. He had no medicines, and no knowledge. All he could do was comfort her until she either died or recovered. As he kissed her head she let out a tiny sound but nothing else happened. Even so, this feintest of responses gave him hope and he curled up to spoon her back and hopefully keep her warm.
He lay there all night listening to her wheezing breath but it did not seem to be getting any weaker. At dawn Trixie re-entered the dug-out and sniffed at her mistress before whining again softly. Terry watched the bitch and spoke softly.
“Do you know something I don’t girl?”
Trixie wagged her tail just a couple of times and then gave a soft snuffling ‘yip’ before once again licking Jessica’s face then staring intently at Terry. The bitch had such an intelligent look in her eyes that it was hard for Terry to determine if Trixie was just looking at him or trying to tell him something. Terry just continued watching, not daring to interfere.
Then Trixie recommenced licking Jessica’s face again while starting to rapidly wag her tail. Terry realised something was obviously afoot.
“What is it girl? What is it? Tell me! Oh I wish you could talk!”
With that, Trixie gave a loud bark and started pushing at Jessica’s body and licking her mouth. Suddenly, Terry realised that Jessica was gasping for breath and choking. For want of any other course of action, he leant over Jessica’s face just as she stopped breathing. Now in a blind panic, Terry frantically felt for a pulse and found a feeble racing beat that frankly terrified him. Not knowing what else to do, He tried to remember how to give artificial resuscitation and put his mouth to hers. Then he started breathing into her mouth as hard as he could. To his surprise, he saw her chest rise and fall so he tried it again.
Again her chest rose up and he listened as the phlegm started to crackle in her wind-pipe. Something was definitely happening so he continued pushing his breath into her lungs until she gave a weak cough and Terry inadvertently swallowed a large deposit of thick green phlegm that lodged in his own trachea and caused him to cough violently. When he was finally able to return to helping Jessica she was breathing again albeit with heavy wheezing and occasional coughing.
Trixie then started barking excitedly and desperately licking Terry’s face.
“Alright girl, alright! Calm down girl; if she’s coughing she’s okay.”
Terry said this as much to reassure himself as reassure Trixie but it was doubly rewarding when Jessica let out a weak moan and moved her hand to her mouth. Seeing this, Terry let out a low wail of relief and slumped backwards against the wall of the bash as his emotions overwhelmed him. He was exhausted.
ooo000ooo
Note to any readers, this story has grown longer than I anticipated. It will be three parts now but I doubt it will grow to four.
Beverly.
Covid 19 and counting past 21
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
Tiff Q’s story concerning the Covid 19 delayed side effect prompted me to enter into the same theme and write 19 and counting. This is the third part of ‘Nineteen and counting.’
Thank you Tiff Q for giving me the inspiration to write something in the same vein and in the same ‘universe’ as your story about Covid 19.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Part 3.
-----------------------
When Terry finally recovered he was surprised to see Jessie sipping some more water and staring fearfully at him.
He stared back at her and they simultaneously asked – “How’re you feeling.”
This brought a smile to both their faces, partly relief and partly amusement. After a hesitant pause they both went for it again by offering the other to chance to explain first. Simultaneously they said an identical second sentence.
“You go first!”
This brought them to mutual laughter and for several seconds they giggled uncontrollably until common sense prevailed but not before tears of relieved joy filled Terry’s eyes.
“Right me first cos’ I have to know. How are you feeling?”
“Bit weak, but I can breathe better.” Jessica gasped between recovering breaths.
“Thank god for that! Shall I get some food.”
“Where. It’s Monday again isn’t it? The charity stall will be closed.”
“Ah. You don’t know this but I’ve got a secret place.”
“Whassat?” Jessica wondered.
“There’s a little café between here and town. I do odd jobs for him and he pays me in food; good food, fresh food.”
“Bloody hell! Is that why we never saw you begging around the city centre.”
“Happen;” Terry confessed.
“Why didn’t you bring some for us.”
“If everybody knew, it wouldn’t be a secret would it, and everybody would be clamouring for the work. Even if I brought some for you and your friends, you’d immediately be chasing me up for food and feeding five people is just not on. Anyway, the café owner warned me to be tactful about it cos’ he didn’t want a line of beggars calling at the café.”
“You cunning bastard.”
“Hey. Just leave it there. I’ve been bringing fresh food for you every day while you’ve been ill but in the end Trixie ate it. If I go there now and do my work, I’ll be back by lunch time with a whole bag of good fresh food.”
“Okay then, please, I’m starving.”
“Right, stay warm and keep Trixie close beside you. I’ll get her some sausages and bacon as well.”
Jessica sat up and offered a kiss to him and he accepted the offer eagerly. She sat back again with a puzzled frown.
“Aren’t you afraid of catching the Covid?”
“Leave off babes, I was giving you mouth to mouth resuscitation last night and you coughed a lump of phlegm right into my lungs. I’ve most certainly got it now so it’ll be your turn to nurse me. I can only hope I don’t get it as bad as you but the same rules apply.”
“What are those?” Jessica demanded.
“No hospital even if I’m dying. I don’t want those bastards cutting me into a trans-girl.”
“Okay. You’d better not die then because I’d hate to lose you.”
Terry looked at her thoughtfully and frowned.
“You don’t own me so you can’t lose me. If I die; I die. Ten percent of people die a when they catch it and everybody catches it.
“Are you going to get tested then?”
“Can’t get tested, are you forgetting. I’m still chipped. The moment they scan my chip, they know who I am and then you know what - I’ll take my chances with you and Trixie nursing me here.”
“I don’t think she’ll help you much.”
“You don’t think so?”
“No! I don’t think so. She’s just a dog.”
“Well let me tell you. She pulled you through!”
“What d’ you mean?”
“Last night! I was about giving you up for dead but she didn’t. She knew you were still there, the real you, inside that gasping wheezing wreck of a shell, she knew there was still life.” - -
“Are you saying she telepathic or something?”
Terry wagged his head in disbelief.
“D’ you know nothing about dogs, d’ you not read stuff about dogs.”
“What d’ yer mean?”
“Wild dogs; you know, the ones in Africa – They can pick out the sick animals in the herd when they’re hunting, they can also pick out the healthy ones, the ones it isn’t worth chasing cos they’re too healthy, too strong. Well it’s like that with domestic dogs as well, d’ you know some dogs can detect cancer before doctors can.”
“So?” Jessie sniffed dismissively. “Are you saying she knew I could be saved?”
“You weren’t here, you were totally out of it. Whatever was going on, she knew. If you’d seen her whining and looking at me then she actually barked at me when I turned to run because I thought you were dying.”
“Why would you have run? You’d have left me to die alone.”
“I was afraid. Genuinely, I thought you’re a gonner. I panicked! Then she barked and sort of brought me to my senses. She licked your face and put her paw on your chest. I dunno, the way she stared at me with those intelligent eyes and those pricked up ears. She seemed to be telling me something. I thought I’d try resuscitation even if it meant I’d be infected; I couldn’t do any worse.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Neither did I, - then. I get it now though.”
“Get what?” Jessie demanded to know.
“It’s obvious I’m infected now. A lump of your phlegm went straight into my chest when I was giving you mouth to mouth. There’s no way I can’t be infected. I’m going to be ill just like you were.
If you had died last night, I would be following you eventually, weeks later - but inevitably I would die. There’s nobody to nurse me. We’d be together forever then. If you survived, you’d at least be able to nurse me and, if I came through, we’d still be together.”
Jessica lay thoughtfully silent for a few seconds then asked.
“And what if you die? What happens to me?”
“I dunno, I’m not some sort pf clairvoyant.”
“I’d be alone.”
“You’d still have Trixie.”
“Oh thanks! A dog to keep me company, bid deal!”
“There’s thousands of us out there with only dogs for company.”
“But I want you.”
“Well, you’d better get ready to nurse me when the time comes. You’ve got a couple of weeks to prepare cos after last night, I’m definitely infected.”
With these words, Terry put his trainers on and set off to do his turn cleaning the café.
“You’re late this morning lad.” The restaurateur observed.
“Sorry Ron. My girl was sick, she hit the peak last night and she’s over the worst.”
“No problem just use plenty of disinfectant to clean up. Half the people who eat here have been infected.”
“Yeah, Covid 21. I sometimes think they called it that because if invariably got you before you reached adulthood.”
“Could be Terry lad, it could be. But I think the real reason is because it is variant number 21.”
“Whatever,” Terry replied as he set to cleaning.
ooo000ooo
As he worked away he began to think about Jessica’s words that morning. –‘I want you. – I don’t want to lose you.’
At the still tender age of fourteen, Terry wasn’t sure what she meant. – ‘Did she need him for logistical reasons or was it an emotional thing?’
Unable to decide, he worked even harder to clear his mind and when he was finished he was pleasantly surprised.
“What’s all this Ron?”
“You said you’d got a partner, a girl. Is she living on the streets with you?”
Terry’s face clouded slightly.
“Yeah. Please don’ report us though.”
“Oooh, don’ worry lad. I’ve got no time for those bastards. They stole my daughter a couple of years ago, a neonatal girl. Took her to extract her eggs and she never came back. She died of Covid 21 cos she was infected in the hospital. All I got back was her ashes.”
“Jeeze! I’m sorry Ron. My girl’s neonatal.”
“Then don’t spread it around cos if they find her they’ll cut her open for her eggs, they’re getting more desperate every year. Take those clothes for her in the bag. See if they fit. Oh – and there’s some extra food in the other bag.”
“Thanks Ron, you’re a brick!”
Terry returned to the bash in a much lighter mood to find Jessica fast asleep with Trixie curled up beside her to keep her warm. Silently he placed the clothes beside her then slid into his own de-bugged sleeping bag and caught up on the sleep he’d missed nursing Jessica through the previous night. It was getting dark when Jessica woke him with a kiss and a hug.
“Mmmph! Oh thanks Jessie, that was nice.”
“No, this is nice!” She riposted. Good fresh food and a nice new coat. It’s a bit big but at least it’s warm! I should be thanking you.”
Terry looked up at her as thankful tears started to glisten in her eyes.
“Have you had enough to eat?”
“Yes thanks, we can save this til the morning. There was a pile here.”
“Yeah. Ron told me a bit about himself today. He had a neonatal daughter just like you. They took her to harvest her eggs and she died in the hospital. He’s a pretty bitter guy. Those clothes are his daughter’s.”
“I don’t need to know where or how they came to me, I’m just grateful for some clean stuff. Thanks.”
“I took the jeans and the pink top for myself. Sorry but mine were getting really manky.”
“Ask him next time if there were any shoes.”
“If you promise not to tell anybody where the café is, I’ll take you there. You’ve gorra’ promise though!”
“I promise.”
“No seriously, I mean it. You mustn’t tell Dora and co if you ever see them, nor anybody else,”
“Okay! Okay!, seriously, I mean it, I promise not to ever reveal Ron’s café or his kindness.”
Satisfied with Jessie’s oath Terry snuggled deeper into his sleeping bag and sighed softly. He was warm for the first time in months.
ooo000ooo
For Terry, the nicest thing about waking the next morning was to be warm and to hear Jessica’s steady easy breathing beside him. The worst thing was looking out through the narrow entrance of their Bash and seeing a white covering of snow over everything.
For Jessica, the nicest thing was being wedged snug and warm between Trixie and Terry and knowing there was food to hand. The worst thing was feeling her period arriving.
“Shit,” she cursed softly.
“What’s wrong love?” Terry asked.
“I’ve come on and I’ve got no tampons.”
“Where d’ you get them?”
“The lady at the charity stall used to help me. Only Neonatal girls need them and they’re a dead giveaway if I ask. I’ve no Idea where she got them or how. This is a mess.”
Terry fell silent for he had no immediate answer.
“I’ll run into the city centre and ask her.”
“In this? There’s a couple of inches of snow and still falling. She probably won’t open the stall today. I’ll make a pad from the clothes Ron gave you, there’s bound to be something absorbent, - cotton or something. Better if you went to work and got some food.”
“I was going to take you to Ron’s today to check if there were any shoes and stuff.”
By now Jessica was rummaging through the bag and found something she hoped was suitable.
“This’ll do but you’ll have to help me rip it into strips.”.
Terry, eager to help’ did as asked and Jessica was soon protected. They set off through the falling snow after briefly brushing their tracks away from the bash.
“This stuff will cover them in an hour or so, come on let’s go to Ron’s café.” Terry declared.
They arrived at the rear lane of the café and Terry told Jessie to wait out of sight. Within minutes he re-appeared with Ron who stared at Jessie then frowned and ushered her in.
As he sized her up, Terry immediately set about his tasks until Ron finally decided.
“Her bedroom is just as she left it when they took her. All her clothes are there as well. I never had the heart to get rid of them.”
“Are there any shoes, my feet are frozen in these things.”
Ron looked down at the worn trainers and replied.
“They’re in the bottom of her wardrobe, dunno if they’ll fit mind. There’s lots of clothes as well but don’t touch her jewellery though. That’s stuff I bought after her mum died.”
A lump formed in Jessica’s throat as she realised the café owner had lost both wife and daughter to the fucking virus.
“I promise you, anything I need, I’ll tell you and ask for it.”
“Go on up then. It’s the third door on the right down the landing.”
Jessica crept respectfully up the stairs mindful she was disturbing Ron’s ghosts. Once in the room, she found it in Pristine condition and for a couple of minutes she simply sat on the floor mindful of her filthy state and not wanting to soil the beautifully embroidered duvet with her filthy clothes. Eventually, she plucked up the courage to open the wardrobe and found the shoes. The trainers fitted and a pair of ladies hiking boots completed her footwear needs. She set them aside and decided to check out the clothes.
After choosing a few items for their warmth, she had a thought and searched through the drawers of the dressing table. On finding what she was desperately hoping for she scampered down the stairs and tapped on the fire door to attract Ron’s attention.
He turned away from his cooking range and quickly opened the door a crack so as not to expose her to the café clientele.
“What is it?” He whispered.
She held up the un-opened box of tampons self-consciously and asked.
“Can I have these?”
“What d’ you need – oh! Of course, Terry said you were neo. Yes girl by all means! There’s boxes of them in the back room cos we had to get special delivery from the clinic. We didn’t plan they would come so early for her to steal her eggs. She was terrified and so are you I presume,”
Jessica nodded, as tears once again betrayed her fears. Ron, once having been a loving and thoughtful father, quickly realised the situation and explained.
“If you need them right away, there’s a bathroom and shower next to her bedroom. Use it, I’ll send Terry up when he’s finished down here.”
As he set down the last black rubbish bag in the big waste-bin in the lane terry arched his back and glanced around. The lane was tidy so there was nothing extra he could do for Ron to somehow giving a little bit extra to help out Jessica. He returned to the yard and stripped off his upper clothes then freed the hose and gave himself the briefest of hose-downs despite the snow still lying on the ground. As he just finished, Ron appeared at the back door.
“Bloody hell kid, you’ll catch your death!”
“I’m stinking, it’s gorra’ be done.”
“Well your girl Jessica, is upstairs doing exactly the same thing but with hot water. You’d best finish up with her. You’ll catch bloody pneumonia washing out her.”
“What! She’s having a wash.”
“Shower more likely. I’ll get your food ready while you go up and see her. Is that your dog hanging around outside?”
“Yeah. She’s Jessica’s protection.”
“She’s a nice dog. You’d better bring her into the yard.”
Terry went to the end of the lane and called Trixie in. The dog obediently came to call as Ron watched admiringly.
“You’ve got her well trained. I could do with a guard dog.”
“I don’t think Jessie could let her go.”
“No Terry, you’re not getting me. If the dog can guard my Café, she can also guard the girl. You’re living rough at the moment aren’t you?”
“We have to. They’re looking to take Jessie and harvest her eggs and they want me as transition material. Living rough means they can’t find us.”
“You could hide here at night. Nobody yet realises you come her most mornings. I live and work alone. The back lane’s pretty quiet, nobody would notice either of you two or the dog slipping in and out early or late. Seems a pity to waste a good room.”
“We can’t afford rent,” Terry revealed. We don’t collect benefits.”
“You clean the yard and generally sort stuff out. That’ll cover the rent and the left-over food will keep your body and soul together. Better than livin’ rough in this weather.”
“Are you for real, you’re offerin’ us a room?”
“That girl of yours needs proper caring. She’s a neonatal for god’s sake. She needs protecting from those bloody egg-snatchers plus she needs proper dressings when she’s on her cycle. I know all about that before they took my dear Lucy. She had to order special supplies because there are so few neos about nowadays. Your girl’s precious and you’re goin’ to have to look after her.”
Terry just stared; slack jawed at Ron as the restaurateur cautiously stroked Trixie. Then Ron looked up with raised eyebrows.
“Well. Are you going to stand there all day?”
“I, - I, - your saying we can stay in your spare room.”
“Yes. That’s the one further down the hall than my Lucy’s room. I can’t let go of that room. Her stuff means so much to me.”
Terry nervously entered the back of the café and climbed the stairs. On the landing he heard the shower running so he knocked on the bathroom door and announced himself before Jessie panicked.
“It’s me, Terry. Are you decent?”
“No!” Jessie squeaked. Give me a couple of minutes.”
While waiting Terry decided to check the rooms. It was obvious which room had been Ron’s daughters’ because it was as she had left it except for Jessica’s coat on the bed and her old trainers on the floor. The next room was obviously the spare room and used as a storeroom. Terry noted the several large cardboard boxes containing several thousands of sanitary tampons. Obviously, Ron and his daughter Lucy had naively believed she would be living a normal woman’s life for many years and probably would have been had the Covid 21 virus not taken her after the government had robbed her of her eggs.
Terry could now fully understand why Ron was so bitter and antagonistic towards the government and he retreated thoughtfully back to the bathroom just as Jessica called through the door.
“You can come in now.”
Terry knocked softly and carefully eased the door open to reassure Jessica that he was not some sort of peeping Tom.
“Come on! I don’t bite.” Jessica encouraged him.
He closed the door and turned to confront Jessica wrapped in a large colourful beach towel. She smiled at him and gave him a twirl.
“Do I look better now.”
“You sure do, and you smell better. Trixie won’t recognise you unless you go up and pet her.”
Jessica smiled and leaned in to take a token sniff of Terry.
“You could do with a shower as well. How long since you had one?”
“Don’ ask girl – months.”
“Look, I saw some jeans and clean tops amongst Ron’s daughter’s things. You have a shower and I’ll check some thing out. He said I could take what I needed anyway. You’re pretty much the same size as her clothes anyway and you’ve been passing as a girl since I knew you. You don’t even shave either do you.”
Terry replied quietly and self-consciously.
“I’m only just turned fourteen Jess, and I’ve always been a late developer. That’s why the bastards had me down for transition. Girly boy, that’s me. Even my parents accepted it, they didn’t even try to appeal against it; despite my being good at sport and science.”
Glad for the first truly supportive sympathetic intercourse between any other person in his short life, Terry needed no encouragement to strip down and shower. As Jessica left to check out Lucy’s wardrobe, Terry eagerly stepped into the shower. He savoured the first shower in over four months. When he stepped out, he stared ruefully at the disgustingly filthy girls panties and work stained jeans lying on the floor and his nose wrinkled. It was at that moment that Jessica returned and waltzed into the bathroom without first knocking. Terry was standing stark naked and he span around to protest.
“Jeeze! Girl! I knocked for you, you could at least have knocked and waited.”
“Sorry Ter’. I won’t look, I’ve got you an outfit. Clean jeans, clean knickers and socks and a clean blouse. It’s a bit girly but need’s must when the devil cracks.”
“It’s too bloody late now, you’ve seen everything, what’s it matter now?”
Jessie took him at his word and turned again to hand him the clothes. Terry cursed but stood his ground as he started to dress while she watched.
“D’ you know, you’re quite a girly shape except for those tiny hips. You’ve got a big butt though it’s all out back, not at the sides.”
“Yeah, well that’s the sprinter’s hips. That’s why I was good at football, fast, agile and slippery.”
“Yeah we did notice when you escaped from the cellar using that reinforcing bar.”
When Terry finished dressing, they thoroughly cleaned the bathroom and put all their dirty clothes in a washing machine they found in Ron’s utility room. On hearing the machine ding to start, Ron came to investigate and smiled as he saw the pair cleaning up.
“That’s good. If you want to earn your corn Jessie, you can do the laundry every time it’s needed. There’s the table-cloths and tea-towels to do from the café and they need washing every day.”
“I’m not going to be your skivvy.” Jessie protested.
Terry let out a gasp at Jessica’s seeming ingratitude but Ron ignored it and explained.
“It’s only an hour a day. The washing machines do all the work and ironing table-cloths is a doddle. If you don’t like it you –“
“She’ll take it!” Terry interrupted before any acrimony erupted.
“Good.” Ron intoned before returning to his cooking range.”
“What did you say that for?” Terry demanded angrily.
“I thought he might be setting me as a slave labourer.”
“Bloody hell Jessie. He’s offered you a room, a bed, a bath-room, and bloody food every day; and all you have to do is wash a few table-cloths and tea-towels. That’s a bloody good deal and all because you remind him of his daughter, who; I might remind you was neonatal like you. And what’s-more! He’s got a huge stash of tampons from when she was alive. You don’t know your bloody born!”
Jessica fell silent as she realised she had been a bit rash.
“I’m sorry, I was thinking he might want something else; you know - .”
She made a vague sign towards her lower body.
“Oh for god’s sake. He thinks you and I are a couple, he offered for me to share the room, - and the bed – .”
“Did you agree?” She demanded.
“I had little choice, he thought we came as a package deal. I think he also made the offer to assure you he wasn’t predating.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for any of that; you know, sex and stuff.” Jessica revealed. “I’m only just turned fifteen.”
“Oh. I thought you were older, like Sam and Dora’s age.”
“Ha, Dora’s eighteen! Do I look eighteen?”
“I dunno, fifteen’s older than me though. Technically it’s statutory rape either way around.”
“Do you want to share a bed; - with an older woman that is?”
“We can sleep in separate sleeping bags. I’ll do some begging and we can buy some clean sleeping bags from the charity shops.”
Jessica made a face and grinned.
“If that’s how you want it.”
“It’s how you want it that matters. You’re the one carrying the can – or baby so to speak.”
“Jeeze! Don’ speak of babies. That’s a big no-no. I’d be well fucked having to go into hospital.”
“Yeah. Sleeping bags it’ll have to be then.”
Having agreed the sleeping arrangement, Terry went downstairs and sealed the deal with Ron. He then explained he was going to try and sort out sleeping bags as bed linen.
“Sleeping bags? I thought you two were an item.
“Well we are and aren’t. We share a bed but we don’t – you know.”
“Why not, I thought that’s why she wanted to sleep with you.”
“Don’ be daft, we’re way too young to start a family. They’d take her kid away immediately.”
“No they won’t lad. If she get’s pregnant, they won’t take her eggs off her, at least until she’s had her own children and then they’ll harvest them after she’s through with her own children.”
“What happens if she wants lots of children?”
“They can wait,” Ron advised, “her eggs are good until she’s in her thirties. If my Lucy and I had known that she’d have got herself pregnant in a flash and she might still be here today. She’s only be twenty two now.”
“So why’s that then, why do they hold of if you’re having a baby?”
“I dunno. I’m not a gynaecologist, google it, there’s bound to be something out there.”
“I will, but I’ll speak to Jessica.”
“Do that, then see how she feels about pregnancy.”
A confused Terry returned to find Jessica already loading a pile of table-cloths into the washing machine.
“Earning your corn then?”
“You were right. He didn’t strike me as some sort of stalker anyway. I found some family photos in the back of one of Lucy’s drawers. Both she and her mother were pretty, Ron must have been devastated.”
“He’s never talked to me about it, seems he only talks to women.”
Jessie giggled.
“Have you looked in a mirror?” All you need is a pair of tits.”
“Watch it girl! I got enough shit in school about being girly. Anyway, I’ve got some news for you.”
“Good or bad?”
“I dunno. It depends how you take it really.
ooo000ooo
Nineteen and still counting past 21
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Part 4
Jessica glared at Terry peevishly.
“Don’t fuck with me. What’s this exciting bit of news?”
“I was talking to Ron about your hiding from the egg snatchers and he looked puzzled.”
“Why?”
“Well he told me that if a girl is pregnant they can’t take her eggs while she’s carrying the baby and the government has said they can’t take her eggs if she declares she’s going to continue having babies because it can affect her future pregnancies. She must have anything up to eight babies apparently or until she reaches her mid- thirties. Then they take her remaining eggs because the really do need the eggs to implant into trans-girls.”
“What! Does that mean they can’t touch me if I’m pregnant?” Jessie gasped.
“That’s what Ron said. He tried to take the egg snatchers to court for allowing his nationally vital neonatal daughter to be taken into an infected hospital. The hospital was supposed to be utterly sterile and free of all viruses.”
“Hah. Some hope of that. Covid 21, puts Covid 19 in the bloody shade for durability and infectability.” You just can’t stop it. I’ve read a lot about it before I ran away from home. Libraries mostly.”
“Ron’s got a computer in his living room. He said I could use it to check up.”
“Well let’s ask him.”
Terry agreed and tapped discreetly on the fire door again.
“What now, be quick, I’m busy as hell.”
“Can we check on your computer about the egg snatching thing and the pregnancy clause.”
Ron was obviously up to his neck if cooking and serving lunches but he reached into his trouser pocket and handed Terry the key to his private apartment over the front of the restaurant.
“Lock it again when you’re finished.”
Thanks Ron, what’s the password?”
“The one you want for the red computer is glued under the top drawer. The white one is different and I keep that in my head.”
Within a minute Terry and Jessie were googling ‘egg harvesting’ on the government site.
Within five minutes they had printed out three copies of the pregnancy clauses and the exemptions affecting the rights of neonatal females.
“D’ you know. Ron’s right girl, if you’re pregnant they can’t harvest your eggs because the risk to killing that foetus is too high. Nor can they endanger your chances of future pregnancies until you’re thirty five. It’s all here. Your safe girl.”
“Yeah. But only if I’m pregnant, like a brood bloody mare. It’s like a bloody puppy farm only with humans.”
“Well it’s that or living rough on the streets and risk capture or hiding away up here till forever.”
“Some choice.” Jessie sighed. “I think I prefer the pregnancy option.”
“You could walk about with a pillow under your dress and pretend you’re pregnant.”
“I’ll bet they check for that. You know, hauling pregnant women off the street and scanning their wombs.”
“Happen,” Terry agreed. “So which is it?”
“I’m fifteen and healthy. I suppose pregnancy at least is not an illness.”
“But you’ll be under sixteen. If it’s statutory rape they might confiscate your child. Technically, you’re already outside the law by going on the run and removing your micro-chip.”
“I’m under sixteen, they can’t charge me with any capital crime short of murder, it’s only a civil offence.”
“Yeah, but the man who gets you pregnant will definitely be charged with criminal rape if your under sixteen.”
“Not if he’s only fourteen he won’t. It’ll just be statutory rape and even then, I or my parents would have to press charges.”
“Fourteen, - hold on, are you suggesting I. – “
“Who else do I know who’s fourteen, dummy.”
“But- I, I’m only fourteen, I can’t even get married til I’m sixteen!”
“You don’t have to get married to beget a baby.”
“To what? Beget? What does that mean?”
“To become a father, to get a girl pregnant. All it takes is biology. You do know about the biology I hope!”
Terry became defensively angry.
“Of course I know, why d’ you think I don’t?”
“I didn’t, I was just checking. If I’m going to have a baby, I want it to be yours.”
“Mine! How in the hell d’ you think I’m going to support a baby?!”
“It’s not about you supporting a baby, it’s about me keeping my eggs and not having my womb torn and pummelled about. Nobody even needs to know who the father is.”
“I’d know. If it doesn’t have an official father, what will happen to it?”
“You read the clause. As a natural, neonatal mother, I get to keep it no matter what.
“And me? Unless I declare myself and prove myself to be the father, they’ll still cart me off to forcibly transitioned into a woman! And that will make me a rapist.”
“Only a statutory rapist, a civil offence and only if I lay a charge of rape. I’m not likely to do that, am I”
“How do I know. You might find some rich, handsome bloke who knows your neonatal and can therefore be certain any kids following after, will be his by DNA testing.”
“Don’t be daft. I can read men like a book; don’t you think my time living rough has taught me anything?”
Terry felt he was running out of arguments and he fell into a thoughtful silence. Jessica sensed her chance and played her next card.
“Listen, if you’re nervous, we can sleep together tonight but nothing will happen. Nothing can happen anyway, cos’ I’m still having my period. It’ll be another four or five days before I can have sex so that gives you plenty of time to get used to things.”
“And you say nothing will happen.”
“You wouldn’t want to sleep in bed full of blood stains would you?”
“Uugh! No of course not!”
“Well nothing happens then. Just share the bed and cuddle me. I’d like that, I like you.”
“Why d’ you like me. I’m just a runty, effeminate fourteen-year-old! Everybody just calls me a girly boy!”
“You’re honest. You’re honest and you care. That counts for a woman, those are qualities she seeks!”
Again, Terry found himself short of arguments and he felt he was being sucked in; the trouble was, it felt good to be wanted and liked. The ‘sucking in’ seemed to be a good thing. And that night, he discovered it was a good thing.
There was obviously no intercourse but cuddling up to an almost naked girl was something he never imagined could be so tactile, so delightful, and so interesting.
When he woke for a moment Terry was disorientated and confused until he realised he was sleeping in a double bed with clean sheets, Jessica was still asleep beside him but better still, Trixie way sleeping in a dog basket by the door. As he sat up, Jessie stirred very slightly then opened one eye and smiled.
“What time is it?”
“Before dawn,” Terry replied, “I don’t have a watch.”
“We need a clock if Ron needs us on time.”
“We don’t. All we have to do is finish the work he gives us. My jobs are pretty much the same each day. I should think the laundry work is the same. Provided he’s got clean table -cloths and tea towels every day, he’ll be okay”
“He’ll soon tell us if it’s not. Who’s showering first..” Jessie asked.
“Flippin ‘eck. This is luxury.” Terry sighed. “I suppose you’d better go first, but I need a wee.”
“We can share the bathroom. Ron’s got his own flat over the front. Come on.”
Pressed with the urgency to wee, Terry dashed to the bathroom and cursed his morning erection. To relieve himself he had to sit on the pan and lean right forward to depress his erection below the seat. He was contorted in this strange position as Jessie walked in totally naked. She giggled as she realised what he was doing and why.
“I can’t help it,” Terry protested. “It goes up all over the place otherwise.”
“Bloody hell darling. Do it in the shower then.”
“I never thought of that. Will you be upset?”
“What! Weeing in the shower? Grow up, everybody does it.”
“Well I’ve finished now. Do you want to shower first?”
“I’ve got things to see to first darling, you go first and I’ll join you in there.”
Terry looked puzzled at first until the penny dropped.
“Oh yes, of course. Okay, I’ll go first then.”
He stepped into the shower and a couple of minutes later, Jessica joined him. He was surprised to see a faint reddish stain trickle towards the drain and he squeaked before recovering his composure.
“Bloody hell, that must come as a hell of a shock for a girl seeing that first time.”
“Only if her mother has not told her the facts. I was ready for it when it came cos even the doctors had told me everything. I’m one of the last neonatal girls don’t forget, they were watching me like bloody hawks.”
Soon they were dressed and working with their tasks when Ron appeared with two cooked breakfasts, cereals, and toast. There was also some cold cuts from the last night’s dinner set aside for Trixie. Even so, Terry slipped one of his sausages to the eager bitch and she wolfed it down eagerly.
“I’m surprised you did that; you don’t eat all that much do you?” Jessica observed.
“Why, did you want it?
“No. It’s just that you eat like a bird.”
“I get by. Now to work. See you later.”
She watched him grab the buckets, mops, and brushes then she turned to face the laundry. As Terry had said, it was just a matter of shoving the linen into the washer then tumbling them dry. Ironing the small tablecloths proved as easy as Terry had said they would and that only took an hour. The whole job only too two hours and it was not heavy work. By eleven they had both finished their chores and where walking into the city centre.
They did not find any of the girls from the cellar and after collecting some sandwiches at the charity stall they walked towards the museum then savoured the warmth as they toured the art galleries.
“Wish I could paint like that.” Jessie remarked as they stood admiring some early renaissance portraits.
“It’s a gift,” Terry replied unhelpfully, “but being able to appreciate them is everybody’s gift.”
“Do you have any gifts?” jessie asked.
“Nothing like that, nothing that brings fame or fortune. I was good at football but that’s never gonna’ happen now. The moment I stick my head above the parapet, - bang! Forcible transition and fucking impregnation!”
His depression was infectious and they left the museum in a sombre mood, only the sight of Trixie patiently waiting by the door, raised their mood. Some children were trying to play with her and the sight of children did not help either Terry or Jessie’s moods. The children looked up disappointedly as Jessie’s low whistle brought Trixie to heel and declared Trixie’s ownership. The kids would not be bringing home a beautiful, well-trained Alsatian bitch that afternoon. They returned to the café and prepared for bed..
The rest of the week continued in much the same vein except that finally, Jessie declared herself ready for sex. The previous few nights had been very instructive and enjoyable for Terry and by the time Jessie was prepared to invite him into her body, Terry was both emotionally and physically prepared. He was nervous, naturally, - but she guided him gently and affectionately to a satisfactory conclusion. The union was all that the pair of them had hoped for and they fell asleep immediately after.
In the morning she found him ready in all respects and once again she savoured the pleasure of being in control and yet being able to let go of all inhibitions. They lay for a full half hour just savouring the after-glow until the clatter of Ron’s preparations dragged them to reality. Breakfast and chores occupied the morning and the returned again to the city centre during lunch time.
At the charity stall Terry spotted Dora and Sam and innocently crossed the square to touch bases. Fortunately, Jessica had gone for a wee and Dora gasped as she spotted Terry approaching.
“Keep away!” She whispered as loud as she dared. Pretend you don’t know us!”
Always quick on the uptake, Terry gave them one surreptitious, knowing glance and veered off to look at a window display. He then wandered to the charity stall and collected a free sandwich. As he sat on a concrete street sculpture, Dora sat on the next one while Sam went to collect their free sandwiches. Terry gave Dora a knowing sideways glance whilst appearing to concentrate on his sandwiches. Dora got the hint and warned him.
“We’re on camera’s all over the city centre. If Jessie’s with you don’t bring her again. They’ve got people out everywhere trying to find her.”
“Understood,” Terry replied whilst making sure to cover his mouth with his sandwich. He then ignored Dora and seemingly concentrated on eating his sandwich while Sam returned with her and Dora’s food. They ignored Terry completely and realising that any seeming interaction would invite interest, Terry casually finished his sandwich and went to stand by a shop window. Eventually Jessie emerged from the mall lavatories and on spotting Terry’s warning signal of folded arms as he bent to study a pair of shoes in the window, she turned and made towards the charity stall alone.
As she waited for her sandwich, she glanced towards Terry who had made another discreet signal to indicate he was going home – alone.
Realising it was dangerous, Jessie called Trixie to heel and fastened the lead so that she resembled a respectable girl walking her dog. Despite departing the monitored zone they still did not rendezvous until they were in the isolated back lane behind the café. They knew this area well and knew there were no cameras this far out of the city centre.
After that scare, the pair never went into the city together again until Jessica had confirmed she was pregnant in April. She had missed two periods and told both Terry and Ron of the good news. She had gone alone to the clinic to avoid compromising Terry and when they tried to charge her for removing her micro-chip and absconding from the system, she was able to quote chapter and verse the gender and transition act.
“At least come under our umbrella now. You’ll get proper care and attention. We’re not monsters you know.”
“The father of my child thinks you are. You want to cut him! Like me; he’s an absconder -as you call them -, as well.”
The clinic staff shrugged resignedly. This little madam obviously held all the aces and she knew it.
“Won’t you even accept us providing accommodation. You could be at risk living rough miss.”
“I’ve got by so far despite your attempts to find me. There’s thousands of us poor sods out there, kids like my partner. But at least for me, I’ve got the whip hand, I’m pregnant by natural process so you-can-not-touch-me. I know the law, and god-forbid it’s a cruel enough law but it protects me!. I’ll come back once a month so that you can check me over, goodbye!”
With that, Jessica stalked out of the clinic and chose a ‘camera-free- route home. Even so she changed her cheap polythene shopping bag and the coat inside it in a hidden alleyway so when she emerged, she was a completely different person. Jessica had become a master of ellusivity.
When she reached the café via the back lane both Ron and Terry were waiting expectantly for Trixie had already detected Jessica’s approach. She was whining and yelping at the door as Jessica turned her key in the back yard door.
She had hardly entered the yard but three souls were waiting all agog. She punched the air in an ecstatic victory sign before flinging herself into Terry’s arms and smiling over his shoulder to explain.
“You were right Ron; they can’t touch me legally and they’ve said they won’t. They still think I’m living rough though and they’ve offered me an apartment next door to the clinic’”
Terry’s smile faded with uncertainty.
“Are you going to take it?”
“How do you feel?”
“I’d miss you.”
“So would I,” added Ron, “and what about Trixie?”
“You’re so right. I cant just forego my boys. I’m staying here – at least, provided there’s no complications.”
“How far gone are you?” Ron asked like any concerned father.
“Two months. I waited for two missed periods before I checked. In with the clinic.”
“You’ll be due for a scan then.” Ron added.
“That’ll be next month. I don’t see why I should kow-tow to their requirements though.”
“You should go,” Ran advised. “These checks are important.”
Jessie giggled.
“You’re beginning to sound like a concerned father Ron.”
Ron’s gentle smile faded as his face clouded and his eyes leaked.
“I lost Lucy Jess. I wouldn’t want to lose you.”
Jessie was about to say that she wasn’t his daughter but Terry’s sudden, hard, tightening hug told her to desist. Having got the message, Jessie eased out of Terry’s embrace and she reached up to clasp Ron’s head and draw him to her level as she kissed his cheek.
“And I don’t want to lose you, - step-daddy.”
“Thanks darling, you don’t know how much that means to me. So; what’s to be done for now.” He offered as a huge grin split his face.
“We still have to protect daddy here, at least until the baby’s born, then we can reveal the father’s identity and he’s protected by the same laws. After a DNA test mind; they don’t just accept my word.”
“So I’ve got another seven months of hiding. We’re going to have to be doubly careful.”
“Can’t they check the baby’s DNA before he’s born?”
“They’re not sticking any bloody needles into to me or him!” Jessie declared angrily. “There’s enough bloody prodding, stabbing, and poking with babies as it is. I felt like a bloody pin cushion this morning.”
“Well, I suppose I can stand it if it means finally, I’m declared a father and they can’t cut me. Just think, I’ll be able to play football and even go to college!”
“And be a proper dad your new son!” Jessie declared loudly.
“Of course!” Terry agreed. “What sort of dad d’ you think I’d be. I don’t go down to the pubs and stuff like some dads.”
Ron chuckled softly before remarking. “Uuhm, - you’re only fourteen Terry. How would you go down the pubs?”
“I was thinking of my uncle. He was a right boozer!”
“Well, this isn’t getting the baby washed,” Jessie giggled, “I suppose it’s baby clothes and nursery decorating and god knows what else until the big day.”
ooo000ooo
The following month Jessica went in for her first scan and the nurse looked up with a huge smile when she made her first few passes.
“What’s up? Jessica asked as she noted the nurse’s expression.
“It looks like twins, that’s what’s up.”
“Oh my god! Twins! Are you serious?”
The nurse turned the screen for Jessica to see as she pointed out what appeared to be two heads and extra limbs.
“It’s difficult to see how they’re arranged at the moment. Next month’s scan will give us a lot more detail. Congratulations are in order though. Well done Jessica. The paediatrician will want to chat with you about this, and the social worker.”
“You can tell the social worker to get stuffed, I’ll speak with the doctor though.”
“I think the social worker might get a court order to speak to you and sort out your accommodation. You’re risking your health living rough while carrying twins.”
“Do I look as though I’m living rough?”
The nurse did a double take and paused to frown thoughtfully as she re-studied Jessica’s clothes.
“Well I, - well, - no! Actually now I come to notice; you don’t. That’s a nice top and a nice matching lingerie set. Is somebody caring for you?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know; and I’m not on the game before you even begin to think it.”
“So you’ve found somewhere, and someone I presume. Is he the babies’ father?”
“Sort of. That’s all I’m prepared to say.”
With that the paediatrician entered and got down to business. Within a few minutes he removed his stethoscope and smiled.
“It sounds like two healthy heartbeats miss. I don’t anticipate any complications, congratulations. And see you next month. You can get dressed now.”
Jessica did as ordered as the doctor ticked his notes.
“Do you intend getting re-chipped miss uuhm.”
“Jessica will do fine doctor and no, I don’t intend to get re-chipped. I’ll be coming up to just sixteen when they’re born and legally an adult. You can’t re-chip me while I’m pregnant, that’s another part of the law and you can’t re-chip me if I’m an adult.”
The doctor sighed.
“Very well Miss, - uuhm Jessica. It makes it harder for us to check your condition and puts you a slightly more danger.”
“I’ve done danger doctor, this last year has been nothing but danger. You wont be getting any eggs from me until I’m thirty-five or older. See you next month.”
“Good luck Jessica, and I’m pleased you seem to have found a safe place to live. By the way, you should take this.”
“What is it?”
“Your ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card, your certificate of pregnancy. If any pf the egg snatchers try to arrest you, just show them this.”
“Oooh! Thanks doc!”
“Look after yourself and stay safe young lady.”
“Oh I will doctor, I’m in the safest place I’ve ever been since I was born; bye-bye.”
Jessica left and almost bounced down to the city centre as she digested the news.
‘Twins!’ she hugged herself with nervous excitement. ‘There must be twins in Terry’s family, cos there’s none in mine.’
In the city centre, she called at the charity stall to chat to the charity lady and tell her the news, then she boldly marched into a charity shop and bought a romper suite for a new-born. Money was still tight despite Ron occasionally giving her a few pounds -‘for the baby love’ – he would say.
Outside she immediately recognised Dora and Sam sat on their favourite street furniture so she boldly marched up to them
“Hi girls!”
Dora span around with shock clearly registered on her face.
“Bloody hell Jess. Run! There’s a whole posse of egg snatchers looking at us – and you!”
“So why aren’t you running?”
“They caught us remember. We’ve been impregnated, both of us, here’s the bloody certificates. We’re both three months gone.”
“Well surprise - surprise girls! I’m pregnant too. Look.”
She was just about to show Dora and Sam her brand new certificate when the egg snatchers descended on them and grabbed Jessie by the arms.
“Gerroff you bastards!” She screamed deliberately loud to cause as big a scene as possible.”
The posse commander immediate wrapped his arm around her neck and pressed the chip reader to Jessie’s wrist. On failing to get a reading and noticing the crude scar he ordered his team.
“Right take her in, we’ll sort her out at the station!”
“You’d better check this first commander.”
The commander now knew Dora of old for she and her band of girls had led them a merry dance before being captured.
“Keep out of this Dora, is this the missing girl from your band?”
“As I said commander. You’d better read this!”
She was proffering the certificate and he snatched it from her. On closer inspection he stopped dead in his tracks and ordered his posse to release Jessie.
“Is this right? You’re a neonatal!”
“You’d better’ believe it bastard!
“Less cheek girl. We’re only doin’ our job!”
“Read further bastard!”
The commander was already studying the rest of the certificate as he noticed the plastic, credit-card type certificate had a pink border instead of a pale blue one. Then he noticed the ‘condition’ box and read the entry. After a short intake of breath he stared at her in disbelief.
“Twins!”
“Yes! Twins, natural conception!” Jessie shouted loudly as she savoured her victory.
“There’s no father declared!”
“There doesn’t have to be – not immediately anyway. Go and read the act. Now you can let me go if you don’t mind!”
He immediately motioned to his men to remove the cuffs and apologised – though it obviously galled him.
“Apology accepted, and I’ll have my shopping back please.”
“There was no need to gloat or boast, Jessie had won her case. The egg snatcher team left to seek other prey. Once they were out of sight and earshot, Jessica let out a squeal of delight and high-fived her friends as Dora and Sam studied her pregnancy with keener interest.”
“Pink?” Dora queried.
“Yeah. I’m a neonatal aren’t I!”
“And twins!” Sam added as she examined the card.”
“Yeah I was pregnant when I went into the clinic. They can’t micro-chip pregnant neonatals cos they’ve invariably conceived naturally. That’s why there’s no chip number. Miss anonymous, that’s me. It’ll be all around Bristol by now and they can’t bloody touch me.”
“Good on yer Jessie. So who’s the dad and where are you stayin’?”
“Not telling and not telling. It’s to protect him and my location. Cant be too careful even with the law on my side. Come on, I’ve been wanting to say this for months since we lost touch. Let’s go for coffee!”
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 and at last past 21.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg- snatchers.
Part 5
As they sat savouring their coffees the girls debated whether to try and pay a visit to Charlie and Jan, the two gang members who were most severely affected by the virus.
“Where did they take them after you guys were separated?” Jessie asked.
“They were taken to the Nightingale hospital. It’s a permanent building now built where the original tent was erected. It’s the clinical centre of excellence now, but they still only accept positive cases and visitors have to prove they’re immune.”
“How?”
“There’s a test centre at the gates.” Dora explained. “You get a result in minutes, while you wait.”
“Well I know I’m immune, they’ve checked the antigens in my blood,” Jessie declared, “how about you two?”
“We’re okay, Dora and I checked out when they caught us.” Jan replied. “We were ill but nothing like Jan and Charlie. We only spent a fortnight.”
“When did you last visit?”
“Bout a month ago. They were still not right. It’s been nearly a year now but they seem to be just stuck betwixt and between. There’s about a hundred patients like that in there.”
“So we can see them?”
“Oh yeah, if your immune and not a carrier, you can go in and out any time you like during the daylight hours. Bit of a fuss with stripping off your clothes and wearing PPE but that’s all. It’s to stop you bringing the virus out on your clothes. They’re really keen about that, you get sprayed like a shower when your remove the PPE upon leaving. You have to pay for the PPE though.”
“Well we’re all pregnant moms now. We can afford that and the bus fare, come on. I haven’t seen them since they were taken.”
“What about Terry?” Dora checked. “Is he immune? You don’t want to be giving him anything if he’s your partner.”
Jessie let out a snort of derision.
“What? Terry immune! Fuck me is he ever. I’ll tell you about it on the bus.”
They took the back seats upstairs to avoid anybody overhearing their conversation and Jessie described her infection and how Terry dealt with it..
“Yes, it damn-near killed me and girly boy just sailed over it. When they tested me for my antigens at the pregnancy clinic, they told me I’d had a really vicious strain. The most lethal one there is.
They wanted to know who treated me but I played dumb. Just saying I was really sick for a week and nearly starved to death but a couple of kids kept bringing water and I got over it. It was a pack of lies and I’m sure they didn’t believe me but what could they do. I don’t know the names of all the kids living rough in Bristol!”
“So what did Terry have to do with this?”
“He nursed me. Him and Trixie.”
“Trixie!! What did she have to do with it?”
“Terry had given me up for dead apparently but Trixie wouldn’t leave it alone. She made such a fuss that Terry came back. He was frightened but Trixie kept licking my face so Terry tried artificial resuscitation, you know, mouth to mouth.”
“Jeeze that was brave, they tell you never to do that cos of the lung to lung infection thing.”
“Well he did and do you know what; he got me breathing again, Then I suddenly coughed a huge gobbet of phlegm straight from my lungs into his. It set him to coughing and he coughed up a bit of it but he reckons the bulk somehow got lodged in his lungs. We kept the sample in a jar and when they asked me about corona at the pregnancy testing place I went back and got the sample. It was disgustingly dried out but their labs checked it out and that’s how we knew it was the bad version.
Now here’s the strange part and virologist confirmed this. If anybody had come in contact with that sample they would definitely have caught Covid 21 stroke seven and probably died. About eight out of ten die and everybody is seriously ill, I mean seriously.
“Well Terry had a fucking great lump of it directly from my coughing it into his lungs and d’ you know what?”
“Go on.” Sam pressed.
“He never once had a cough or a sniffle or a wheeze or any symptoms of Corona and we’ve been together for months. I’ve slept with him every night and if he had any symptoms, I’d have noticed!
But no! Nothing! Nada! Nary a sneeze. I’m too afraid to tell the clinic in case they turn him into a lab rat. In fact I’ve never mentioned him to any of the authorities and you must not either! Promise me!”
Both Dora and Sam nodded solemnly just as the bus pulled up at the hospital. Within twenty minutes, the three girls were sitting in the ward recreation room just sharing some emotional moments with their friends Charlie and Jan. Jessica wasted no time on niceties and waded straight in with direct questions.
“Are you actually getting better or are you simply stuck in this ‘limbo-land’ world?”
Jan smiled wanly and half whispered/half croaked.
“I’ve been improving very slowly but Charlie’s hardly improved at all since the initial partial recovery. Some of the victims here seem to be permanently fixed in a half world of permanent poor health. It’s a nightmare wondering If Charlie or I am going to end up like that.”
“How long has it been now?” Jessica pressed though feeling guilty at seeming to rub the point in.”
“Nearly six months since they pulled us out of our cellar gaff.”
“If they hadn’t got you, you’d be dead long ago. You’re bloody lucky to be alive.”
“You call this being alive?” Jan croaked again. Just look at Charlie, she still has hardly enough breath to speak.”
Jessica swapped places with Dora to give Charlie her attention but it was hard trying not to show their distress for their friends. After staying a sufficiently appropriate time to demonstrate support and concern, the three girls made their guilty excuses and crept away. On the bus back they spoke very little and separated in town. Dora and Jan returned to the government apartment that had been provided as long as the continued allowing themselves to be made pregnant with fertilized eggs. Jessica took a bus towards the suburbs and met Ron and Terry as they were preparing supper.
“Everything okay?” Terry asked.
Jessica described her day and finished by declaring.
“I’ll probably only go back a few times between now and the birth. The twins are doing fine and I’ll only drop into the centre if I feel ill. They’re still curious as to who the father is.”
“Let them wonder. I’m not breaking cover until they’re born and My DNA proves me to be the dad.”
Jessica nodded then headed for bed. Her time with Charlie and Jan had overwhelmed her emotionally. That night she explained why she was not up for sex because of her sadness about her friends. Terry agreed and they simply curled up and savoured their naked intimacy.
In the morning Jessica woke up to find Terry gently tracing his finger over her tummy.
“Mmmm! That’s nice.
“You’ve got lovely skin,” Terry murmured. “Pregnancy is making you bloom.”
“Thanks darling,” she replied as his words compelled her to spoon closer and snuggle tighter.
ooo000ooo
In the months that followed, Jessica bloomed with her pregnancy. She felt the twins kicking and when she did attend the clinic they assured her that this was an excellent sign that the twins were healthy, During this time she only chose to have one more scan because the images showed the twins closely entangled and it was difficult to make out many details except the arms, legs and heads.
Trying to spot the genitalia was never an issue for everybody naturally assumed that the twins were male, just like every other baby born on the planet. Their tangled embrace prevented any determination anyway.
For his part, poor Terry was forced to endure a virtual ‘lock-down’ at Ron’s café and he spent his time mostly working behind the scenes with his usual tasks and a nightly walk with Trixie. For a break, usually on Sunday afternoons, Ron would take both Terry and Jessie for a spin in his van just to relieve Terry’s Cabin fever. Then, as the last month of the pregnancy came around, the doctors finally persuaded Jessie to take temporary residence in one of the pregnancy suites.
“It’s best for you to get sufficient rest Miss Jessica and your close by if there are any complications.”
“Yes I think that might be good doctor. It’s getting difficult to walk more than five miles into the city centre every day.”
“Good god girl, with a bump like that, you should not be walking those distances! Mind you if you aren’t too distressed then regular walks around the clinic grounds and local shops would be good for you. I’m impressed young lady.”
And so she settled into the residential birthing suite where, by prior agreement, Ron came to visit her each evening after the café was closed. Terry stayed well away until the babies were born and the DNA match could confirm his fatherhood and subsequent freedom from any forced reassignment surgery.
During her stay in the suite, Ron bought a mobile phone so that she could keep contact with Terry using Ron’s phone.
All too soon the time arrived when Jessica suddenly felt the contractions start and she pressed the bell for the midwife. Because she had very rarely pressed the call bell the staff appeared as if by magic precisely because Jessie had demonstrated she was not a ‘bell-basher’ The midwife happened to be Jessica’s favourite and she immediately set about preparations while all importantly staying by Jessica’s bed to reassure her. When the contractions became more frequent and her waters broke, Jessica phoned Terry and Ron.
“Who’s that your calling love?” The midwife asked.
“Ron, whom you know, and my partner Terry, the father.”
“Terry. I’ve never seen him here.”
“He’s never come. He’s like me, a street kid but he’s been scheduled for GRS. We’ve actually been together ever since conception but he’s had to hide until the DNA rule.”
“I see. Will he be clean; you know, street kid and all that.”
“Yes. Scrupulously clean. He lives with me and Ron and works for Ron. You’ll find him very kind; he saved my life when I had Corona virus Covid 21. He gave me mouth to mouth to save my life.
“Good god! Brave boy then.” The midwife smiled.
“I think so,” Jessica agreed. As another contraction spasmed through her belly.
“Oooh Aaah, that one hurt.”
“Okay love, lie back, lift your knees and spread them slightly.”
“Jessica did so just as Terry appeared in the doorway.”
“Oh bloody typical, just when I’m at my most lady like. You pick your moments don’t you!”
“Oops sorry love, shall I wait outside?”
“No. You may as well come in now. You helped put them in, now you can help take them out!”
“That’s the spirit girl. Let him learn the consequences of his pleasure.” The midwife grinned.
Another contraction racked Jessica’s body and she squealed with the unexpected pain. The midwife immediately lifted the sheet and felt Jessica’s tummy.
“You need to start Pushing now, are you ready?”
Jessica nodded anxiously as Terry took hold of one of her hands. They smiled briefly before Jessica felt the next contraction.
“Push darling, the head’s starting to engage.”
“Aaah, Ooohoowooh. Fuck you Terry Harrington, Damn and Blast you!”
The midwife grinned whilst invisible under the sheet; she’d heard worse. As she saw Jessica tense with the next contraction she told her to push again.. The process took it’s natural course now as Jessica pushed with each contraction and soon the midwife announced.
“I can see the head, one more big push darling, Terry, get ready with that sheet.” When the baby’s out, I’ll place it naked on Jessica’s chest but it will be slippery. Get ready to help her by wrapping the baby in the sheet.”
Reluctantly Terry released Jessica’s hand and stood next to the midwife as she lifted the sheet up and clear of Jessica’s hips> Terry got the full view as the baby’s head appeared face down and the Midwife started to work the shoulders out. Then she quickly wiped the body and grinned up to Terry as the baby let out a lusty cry. As she went to lift the rest of the baby clear and hand it to Jessica she said.
“Congratulations Jessica you’re a mother to – a .”
There was a deathly pause as both Terry and the midwife started stupidly in shock.
Jessica became frightened at the silence.
“What is it? What’s wrong.”
The nurse recovered from her shock but Terry just kept staring as the nurse declared.
“There’s nothing wrong darling! Believe me Jessica, there’s absolutely nothing wrong. Look! Just look!
As Jessica struggled to take the Baby, the nurse scolded Terry.
“Wrap her in the sheet you stupid oaf, don’t just stare at her!”
For another second or two, Terry continued staring before shaking his head and informing Jessica.
“She’s a girl Jessie! You’ve born us a daughter!”
“What!” Jessie shrieked as she almost snatched the squalling baby out of Terry’s hands.
“She’s a girl Jess. Look! Look! A girl!!”
“With an anticipated few minutes before the second delivery, the Midwife stepped outside and bellowed down the corridor.
“Doctor McTavish. In here, immediately! NOW!”
Knowing that Rachel the midwife was a long experienced midwife, Agathe Mc Tavish came quickly down the corridor and swung into the maternity room.
“What?”
“For an answer, Rachel simply stood to the side and indicated the little girl’s body with an expressive open palm. Jessica obliged by holding the baby out for inspection.”
Agathe’s expression quickly changed from annoyance, to shock and then to a huge smile. Instead of looking at the baby though, she turned to Terry.
“You’re the father?”
“Yes,” replied Terry dismissively as he kissed Jessica passionately while Jessica inspected her daughter’s genitals.
“She’s definitely a girl. Can you make certain doctor?”
“Oh you can be sure of that Miss - Harrington is it?” But first, I want to speak to your husband.”
“Not now,” Terry protested, there’s another one coming.”
Almost on cue, Jessica felt another contraction and the nurse plunged between her legs again.
By now the commotion had attracted more midwifery staff and a second nurse appeared to take the baby from Jessica who refused to let her daughter be taken out of the room.
“She stays with me. You can take her for other tests later. All the usual tests can be done in here, by my side. Is that clear doctor?”
“I really do need to run tests Miss Harrington. We have to be sure she’s a girl and that will require CAT scans and MRI scans. I can ask her father to accompany me.”
“Not before the other one’s born; she might be a girl as well!”
“Of course! Dammit this is all too much; did you not scan the foetuses.?”
“We couldn’t see anything, their limbs were in an embrace, the midwife replied.”
She took the scan images out of the file and presented them to the doctor.
“I see, nothing to see there then. Okay we’ll wait for the second child.”
At those words, the new-born gave another squawk and Terry took station beside the midwife.
“I’d better stay for this one then,” Dr McTavish opined.”
And the whole maternity team agreed.
The same process ensued but this time the paediatrician took Terry’s place while Terry held tiny ‘firstborn’ in his arms.
“It’s another girl Miss Harrington,” Dr McTavish declared as Jessica slumped back exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
Despite her exhaustion, the smile on Jessica’s lips said it all as both babies were carefully placed in her arms and Terry edged onto the bed to try and extend his arms around his new family. The midwife suddenly realised the young couple would need this magical moment alone for what was coming to them would be as a hurricane to a summer breeze.
“Right!” She declared loudly. “Everybody out, - you too Doctor McTavish. They need their privacy.”
The clamour ceased and everybody crept out of the room as the Midwife turned to Terry and Jessie.
“Five minutes, okay?”
“Ten.” Terry begged.
“Okay, ten then.” She agreed as she closed the door behind her.
For fully a minute, the pair just stared at each other as they tried to compose their thoughts. Finally Jessica found her voice and whispered her question.
“What are we going to do?”
“You mean what am I going to do?” Terry replied. “You saw that doctor’s face.”
“Are you going to stay and face the music?”
“It depends what tune they want to play. I’m not going to be held hostage to my dick!”
“But you’d only have to leave a deposit say once a month. It’ d be up to them to sort out the insemination procedures.”
“What like separating every sperm and injecting it microscopically into every egg?”
“There’s millions of sperm every time you ejaculate.”
“You can’t impregnate every available egg with the same man’s sperm!” Terry cackled. That’d be like incest for all his – no -, my grandchildren.”
“No-oo”, Jessica intoned slowly. They’ve got millions of eggs frozen away going back twenty nearly thirty years. They can impregnate unrelated eggs for years to come. Your genes will be diluted through several generations of frozen eggs before you die. It’s fairly safe to marry your fifth or sixth cousins and they can preserve the eggs they’ve got stored for far, far longer than that. Consanguine conceptions are pretty safe after only three generations. A generational step of sixth or seventh cousin pretty much covers about half the population of a country like ours or France; sixty million people or so.
Did you see the look on Doctor McTavish’s’ face when she actually clapped eyes on our daughters?”
“Yeah, it was more than just shock, I could literally hear the gears whirring in her head. I’ll bet she’s already squealing down her phone. In another hour, this place’ ll be fucking surrounded. – And I’ll be bloody locked down yet again. A year of that was enough to fuck with my head; a bloody life-time will kill me.”
“Well, if you’re frightened, that window is on the ground floor. You’d just have to –“
“I can’t leave you. Not to face all the shit! I’m more than prepared to share my sperm if the girls prove to be healthy but I don’t want you or me to be put through all this security stuff again. I just want to live a normal, happy life – with you!”
“You only have to hide for a couple of weeks or so, just so we’ve got a bargaining chip while we negotiate some sort of sensible plan. So far they’ve held all the aces, now we’ve got the joker in our hand. If we play our cards sensibly we should come out pretty much un-scathed.”
Terry fell silent as he weighed things up while Jessica nursed her daughters in her arms and pondered if it were too early to try suckling them. She decided to wait until the midwife came back and ask her. As the uncertain silence endured, Jessica looked at her partner and nodded towards the window..
“If you’re doing a runner, you’d best be quick.” Jessie suggested.
.
“Okay. Lend me your phone and I’ll speak to Ron.”
“Is he here?”
“Yes, he’s just in the corridor.”
“Then call him in. He can see the babies and sort something out without using the phone. You know, electronic eavesdropping and stuff.”
Terry eased the door back and invited Ron to see the girls. Once inside, Jessica alerted Ron to the situation so he simply hugged and congratulated Jessica, kissed the girls and left to meet Terry in a back-street behind the hospital. While Ron left via the door, Terry slipped out through the ground-floor window. When Doctor McTavish returned she asked.
“Where is he?”
“He’s slipped out to sort his head I think. It’s been a rough year for him what with the compulsory SRS, the twins and all the other stuff.
“Well his SRS is obviously a big no-no now. Any idea when he’ll be back?”
“I’m not sure, sometimes when he had a problem he stayed away as much as a week while he sorted his head. The GRS thing really got to him.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Yeah, you guys and your selection process. Terry’s all boy in his head and in his preference with maths and sport. But you guys just looked at his somewhat effeminate nature and decided he’s gender fodder. No real checks and no chance at all for an appeal. God knows when he’ll be back, if at all.”
“Damn! We need to find out what happened, why his sperm seems not to have been affected by Corvid 21.”
“Yeah, and now, instead, you’ll want to milk him like a dairy cow. He’s not stupid. The government haven’t exactly endeared themselves to boys like Terry. He’s been a fugitive for over a year now; that fucks with a kid’s mind!
“Yes, that’s another thing, he looks very young, how old is he?”
“Fourteen!”
Doctor McTavish’s jaw dropped.
“What-!!”
“Fourteen. Are you deaf.”
She ignored Jessica’s sarcasm as she tapped frantically into her phone.”
“Yes. It is him. The one that went missing last winter. Definitely Terry Harrington.”
“Oh. You know all about him then,” Jessica interrupted.
The paediatrician waved her hand irritably as she continued discussing things down her phone.
“Yes, you’ll have to inform them. Technically he’s still a minor.”
Jessica could not make out what was coming back down the phone to Doctor McTavish but there were a lot of ‘yesses’ and ‘no’s’ before the doctor glanced towards Jessica again. Her next words chilled her.
“No. Do not under any circumstances alert the police or put out an all persons broadcast. If other foreign powers were to find out they might possibly try and kidnap him. We’ve got to get him back at all costs, the potential for blackmail is incalculable.”
“Black mail!” Jessica snapped angrily. “Who’s doing any blackmail? He’s just gone to clear his head and sort his thoughts out.”
Doctor McTavish turned irritably.
“Do you mind not interrupting! I’m trying to phone here.”
“Of course I’ll interrupt you! You’re talking about my Terry and kidnap - and blackmail.”
Doctor McTavish suddenly realised in her excitement that she had been a bit insensitive and rash. She lowered the phone and put it on speaker so that Jessie could hear the full conversation.
“Sorry Bob. I’m in the delivery room with the mother and the twin girls, she got a bit anxious. We’re on speaker now; d’ you want to speak to her?”
“Please. If she want’s to speak to me, put her on.”
Jessie nodded and Doctor McTavish handed her the phone.
“Hello, this is Jessica, who are you?”
“I’m Robert Farland, the Cabinet chief of the Gender Reassignment bureau and main, scientific, government adviser.”
“Fuck me! Wouldn’t my Terry like to get you alone in a dark room.”
Robert Farland quickly realised he was treading on thin ice. Not for nothing was he a successful politician.
“Please Miss Jessica, I understand your concerns and your partners’. I apologise profusely for all the distress it’s caused, but my job is to somehow avoid the extinction of the human race.”
“Well you’re out of a job now!”
“I well understand that – now. But your partner’s seeming lack of co-operation raises more issues.”
“There are no more issues. He’s fathered my two beautiful daughters so he can father many more. I know my biology.”
“Yes, we all know our biology; the biology is no longer the issue, state security and more importantly, your partner Terry’s security is.”
“All Terry want’s is to be left alone.”
“Do you think that other governments are going to leave Terry alone?”
Jessica fell silent. The issue of their personal danger had already crossed her mind and she had no answer to ‘Bob’ as Doctor McTavish called him.”
Author’s note.
Oops there’s going to be a couple of more chapters SORREEEEEEE!
Nineteen and the day after.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only neo-natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician
Part 6
“You have to gently insert your fingers between her lips to get her to let go darling.”
The midwife advised with a gentle smile.
“How do I do that with the other still sucking?” Jessica wondered despairingly.
“If I reach across I’ll drop her.”
“You’re sitting up in bed darling. Just lean slightly to her side so she’s leaning
against the pillow then reach your left hand around her and just push your finger into the other one’s mouth.”
Jessica cautiously started to lean and her left hand daughter conveniently slid down the crook of her elbow and settled there while Jessica managed to ease her left hand free and just reach her right breast.
“Ah! Got it. I’ll not try that again, leastways not unless I’m on the bed.”
“You’ve done very well Jessie. I’m proud of you and you’ve seemingly got plenty of milk. I’ve just got to go and write up my notes, this is one hell of an occasion. Are you excited?”
“No! Frankly, I’m bloody scared. I’m wondering who’s going to walk through that door next- and why!”
“They’ll have to get past me and Doctor McTavish first. You’re still our responsibility.
Having spent nearly a year and a half hiding out with her street gang, terrified that her eggs would be snatched at a moment’s notice if the authorities caught her, Jessica was still having grave doubts about being able to keep her babies. She had been transferred from the delivery room to a private ward because of the momentous events but she still had no private lavatory.
As the midwife busied herself with the notes Jessica called;
“I need to wee, where’s the loo?”
“Down the corridor just two doors down, next to Doctor McTavish’s office.”
“Thanks, please make sure my girls are okay while I go. I don’t want people gawking at them or worse taking them away for tests without my being there.”
“I’ve told you Jessie, nobody’s taking anybody anywhere until you’re good and ready. Doctor McTavish and I have been reading your ante-natal notes and we understand your fears. It’s a horror story!”
“Yeah – well; I’m glad somebody understands. Things are a bit different now but it could be worse. They still might want to take the girls.”
“Go and have a wee girl! I’ll explain the situation when you come back!”
Jessica slipped out of her room and walked past both the loo and Doctor McTavish’s room to find a surgical storeroom. Quickly she slipped inside and located an instrument trolly but it was locked. Fearfully, she sneaked into Doctor McTavish’s room and found a bunch of keys in the top drawer of her desk.
Her days with the street gangs had taught her enough to be bold and quick when stealing anything and surgical instrument trolleys were no exception. It took but a moment and Jessica had a surgical scalpel from the trolly and she had returned the keys.
After completing her needs, she returned to her hospital bed and hid the scalpel under her pillow.
Having successfully fed both girls and savoured a delicious cup of tea and some biscuits, Jessica did as the midwife suggested and took a nap. She needed it.
ooo000ooo
It was the commotion in the corridor that woke her and she turned to look over her shoulder at the door to see several doctors in white coats arguing with the midwife.
“She’s nowhere near ready yet! Apart from still recovering from the delivery, she is emotionally drained and not ready to deal with all the other issues. Might I suggest you come back later, preferably with some news about the father.”
“There’s no news about him but we’re searching.”
“Who is searching?” Jessica demanded as she came out of her sleep.
“The leading ‘white coat’ turned and approached her bed.
“The police of course, who else!”
“Doctor McTavish said no police!. He detests the police - and the egg snatchers.”
“Listen young lady. You can’t dictate any terms here, have these babies been properly examined yet?”
His hectoring, overbearing attitude plus his approach toward the crib where both babies were sleeping peacefully immediate triggered Jessica’s defence reflexes. Her hand had already slipped under the pillow and found the scalpel. As the doctor made a move to wheel the crib away, Jessica’s hand lashed out and cut deeply into the back of the man’s hand.
“Oow! Dammit, the little bitch has cut me! Get security in here!”
“Fuck your security, just find my Terry and reassure him about the surgery!”
“Don’t be stupid young lady! Of course there’s to be no surgery!”
“He can’t be sure of that! You’re bound to want to run a whole bloody battery of tests. Tests he doesn’t want and doesn’t need.”
By now security had arrived but the doctor had enough wit to realise now what sort of bargaining chip the young mother had. Without the father, the whole development was going nowhere. The girl was the key to finding the boy and his vital X chromosomes but she had just demonstrated quite forcefully that she was a very determined, but frightened girl. Strong-arm tactics were obviously not going to work so he changed tack and stepped well away from the crib while his hand was attended to. Then he tried ushering everybody out of the room.
“The midwife stays!” Jessica demanded. “She’s the only one I trust, oh and get Doctor McTavish!”
“She’s off duty Jessie,” the midwife explained, “I’ll be going at six as well. I’ve had a long shift Jessica and your twins will soon be setting the world alight. As well you know I’ve been on duty since six this morning! Now to say the least, this has been an exceptional shift and you’ve seen me working here non-stop! I’m tired as well and I’ve got a family of my own to see to when I get home.”
“Well we’ll have to sort something out by six this evening then, I don’t trust anybody else.”
“Why can you not trust me?” The injured doctor asked in as soft and reassuring tone as he could.”
It seemed as if he had somehow relearned his early bedside manner from his houseman days.
“You’ll have to prove it. If you want to make sure my daughters are healthy then only you, Sarah the midwife and I plus the girls go down to the CAT scanner. NOW!”
“That’s all I came for in the first place Jessica. Believe me, we only want to be sure that your daughters are healthy.”
“And if they are, then what?”.
“Well – I; I suppose we bring you back here. Let you get some rest and see how things have developed in the morning.”
“That ‘ll work. We’ll see if Terry’s been in touch.”
“How?”
“We’ve got our ways. How’d ‘you think we’ve avoided the egg snatchers all this time?”
“There’s one thing I Can assure you Jessica. Nobody but nobody wants any harm to come to Terry.”
“I realise that, that’s obvious, well harm to his testicles anyway. What about the rest, his freedom, his sanity, his future.?”
“I’m a doctor Miss Harrington, not a clairvoyant.”
“Maybe not, but I still want answers, cos’ he’ll want answers.”
“I can’t give you them. Well not yet, not honest ones anyway and I’ve learned one thing with you young lady.”
“What’s that?”
“Lying to you isn’t going to work.”
“Yeah, make that a promise.”
“I’ll make that a promise if you’ll do one thing for me.”
“What’s that?”
“Give me that scalpel and promise me you won’t attack anybody again.”
“I’ll give the scalpel but I can’t promise I won’t hit out again if somebody lies to me. I’m sick of the lies and all this egg-snatcher shit.”
“If these cat scans prove your daughters are healthy little girls, then the egg-snatchers; as you call them, will definitely be a thing of the past. Come on then, let’s go down to the CAT-scanner.
Jessica and Sarah, the only midwife she could trust, carried the new-borns in their arms as they followed the doctor to the technology suite. As they processed along the maze of corridors it was obvious to Jessica that the word was out. Heads appeared in doorways as if by magic while eyes and whispers followed them at every turn. Eventually they arrived at the tech suite and a pair of technicians greeted them as they craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the wonder-babies.
“You’ll get all the images you’ll ever want,” Jessica snapped irritably for she was disappointed that the news had escaped so quickly.
‘So much for medical confidentiality!’ she thought as they laid her daughters in a pair of special shaped cradles.
“We can’t tell babies to be still but these special cradles help to immobilise them through the scanner,” the older technician explained.
“I see,” Jessica thanked her, “they look like torture racks.”
The girl smiled as they started the first scan then explained.
“After the CAT Scanner we’ll put them through the MRI. It’s perfectly safe, no radiation.”
Even as Jessica stood watching the scanners, the consultant was engrossed in the screen. Occasionally he looked up and smiled reassuringly. Jessica found herself taking to him. Finally the process was over and several print-outs were made of each baby.
“So I can keep some for myself,” Jessica observed hopefully.
“Of course, we can reproduce as many of these as we need.”
“What’s your name by the way? Jessica asked, “I can’t keep just shouting doctor, half the heads around here would turn.”
“Doctor Cummins, Brendon Cummins. And might I ask what your daughter’s name are?”
Jessica did a double take. She and Terry had never once considered the idea of girls names.
‘Why would we?’ She asked herself as she hesitated with embarrassment.
“I, uuhm we, that is Terry and I, have never discussed girls names. You know uuuhm!”
“Of course, stupid of me to ask. You don’t have to register them for a month anyway.”
“Terry might be gone for more than a month if he can’t get his head around this.”
“Well what boy’s names had you planned?”
“Well – we were thinking of naming one each after our fathers, their grandfathers but that’s a bit of a no-no now.”
“Well there’s one excellent option that that idea leaves you and that’s to name them after your mothers.”
Jessica hesitated then nodded slowly.
“That could work, but I’d still prefer to consult Terry, or the names I choose will forever remind him of this mess.”
“It’s hardly a mess Jessica, it’s a happy event, an astounding event no less. And the whole world will be happier for it.”
“D’ you reckon?” Jessica frowned. “D’ you reckon all the black mums and brown mums and yellow mums, not to mention a hundred other races, will appreciate only being able to have half white babies?”
“Maybe not, but at least all the girls, no matter what colour they are, will know that they are half-sisters - for the first generation anyway.” Sarah added.
“Ha!” Guffawed Doctor Cummins. “It ‘ll give a new meaning to the phrase ‘Family of man’. Oh and from my preliminary observations, these scans show that your daughters appear to have all the correct equipment inside. Congratulations young lady! You appear to have twin healthy daughters.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, my very great pleasure and more importantly, THANK YOU!”
“Huh. It’s my Terry you should be thanking.”
“Believe me Jessica, when he shows up, I will.”
“You and seven thousand million others!” Sarah chuckled along with the technicians who had now realised who their patients were. The news was travelling fast.
As they returned to Jessica’s private ward, hospital staff were now openly stepping up and congratulating them. When they finally reached what had now become Jessica’s sanctuary, she was nervous.
“This could get out of hand, especially for Terry.” She told Sarah.
“You’d better keep a tight hold of your phone if you want to keep your contact details a secret.” Sarah cautioned.
“It’s encrypted.” Jessica replied. “One of the first things we did when I became pregnant.”
“How did you do that if you were living on the streets?”
“I wasn’t when we became parents. I’d found a place off the street before we decided to get me pregnant to protect both me and Terry.”
“Will you be going back to that place?” Doctor Cummins asked. “If you need a safe private place, the authorities will obviously provide one. You will probably need protection; well your partner will. There are bound to be nutters about with any one of a thousand crazy notions about your partner and your babies.”
“I’m not sure what I’ll do Doctor. At the moment my girls are safe – I hope! It’s Terry I’m worried about.”
“Well, I suggest you get some food and then get some sleep.”
Jessica took his advice and Sarah sat with her for company until six. During that time, a television was provided and after Sarah finished her shift, Jessica was left to her own devices. Soon she was fast asleep but not before locking her door to her private ward.
She woke again at ten to the sound of her phone vibrating silently inside her nursing bra. Fortunately, the phone was not registered to her name for Ron had bought it and registered it to his café business.
When he had come earlier that morning with Terry, he had not declared his name to anybody because the situation had been normal up until the baby’s genders had had been revealed. Only Tom and Terry knew Jessica’s phone number.
When it rang, Jessica remained under the bed clothes and cautiously whispered.
“Hiya. No names no pack-drill okay.”
“Gotcha mummy,” Ron replied as he chose his words carefully. “How are they.”
“Fine at the moment. I suppose they’ll be wanting a feed soon.”
“Well don’t hesitate to ask for help. Is that nice midwife still there?”
“No she’s gone home, she’s back on at two tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay. Everything’s safe at home. I’ll see you tomorrow morning with more family news. Is there anybody else you want to tell?”
“Yeah. My mum and Dad. It wasn’t their fault I felt I had to leave. Oh when you come by, I’ll give you a list of my street friends and where they’re living. The news is out now that girls have been born, so I’ll just have to brazen it out.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow then, I’ll be there around noon time, hopefully with your mum and dad. Bye Babe’s.”
“Bye darling, and thanks for everything.”
Relieved that she had got communication, Jessica fed the twins then settled down for the night.
ooo000ooo
At six the following morning Jessica found herself once again feeding her precious jewels until an urgent knock alerted her that she had forgotten to unlock her door.
An unknown nurse stood in the doorway asking.
“Why did you lock the door?”
“Who are you?” Replied Jessica.
“I’m the duty nurse delegated to look after you. Here is my phone, video Sarah. She’ll vouch for me.”
Jessica did exactly that and on confirmation, she let the young nurse in.
“I want to finish feeding my girls is that okay?”
“Certainly, I’m posted to attend to you all day. Sarah recommended me to the matron.”
Jessica relaxed slightly and smiled as she sighed.
“I don’t know who to trust, sorry if I seemed a bit surly.”
“That’s okay, Can I start by changing all the linen. You’ve had a few leakages during the night.”
“Yes, I’m a learner. You’re unusual, have they stripped you of your eggs already.”
The girls face clouded momentarily as her lip wobbled.
“I’m a transitioner. Next month they’re taking me to be impregnated.”
“Did you want to be changed?”
“Not really. There’s no choice is there; well not until you – and these two little beauties turned up. Too late for me though and that’s a bit of a shitter.”
“Sorry,” Jessica replied – and meant it.
As they chatted, an auxiliary wheeled Jessica’s breakfast in so the young nurse and Jessica chatted while Jessica ate.
“I’ve been told you can order more if you want.”
“No, I’m fine with this, but thanks anyway. I’m expecting visitors this morning. He’s a good friend who looked after me during the pregnancy. He’s not the daddy but he’s been like a dad to me.”
“Okay, I’ll look out for him, what’s his name?”
“I’m not saying just yet. We’ll chat by video first then you can go and collect him. I presume there’s already a security ring around this block.”
“Just take a look. Go to the window at the bottom of the corridor.”
On doing so, Jessica was dismayed to see several pairs of armed guards casually patrolling the grounds and entrances below.
“Are they expecting trouble?”
“We don’t know what to expect Jessie.”
“She span around as she recognised Doctor Mc Tavish.
“Oh Hello. I see the news got out then.”
“Yes, I’m annoyed about that.”
“When I entered the electronic records into the hospital data base, some idiot told their friend and that was it; world news.”
“I would have thought there would be hordes of press by now.”
“There are, we’re just keeping them at bay. We’re using the very real danger of possible foreign intervention.. They think we’ve got the father here as well and we haven’t disillusioned them. It means nobody but us are out there looking for him.”
Dr McTavish turned sharply to the young nurse.
“If anybody asks have you seen the father just pretend that you may have seen him in one of the side wards. It’s not a lie but it’ll keep them off your back.”
When they returned to Jessica’s room she was checking over the girls when her phone went off in her bra again.
“Hiya. ---- Yes I think so.”
She turned to Dr McTavish and told her.
“My friend who nursed me during the pregnancy and gave me a place to stay has come to see me and he’s brought one of my street friends, can I see them, pleeease !”
“Suppose so, he might even know where Terry is.”
“That’s a thought,” Jessica concurred.
“I’ll go and collect them.” Dr McTavish offered.
“Thanks.”
ooo000ooo
The doctor returned to find the consultant, Brendon Cummins chatting to Jessica while he and the young nurse were taking blood samples of both girls. Jessica looked up to smile at Ron but just managed to hide her surprise, she did not recognise the girl accompanying him.
“Hiya Ron, any news of Terry.”
I haven’t heard anything, this is Jane, another girl who joined your gang just as you came in. I’m sorting out accommodation for her.
Jessica smiled to hide her confusion until the girl gently pushed her forefinger between her lips and cupped her elbow in a manner that Jessica instantly recognised. It was a habit of Terry’s that had endeared him to her. Finally she recognised the pretty young girl as Terry! Her heart flipped as she struggled to keep her composure but what amazed her more was Ron’s phlegmatic, relaxed posture as he leant over the cot to admire the girls. When he stood up again he immediately realised that Jessica had recognised Terry and he smiled knowingly. Then with that impish, provocative sense of humour for which Jessica and Terry loved him, he picked up one of the babies and pressed her into Terry’s arms.
“There you are babe’s just think, before long you’ll be able to have a little girl, just like this one; or even two!”
“Oh leave off darling! Stoppit!”
Terry chided him humorously as Jessica struggled not to burst out laughing.
“I’ve got to go for a wee! Sorry!”
With that, Jessica dashed down the corridor into a stall and simply collapsed laughing on the lavatory.
“What was all that about?” Dr Cummins wondered as he turned to Ron.”
“I dunno doctor, she just said she had a call of nature.”
“I’ll go and check,” Dr McTavish offered as she went to follow.”
“Hello-oo. Are you okay Jessica?”
“What, oh, yes. Never better. Bladder control is just fine.”
She flushed the lavatory and emerged to wash her hands as Dr McTavish watched.
“You seemed a bit flushed just now. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Never better. I’d like to talk to Ron alone is that alright.”
“Will it help us to find Terry?”
“That’s what I hope to find out, but if there’s confidential stuff, well I need to sort it with Ron first.”
“Very well, go and speak to him.”
She returned to her room where Ron was nursing one baby and the trans vested Terry was still holding the first one. Dr McTavish followed her in and ordered all the medical staff out. Dr Cummins looked askance but realised at a glance that something was afoot so he followed his medical colleagues out. Jessica closed the door and burst into another fit of giggles!
“You crazy bastards!” She gasped as she recovered her composure. “What sort of stunt is this?”
“It’s a disguise Jessie,” Ron explained, “and it even fooled you!”
“Of course it did, bloody hell Terry! You’re good.”
“As you always said, there was an effeminacy about me.” Terry grinned as he reached into his hand-bag. “Here, give this to those two numpties after I’m gone.”
She held the phyle and grinned. “Is this it?”
“It’s enough isn’t it?” Enough to get the ball rolling.”
“You’re a bloody star oh partner of mine. Let me give you a kiss.”
She reached around Terry’s shoulders and hugged him ecstatically. Reluctantly, Terry eventually extricated himself from her embrace and explained.
“We’ve got to go. Don’t want to push our luck. Next time, hopefully, it’ll be in better circumstances. Look after them.”
Just as Terry put his hand on the door to leave, Jessica suddenly remembered.
“Shit! I almost forgot. Names girl, names! What do you want to call them?”
He paused for a moment then smiled. Same as were going to name them had they been boys. After our mums instead of our dads. You might as well invite them to see the little beauties as well. It wasn’t their fault that both of us took to the streets”
Jessica stepped forward tearfully.
“That’s exactly what I said. Go on, take care and next time just send Ron.”
“Next time love, it’ll be to collect you and take you home, wherever that is going to be.”
After they left, the medical team returned and preparations were made to go down the labs. Now reassured of the doctors humanitarianism, Jessica was at lease prepared to trust them that far.
An hour later, back in her ward as Dr McTavish was doing her final checks for the day Jessica casually produced the phyle of sperm.
“What’s this?”
“You’re a doctor, what does it look like?” Jessica grinned hugely.
“What! It’s his!?”
“Jessica nodded.” Take it down to the fertility lab and see for yourself.”
“You’re coming with me. If it is his, you can see what the lab does.”
“Lead on Mac Duff. Or is that McTavish!”
“Behave young lady. Lab, NOW! Bring the babies nurse.”
Dr McTavish almost sprinted to the fertility clinic forcing Jessica to puff a little as she was still recovering from the birth. The lab doors were burst open and she almost danced up to the desk.
“Check this NOW! Both sperms, male and female.”
Curious about the fuss, the lab director came over.
“News?”
“You bet it’s news! Go on, check it!”
Even as they turned to view the results, the lab technician was preparing a slide. With well-practiced ease, he had the image ready in minutes. As it appeared hugely magnified the technician let out a little gasp.
“It looks like both and lively little buggers as well. Excellent motility. I’m going to run some more tests but this stuff is only about two hours old. Where did you get it.”
Dr McTavish turned inquisitively to Jessica.
“Well! Explain; two hours old!”
“He gave it to me just now after I came back from the loo.”
“When?”
“In my room when we were chatting. You actually stood beside him earlier. “
“What! The old man?”
“No. The extremely pretty young girl he brought with him.”
“Bloody hell! That was Terry?”
“Or Terri as he prefers.”
“Oh no! Don’t tell me he’s transsexual!”
“No! He’s a transvestite! - I think!
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 the aftermath.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 7
Doctor McTavish’s face greyed with concern as she tried to count the increase in issues facing the government surrounding Jessica’s observation.
“You’re serious aren’t you.”
“You saw her. How would you describe her.”
“I don’t know her – or him well enough to make critical assessments. I’m not a psychiatrist.”
“And don’t ever mention that word if you ever happen to have the good fortune to encounter her again.”
“I don’t have to ask why, that much I do know. It’s not their fault, they had to fill quotas for transitioning or the Human population would have collapsed before we found a solution.”
“Yeah, but once again the government and the medical profession did not make proper preparations to test every boy. The ‘duck’ mentality prevailed and they just piled in like a herd of buffalo. Terry's assessment for transition was a two minute travesty of justice!”
Dr McTavish frowned wearily. Jessica was still on the defensive not for herself but for her partner Terri or Terry – ‘Which was it?’ She wondered.
“You do realise, if we are to recover from Covid 21, we’ll need gallons of his sperm. He cannot just turn up and present us with a couple of spoons-full.”
“Why not. There are millions of sperm in each ejaculation. Just learn to capture and identify each sperm then impregnate a healthy egg and you’ll soon have millions of babies. You’ve got enough wombs, god forbid; years of bloody ‘boy-butchery’ has ensured that !”
“That would take a huge restructuring of the present system. The cost would be enormous.”
“You’ve spent enough on the current system and at far greater human cost. Boys being mutilated into tormented male womb carriers, natal girls having their eggs ripped out destroying the very essence of their femininity!”
“You’re not being fair Jessica and anyway, if Terry were to co-operate, this whole problem would be sorted in two generations. I just can’t see where Terry has a problem.”
“Can’t you? So far we only know that his daughters seem to be normal. What if Terry’s male children don’t have the same testicular immunity to Covid 21 as he has?
You’ll have to wait until the first generation girls and boys reach puberty just to ascertain that both sexes are fully XY or XX fertile. Then we have to wait another generation to determine if their children are okay. All that time, Terry will have to remain in hiding until the world is certain their offspring are normal. That’s two generations for Terri to be living rough, or at best living in hiding. . All that time he’s at risk of disease and/or kidnap and god-knows what.”
“No, no. It’s quite the opposite. The fertility clinics world-wide can easily adapt to separate individual sperm and readily impregnate individual eggs. We've had years of research and experimentation to perfect that technology. Admittedly, there would be a lot of micro-technology to install everything, but the technology is already there. As to Terri living rough, well, he’s a tough little kid and he’s learnt quickly. Surely that tenacity and durability would reassure him that we're no longer bent on trapping him.”
Frustrated by Jessica’s mistrust Dr McTavish dialled up the fertility block and put it on speaker.
“Hello, it’s doctor McTavish here, I’ve got Jessica with me, can you prepare a demonstration for us with the sperm sample.
“Which one is that?” Came down the phone.
What the Hell d ‘you mean which sperm sample. THE sperm sample! The XY normal sample we brought down yesterday!”
“Oh! That one.
“Yes that one!”
“It’s frozen at the moment, it doesn’t do to keep freezing and re-freezing.”
“Well I should hope it is frozen! But surely you’re testing some.”
There was a pause before the speaker came back.
“Yes, we are running tests as we speak but they’re strictly technically secure observations. Experiments, you understand."
“Of course I understand, that’s not a problem, we’ll only be observing.”
“Okay. The director has agreed.”
Doctor Mc Tavish rolled her eyes with disbelief then sighed with relief as she turned to Jessica.
“They’re actually impregnating some eggs right now, come on. They’ve got the volunteer transitioners lined up right now.”
“Volunteers?” Jessica asked dubiously.
“Well perhaps I was being a bit generous with my words. There are a group of transitioned boys lined up for the first test.”
“Laboratory rats!" Jessica remarked caustically. "Yeah, that sounds more like it. I’ll bring my girls down with me just to show those kids that the clinic isn’t lying. It’s about time those poor kids heard a true word just for once.”
“Suite yourself,” Doctor McTavish shrugged, “but you’d better hurry.”
Jessica needed no encouragement as she loaded the special crib and wheeled it behind Dr McTavish. When they arrived the clinic was crowded with assorted specialists and observers.
“Who the hell are all these people?”
“It’s the cabinet fertility team and some parliamentary observers, they were also coming up to meet you later but now you’re here, well – two birds – one stone.”
“Morning Jessica.”
Jessica recognised Doctor Cummins the consultant and she nodded acknowledgement across the crowded room as he struggled to make his way over.
“Sorry about the crowding but the SAGE members have to legally witness the developments before we can go forward. We’ve already demonstrated the quality of Terri’s sperm sample now we’re impregnating the transitioners with fertile eggs then we were going to come up to see you - but here you are.”
“Sheesh! You don’t hang around do you?”
“Needs must when the devil cracks his whip Jessica, I’m glad you’ve brought your daughters.”
“She’s like an SAS trooper Brendan.” Aggie McTavish observed. “She’s Never out of reach of her weapons and those daughters are her weapons.” The female paediatrician added..
“Well we're all here now; to horse, to horse.” Brendan Cummins replied, as he called the crowd to order while Dr Aggie McTavish manoeuvred Jessica and her daughters to a prominent spot.
An expectant hush fell on the lab’
The consultant’s introduction was brief for all the SAGE members were fully informed scientist and the truth was quickly established. Dr Cummins was really addressing the attending parliamentarians and cabinet members.
“Ladies and gentlemen what I have to say may not please some of you but it will certainly be of concern to all of you. These are the facts as we know them and they do not show the fertility commission or commissioners in a very good light.
Two healthy, female twins have been born to the young girl holding them in her arms. Her pregnancy in itself is technically the consequence of a statutory rape and that circumstance alone is something of an indicator, a barometer almost, of the depths to which our society, indeed the whole of human society has sunk."
He continued as he placed his hands on Jessica's shoulders to demonstrate both protection and display.
"Here is a young natal girl who, for fear of what might befall her, is still not yet prepared to reveal the whereabouts of the father until certain contingencies are met. She revealed that the father was a fourteen-year-old boy no less, who was, and indeed, still is living rough because of his fear of being forcibly transitioned. If those are the circumstances confronting children who have been forced to make themselves homeless to escape the horrors of the fertility commission then this country has sunk to a nadir of immorality and injustice.
When the girls were conceived, the mother was just fifteen and the father was only just turned fourteen. Just think about that for a moment commissioners; think long and hard while I show the girl the technical steps we are taking to try and meet her concerns and ameliorate her very real fears.
Above all else we must remove fear from this whole debacle! I will leave you briefly to find a consensual and humane solution to this whole catastrophe with the proviso that this girls’ pregnancy has given us a blinding beacon of hope. I have to show this girl what science we have to meet her concerns; so until lunch time, adieu”
An immediate clamour of debate ensued but Jessica had already followed Doctors McTavish and Cummins to the labs. Her precious daughters were left in the hands of the two midwifery nurses Sarah and Dawn that she had grown to trust so that Jessica could concentrate on the impregnation activities. Back in the large lecture theatre. the parliamentarians could at least look at her daughters and consider the miracle that had been wrought.
After being shown the fertilisation and egg transplant procedures while sympathising with the transitioned boys who had been chosen for the first pregnancy tests, Jessica agreed to answer questions.
This plan however got waylaid when there was a commotion in the lecture theatre as Jessica and the doctors were returning from the labs.
Ron had arrived with Jessica’s parents and two other adults that Jessica did not know but she assumed they MIGHT be Terri’s parents.
Her assumption was right.
ooo000ooo
Without thinking, Jessica ran to Ron first as he was reaching into the crib.
It was not an intentional snub to her parents but an instinctive reaction to her hopes that Ron might have more news about Terri. The kindly and ever sensitive Ron however gave Jessica a knowing glance then nodded pointedly towards Jessica’s parents. As she leaned into the crib to receive Ron’s hoped-for news he whispered his advice.
“The girls are safe here with me and your two nurses, best I think, you talk to your mum and dad. They’ve been at their wits end worrying about you and when this broke well – need I say more. Go on, speak to them.”
“Any news?”
“Later Jessie,” he whispered very softly, “speak to your parents first. I've only told them I'd found their daughter but I have not told them why I've brought them here. They don't know! ”
Having now realised how it must have looked she stepped quickly forward and wrapped a hug around her mum. Eventually she unwrapped her arms and looked tearfully into her mother’s wounded eyes and simply said.
“So sorry mum, I couldn’t face the egg snatchers., I had to hide.”
“But surely you could have called, or written, or phoned or left some sort of message. It’s been nearly two years.”
“They don’t let up mum. Once I learned the truth from the street kids, I realised 'the street' was the only place I stood a chance.”
“So where have you been and what have you been up to?”
For an answer she tugged her mother’s arm towards her babies and took the first one that Ron had picked from the crib then passed her on to her mother’s outstretched arms.
“This is what I’ve been up to!”
Her mother’s jaw sagged as she almost shrieked.
“This is yours!?”
Heads all around the room span at the cry.
“Not this mummy, she is not an object, she – or I should say they; - they are MINE mummy; both of them are MINE. You are grandmother to twin girls.
“Girls!”
“Where’ve you been mummy. D ‘you not listen to the news?”
“Well yes. We’ve all heard about the baby girls; but YOURS?”
“Yes. MINE!”
Jessica’s mother turned first to Ron then the other couple who’d been invited to see their grandchildren. Ron had been equally reticent when he told them he had found their equally wayward, run-away thirteen-year-old son, who had become a father at fourteen, he had not told them either, that the babies were girls.”
“Why didn’t you tell us in the car?” Terri’s dad demanded.
“Security Mr Harrington,” Doctor Cummins interrupted. “You might have tried to phone relatives or something while Ron was driving. Your son’s identity is not known outside this hospital and all the people gathered here are bound to the official secrets act.
Until we locate your child -and child he is,-, the boy is not safe.. Everybody here realises the danger to your son, now you do.”
“Danger?” Mr Harrington queried.
“Yes. If foreign agencies discover that your son is loose on the streets, they’re bound to try and kidnap him for ransom purposes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other male producing X and Y sperm. -Anywhere – on – the – planet!”
“So even if you find him, he’s still hostage to his --- you know.”
“Exactly. No matter what we try and do for him, IF we find him, he’s still in danger and will require protection for years to come, two generations at least, possibly three. There are some bad regimes out there, political, racial, and religious. There’s no knowing where the danger might come from.”
Mr Harrington fell silent as the reality struck all the parents, Terri’s mum then asked.
“Are the twins safe, is Jessica safe?”
“She’s safer here, as are the girls.” Doctor Cummins continued. “They are not the ones with the holy grail, the X & Y spermatozoa.”
“But - they could be kidnapped for blackmail purposes to force my boy to give himself up.”
“Precisely Mr Harrington. We have to protect the girls as well but at least they are here, now! Did you not notice the armed guards around the hospital?”
“Well yes, but we did not realise it was our children.”
“And Grandchildren,” Jessica’s mum added for good measure..”
“It’s a mess!” Jessica’s dad declared prosaically.
Jessica rolled her eyes; her dad had always been a man of few words.
By then, both grandmothers were besotted with their granddaughters and Terri’s mum asked eagerly.
“What are their names?
Jessica grinned.
“We were going to name the boys after their grand-dads but when these little beauties exploded into our world we had only one option. You’re each holding your namesakes, - I think; as you can see they're identical.”
Tears immediately filled both grandmothers eyes as their relief and emotions overwhelmed both women before they simultaneously repeated the girl’s names,
“Eleanor and Diana, our grand-daughters!”
“Well it’s Eleanor Lucy and Diana Renee Harrington actually." Jessica explained.
“Lucy? Eleanor wondered as Diana asked exactly the same thing about Renee.
Jessica elaborated.
“Lucy was Ron’s daughter, that’s a private matter between Terri, Ron and me. Renee is a female alternative for Ron; that’s the same private matter.”
All four grandparents turned to look at Ron who was actually tearing up as he swallowed emotionally.
“Thanks Jesse.”
“No! Thank you Ron; you were there for us when it mattered. When we daren’t have gone back to our parents.”
“But we would have helped, somehow or another, if you’d asked.” Eleanor protested as Diana nodded vigorous agreement.
“No mummy, it was far too dangerous, you haven’t been there. Ron had nothing to lose after his beloved daughter Lucy died thanks to the egg snatchers. This way we remember Lucy even though we never met her and we also thank Ron for the dangers he has faced in helping us.”
“Where will you be living then, once you leave this clinic.”
“The obvious place,” Jessica opined, “will be the government safe house if I’m to be protected.”
“Will we be able to visit?” Both grandmothers asked – again simultaneously.
Jessica giggled as she prepared to answer questions from the SAGE.
“You two sound stereophonic. Of course you'll be able to visit - at any time you like! You're their grandmothers! I’ve got to face the questions now; can you stay around until after.”
Both grandmothers nodded vigorously as they each nursed a precious grand-daughter so Jessica gave a nod to Doctor Cummins and Doctor McTavish.
As she stepped towards the lecture chair a score of video cameras plus two fixed cameras started to record the events. Jessica had been concerned about recording the session for it was a double edged sword.
None of the government agencies could lie about any agreements made concerning her or Terri’s or her daughter’s safety but alternatively, Jessica’s face would inevitably be splashed around the world.
Firstly, Doctor Brendan Cummins opened the meeting then Doctor McTavish described the circumstances of the birth and confirmed the good health of both daughters, finally Jessica received questions.
Fortunately, this was a sober, scientific inquisition, not a press riot, but simultaneously, just about every questioner emphasised the importance of locating and protecting Terri. These thoughts were echoed by every parliamentary attendee who sat on the fertility and impregnation cabinet committee. Jessica simply batted them aside by emphasising the hurt and psychological damage that young people like Terri and she had suffered at the insensitivity and cruelty of the egg snatchers and transition teams.
Eventually, just about every foreseeable circumstance had been explored and addressed as best anybody could when the main issue and main individual had not even attended. Jessica finally stood up, stretched, and turned to Doctor Cummins.
“That’s as much as I can take for today, I’m going to feed my babies and indulge some much missed family time with my parents and ‘in-laws’.”
“You do that girl,” Doctor McTavish encouraged. “Tomorrow, we’d like to show you the house we’ve selected for your protection, and, if and when he’s happy, your partner Terri’s. So thanks for agreeing at least to that issue.”
“I had little choice really, I’ve already walked the walk as a hunted outlaw. See you tomorrow morning.”
They separated as Jessica re-joined her family and Ron.
Having established the ground rules for Jessica’s security, they met with their escort and slipped away to enjoy a late afternoon stroll followed by a quiet evening meal at a restaurant in the picturesque Quantock Hills. When they returned to the hospital Jessica slumped contentedly on her bed.
“I enjoyed that mummy. It was like our old family picnics. Can’t wait for the twins to grow up.”
Everybody agreed and it was a reluctant but contented family that finally broke up after agreeing to meet up the following day.
ooo000ooo
The next morning Jessica was contentedly suckling the twins with Dawn her young care nurse. They were sharing a joke when Ron and the grandparents arrived.
“Well somebody seems much happier,” Diana observed as they entered.
Jessica looked up and grinned as Dawn slipped a soft cashmere shawl around Jessie and her twins.
“I’d have thought you’d be suckling them one at a time,” Eleanor smiled.
“This way’s faster and they seem to prefer doing it together. I suppose they did everything together in my womb. And of course, Dawn helps me to set them up one in each arm with the pillows around me”.
“You lucky thing,” Ron laughed, “lying there like some queen in her bower.”
“I wish the king was here.” Jessica replied.
Ron’s grin faded as he reached into his warm, inside pocket to produce another familiar phyle.
“Well he is in a way, fresh this morning.”
The four grandparents gasped as they realised that sometime before he had picked them up at the hotel, Ron must have met Terri to collect the sample. He passed the phyle to Dawn with instructions to deliver it straight to the fertility lab. Tasked such an important duty, Dawn wasted no time and Ron took the chance to discuss events. Jessica spoke first.
“What does he feel about their offer of a safe house?”
“He’s after finding some way of living a normal life.” Ron replied.
“Ha! No hope.” Jessica opined.
“I dunno,” Ron countered, “he’s making a fist of it at the moment. I stood in the multi-story garage chatting with him this morning and nobody noticed a thing.”
“Yeah but when foreign agencies start searching for him they’ll trace him through you. The whole of the gender reassignment committee know you. Somebody’s bound to leak your picture for a fee.” Jessica observed.
“Yeah. I suppose you’re right,” Ron conceded, “they’re politicians after all. Anything for a buck.”
“Just never reveal where you’re living Ron.” Jessica whispered so low even her parents didn’t hear.
“Secrets still Jessie? Even from us?” Eleanor scolded her slightly.
“Yes Mummy. Until we sort this safety thing out.”
“I suppose she’s right Elle,” Diana added, “the last thing we want is Terri to disappear.”
“Have you got any strategy worked out?” Eleanor pressed Ron.
“We’re working on it,” Ron replied, “one of Jessie’s trusted street friends is in on it. Bit like the French resistance during the war or the underground railroad during the Yank’s civil war.”
“It all sounds very ‘spymaster’ and James Bondish,” Jessica’s dad observed.
“That’s as may be,” Ron finalised bluntly, “but I hold my freedom to come and go to be dear. We can’t afford stupid blunders!”
As he said this, there was a knock on the door. Eleanor re-secured the shawl around Jessica’s shoulders and Jessica shouted, “Enter.”
The two doctors McTavish and Cummins came in with Dawn behind them. Doctor Cummins asked.
“He’s been in touch again we see.”
“Yes,” Ron confirmed, “was the sample okay?”
“Seemingly so. We’ve arranged for half of it to be flown to Manchester immediately, now it's been frozen. That’s the chopper you can hear in the grounds.”
Ron smiled and shook his head slightly. Doctor Cummins caught the reaction and raised an eyebrow questioningly. This caused Ron to explain his behaviour.
“Seems a hell of a lot of expense for a tiny phyle of liquid. A whole bloody helicopter all the way up’t north.”
“Better distribution,” replied the doctor, “the semen is frozen here then despatched all over. It’d be better if Terri deposited his sperm here immediately instead of traipsing it around Bristol. Even a couple of hours of the wrong exposure can reduce the quality and motility.”
“That would compromise his anonymity,” Jessica interrupted. “He’ll take a long time to trust you.”
“If we could just talk though, explain to him about freezing the sperm ASAP.” Doctor Cummins almost pleaded as Aggie McTavish nodded agreement.
“When next we meet, I’ll ask him.” Ron reassured the doctors.
ooo000ooo
Nineteen trying to come home
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician - runs the fertility clinic
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 8
After leaving the Sage fertility meeting, Ron ferried the four grandparents back to their hotel. Naturally, the grandmothers were both excited about their grand-daughters and finding Jessica safe whilst simultaneously worried about Terry. Inevitably, Diana, Terry’s mother, was the most worried and tended to monopolise the conversation.
“I just don’t understand it. Why won’t he come home, or at least come out of hiding.”
“The truth is Diana; he still doesn’t trust them.” Ron replied.
“But he trusts you!”
“Yes; seemingly.”
“Oh definitely,” Diana declared, “and so much so he’s prepared to trust you to deliver his sperm to the authorities.”
“We had to earn each other’s trust,” Ron explained. “Some street gangs are quite desperate and quite prepared to steal and burgle houses just to survive.”
“How did you each learn to trust each other?” Jessica’s dad asked as he forensically tried to determine the relationship and more importantly, the circumstances surrounding Ron and Terry’s relationship.
“I was up early one morning struggling with the trash and this kid appeared out of the early morning darkness.”
“Trash?” Trash from what?”
“Uuuhm, I’d rather not say, just like I don’t reveal where I live, I don’t reveal where I work or what I do.”
“Is it legal?”
“Of course it’s legal, it’s just that I don’t much like the authorities! They killed my Lucy by doing what they were going to do to your Jessica. It’s not much revealed by those bastards that the egg removal process is an extremely traumatic experience. Many girls never properly recover. My Lucy suffered that trauma so they detained her too long in the hospital for psychiatric therapy where she contracted the Covid 21 virus.
If they’d let me bring her home immediately after they’d robbed her of her eggs, she wouldn’t have caught the virus. The bastards wouldn’t even let me bury her beside her mother. They just incinerated her body like so much rubbish!”
For long moments silence reflected the mood in Ron’s car before Eleanor found the courage to ask.
“Would you not even tell us where you live Ron?”
“No, it’s too dangerous for Terry. When next I meet him, I’ll try and sort things out with him, see if he’s even prepared to meet you. I’m NOT going to pressurise him though. He’s under pressure enough.”
“Does he hate us?” Diana begged an answer that Ron couldn’t answer.
“To tell the truth, I honestly don’t know. I’ve never discussed you with him. He never offered to talk about you because to tell the truth, the less I knew; the less mistakes could be made. I promise you I’ll try to chat with him when next we meet, but there’s so much other stuff like him coning in from the cold and coming under the protection of the authorities.”
“Will you be seeing him again in the morning to collect his sperm sample before you pick us up?”
“Yes, but I don’t get much chance to speak with him. He just leaves his sperm in a prearranged spot and I collect it. I daren’t do it any other way, otherwise he’ll likely stop doing it all together. I have to tippy-toe around his paranoia.”
Diana started to shed tears and Eleanor immediately hugged her while both fathers remained in their frustrated contemplative silence. It remained thus until Ron pulled up at the hotel that the authorities were now paying for.
“Well, I’ll bid you goodbye until tomorrow morning.”
“Try and get him to meet us,” Terry’s dad asked as he and Eleanor helped his distraught wife into the hotel, “only good can come from a reunion.” He opined.
“I would like to think so and I will try.” Were Ron’s parting words.
ooo000ooo
It was quite dark when Ron finally returned to his café. He had decided to pop into his local pub and have a single pint of beer before returning home. His local pub was a good way to shake off anybody who might be trying to follow him. The regulars and the landlord knew him well for he stopped by several times a week to share a game of darts and his singular pint of his favourite beer. These were the only pleasures that appealed to him after losing his precious daughter Lucy.
“Evening Ron. Usual?”
“Please Jack.”
There was the general murmur of friendly greetings as Ron took his familiar place and slapped his pound coin in the queue of coins for takers. It was a quaint custom in the pub akin to lining up coins on a poole table and it reflected the nature of the neighbourhood. Everybody lived locally and knew each other well. In fact many of them ate their early morning breakfasts at Ron’s café. The general friendly banter served to comfort Ron in his loneliness. There were rarely any strangers in the pub and for Ron it was a comfortable bower of companionable security. After savouring the friendship for an hour he made his usual excuses and plodded the few remaining yards to his Café.
In the back lane he entered his garage and checked his car and van before determining that Terry had come home. The connecting door from Garage to yard was locked which confirmed that Terry was upstairs in his little flat. Ron unlocked the connecting door and crossed the yard to the rear of his café and made his way upstairs. As he crossed the lining a soft voice called out.
“Cup of tea Ron?”
“That’d be nice love, can I have a chat?”
“The girl emerged from the room and smiled as she stepped across the landing to prepare the tea.”
Ron invited her into his flat and she followed him in while the kettle boiled.
“Much news?” the girl asked as she settled into the other armchair and made sure her nightie and dressing gown covered her knees.
“They’re all pressuring me to persuade you to come out of the woodwork.”
“Not yet Ron, I’m not ready.”
“I didn’t tell you this yesterday, but your and Jessica’s parents have arrived. They’ve seen the babies and naturally they’re besotted.”
Terri frowned uncertainly as she asked.
“So they know you and I are in touch.”
“Yes but they don’t know about Terri, they’re expecting to finally meet Terry.”
“Well that’s a non-starter now isn’t it.”
Ron grinned as he nodded.
“You said it girl! Oh there’s the Kettle.”
Terri slipped into the kitchen and made the tea as Ron switched on the Television news. On hearing yet another bulletin about the ‘female baby’ Ron sighed and reached up to receive his tea.
“It’s been on about my girls all bloody day,” Terri chuckled slightly “if only they knew.”
“I wouldn’t be too confident darling,” Ron replied. “If we don’t perfect a way of getting your sperm to the hospital that circumvents me, they’re eventually going to connect me to the girl who helps me in the café, to Terry Harrington and his sperm. Dora’s going to have to come on board at some stage.”
“We’re working on it Ron; she’ll be around tomorrow to clean the yard.”
“You’ve persuaded her to take the job then have you?”
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Jessica replied. “she needs the money. Since I got promotion to the girl behind your counter, the yard’s become too much what with carrying trash and everything. Besides I can’t be handling trash then serving food.”
“Of course not. I’ll have to get a trolley lift for her though, those bins are heavy.”
Terri slapped his shoulder affectionately
“Don’t be such a meany Ronald Dickerson! Besides, I'll pay for a flippin' trolley. I’ll eventually be getting paid for this sperm; once we sort out a bank thingy.”
“The more you talk about this business love, the more you’re going to have to meet them halfway. You’re still only fourteen so somebody will have to sort your banking thingy as you call it.” Ron cautioned.
“I’m looking at him.”
“Steady on Ter’ the whole idea is to distance me from you.”
“Who’s going to connect the bird with the gorgeous legs in the café with the sperm donor?”
“They’re not daft Ter’. If they’re foreign agents, they’ll be smart bastards. If Dora gets involved as a fake courier she could be at risk. You’ve seen the way the Chinese tried to deny Covid 19 and Covid 21. They’ll stop at nothing.”
“The Chinese might not be guilty for Covid 21 even if they were guilty for Covid 19.”
“That’s as maybe but they’re still not very nice people. If they got hold of you, there’s no knowing what they might do to blackmail other countries. They’re already doing it with the ‘Belt and Road’ debt trap.”
“Flippin ‘eck Ron, you keep yourself well informed.”
“Yeah. Well I’m not just a pretty face. Lucy was on course for Uni until the bastards did for her. There were brains in our family.”
They sat quietly nursing their teas for a while as Terri mulled her thoughts. Finally she spoke.
“D’ you think I should come clean Ron?”
“You are clean Terri. It’s their hands that are dirty.”
“You know what I mean. I’m being serious now.”
Ron took a long slow deep breath.
“We’ll have to work this through. If you’re going to continue to disguise as Terri, there are still going to be problems.”
“I was thinking, if I continue to live as Terri and live with Jessica at the hospital clinic, I would just be - ‘That lesbian girl who helps the mother of the twins’ –
“Conversely, you could just as safely remain as the –‘leggy waitress at Ron’s’ -.. You’d be free-er to come and go from the café; but more secure and safer in the hospital grounds.”
“If we made my sperm available to all, nobody would be able to accuse the government of blackmailing their country. They’d have no excuses to kidnap me.”
“The Chinese Communist Party don’t need excuses babes,” Ron warned, “ they’ll kidnap you to gain leverage. Look at those Islands in the China sea and look at what they did to Tibet.”
“I still want to be free to come and go! I can’t stay a prisoner all my bloody life. I get cabin fever even when I’m free to walk the streets of Bristol.”
“Well I can’t advise you babes. Shall we chat in the morning, Dora will be here then to start her new job. She might have some ideas.”
Terri sighed, nodded, then collected their mugs before dumping them in the dish-washer.
Ron turned and watched her walking down the landing, wagged his head regretfully.
In Lucy’s nightgown, Terri reminded him so much of his Lucy.”
ooo000ooo
Terri was in the yard moving the bins for the last time she hoped, as Dora knocked loudly on the gate to the lane.
“Oh hello! I was expecting Ron.” Dora declared.
“He’s in the café. I’m going to scrub up after the bins so if you go through there, he’ll speak to you.”
Terri set out the last bin and made her way upstairs to her shower. Dora boldly knocked on the dividing fire door to the kitchen.
“Wait there love,” Ron requested as he explained. “You need to be in clean clothes to come where the food is prepared. Go upstairs and chat to Terri, third door down the landing on the right.”
Dora did as asked and soon found herself knocking on Terri’s bathroom door.
“Who’s that?”
“It’s me, Dora. Terri told me to wait with you.”
“I’m in the shower give me five mins. The Red door’s my flat, wait there.”
Dora found herself in a modest one bedroom flat and settled in one of the two armchairs.
“Is this where you and Jessica live?”
“Lived babe’s. Jessica’s living in a protected house in the grounds of the clinic now.”
“That figures. So you live here alone.”
“Yes. Ron lives in the front flat over the café, I live here.”
“What’s he like to live with. Did he ever, you know – try it on with Jessica?”
“No. - Nor with me.”
“Why! Is he gay or something.”
The door from the ;landing to the flat opened and Terri stood there with her towel wrapped around her upper body just as any other girl would her hair was turbaned up and she was standing in a pair of fluffy turquoise mules..
“Dora stopped momentarily before recovering from the shock.”
“I, - Bloody hell! D’ you always bath like a girl?”
Terri grinned as she stepped past Dora into her bedroom and invited Dora to follow.
“I live as a girl Dora! It’s my disguise and it’s my nature.”
The dawning light in Dora’s eyes finally found focus.
“What, you mean that long hair and your, - your girly ways, they’re for real!”
“Yes,” Terri smiled in the mirror as she studied Dora’s confusion in the mirror.”
“But, - but, - the sperm.”
“I’m transvestite, Dora not trans-gender. I like living as a girl but I don’t want to be one as such. I like girls, not boys.”
So saying, Dora reached for her top knickers drawer and pulled out a plain pair of functional cotton panties. She stepped into them without revealing her boy bits, then casually unwrapped the towel from her upper body. Dora stared unashamedly at Terri’s nascent breasts.
“Are they yours? They’re not, - you know. Hormone induced.”
“No, I’ve always been a bit feminine, that’s why the cutters wanted to make me a womb-boy - a transitioner. They nearly caught me as well, but I can run - like the bloody wind. They were waiting for me coming home from school but the games master sort of warned me. Just a subtle sentence but as I was running home from the last class, I had my soccer togs on with my trainers. When I saw the strange van outside ours, the games-master’s message clicked. I dropped my school bag, kept hold of my shirt and trousers then scarpered. No more Terence Harrington.”
So you went on the streets and that’s when Sam found you.”
“Yeah, how is Sam by the way?”
“In one of those fucking breeding dormitories, you know swollen belly for the second time already. Looks like a wreck and no future short of babies. Babies. Babies.”
“Bastards!” Terri cursed as she fastened her push-up bra with ease and Dora stared mesmerised at the induced cleavage.
Words escaped Dora as she continued staring until the beautiful Terri slipped into her waitressing heels and commenced her slap. Ten minutes later Dora was gob-smacked. She wagged her head and giggled.
“No wonder Ron’s takings are up. I bet every cock in the neighbourhood comes around for breakfast.”
Terri smiled coquettishly as she nodded slightly and replied in a soft effeminate contralto.
“Yeah. It works, - silly bloody dick-heads. That’s what they are; their dicks rule their heads. My tips bounce my wages up something massive.”
“Have you ever been tempted?” Dora asked curiously.
“Heck no darling. I’m as straight as a laser and more cutting. I like my partners to have real girly bits. Partners like Jessica!”
“Well you’ve proved that,” Dora giggled. “Let’s see you strut your stuff.”
“You’ll have to peep through the fire-door panel. Ron’s a stickler for hygiene.”
Dora followed Terri down to the kitchen fire door, opened the door and Terri sashayed into the restaurant. The clatter of cutlery on crockery suddenly fell silent and Dora simply fell apart with silent laughter as she saw Ron’s head turn knowingly towards the fire-door while he grinned. Within seconds, Terri was busy leaning over the tables collecting dirty dishes while taking extra orders simultaneously. Within ten minutes, Terri was busy cooking, serving and clearing away dirty dishes as Ron prepared to pick up the grandparents and run them to the clinic again. As he emerged from the restaurant he approached Dora.
“Listen darling. I can give you a bit of work in the café if you can scrub up a bit in twenty minutes.”
Ever alert to opportunity, Dora immediately asked what sort of work.
“Just collecting dirty dishes, feeding the dishwasher and wiping down tables while Terri cooks and waits on tables. Can you do that?”
“I think so. Where do I scrub up?”
“In the same bathroom as Terri did. There’s a laundry room at the very end of the landing and there’s overalls and kitchen safety shoes. I think you’ll find some clean underwear there as well. Lucy was a stickler for things when she worked with me.”
Dora agreed provisionally and followed Ron upstairs. He showed her the laundry room then left to scrub himself up to take Terri’s parents and Jessie’s parents to meet Jessie in the clinic for a third day in a row. When Dora re-emerged to join Terri in the restaurant he found Ron and Terri deep in conversation. She caught the last few words as Ron quickly slipped an overall on while Terri slipped into the downstairs staff lavatory.
“Where do I start?” Dora asked Terri.
“That’s good love; you look tidy. Please start with that pile of dirty dishes into the dishwasher. I’ll show you how to start it, then go around collecting dirty dishes and wiping the tables as you go. If you feel you’re up to serving meals, I’ll give you a couple of simple orders like a mug of tea or coffee or toast. I’ll handle the bigger orders until Terri gets back.”
After completing several orders Dora realised Terri had been gone over twenty minutes.
“What’s she doing, she’s a long time?” She asked as she started emptying the dish-washer.
Ron gave her a jaundiced look and frowned.
“Now you’re embarrassing me love.”
Dora suddenly realised and gasped out a shocked apology.
“Oh! Shit! Sorry Ron, of course. I’d completely forgotten. So you won’t be needing me as a courier yet.”
“Ron frowned and looked around to check every seat in the café. To his relief, everybody was a regular customer, there were no strangers looking in their direction.”
“Not so loud Dora. We never know who’s listening, - or why.”
Having realised the risks, it was a more sober Dora who resumed her work until her friend reappeared and resumed work. After another earnest chat with Terri, Ron slipped away through the yard into the lane while Terri and Dora fell into a routine as the morning breakfast rush eased off. By ten o’clock, they had time to relax as the café was briefly empty. Terri made two mugs of tea as Dora pulled out two chairs.
“Has he uuuhm, gone to the hospital then?” Dora asked politely.
“Well he’s collecting our parents first, Terri revealed. Sorry you got dumped in the deep end.”
“Well it’s not rocket science is it.” Dora replied as she glanced around to make sure the café was empty. “Now that the café’s empty, how will we organise the sperm deliveries in the future?”
“I think the plan is that you appear to arrive here for work early each morning then Ron hands the Café over to you and me while he goes to the hospital to deliver the sperm. It will seem as if you’re delivering the sperm to him after collecting it off an invisible Terri living somewhere rough in the city. If there are any foreign agents out there, they will probably waste time tailing you to find Terry, - little realising that Terry is supplying the sperm each day, here in the café whilst masquerading as Terri.”
“That’ll work.”
“Provided this stupid bunch of government twats don’t start trying to find me and provided we can get the sperm to them in under an hour. They like it fresh.”
“But Rob’s picking up your and Jessie’s parents first, so he’s wasting time going to the hotel first.”
“That’s only temporary until Jessie sorts out her permanent living arrangements and sorts her grand-parental visits. Hopefully, things will settle down once the government agrees to my terms.”
“Which are?” Dora asked.
“Universal access to my sperm without governmental interference.”
“Ha! You’ve gorra’ hope! And how ‘r you gonna’ organise that?”
“The principle is easy, the devil’s in the detail. Frankly, at the moment, I'm not sure.” Terri admitted as she turned to the sound of the shaking bell on the door.
“Hey-up, customers.” Terri observed as both she and Dora finished up their teas and prepared to serve them.
Three young regular customers entered and settled at a table close to the counter. Terri knew they usually chose that particular seat simply to ogle her legs as she attended to the cooking. They were nice enough young tradesmen who did contract work in the area.
“Hi Terri, where’s Ron?”
“He’s gone up to the hospital to see Jessica.”
“Oh dear, what’s wrong?”
“Oh nothing serious, girly troubles so she’s there for a couple of tests.”
“Who’s the new girl?”
“This is Dora she’s started here since the business expanded.”
The three young male heads turned to study the new help and appreciated the view as Dora approached with notepad in hand.
“Hello darling. What-choo doin’ tonight?”
“Sleeping with my friend.” Dora replied dismissively.
This expression had become a cultural shorthand to declare that she was a ‘transitioner’ and not interested in sex with boys. Just one more cruel consequence of the ‘fertility wars’ as the kidnapping and enforced transitioning had become known. The three young males were every bit as disadvantaged as Dora because men were now short of female company as Natal girls became scarcer and scarcer. Their mood turned to disappointment as their first mugs of tea arrived. Terri decided to cheer them up a bit.
“You’re a bit late this morning boys.”
“Yeah we’ve been for materials, there’s a new job across the street.”
“What the old ironmongers that got burned down?”
“That’s it.”
“I suppose you’ll be in here breakfast, lunch and tea then.”
They grinned and nodded as their leader observed.
“Don’t know of a café with better scenery.”
“Behave boys!” Terri giggled as Dora was forced to smile.
Transitioners may not be attracted to boys because forced feminisation did not change their sexualities but it was still nice to get compliments.
Sometimes a functioning relationship ensued if satisfactory sexual conjugations and orgasms were shared
The banter continued because Terri knew the boys well and they had never tried anything on. Eventually, the boys paid and left to start on the burned out shell across the street. Through the café windows the ‘girls’ watched the trio first erecting scaffolding then safety boarding as work went apace.
The three hungry lads were eating their huge pre-ordered lunches as Ron returned from the hospital with four adults. As three of Ron’s regular customers, the boys greeted Ron as he sat the four visitors down and Dora came over. Ron introduced Dora then pointed to the very attractive girl working behind the range.
“That’s Terri, she’s been here a long time, before Jessica worked here even.”
Both mothers Eleanor and Diana smiled at the girl behind the range and of course Terri smiled back. Eleanor spoke to her,
“So you would have known Terence if you knew Jessica?”
“Yes, he was sometimes around here. Jessica was very fond of him.” Terri replied.
“Do you know where he tends to hang out?” Diana asked then added, “I’m his mother.”
Dora had to bite her lip to stop from bursting out laughing. Ron, ever alert suggested that now he was back, would Dora go and start the laundry in the back utility room. Grateful for release, Dora hustled away through the fire door and simply collapsed laughing in the laundry room.
Back in the café, Ron had taken over cooking at the range while Terri had resumed her regular job serving meals and waitressing from the counter.
After loading the washing machines, Dora scuttled back to peep through the fire-door safety panel and saw Terri actually leaning over her mother Diana, serving her food and chatting to both women. Stunned by the extent of Terri’s confidence and panache she was forced to return to the café just to witness the events. As she re-entered the café Terri was coming behind the counter to attend to condiments and she winked at Dora.
“I’ll explain later.” She whispered then added; “Not a word, right!”
Dora was too gobsmacked to say anything as Ron caught her eye and nodded to the three builder-boys table. Seeing the plates empty, Dora hustled over with three large refills of tea and cleared their table. Inevitably the same lad asked again if she was free that night.
Again Dora repeated loud enough for the whole café to hear.
“I told you this morning darling. I’m already sleeping with a friend. Now quit it!”
That was enough to stop the lad’s advances. Dora’s censure had been light-hearted and delivered with a smile but the lad realised he had crossed the new cultural line. And the whole restaurant knew it. The new conventions surrounding the treatment of transitioners may have been only a couple of years old but their newness meant they were strongly enforced.
ooo000ooo
Nineteen, the end of the beginning
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 9.
As the builders left around 2 pm, there was a general exodus as customers returned to work around the district that Ron’s café served.
Eventually, around two thirty, the café had virtually emptied except for the four grandparents whom Ron had brought to show them that he was a legitimate business and well liked in the neighbourhood. With their table cleared and all other tables washed they invited Ron to join them. Having closed the main cooking range and left only the microwave, grill and assorted hot drinks dispensers operating, Ron removed his overall and accepted their invitation.
“So our daughter Jessica has worked for you this past eight months.” Eleanor observed.
“Well since she learned she was pregnant. Your Terry was working for me by then and he told me about her condition. Then because he’d grown to trust me, he revealed Jessica’s big secret, namely that she was a natal girl and he’d got her pregnant. That was when I was shocked to discover that Terry was only just turned fourteen.
It’s possible he might still have been only thirteen when he impregnated Jessica but I’m not sure of the dates or their birthdays. I was shocked to learn they were both so young but I could sympathise fully with their fear of the fertility committee kidnappings and the egg snatchers. Jessica was just about frazzled mentally when she came to me. Then we found out about the loophole in the legislation excluding natal girls from having their eggs removed if they were pregnant. We also learned that Terry was exempt if he could prove he was the father, unbelievably, the horny little devil proved he was. He left a blood sample some weeks before the girls were born then when we found out that Jessica had had the twins, Terry was shell-shocked. He still hides to this day.”
On hearing Ron tell this blatant lie, Terri and Dora struggled not to burst out laughing fortunately they were ensconced behind the cashier till and partially out of sight as they sipped their afternoon tea.
Eventually, the grandparents got up to leave with Ron promising to inform them the moment he found anything out. Once they had climbed into their taxi Dora punched Ron in the arm as she released another gale of laughter.
“You lying bastard!”
“Never mind my lying girls, the big question now is how are we going to get sperm regularly to the clinic.”
“Well, we’re going to have to circumvent Aggie McTavish,” Terri opined, “cos she knows that Terry is Terri. The moment she sees me anywhere around the clinic she’s bound to blow the whistle.”
“Not necessarily.” Ron corrected her. “She actually thinks your disguise is brilliant. When Jessica told her, she actually approved of it. Fortunately, she has no idea that Terri works and lives here, like all the others she thinks that Terri is somehow living rough.”
“But I can’t pretend that if I look like this. Living rough makes you look rough. She must think I’m living somewhere tidy.”
“We can easily cover that angle,” Ron proposed. “If you come to the clinic with me you can say that you’ve got a little live-in job that keeps body and soul together.”
“That’ll never work. I’m too bloody valuable to the government now. She’s bound to try and get me to come out.”
“I doubt it, she knows the danger of you being outed like everybody involved in this business. Besides if you restrict your visiting to seeing Jessica and the twins, at her safe house, there’s no need to ever go near the clinic. I’ll continue delivering the sperm or Dora can pretend to be doing it directly from you to the clinic.”
“That’ll put Dora in danger.” Terri cautioned.
“No, even if they follow her they’ll never be certain she’s contacting you and receiving anything from you. You know what it’s like with the street community, it’s so disorganised and shambolic, nobody knows who’s doing what or going where. If Dora stopped and chatted to thirty different people every evening, they’d never work out if she had taken anything from anybody. Besides there’s always the drug dealing. Kids are exchanging packages and money all day long. Any agency trying to locate you through Dora would be overwhelmed with misinformation.”
Dora was nodding as Ron said this for it was true, new people left and joined each street community every day. Terri agreed to try the system as she declared.
“Well let’s give the underground railway a rest for a few days then do as you suggest next Monday. I’ll accompany you to Jessica’s safe-house and see the lie of the land. Another aspect of that plan is that my semen should have a lot more sperm after a few days break. You can speak to the clinic and get their opinion.”
Having decided their temporary plan, Terri and Dora had time on their hands before the evening rush started. They asked Ron for a few hours off and he agreed so they decided to visit Charlie and Jan at the Nightingale virus hospital.
“You’d better dress down if your pretending to be street kids,” Ron advised.
Knowing Ron’s words were true, they put on their dirty jeans and tatty tops before leaving Ron to do his books and man the café during the quiet afternoon period. They boarded a bus that took them across town to the nightingale hospital. On the bus, they settled out of view in the upper deck rear seat and chatted.
“I’ve never been to the nightingale hospital,” Terri declared.
“It’s were the worst cases go to die or remain in a static state. Incurable they’re called.”
“Oh don’t tell me, Charlie and Jan are incurable, this Covid 21 is a total bitch!”
“Jan was recovering very slowly the last time we came but Charlie’s fucked. No change in nearly two years.”
“Shit! I liked Charlie she was always ready with something witty.”
“Well she’s not cracking jokes now. She’s in some sort of incurable coma. If they don’t recover after two years, the doctors remove all medication and life support then they usually die.”
“Fuck, fuck! FUCK!” Terri cursed as heads further down the bus turned censoriously to stare at the dirty street rats.
Realising she was drawing attention to herself; Terri fell silent and sank lower into her seat. Dora slid surreptitiously closer to make it impossible to get a good look at Terri’s face and they remained close together until the bus pulled up at the Nightingale hospital. Dora guided Terri through the sterilisation procedures and eventually she was following Dora along the maze of corridors.
On stopping by the nursing and information station the nurse gave them a long sympathetic look and wagged her head despondently. She spoke softly and sympathetically but her message was still brutally clear.
“Have you come to witness the final rights dears.”
“Whadd’ya mean?” Terri gasped.
“They’re removing Charlie’s life support at 1600, that’s in ten minutes time. Are you relatives?”
“Uuuhm no, she’s a street kid but we were her only friends. Please can we see her, if only to say goodbye. Nobody should die alone.
The nurse sighed sympathetically and reached under the counter to produce two black rimmed plastic identity cards. She wrote their names on them and explained.;
“Being as no relatives have ever turned up you can have these cards. It’s almost time now if you want to see her before the end you’d best hurry.”
Tears started pouring down Terri’s cheeks as she clung onto Dora’s arm and stumbled down the corridor to the ward. They stopped as they read the notice ‘Finality Ward’ relatives only.
“If they ask, we’re her cousins ok!” Dora declared.
Terri squeezed her arm and the pair stepped reverentially into the room.
“Two doctors in white coats were in the very act of removing the tube from Charlie’s windpipe.”
“Give us a moment please!” Terri begged as genuine tears ran down her cheeks.
The doctors were not monsters so they stepped back to let the girls hug their dying friend. Eventually though they had to intervene and explain.
“We’re so sorry girls, there’s no hope now, we need the respirator and the room for a more hopeful case. We’re so, so sorry.”
Reluctantly and with a loud sob, Terri stepped back and watched the doctors gently extract the tube from Charlies trachea. The machine gave a soft sucking sound then a click and a whistle which was the arresting alarm. Then Charlie’s breath gave a final crackle and her chest stopped moving.
Seeing death in all it’s tragic peacefulness, Terri could not abide the stillness, she flung herself forward and jammed her mouth over the fading Charlie’s lips and pushed a monstrous breath into Charlie’s lungs.
The effort caused Terri to cough violently before she managed to pump another breath into Charlie’s body before the doctors gently tugged her away.
“It’s no use darling. She’s going, let’s not pummel her body now, let her go in peace.”
Terri could not and would not let go. She remembered Trixie’s desperate whines over Jessica’s comatose form and something told her there was still hope.
“Please, pleeease let me try. A couple of breaths please, let me do something worthwhile just for once!”
The doctors recognised the distress the young girl was suffering so they concluded no harm could come by letting the kid try. If it gave her some comfort to think she had tried her best then at least some good would have come out of the death.
They released their hold on Terri who immediately returned to Charlie’s face and pushed breath after desperate breath into her friend’s lungs.
As Terri tired and wavered, Dora felt compelled to agree with the doctors, there was nothing more to be gained by just pumping breath into Charlie’s seemingly lifeless form. She reached gently for Terri’s arm and tugged ever so slightly.
“Come on love, it’s over. She’s gone.”
Reluctantly Terri slowly stood up and stepped back to press her tearstained face into Dora’s shoulder while the doctors stood watching sympathetically. Then as the pair turned to leave one of the doctors made an exclamation.
“What the -. Hold on girls, she’s breathing!”
At first neither Terri nor Dora responded as they stumbled miserably away and the doctor had to raise his voice again.
“Girls! Did you not hear me? She’s breathing!
Dora stopped uncertainly but Terri knew immediately. She turned with tearful eyes and ran joyously back to Charlie’s barely moving chest. She did not need to test for breath but she boldly pressed her fingers under Charlie’s nascent breast and smiled with delight.
“Yes! Her heart! I can feel it!”
“So did I Terri,” the older doctor confirmed. “Your friend is still alive.”
“Can I stay with her?”
“Well I –“
“Yes you can,” the other – more sympathetic doctor agreed. We’ll put her in this recovery room and you can stay with her. If there is any change, call the nurse immediately.”
“Where are you going?” Terri asked both doctors.
“We’ve got other sick people to attend to. If your friend continues to keep breathing on her own for an hour or more, we’ll put her back on the ward.”
“So you’re not going to somehow, - you know, euthanise her.” Terri begged.
“Heaven’s no girl!. We’re not murderers. We simply stop the treatment and if she manages to continue on her own we let them recover. They don’t usually continue for much longer because of the effort.”
“Can I stay with her?”
“Of course you can – and your friend. We’ll come back in an hour or unless you call the ward sister. Meanwhile, I suggest your friend makes the two of you some cups of tea. If Charlie makes it through the night then we will make every endeavour to help her through this. Her recovery is something of a miracle!”
“Huh! I don’t believe in miracles.” Terri confessed. “It was love and care that did this.”
“Whatever it was Terri, it is remarkable.” The older doctor finalised as they left Charlie to Terri’s care.
As Terri took station beside the gurney, she looked up at Dora.
“Well? Are you going to get that tea? – And get a blanket as well, she’ll freeze to death on this metal contraption.”
This brought Dora out of her disbelieving trance and she shook her head as she sped off to the sister’s office to get some tea..
“What, on her own without the ventilator!” The sister frowned,
Dora nodded as she took both cups back to Terri. The sister followed her and squeaked with surprise as she and Dora found Terri pushing more breath into the comatose Charlie. The watched briefly as the girl on the gurney coughed and weakly lifted a hand.
“She’s bloody conscious!” The sister gasped as she lurched forward to intervene.
“Yeah, and cold,” Terri added as she took the proffered cups of tea from Dora and asked, “did you get the blanket?”
“I’ll get one!” The sister replied, glad to be of some use as the miracle unfolded.
Exhausted by her resuscitation effort, Terri stepped back and slumped into a chair as Dora leant over the still coughing Charlie.
At that instant, Charlie gave a huge cough then started trying to clear her chest of the phlegm that was restricting her breathing. Alerted to what could only be a conscious effort Terri lurched forward again and covered Charlie’s mouth again. With one mighty breath she rammed her breath back into Charlie’s chest and this caused Charlie to respond by exhaling violently, just as Jessica had done that cold winter’s day back in their bash.
With a violent cough, Charlie expelled a huge gobbet of phlegm that splashed into Terri’s face; for this time Terri was alert, she did not accidentally swallow the thick green effluvia.
“Uuugh!” Dora exclaimed with disgust as she saw the thick green phlegm splashed over Terri’s lips, cheeks and jaw.
“Gerrit’ off girl, you catch the Covid!”
Terri looked around for some paper tissues but there were none so she went in search of the ward sister again while the disgusting mess was still spread over her face. She met the sister returning with the blanket and to avoid splashing the deposit as she tried to speak, she motioned with her hands for a tissue.
Being a competent, level-headed professional, the sister put the blanket on a windowsill and quickly guided Terri to a scrub room and removed the slime of her face. Instead of simply washing it away, she donned some sterile gloves then took a wooden spatula and scraped the bulk of the phlegm off Terri’s lips and cheeks then scraped it into a specimen jar and sealed it.
“What ’choo do that for?” Terri asked as she now tissued the remains off her face and returned with the sister and blanket to Charlie’s side.
“Your friend has just made a remarkable recovery Miss – uuuhm Terri. (She checked Terri’s identity label.) Any clinical evidence we can take from the event must be worth checking.” She explained as urgency lent speed to her walk.
In the side room they found Dora actually helping Charlie to sit up on the gurney and Dora turned excitedly as she heard the ward sister and Terri return.
“Her eyes opened! She tried to say something! Look!!”
The sister immediately moved to take control and she unfolded the blanket.
“Let’s get this wrapped right around her – under her as well. Look, she’s shivering!”
Both Dora and Terri needed no encouragement as they immediately helped the sister to lift the shaking Charlie and work the blanket under her.
“Come on!” The sister ordered. “She needs to get warm. I’ll find a ward.”
Eager to be of real assistance, Terri and Dora seized each end of the gurney and almost trotted after the sister’s purposeful progress.
“This’ll do, it was emptied last night, in fact I think it was her old ward but the place has already been sterilised. Let’s get her onto the bed.”
Desperately glad to have been a party to the seeming miracle, Terri and Dora lurched forward to help and the sister had to control their enthusiasm.
“Not like that girls, she’ll roll out the other side, like this!”
They did as instructed and paused momentarily as the sister decided what to do next. She peeled off the rubber gloves and put them in a sterile dish before handing extra tissues to Terri to finish wiping her face.
“Don’t throw the tissues away, put them with my old gloves. The virologists will want to examine them.”
“Why?” Dora asked as Terri wiped away the last vestiges of phlegm.
“I’ll explain why. This morning the last swab of saliva was taken from Charlie’s lips before we prepped her for anticipated death. At Noon that sample came back loaded with fatal quantities of the Covid 21 virus.
Now this afternoon, Charlie’s sitting up and – did she just try to speak!”
All three rushed to the bedside and leaned in as a semi-vocal croak escaped her lips.
“What ‘choo say babes>” Dora asked.
“Terri,” Charlie clearly enunciated, “Terri! I want Terri.”
“I’m here!” Terri replied eagerly and leant forward to kiss Charlie on the lips.
From habit the sister moved forward momentarily to restrain Terri but realised her stupidity as she realised this girl had just been covered in quantities of Charlie infected phlegm.
As Terri straightened up again, Charlie opened her eyes and actually smiled.
“Hiya Babe’s.”
“Hiya Charlie, welcome back.”
“Water.”
“Of course!” The sister replied as she reached for the pitcher already standing on the bedside locker.
Gently, she eased the glass to Charlie’s lips as Terri turned to Dora.
“Talking of drinks, I never did get that cup of tea.”
The sister smiled and nodded towards the corridor.
“See the duty nurse in the end ward, tell her Sister Marjorie sent you.”
As they turned to leave Terri asked,
“Which ward is Jan in?”
“Jan who?” The sister replied furrowing her forehead.
Terri and Dora fell silent, neither of them knew Jan’s other name.
“Dunno,” Dora confessed as Terri added.
“Kids on the street don’ ave sir-names.”
“Well there’s a Jan Davies currently in ward 4; that’s the borderline cases. If she’s feeling okay she’ll either be in the garden or in the conservatory. If she’s feeling down she’ll be in bed.”
“Can we visit her?”
“Of course, you know it’s not like a prison, on the inside that is. Sadly, they cannot go out of the grounds.”
“Yeah. We know, bye-ee.”
The sister smiled as the girls left for she was in an extremely good mood. Not everyday did a patient come back from the dead.
ooo000ooo
After gulping down their tea and savouring some biscuits (cookies) that the nurse had kindly offered, the pair went hunting for Jan.
The grounds to the Nightingale hospital were extensive and it was getting late before they found Jan. She was sitting morosely in her wheelchair under a large tree and wrapped in a thick blanket that made her struggle a bit as she tried to stand.
“Don’t get up love! We went to see Charlie but things got complicated.” Dora declared.
“She gone has she?” Jan asked through tearful eyes.
“No-oo!” Terri replied. She’s on the ward having supper.”
“Whadd’ya mean, having supper? She was due to be de-ventilated at four.”
“You just go and see love. We’ll be back tomorrow to see you both. Gorra go now, we’re late.”
“No wait! What d ‘you mean on the ward?”
“She’s alive and talking, go and see. We gorra go, byee!”
Jan was left floundering in confusion. As a long term inmate of the Nightingale, she well knew that being de-ventilated meant the end for a patient. It meant there were no more viable therapies left to medical science and Covid 21 would be allowed to take it’s deadly course. Take the ventilator way and the comatose patient usually asphyxiated within minutes.
By the time she resolved to go and see, Terri and Dora were returning to the de-contamination building. When Jan finally reached the de-ventilation ward the visitors were on their bus back to Ron’s café.
“Hi Sister Marjorie.”
“Oh! Hello Jan darling, have you heard the news?”
“What? About Charlie?” Is it true?”
“Come and look!”
“Jan scooted after Sister Marjorie and they arrived to find the doctors still clustered around Charlie’s bed.”
“Quite remarkable! And there’s no sign of Covid in her saliva!”
“Nothing!” The virologist confirmed before repeating. “This morning’s sample was absolutely loaded with the stuff, now – nothing. She’s clear!”
The consultant turned to Sister Marjorie.
“Where are the visitors now?”
Sister Marjorie turned to Jan.
“They went to see you.”
“They did, but they were late so they left just now.”
“Where’ve they gone?” The consultant asked Jan.
“I dunno, back to their bash I suppose, where do street kids go?”
“Dammit!” The consultant swore softly, “There’s something odd going on here. Nobody just sheds Covid in a couple of hours.”
“Charlie has,” Sister Marjorie declared. “At four o’clock she was in her final coma and scheduled for de-ventilation. Now look!”
The team turned to find Jan stretching from her wheelchair to squeeze Charlie’s fingers as Charlie rolled eagerly to kiss her. Marjorie recognised the effort and quickly elbowed the doctors aside to turn the chair and allow the girls to kiss. The doctors looked on askance as the intimacy ensued then shook their heads and murmured uncertainly amongst themselves.
Charlie looked up hopefully.
“Can I go for a wee?”
“Are you up to it darling?” Sister Marjorie asked. “Do you want a chair?”
“I think I can manage but will you come with me?”
“Of course I will, do you want to come as well Jan?”
“We’d like to speak to Jan sister,” the consultant announced.
Sister Marjorie exchanged glances with Jan who nodded unconcernedly.
“Yeah you go, I’ll stay here.”
When Charlie and Sister Marjorie returned the doctors were in earnest conversation questioning Jan about everything she could remember, - which wasn’t much.
“They came over, told me about Charlie then rushed off, late for work or something.”
“So they may not be street kids, living rough.”
“Hard to tell, they were wearing the regulation sterile scrubs that every visitor wears.”
“They didn’t look dirty.” Sister Marjorie observed, “when she wiped her face with the sterile wipes after I scraped of the phlegm sample, no grime or anything came off. Her face was clean. Street kids are invariably filthy.”
“But they said they were street kids.”
“Yes. Maybe they had a wash before coming though that’s unusual,” Sister Marjorie explained.
“Sometimes the more knowledgeable kids know that when visitors leave here they get de-contaminated in the showers. They pretend to be visiting a patient, - and there are a lot of street kid sick in here, - so nobody can tell if they’re genuine visitors and they give themselves a good scrub down in the showers when they leave.”
“And you allow that?” The consultant asked.
“Better a clean street kid than another infected carrier on the streets. It does no harm for a kid to want a wash, God forbid they have shitty lives.”
“They definitely left via the shower block. I saw them.” Jan added hopefully in her endeavour to be genuinely helpful, “And they said they’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Well if they do, let me know immediately. I want to meet these kids, especially the one who did the resuscitation!”
“Breath of life was it?” Charlie giggled as she sat on the side of the bed looking a picture of health.”
“Don’t mock Charlie!” Sister Marjorie cautioned her. “A few hours ago you were scheduled for de-ventilation and certain death. Think about that! - Now! Go and get your dinner! Oh! And if your friends sneak in to see you without telling us, please tell her we want to see her because we think she might be able to help others. We’re not looking to somehow punish her. Go on; go and eat.”
As the pair went to the refectory the consultant stared after Charlie and remarked.
“There goes Jairus’s daughter.”
“How’s that?” Marjorie wondered.
“You know, the bible thing, Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead.
“I didn’t know you were religious doc.”
“I’m not – usually; but after seeing that, - well!”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen. The beginning of the end.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 10.
Ron frowned when Terri and Dora skulked in via the back lane.
“Jeeze! Thank heavens you’re here! I’m running out of crockery, Dora, can you start straight away with the dishwasher, Terri, waitressing, clearing tables, quickly, look! There’s more coming in as we speak.
Both girls were now old hands and they quickly plunged into the work. Within minutes, Ron was back on track and customers were getting served promptly though several of the earlier old regular customers had noticed the early panic. A couple of them looked up and grinned at Terri as she swept by to collect dirty dishes.
“Been shopping Terri?”
“Sort of,” she smiled as she expertly balanced the dishes on her tray and sashayed back to the service counter.
As always, admiring eyes followed her attractive figure then fell to chatting amongst themselves.
“Old Ron’s got a good un there.”
“Easy on the eye too.”
“That new girl’s quite attractive too.”
“Yeah, they make a good team and Ron’s got ‘em well trained.”
Thus the general mood in the café slipped back into it’s easy familiar ways until closing time. The girls finished their duties and slipped upstairs to freshen up while Ron got stuck into the nightly chore of cleaning the cooking range.
Feeling a little guilty for returning late, they descended downstairs back to the café and offered to help. He looked up and grinned.
“Not tonight girls, but I’d be really pleased if you helped me on Friday night. We can deep clean the range and I can still slip out to the pub; they’ve got an inter-pub dart’s match.”
“So long as we can slip out to the pictures or something later on.”
“We should be finished by six, plenty of time to scrub up. Pictures eh? You’re getting bold.”
“What?” Terri riposted somewhat annoyed. “Just two transitioned kids going to the pictures. There’s not much else for us, is there. Almost no girls to speak of and the vast majority if the transitioned kids not fancying men. Nobody asked us if we wanted to be castrated and wombified! We go the pictures because we’re safer in a crowd and we have to get a taxi home – And even that’s not a certain bet. There’s some weird taxi drivers out there these days.”
“Yeah,” Dora added, “ Just cos’ we can’t get pregnant the normal way they think it’s okay to screw us if they can get away with it. And they expect us to agree cos –
‘you caa-nt get pregnant luu-uve’
is what they whine; - as if we’re denying them some sort of god-given right.”
Ron fell silent, he was all too aware of the dangers his dear Lucy faced until the biggest danger of all took her.
“Well look after yourselves girls. I’m not responsible for what’s out there and I can’t pick you up tonight because I’ll be too drunk to drive when coming from the pub. Here’s some money for the taxi and a bit if you want to eat out, but take care!”
Both girls gave their beloved ‘step-dad’ a hug and a kiss then they went their separate ways.
The evening proved successful for Ron in-as-much as his pub team came second in the regional final while for Dora and Terri enjoyed the film but were glad to get a taxi home. There were too many hopeful uncut boys looking for any sort of sexual action.
“Look at them!” Dora sneered, “they’re like dogs sniffing for bitches.”
“Trouble is they think we’re bitches, look-out here come a pair of right bozos!”
Fortunately, the pair managed to grab a cab just seconds before the leering drunks came close enough to pester them.
“Where to girls?” The taxi-driver asked.
They gave him an address several blocks away from Ron’s café just so as to leave no clue of their final whereabouts being able to check if they were being followed. When he set them down, the girls stayed together for protection and to keep a look out. At the right instance they simply slipped into a narrow alley then doubled back down the rear lane and slipped into Ron’s back yard whilst invisible to anybody on the street. With their tried and tested manoeuvre successfully completed; they slipped into the upstairs bedrooms with their own private key.
“Night girls.” Ron called softly from his bedroom.
“Night Ron,” they chorused as they tip-toed past his door.
After the girls had showered, Dora asked hopefully if she could cuddle up to Terri for the night.
“Yes,” Terri allowed, “but no naughty stuff. The idea is to store it up for the fertility clinic.” She cautioned.
“Spoil-sport!” Dora protested insincerely. For she understood Terri’s situation with supplying the most fertile sperm she could.
“I wasn’t looking for sex. I just felt lonely, it’s been months since I’ve shared a cuddle and as for sex, well what with?”
Terri did a double take as she thought back. Since meeting up with Dora’s gang the consequences for the small band of transitioners had been disastrous.
Jessica had become pregnant and left the gang to become Terri’s sexual partner,
Sam had been captured and forcibly impregnated, she was now more or less living permanently in one of the hundreds of breeder dormitories.
Charlie had just recovered miraculously from Covid 21 and would now definitely follow Sam down the same forced pregnancy route.
Jan was taking years to recover and when she did she would most probably end up in those same breeder dormitories.
Dora was the only transitioner who was still free, if you could call being hunted like an animal, free.
And of course, Terri herself was being hunted even if the consequences of capture were now very different, it would still mean some sort of protective ‘lock-down’.
As the circumstances weighed in on her thoughts, Terri nodded sympathetically and she lifted her arm to invite Dora to spoon into her.
As the pair rearranged themselves to get comfortable, they suddenly felt a weight on their feet. Trixie, Jessica’s faithful Alsatian bitch refused to be left out of the contract.
Within minutes both ‘girls’ and bitch fell into a fitful sleep. Totally peaceful sleep rarely came to those for whom every police siren or unidentified noise could be the harbinger of assault or even capture.
ooo000ooo
The following morning, Sunday found Ron still asleep at ten o’clock when Dora stirred and disturbed both Terri and Trixie. The café, being a place that served mainly working people working locally, was closed on Sundays, giving the girls a day off.
Once they were awake, they made themselves some breakfast and Terri took some tea and toast up to Ron. It was a small kindly act to say ‘thankyou’ for what Ron had done to rescue her, Jessica and now Dora from the street.
“Where’re you off to so early girls?”
“Early! It’s nearly eleven o’ clock Ron!”
“But it’s Sunday, I rarely shift before twelve as you full know – my one lie in per week. And why are you dressed for the street?”
“It’s our disguise, people think we’re street kids and ignore us.”
Ron was about to caution them about the patrols but realised Dora was a master of ellusivity and concealment. She’d remained free on the street for over four years after having been forcibly transitioned at fourteen. Within weeks of her operation she had escaped from the breeding dormitories and gone AWOL and unimpregnated. That part had been relatively easy, lots of kids managed that. The hard part was staying hidden on the streets.
Terry and Jessica had been unbelievably lucky to land up with Ron, Dora had been more than lucky, she was a master of invisibility.
As they left the café, Terri picked up as sperm sample phyle and stuffed it into her little shoulder bag..
“What’s that for?” Dora asked.
“You’ll see, I’ve had a thought.
Dora shrugged and they walked briskly to the bus stop.
They caught a Sunday-bus into the city centre then another out to the hospital because the Sunday bus service across town did not run. Terri always dressed as a street kid when going near town because his fatherhood certificate was his ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card if he was stopped by a fertility patrol.
Dora had a forged pregnancy certificate which so far had fooled several of the fertility patrols when she was stopped.
They bought a coffee between buses in the city centre and cautiously watched the charity stall as the old lady still worked tirelessly to help street kids. Finally their bus arrived and they slipped away to revisit the nightingale hospital.
Once again they had to endure the invasive sterilisation procedures before trudging along the maze of corridors to find Charlie and Jan sharing a midday lunch in the large communal canteen. The moment Terri and Dora appeared, Charlie stood up and walked towards them grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“Thought you were supposed to be ill?” Dora chided her.
“Not anymore, what is it with your friend Terri?”
“Me?” Terri replied with an air of innocence. “What do you mean - ‘what-is-it-with-me’?”
“The doctors want to see you. When you breathed into me yesterday, they reckon you’ve got some sort of antibodies in your lungs.”
Terri looked at Dora and they immediately realised they had blundered by coming to see their friends.
“We gorra’ go.” Dora declared softly.
Jan’s eyes widened with fear as she suddenly realised, there was something about her friend Terri. The doctor’s suspicions might be right.
“No wait” She begged hoarsely. “Do the same to me before you go.”
Dora, ever the street-wise expert nodded towards the doors that led outside into the extensive grounds.
“Over by the oak tree where I met you yesterday.” Dora ordered.
Jan and Charlie needed no further encouragement. Using long remembered street techniques, they waited for Terri and Dora to slip away then they casually left their table and Charlie pushed Jan’s wheel-chair to the large shady oak tree. There they sat seemingly enjoying the view before Terri and Dora appeared.
“Come here darling, let me kiss you goodbye.” Terri addressed Jan.
So saying she leant over Jan who lifted her face up and the pair locked lips,
“Breath in Jan.” Dora advised.
As she did so Terri puffed a violent breath of air down Jan’s trachea causing her to cough at the unexpectedly powerful invasion of her lungs.
“And again!” Dora ordered.
The same sequence invoked a feeble fit of coughing as Jan struggled to catch her breath.
“Now again,” Terri demanded as she took a huge breath and covered Jan’s mouth just as she was recovering her breath.
Terri’s explosive puff just as Jan breathed in caused Jan to lurch backwards with the unexpected invasion of her lungs and she went into a furious fit of violent coughing.
The violence of the coughing fit, this time caused Jan to expel a thick globule of mucous but this time, Terri was prepared. As Jan drew her first deep involuntary breath in two years Terri hastily removed her mouth and placed her hand over Jan’s wide open mouth and as the anticipated phlegm was violently expectorated Terri trapped a substantial portion of it in the cup of her hand.
Once again Dora was disgusted by the thick green gobbet in Terri’s hand.
“Got it!” Terri crowed victoriously
“Uuugh!.” Dora squirmed as even Charlie winced at the disgusting process.
Terri ignored them as she reached into her little shoulder bag and handed the empty sample phyle to Dora.
“Take the cap off,” Terri asked Dora who promptly did as asked
Then Terri scraped as much of the phlegm out of the cup of her hand as she could before she replaced the lid. Finally she put the phyle on the ground, took some tissues from her bag then cleaned up the mess.
“Take that sample to that sister, what’s har name. and explain what it is.” Terri instructed Charlie, “leave Jan here with us.”
“Sister Marjorie.” Charlie explained as she wrapped the phyle in another tissue and set off immediately towards the hospital block.
Terri turned to Jan in her wheel-chair.
“How d’ you feel babes?”
“My breathing’s easier, - much easier!” She enthused as she stood up unaided and stepped towards Terri.
“Yeah, well don’t overdo it girl. We’ve gorra go. Dora will keep in touch. Same arrangements as always, the cellar under the castle, Tuesday mornings.”
So saying, Terri and Dora slipped away to the exit and quietly scrubbed down before the skeleton medical team had even realised the girls had visited the hospital.
Inside the ward, Charlie found Sister Marjorie and she casually reached out to place the phyle in the sister’s hand.
“What’s this?”
“Have a look, - over there towards the oak tree. Who’s that pushing her own wheel-chair?”
Sister Marjorie squinted disbelievingly
“Is that Jan?”
“The very same.”
“How’s she doing that?”
“The same way I’m standing here right as rain.”
For a long second Sister Marjorie stared disbelievingly.
“Has that boy been back? The effeminate one?”
“The very same.”
“And did she do the same thing, the resuscitation thingy?”
“The very same, this time I was conscious and I saw the whole thing from end to end.”
“You should have called us. We need to speak to him.”
“Neither of them were willing. She did the resuscitation thing, gave me that phyle of phlegm and just left.
“You know their names.” Sister Marjorie confirmed.
“We both know their names; they just won’t say where they live or why they don’t want to meet you.”
“Something doesn’t add up here,” Sister Marjorie mused, “ they’re quite happy to do miracles and cure people, but they don’t want to meet any doctors.”
“Search me,” Charlie shrugged. “They’re street kids, what d’ you expect?”
“You saw the whole thing from beginning to end, can you describe it.”
“Well the first thing is it’s messy!” Charlie grimaced as she recalled the phlegm.
“Seemingly so, his face was a filthy site when he came here yesterday. Why do you keep referring to him as a she.?”
“She may dress as a street kid but under those filthy rags, I believe she’s a girl.”
“That could be a disguise.”
“She calls herself Terri and her friend Dora refers to her as a girl.”
“You know Dora and Jan from your street kid days don’t you?”
“Yes, but Terri seemed to just ghost in and out of our gang as it suited her. We never found out where she had her bash but when the gang was captured, Dora and the natal girl Jessie disappeared. The rest of us, well you know.”
“Do you know where the natal girl Jessie went?”
“No she just dropped out of sight. Ah! Here comes the miracle patient number two.”
Sister Marjorie stepped towards Jan as she pushed the wheel-chair in front of her like a giant ‘Zimmer’ frame..
“Can you walk without that?”
For and answer, Jan pushed the wheel-chair into the storage bay and walked un-aided towards the sister’s desk.
“Another miracle cure sister!” Jan grinned.
“You were supposed to ask her to come and see us.”
“I told them you wanted to talk to them but they weren’t willing. When I told them, they became nervous and wanted to leave.”
“But you let them do their resuscitation thing.”
“Would you refuse an offer like that after what happened to Charlie? Look at Charlie!”
Sister Marjorie let out an exasperated sigh.
“Was it painful?”
“The coughing thing was a bit frightening. I thought I was suffocating until she walloped that last big breath into my lungs. Then suddenly, all that stuff came free and I was able to cough it up. There was a lot more than that.” Jan pointed to the phyle on sister Marjorie’s desk.
“Yes, Charlie told me, and your breathing freely now?”
“Got more wind than Hurricane Hilda!”
“Can you give me a sample of your saliva.”
“Jeeze! Isn’t that enough?” She nodded again to the phyle.
“That’s your DNA, we’re trying to get his, or her DNA. Some of his saliva might had lodged in your mouth.”
Jan shrugged and leant forward with her mouth open.
“Go ahead.”
“Not here silly, down the labs, come on.”
They left immediately to trudge across the hospital site and as they walked, Sister Marjorie quietly marvelled at the vigour in the two transitioners progress. She found herself having to work to keep up. Eventually, they reached to laboratory block.
ooo000ooo
When they arrived at the labs Jan thought it was like a ghost town but Sister Marjorie explained.
“It’s Sunday darling. There’s only a skeleton crew. Come on, in here.”
As the entered a young technician looked up from his bench.
“Hello Marjorie, is this the girl with miracle cure?”
“No. That’s Charlie. This is Jan, she’s just had something similar with the same Ms X. We’re hoping you might get some DNA from Jan’s mouth or around her lips.”
“I’ll try, what’s this?”
“This is a sample of the stuff that Jan coughed up just like Charlie did yesterday. Maybe you can find some DNA in that as well though X didn’t get it all over her face. She caught it in her hand. See what you can do please and if you find a match then call the professor straight away.”
“It’s going to take a few hours.”
“We’ve got time.” Marjorie emphasised.
The young technician smiled as he relished a break from the routine and he quickly prepared the samples. Marjorie made herself useful by first making coffee then going for a stroll in the grounds with Charlie and Jan. When they returned the technician was displaying the results.
“Your Ms X is actually a Mr X and here is his DNA. Strike one for science.”
“Have you run it through the national data base?” Marjorie asked.
“We’d have to get police permission for that and the professor is the only one with the authority to request that.”
“Bloody typical!” Marjorie cursed. “It’s all bureaucracy and administration around here. What about the regional health board for the hospitals in Bristol and Somerset. You’ve got sufficient authority for that; they use that for stuff like bone-marrow transplants and matching eggs with sperm for implanting into transitioners.”
“I could try but it’s Sunday, they’ll be closed until tomorrow. I have advised the professor though, he’s on his way down but unless we access the police DNA computers it’s hardly worth him coming, until tomorrow that is.”
Marjorie became disgruntled as she contemplated the developments. Here they were seemingly sitting on an individual who’s saliva or breath could seemingly stop Covid dead in it’s tracks and that individual didn’t even want to play ball. As she kept running it through her overworked mind she suddenly realised that this individual must have known he was immune to Covid or something, or else why would he have specifically come to the Nightingale hospital and aimed specifically for Charlie and Jan.
Something didn’t add up so she approached Charlie and Jan again.
“You know these two guys well don’t you?”
“Yes. We told you that. Dora’s been here lots of times to see how we were faring.”
“But the other one; what’s his name. He’s never been here before has he.”
“It was his first time yesterday when he cured me.”
“So that’s the first inkling he might have had about his ability to cure Covid.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so though.”
“Why?”
“Well. When I spoke to the doctors last night they said he was almost fighting to get at my body after they removed the ventilator. He bruised the nurse’s arm as she tried to prevent him from trying to kiss me. Then it all happened and he seemed totally unsurprised, almost as though he was expecting it.”
“Do you think he knew about his curative ability?” Marjorie pressed.
“Well when I came to he was staring manically into my face and he had my phlegm all over his own face. It didn’t bother him one bit so he must have known he’s totally immune to Covid 21.”
“Yee-ess!” Marjorie mused. “And that alone is a tell-tale. Even the doctors in here don’t mess with the bugs, even after they’ve been proven to be resistant and they’re carrying antibodies.”
“You can never be sure if you’re immune to it.” The technician informed them. “There have been plenty of cases of re-infection, that’s the big difference between Covid 19 and Covid 21, - and the reason why Covid 21 is more dangerous.”
“Well we’ll soon find out, here’s the lab professor.”
“Good evening Sister, evening George, hello girls, what’s the big flap?”
“Mr X was here again but he didn’t report to the hospital visitors desk.” Sister Marjorie reported.
“What was he here for?”
“He’s cured Jan, the same way he cured Charlie yesterday. Seemingly, he knows that he’s able to cure people but he won’t come forward.”
“But you know him don’t you Charlie?”
“Yes; but I don’t know where he lives and he’s not telling.”
“Okay, I’ll alert the Police computer banks, he shouldn’t be that hard to find with all the street cameras and fertility patrols.”
“Don’t bet your life on it Professor,” Jan warned, “Our street gang boss Dora was with him and she’s never been caught by the fertility patrols in four years living on the streets.”
“Five!” Corrected Charlie, “It’s been nearly five years now, Dora’s nearly nineteen and she’s still not ever been impregnated. She escaped after they transitioned her and she’s lived rough since then. She’s clever.”
“Well, it’s in the hands of the police now, and the fertility patrols. Let’s just see how long it is before Mr X slips up.”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen. Journey’s end.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 11.
Terri and Dora changed buses in the city centre but there was a thirty minute wait for the bus to take them near Ron’s café. Sunday evening bus services were necessarily infrequent and thin on the ground. They took a stroll around the empty shopping area and Terri suddenly noted.
“Look, the old lady’s just closing the charity stall!” Terri observed.
Dora paused to stare suspiciously at the familiar kindly face as she was pulling the shutters together.
“She’s not usually open this late, especially on a Sunday.”
The old lady was an intelligence source for the street kids; not some illegal ‘Fagin’s kitchen’ but simply a place where information about warm dry accommodation was to be found or where charity clothes had become available. Most of all it was a place where street kids could gather in small groups to find missing friends or discuss any problems arising from changing circumstances.
The rumours about two natal girls having been born in the main Bristol hospital was gathering credibility and momentum. No official announcement had been forthcoming but the fertility transitional patrols had definitely become fewer and further between. This was very much a ‘changed circumstance’ for street kids and Terri was keen to find out what the word on the street was.
It would be interesting to compare the truth to which Terri was a party through Ron’s endeavours, with the rumour mill. Consequently they paused to speak to the charity lady just as she had secured the last locked board on her stall.
“Hiya Dot.” Dora greeted her by name.
She turned as she recognised the familiar voice behind the face-mask.
“Oh hello Dora. Haven’t seen you around since the rumours.”
“What, the girl baby rumours.”
“Are there any others?”
Dora grinned as she removed her mask.
“Nah, yer’ right. So what’s the latest?”
“Well, it’s pretty much true now that some poor girl, a natal girl apparently, has produced a girl baby up at the Meade General.”
“Jeeze! I’ll bet that’s put the cat among -. They’ll be doing back-flips. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that maternity ward.”
“And some.” Dorothy continued as she nodded her head towards the trader’s service park where her little van was parked. “Let’s walk as we chat.”
“We haven’t got much time; our bus is due and there’s quite a queue.”
“So,” Dorothy continued, “where’ve you been that you haven’t heard about the baby girl?”
“Oh we’ve heard about the birth, just wondered if you’d heard any more.” Dora declared.
“Nothing really. I suppose the government’s keeping a tight reign of information until they’ve got a grip on stuff.”
“Stuff like what?” Terri chipped in.
“Well; stuff like ‘who’s the father?’ of course. They don’t know and the girl’s not telling.”
“That’d figure.” Terri mused.
“How so?” Dot pressed.
“Well, if you were the father would you come out? I mean, come on! It’s bad enough for ordinary street kids being hunted. He must feel like the king elephant tusker being hunted by poachers.”
“Yeah, but they’re not hunting him for his ivory are they? They’ll not be trying to kill him.”
“Do you reckon the rumour is true?” Terri pressed. “It’s not just some government plot.”
“Well if it’s a rumour, it’s pretty big one. Everybody on the street seems to have an angle or anecdote. Well, I’ve got to go and that, looks like your bus. It’s the last bus of the night, being Sunday and all.”
“One last question Dot. Why were you open so late?” Dora asked.
“Oh there was a protest meeting, not a big one, but there were a lot of street kids here. It seems the rumour’s gaining credence and the kids think the patrols should ease up or even stop. There were even some legals supporting the shout.
They all wanted feeding so the super-market came over to gift me some extra bread rolls and stuff. They are good to me in there because my stall hands out free goodies and the kids don’t have to sneak into their store to try and steal food and stuff.
Anyway, the protest was a pretty general thing demanding to know if the rumour was true. There was even a call for the transitioning operations to be curtailed; but unless or until the girl baby rumour is official, who knows anything.”
“What do you think, are the rumours true?”
Dot frowned thoughtfully.
“There’s no smoke without fire. Be quick, there’s your bus.”
The girls hurried across the plaza to join the bus queue and sighed with relief when they guesstimated that they would get on, even if they might have to stand. It was the last bus and it was now dark.
When they came to board the bus, the bus-driver was about to deny them access saying the bus was full but Terri managed to pull a woebegone, feminine smile that broke through his normally iron hard defences. Her holding up a phone app with credit confirming the fare, also helped persuade him. Street kids rarely had enough money to use a bus.
Being the last to board, they had to stand at the front and Terri had to endure lots of curious gazes as Passengers tried to determine if the attractive kid was actually a transitioner or a real, natal girl. If she were, she would have to have been only one of five or six natal girls in Bristol. Despite her shabby street disguise, her naturally effeminate features caused many to wonder.
Natal girls were usually well guarded when they went abroad, for all the obvious reasons. There were none younger than fifteen as the Covid 21 virus had begun to bite.
As she sensed the collective interest, Terri became slightly nervous. In the dark, there was less ‘herd protection’.
After a couple of stops, seats were becoming available but Terri wasn’t comfortable. While the bus was stopped at a junction awaiting traffic lights she leaned in and whispered to the driver.
“We’re getting off at Summerbourne lane. When we get off can you close the doors quickly to stop anybody following us?”
“Okay love, but I can’t endanger other passengers.”
“Okay, I’ll get off last at the stop before Summerbourne then I’ll hop back on again. If anybody gets on again, I’ll know they’re following me.”
The bus-driver grinned, he was used to transitioners adopting avoidance tactics and this was a common one. By now, the bus was half empty.
“Okay kid. Gotcha back!”
“Thanks love,” she replied as she pecked him on the cheek.
“Ooh! Looks like you’ve scored there Eddie,” one of his bus-driver colleagues laughed as he was going home from his last shift.
Terri gave the second driver a wan smile as if to emphasise her feminine vulnerability then took a strategic seat close to the doors. It was a common tactic for anybody feeling vulnerable, there was always the bus-driver on hand if things got tricky.
Dora took the now empty seat behind Terri ready for any secondary avoidance tactic.
At the planned bus-stop, Terri’s trick worked. Two men followed her off and the bus driver made a pretence of checking his fare log to give her time to be certain they were trying to follow her. Terri paused to look in her bag and make certain the two men were definitely showing an interest. They were as they leered expectantly at Terri’s long golden hair.
Then she looked up at the driver who made a show of closing his fare-logbook while giving her a significant glance. Terri hopped on as the doors started closing and before the stalkers had realised. When they tried to leap forward, the bus was already moving and the doors had just closed. Both the driver and Terri grinned as they heard their curses fading in the distance. He spoke to her concernedly.
“If you’re natal girls, you shouldn’t be out alone at this time. What happened.”
“Our lift broke down. Anyway, I think we’ve lost the trolls.”
“Summerbourne is mostly trading estate and small businesses, will you be safe there? The streets are dark and lonely at night.”
“Yeah. Our uncle will be waiting at the stop.”
“Good. Here you are then, take care.”
Terri and Dora stepped off onto the lonely streets and spotted Ron standing in a doorway as the rain started to fall.
“What happened to you two then?”
“We got chatting to Charlie and Jan in the Nightingale hospital. Time just sort of passed us by.”
“I dunno. You two will be the death of me. Go on, you walk ahead and I’ll check for any stalkers or trolls.”
This ploy ensured their safe and un-noticed return to the café yard and they flopped down into the comfy armchairs in Ron’s flat.
“So. What’s the news girls?”
“Charlie and Jan are better.” Dora informed Ron.
“And?”
“Well there’ll probably be no more transitioning. Or at least a huge curtailment. The big effort now is to implant as many female foetuses as possible that have been created with Terri’s sperm.” Dora opined.
“They’ll still need male foetuses. It’s the male foetuses that will be continuing Terri’s genetic gift, namely healthy girl babies. Boys will be equally important to carry the recovered X and Y chromosomes forward.”
“Yeah, we’ve got that Ron. Nobody realises that more than me.” Terri sighed.
“Are you donating a sperm sample tomorrow Darling?” Ron asked.
“Yes, the last one was Friday so it’s been three days if I wait until tomorrow afternoon.”
“So you’re agreeing to their sperm count request.”
Terri nodded resignedly for while the three of them were thinking ‘sperm’ and ‘donation logistics’, Terri was also wondering about the business with Charlie and Jan at the Nightingale. By tomorrow afternoon they would probably have her DNA on the Nightingale’s data-bank and the word on the street was that the Nightingale Hospital data-bank was connected to the National Police Records which also held DNA records of convicted criminals.
Terri wasn’t a criminal, but she well knew that the police kept lots of DNA sample records as a matter of course, even if the donor hadn’t committed any crimes.
Her only safe course was to go to the fertility clinic tomorrow and get Jessica to invite Doctor McTavish to meet her at Jessica’s rather smart apartment. She would naturally tart herself up to go as a girl and if, (as she expected,) Aggie McTavish failed again to recognise that Terri was a boy she would reveal herself then somehow sound out how favourable Aggie McTavish was towards the police and transitioner patrols,
It was common knowledge that many doctors had severe reservations about the way perfectly healthy normal boys had simply been selected like conscripts and told they had no choice about having wombs transplanted into their bodies. Some doctors had even refused to co-operate with the government’s policy and been struck off the medical register.
The down-side was that Annie McTavish held a fairly senior position at the clinic which presaged a preparedness to accept the government’s policy even if she didn’t actively perform the surgeries.
As they finished their drinks, Terri decided to take the bull by the horns.
“I’ll take the sperm in tomorrow.”
Ron and Dora fell silent foe a moment before Ron asked.
“What brought this on?”
“A couple of things. Firstly, I want to see Jessica and my daughters, secondly there are a few questions I need to ask before I decide what our long term strategy will be.”
“Would you care to share those questions?” Ron pressed.
“Well firstly, I need to know how they treat my DNA. They’ve got it on record from when I had to prove I was the twins’ father.”
“What brought this on?”
“The behaviour of the doctors at the Nightingale.”
“Go on, “ Ron pressed.
“They were keen to get hold of me when I cured Charlie. Jan told me when we cured her under the Oak tree in the grounds.”
“So, of course they’d want to meet you.”
“Yeah, to get specimens from me like blood and saliva. That means DNA and probably the police data banks. I want a guarantee from Doctor McTavish and Brendan Cummins the consultant, that Terri’s DNA won’t be passed to the police. Terri has NOT broken any laws yet.”
“No but Terry has,” Dora cautioned. “Terry did a runner and refused to co-operate with the Transition Selection Team. By law you’ve got to co-operate if your selected.”
“Terry won’t be there. Terri will be visiting Jessica as Jessica’s BFF. Terri’s got pretty much carte blanche to drop in on Jessica at any time.”
“Are you sure about this,” Ron asked uncertainly. “That Doctor McTavish is no fool. If you ask too many pointed questions, she might get suspicious.”
“I’ll tell her I’m asking the questions on behalf of Terry. She knows that I’m Terry anyway and she’ll probably be more than keen to talk to Terri if only in the hope of persuading Terry to come in from the cold. Terry is the one at risk of being kidnapped.”
“Well, I can’t stop you love, and indeed I won’t try to stop you. Truthfully, I don’t know how to advise you. Be it on your head, though I’ll try to always be there for you.” Ron concluded.
“Terry can’t remain outside the pail forever.” Terri continued, “Dora’s right, even if nobody knows who or where Terry is, somebody’s bound to trip him up and catch him someday. Better this government than some bloody dictatorship’s kidnap gang.”
A brief silence descended before Terri felt forced to speak again, if only to help her formulate her ideas; she shrugged resignedly.
“I can’t live on the run forever.”
Ron nodded as he gathered the cups and stepped into his kitchen.
“Well for now, all I can suggest is that you sleep on it. I know I will. Are you two cuddling together again tonight?”
Terri and Dora Shared a self-conscious glance then both nodded as Ron smiled.
“Then I’d better let Trixie up from downstairs. It seems you sleep better with her crushing your feet.”
“Trixie’s been a good friend to me Ron plus, she knows Jessica and Dora from the cellar days.”
With these words, they separated as Terri and Dora allowed Trixie on the bed, and Ron made his lonely way to his empty bed. Nobody could replace his beloved wife Wendy or his daughter Lucy; both lost to Covid 21.
ooo000ooo
The morrow dawned bright and sunny, sending brilliant sunlight through Terri’s bedroom window. She stirred reluctantly and gently pushed affectionately against Dora’s arm.
“Time to get up, lazy bitch.”
“Five more minutes,” Dora begged.
Terri did not need much persuading and they lay spooned together until the heard Ron emerging from his flat and descend the stairs.
“Come on. We can’t leave it all to him and I’m going to the hospital at eleven.”
“You’ve decided then.” Dora checked.
“Yeah, this shit has got to move forward. To tell the truth, I’m sick and tired of the fertility patrols constantly stopping me. You must be as well.”
“Yeah, someday they’re bound to catch me with my phony I.D., certificate.”
Having concluded the state of play, they crawled out of bed and showered before joining Ron. He was savouring a peaceful cup of tea as the three of them descended the stairs.
“Breakfast Darling?” Terri offered Ron as she refilled the little kettle.
“Oooh! Yes please. Have you made up your mind about Doctor Mc Tavish?”
Terri nodded as Dora opened some dogfood for Trixie. Seeing the dog food reminded Terri that Jessica might like to see her favourite dog.
“I’ll take the sperm and Trixie to Jessica’s flat.”
“Is that wise, Trixie I mean; sometimes bitches can get jealous of new-born babies.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Terri shrugged.
“Are you sure you can just walk into the clinic with a bitch in tow?” Dora asked.
“Jessica’s apartment isn’t exactly in the clinic as such. It’s just outside the compound by the main gate. The last but one apartment block before you actually get to the gate but there are patrols around the residential are for all the clinic staff, and especially Jessica.
“And you’ve got security to just walk up to her front door?” Dora pressed the question.
“Well, that’s the impression that doctor McTavish gave me.. Terri is free to come and go provided she declares her identity.”
“And what about Terry?”
“That’s the billion dollar question. Will Doctor Mc Tavish stick to her promise when she found out Terry is a transvestite or will she alert the clinic?”
“How will you find out?”
“I’m hoping Jessica has still got the mobile that Ron bought for her. We agreed never to use it except for emergencies; well this might not be an emergency but it’s one hell of a big issue. The only two numbers Jessica had on her phone were Ron’s and mine. So long as nobody’s been poking through her phone, I should be safe to call her.”
“Go on then, phone her.” Dora suggested.
“Not yet. I want to get near the main gate to see if anybody responds after I’ve spoken to her. If the patrols behave normally, I should think it’s safe to just walk up dressed as Terri. I’m her best female friend.”
“D’ you want us to come?” Dora persisted.
“If Ron can let you go for a few hours, I’m sure Jessie would be as pleased to see you as well as me, plus of course Trixie.”
“I can give you both from ten til’ twelve but please, one of you come back by twelve.” Ron offered.
“Will do, unless we get detained,” Terri agreed. “If one of us is not back by noon, something’s gone wrong.”
“And I could lose you for good then.”
“Not if McTavish is honest and true to her word.”
Having agreed a deal, the pair finished the breakfast trade, then scrubbed up carefully to both pass as girls. Terri in particular, looked stunning.
At ten they left for the clinic and by ten-twenty, they were loitering by a café with a full view of the main gate to the clinic compound plus Jessica's apartment. Terri made the call and fretted for fully a minute before Jessica answered.
“I wish you’d answer your phone bitch!” Terry replied to Jessica’s squeal of joy.”
“I had to dig my spare phone out. I hide it in the apartment and it takes a moment to get it out. So what’s the problem?”
“We’re outside, can we come in?”
“Who’s ‘we’?”
“Trixie, Dora and me.”
Jessica gave a little whoop of delight as Terri continued.
“Do you know if you’re being bugged?”
“Not to my knowledge”
“Okay, we’re going to wait out here to see if there’s any suspicious increase in activity like more patrols or something. You just stay put in your apartment or they might be watching you and if you come to meet us, they’ll know you’re in contact with us.”
“I have to warn you, our parents are coming round this afternoon, they’re taking me and the girls shopping. We’ll have an escort who’re secretly armed.”
“We’ll be gone by noon so no problem.”
“Okay, see you in a minute.” Jessica hugged herself with expectation.
Three of her oldest and safest friends where there to see her.
After seeing the patrols moving with the same frequency but on different patterns, Terri and Dora concluded things were deemed normal by the clinic authorities. Reassured by their observations, the three visitors left their hiding place and knocked on Jessica’s apartment block door. It was answered by a ‘concierge’ with a somewhat bulky battle-dress style top. This was normal, each apartment block had it’s own concierge to ensure the safety of the hospital staff and the pregnant transitioners.
If transitioners proved co-operative after impregnation, they could live fairly normal lives and they were free to come and go. Only those that tried avoiding being impregnated by hiding on the street, were forced to live in the more secure dormitory blocks when captured. The concierge met them at the reception desk.
“Who are you visiting?”
“Jessica, apartment one ‘B’”
“First floor first right. Does she know you’re bringing a dog?”
“No. But she knows the bitch, she used to own her before she moved here.”
The concierge pressed the intercom to inform Jessica of the visitors and Jessica came rushing down to meet them.
“Hiyah!” She squealed with obvious joy as she flung herself first into Terri’s arms then Dora’s while Trixie the bitch barked and whimpered and span around with obvious canine delight. Finally she invited Trixie to jump up while she ruffled her neck and Trixie whined with frenzy.
The concierge could see that the trio were obviously welcome visitors and he resumed his seat at the desk while the visitors accompanied Jessica up to her apartment.
“You’re lucky to catch me. Both grannies are coming over this afternoon and we’re going shopping for the girls.”
“Where would you shop for girls stuff?” Dora wondered.
“We don’t,” Jessica sighed despondently. “We can’t even find pretty dresses or frilly knickers. My daughters look like boys. Fortunately, your mum Diana is a wizard with a sowing machine and she’s knocked up a couple of little dresses. I’ve seen them on Skype and they’re beautiful. She’s bringing them over before we go shopping.”
“Wont that be a bit of a give-away? You know, cause people to mob you just to see the babies.” Terri frowned.
“Well what am I to do. I can’t keep my kids locked up like some sort of specimens in a zoo. There’s got to be a time when normal returns. And girls can walk about freely.”
“Yeah but so soon?” Dora added her concerns. “I mean Terri’s right. The moment people realise your two are ‘THE GIRLS!’, you’re going to be mobbed worse than any film-star.”
A slight tear leaked from Jessica’s eye.
“I’m not going to live like a bloody prisoner. Things have got to change sometime so that time might as well be sooner rather than later.”
“Well you’re right on that score,” Terri agreed. “Did Doctor McTavish agree to come over as I asked?”
“Yeah. What’s that all about, she’s due here at eleven.”
“Well, you’ve actually anticipated things. I’m going to come out myself. She knows that Terri is actually Terry but she doesn’t know I’m here.”
Jessica nodded as she realised her partner was as fed up with the secrecy and voluntary ‘lock-down’ as she was.
“So you’re sick of living like a fugitive as well.”
“Just about,” Terri grimaced wryly. “As you said; sooner rather than later.”
“So we’ll both need armed guards every time we go out.”
“Seems like it; at least until every country has got some XY positive boy babies.”
“That’ll be years,” Jessica cautioned, “Boys don’t reach puberty before thirteen or fourteen usually.”
“Yeah; the sky is blue, rain is wet! That’s the reality though isn’t it. I’m not putting up with being a fugitive for sixteen years. I’ll just have to endure an armed guard ad infinitum.”
“Ad nauseum,” Dora corrected ironically.
“Yeah, whatever.” Terri riposted as the concierge phone rang.”
Jessica picked it up.
“What! She’s here already. No, there’s nothing wrong, send her up.”
“Doctor Mc Tavish I presume,” Terri suggested.
“Yeah, she’s on her way.”
“Where are my little girls by the way?”
“In their bedroom.”
“Can I see them?”
“That’s what you’re here for isn’t it?”
“Of course.” Terri replied as there was a knock on the door.
She and Dora slipped into the nursery room as Jessica invited Aggie McTavish in.
“So what was the urgent call all about Jessie?” The lady paediatrician asked.
“Somebody to see you.” Jessica replied as Trixie let out a soft growl and placed herself between the doctor and he beloved mistress.
Aggie Mc Tavish hesitated. “Is that dog safe?”
“Perfectly. Just take a seat a moment and she’ll realise you’re a welcome guest.”
Annie McTavish did as offered and Terri emerged from the nursery. For several moments, the doctor did not recognise the attractive young lady and she squinted uncertainly.
“Hello, young lady, are you a friend of Jessie’s.”
“Do you not recognise me?” Terri asked.
“Uuuhm; no.”
“The young girl who came with Ron, the day the girls were born.”
Aggie McTavish still did not realise for a moment then the realisation slowly dawned.
“You’re that, - ! Your Terence Harrington!”
Terri nodded slowly before confirming softly.
“The very same; Eleanor and Diana’s father.”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen The last lap.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
DoctorMcTavish. Female paediatrician
DoctorCummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 12
As she struggled to assimilate the news, Doctor Aggie Mc Tavish lost all semblance of professional decorum. She stared briefly with mouth agape then finally recovered her composure.
“Jessica! Come here!”
Terri riposted softly, essentially to avoid upping the tension.
“Don’t shout at my companion like that Doctor McTavish. She’s not some sort of dog to be ordered around.
“I -! I’m sorry Mr Harrington, I lost it there. May I call you Terence?”
“I prefer Terri, with an ‘I’. As you see, I live as a girl.”
“Terri? Terri Harrington? So Jessica was right, you’re a transvestite.”
Terri nodded and smiled as Jessica and Dora emerged from the nursery.. Each was carrying one of the twins. Their entrance brought a shade of normality to the room and gave Doctor Mc Tavish breathing time.
Terri stepped across to her babies and fussed over them just as any mother would. She took one in each arm and demonstrated a dexterity that would surpass most mothers of twins. Aggie Mc Tavish was about to warn her not to drop them but quickly realised that somehow, Terri had as much confidence handling the babies as Jessica. This was another pointer towards the degree of Terri’s femininity.
“I take it you prefer living as a female; indeed I almost hope you do.”
“As opposed to transitioning as a transsexual?” Jessica observed sarcastically.
“God forbid!” Aggie almost whispered, “that doesn’t bear thinking about. Please tell me you’re not.”
Terri let out a soft chuckle as she dextrously lowered the twins into the large double crib while Jessica unfastened her nursing bra and prepared to feed her daughters.. Once Jessica was settled, Terri motioned to Doctor McTavish to take a seat while Dora prepared a pot of coffee and brought a tray of biscuits (cookies) in.
“Right,” sighed Terri, “time for a long serious chat.”
“I’m listening.” Aggie replied.
“Well firstly, I’ve put off masturbating for three days since last Friday morning. Your fertility technician said he would like a really fresh sample so after this chat, that’ll be about noonish, I’ll produce one, - in the clinic if necessary so that he can do what he will with it the instant it’s produced.”
“What in front of him?”
“And you also; if you wish. That will prove beyond all doubt that I’m Eleanor and Diana’s father when you check for DNA.”
“I’ve no reason to doubt you.”
“Happen; but a court of law might and knowing lawyers as I know them, they’ll want certainty. I’ve never met an honest lawyer, but that’s another story. I’ll produce the sperm in front of you and Doctor Cummins if he wishes; and don’t worry about needing to be ‘in-the-mood’, I’ve got a libido like a buck rabbit. I’ve only just turned fifteen!”
“Do I have to be there? Watching some teenager masturbating?”
“I’ve had my dignity stripped away by this bloody government and you are one of the governments agents. ‘Bout time you lot had to eat shit.”
The doctor pulled a face as she recognised Terri’s argument but did not necessarily agree with it.
“Very well. Now what else did you want to talk about?”
“My security. There have been some very disturbing developments over the weekend. I have probably blown my cover.”
“You’ll have done that the moment you go to the clinic if you’re going to give a sample the way you’ve just described.”
“Not necessarily. Only you and Doctor Cumming and that lab tech will witness it.”
“Okay, point taken so how might you have compromised your own anonymity?”
“This weekend; I learned that one of my friends from the street was seriously ill. Dora here, another old friend from the street, discovered that my friend Charlie was at Death’s door and about to be de-ventilated at the Nightingale.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that. Has she gone?”
“No, that’s just it. On Saturday, I saw her on the ventilator just before they were going to remove it.. Well, I lost it a bit as she started to suffocate when they removed it. I pushed them out of the way and tried mouth-to-mouth.”
“Go on.” Aggie encouraged. ”That was brave bearing in mind we still aren’t sure about reinfections.”
“Well the upshot was, I panicked a bit and kept shoving breath into her. Suddenly she coughed up a huge gobbet of phlegm over my face and into my mouth, then she started breathing.”
“Didn’t the de-ventilator team stop you?”
“They just watched; I think they were curious because I was like a devil possessed. Anyway, when Charlie started breathing on her own, they could see she was not going to asphyxiate so they moved her to a side ward. I actually pushed the gurney with Dora because I was afraid they might euthanise her where I couldn’t see.
There was a sister there, a Sister Marjorie who had been very kind to Charlie during her seeming descent into death and when she saw me pushing the gurney with my face still covered in green phlegm, she stepped up to help. She cleaned me up and had the wit to take a sample of the muck.”
“And?”
“Well inadvertently, she got a sample of my DNA because my saliva mixed with the green stuff. She wanted me to come in on the Monday to give samples of my saliva, my blood and god knows what else.
When Dora and I put two and two together we realised that was exactly same thing that had happened when I resuscitated Jessie in our bash during the Snow last winter. We concluded there might be something going on with my spit, so we decided to try and cure Jan, - our other street-friend at the Nightingale. She was sick, but not as sick as Charlie.
“We went back on the Sunday and found Jan in the grounds just sitting under the big oak tree. Dora and I more or less forced her to accept my resuscitation and lo and behold. She coughed up a slime ball and started getting better. Once again, I accidentally swallowed some of that too. It's not a nice story.
What I’m trying to say is that there’s something going on with my body. It’s making antibodies or something; antibodies that resist or even destroy Covid 21 as well as 19.
I’ve revived three people now, but the trouble is the people at the nightingale know and they’ll have my DNA on their computers which – are – linked – to – the – national - police – computers! Now they want to see me and run tests.”
“How do you know?” Aggie asked.
“Dora phoned Jan on my alternative phone this morning. The Nightingale’s like a disturbed hornet’s nest at the moment. Doctors, virologists, epidemiologists, and coppers all over the bloody place. Jan and Charlie were in custody for a while, accused of withholding evidence because they genuinely don’t know where I’m staying. The whole thing’s a crock of shit!”
Doctor Mc Tavish rolled her eyes in frustrated anger.
“We’ll the first thing I can tell you is that your DNA records are safe on our computers..”
“Are you certain?” Terri begged. “Can you double check. It only takes one stupid mistake and we've been there before; haven't we?”
“Yes. That was a bad slip up on our part. It won’t happen again.”
“What happens, if the Nightingale somehow finds out; don’t all the hospitals on the same regional boards share information? Every patient in Britain has a unique NHS number and that sits somewhere on their central national computer, wherever that is, not to mention the regional ones.” If my number’s up, it only takes one stroke on some keyboard, somewhere in the UK.”
Aggie McTavish sat thinking for a moment then offered.
“What name did you use in the Nightingale?
“Terri. I only used Terri, I didn’t even give a sir-name or address. Jan and Charlie called me Terri, and Dora called me Terri.”
“Good! Well there is no Terri on our records, you’re down as Terence Harrington and your only address is your parent’s address when you were last in school. We’ve got no official records of a Terri by any name. We dug that out from your family doctor’s surgery records.”
“Is that the truth?”
“Yes. Terence Harington, from Gloucester, England; with 'boy' on his birth certificate.”
“Well hopefully that’ll cover it. Shall we go down to the labs?”
“Shall I come?” Jessica offered.
“What about the girls?”
“Dawn can take them; she usually comes in just after eleven.”
“Okay. Dora, are you going back to, you know - ?”
Dora nodded as Aggie McTavish raised a querying eyebrow.
“More secrets Terri.?”
“For now, yes. Give us a break Doc!”
“You hold all the aces Terri.”
“D’ you think so? Not from where we’re standing we don’t.” Terri countered as Dora nodded affirmation.
When Dawn arrived Jessica handed the twins over and they left for the labs while Dora returned to help Ron with the lunch-time rush. Doctor Cummins arrived as requested and expressed his disbelief.
“Are you serious? With people watching. Is he some sort of exhibitionist? “
“No, he wants legal witnesses in case anything goes pear-shaped further down the road.”
“He doesn’t trust the law or us; and frankly, I don’t blame him. Come on , let’s get this over with, I’m not too pleased about it either. For you it’s just boy’s locker-room capers. I’m a woman!”
“And a doctor, I might add.” The consultant added.
“Come. Unto the breach.”
Doctors McTavish and Cummins took seats beside the laboratory bench while the technician handed Terri a larger phyle than usual. Jessica grinned and elected to wait outside.
“You won’t be getting that much!” Terri chuckled.
“It’s so you don’t miss, I want it all.”
“Bloody hell, shades of Queen! ‘An’ you wann’it’ now!”
Boldly, Terri started vigorously massaging her small penis and very quickly, a substantial ejaculation was ejected into the larger than usual cup.
For the witnesses, it was something of a conjuring trick to watch this remarkably pretty young girl produced the very essence of masculinity. Nevertheless, they maintained a decent degree of professional medical decorum as the girl tugged her panties up while the technician took it to the microscopes.”
He did not bother preparing a clinical quality slide but just took a glass pipet and deposited a tiny drop on the plate. After inspecting the sample he nodded his head with satisfaction and offered the opportunity to Doctor Cummins.
“Take a look, professor. While I project it onto the big screen.”
Half a minute later, Aggie could see the big screen come into focus and she stared, stunned silent as she noted the sperm count.
“God! She gasped, that’s one of the highest sperm densities I’ve ever seen! And their motility is excellent.”
She turned to stare almost uncomprehendingly at the delightfully pretty Terri straightening out her dress as Professor Cummins finally detached his gaze from the microscope. He also turned to stare at Terri.
“I don’t know what to say young lady.”
Terri glanced up and answered somewhat acidly.
“Sorry might work!”
Brendan Cummins’s gaze fell briefly floorward as he grasped the full portent of Terri’s reply
Aggie McTavish at least had the humanity and understanding to realise that Terri was genuinely looking for sympathy, help and above all protection.
“We are sorry Terri. Nothing can remedy what you’ve had to endure but I’m afraid to admit, unless you work with us, there could be a lot more trouble to come.”
“Yeah, a hell of a lot. I suppose tech-boy here will now be expecting saliva, sperm, blood, sweat and tears. Will there be no end to it?”
“Bone marrow perhaps,” the Technician volunteered insensitively.
“Oh fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!!. Even Churchill didn’t have to offer that!” Terri wailed fearfully.
“George! For god’s sake, show a bit of thought man!” The professor censured him angrily.
“I’m only thinking ahead boss” If or when we find out what’s making Terri tick it might boil down to sampling her bone marrow and determining if that is the source.”
George the technician turned sympathetically to the frightened Terri and explained.
“The truth is love, at this stage Terri, we have absolutely no idea as to what’s seemingly in your saliva, or your blood, or your lymphatic fluids or any other part of you, but believe me girl! You’re going to need protection, and lots of it.
The big question is; are you prepared to trust us and work with us?”
“I’ve no bloody option, have I? It’s you or some foreign kidnap gang and then fuck knows!”
“Well first off, we have to get fluid samples and tissue samples from you, are you happy with that?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“If we are to help humanity, frankly no. It’s as plain and simple as that.”
Terri turned to Aggie.
“I knew this was coming. If you get a vaccine from this, what’s going to happen?”
“To you or the vaccine?” Aggie Mc Tavish replied.
“Well; both! – and who decides? - Yet another fertility committee or fucking vaccine committee or the united nations or bloody what!”
Professor Cummins weighed in with a clear reassurance.
“First off Terri, we protect you and your health and most of all your freedom!”
Terri visibly relaxed and Brendan Cummins knew he had touched the right nerve as he cautiously elaborated.
“It’s your freedom that most concerns you isn’t it. Freedom to walk about freely.. freedom to sit in the park without being mobbed. Freedom to go to a café and enjoy a simple cup of coffee with friends you know and can trust; freedom to -.”
“Freedom to go on holiday abroad and know I’m still safe.” Terri interrupted.
“I can’t promise you that Terri.” The professor intoned thoughtfully. “We would all be lying if we promised your that.”
“We might get by if Terry the boy or man is publicly declared to be the sperm donor but you continue to live as Terri the girl.” Aggie suggested.
Terri paused to consider then pointed out the flaw.
“If I’m identified as the vaccine source, the computer banks at the Nightingale hospital will have to be swept clean of all reference to Terri and Terry; - and that means the national police computers as well. Not much hope of that.”
“Well I think Terri, that you might have some leverage there.”
“How so?”
Professor Cummins harrumphed conspiratorially.
“As a professor of this particular fertility clinic, I do have a bit of clout at national level. We are, after all, the chief clinic for the South West. I think I can see my way to getting an interview with the Cabinet, especially as we are the clinic caring for Jessica and the twins.”
“Are you seriously thinking of getting the national computer memory banks swept clean of Jessica, me and the twins.”
“Well, you mainly. Jessica’s perfectly legal, so are the twins.”
“But she’s a direct lead in to me. Find Jessie and you’ll likely get very close to me, even within touching distance; - and that’s kidnapping distance.”
“Okay then. Yes, - at a push; Jessica as well.. Wiping a person completely off the electronic record is not an easy business. Think of all the lists anybody is on in the UK, and all of them vulnerable to hacking.”
“Okay professor, “ I’ll give you leave to try. Meanwhile I slip back underground where only you people know who Terri actually is.”
“What about regular sperm deposits?” The Lab technician begged.”
Three days each interval. That’ll give my body time to recover, especially if you’re taking blood as well.”
"That'll be every ninety days as per the rule for women. Other fluids will have to be determined." The Lab technician revealed.
“Yeah, like what? -Sweat and tears, knowing you vampires!” I’m wondering how long my body can stand it, I’m not the biggest person in the world. Nor the strongest!”
“Depends how much blood they take and how much vaccine, if any, we can manufacture from it.” The technician opined.
“We’ll certainly NOT endanger your life Terri,” Aggie McTavish reassured her. “You’ll understand that is an absolute given.”
“Well Terri,” Professor Cummins intoned gently. “All we’ve done so far is hypothesise. Unless we get samples of your blood, we’re just faffing around wasting breath.”
Terri nodded resignedly. It was pointless trying to drag things out. The sooner they got some blood, the sooner she, and they, would know what was facing her.
“Okay then. Blood! How much, how often?”
“Normally we allow twelve weeks between donations for men and sixteen weeks for women”
“Well there’s a wrinkle for starters. I’ll be on the men’s list.” Terri argued. “That put’s me on yet another gender specific list.”
“You won’t be on any list. You would be expected to donate your blood here at this clinic and it’s laboratories privately. You’re blood certainly won’t be going into the national blood bank. It's far too precious for that!”
“So,” Terri persisted remorselessly. “If you eventually derive some sort of vaccine, who gets first dibs?”
“Let’s get a vaccine first,” George the technician offered. “We’ve no idea if we can derive a vaccine or how many doses per centilitre of blood.”
“And how many centilitres per donation will I be expected to give?” Terri asked?
“We can’t take an adult volume, you’re still only a teen-ager. Normally, we expect people to be adults; that’s eighteen.”
“I’m fifteen.” Terri revealed.
“Yes, we know,” Professor Cummins replied, “so we’ll not be taking more than twenty centilitres per visit.”
“So. That’s sperm every three days and blood every ninety days.” Terri estimated. "If I'm to do girl intervals."
“We’ll have to keep tabs at first,” George the technician confirmed. “Health checks to make sure your normal development is not impaired.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean I have to live here all the time.”
“Don’t you want to live with Jessica? She’s the mother of your twins don’t forget.”
“Don’t try and blackmail me or coerce me,” Doctor McTavish. We initially agreed to have a baby only to protect ourselves from you lot, - the egg snatchers and transition gangs.”
“But surely, you must have had feelings for her. You said you were together before you found out about the pregnancy clause.”
“I think I do, but does Jessica still feel the same, it’s a two way street. In any event, I suspect you’ll want us living at the clinic for protection. We’ll see each other all the time.”
“We would be putting all of you in some sort of witness protection scheme.”
“So my daughters would have to live as boys, if they're to be invisible. How’s that going to work? It’s hard to hide twins at the best of times, twin girls would be impossible. We’d have to live in the desert to be invisible, or Antarctica.”
“It’s best you live here then,” Professor Cummins responded. “Live as a girl, in the same apartment block as Jessica and you get to see your daughters every day. If you want to live with Jessica, nothing could be simpler.”
Reluctantly, Terri was forced to agree and she nodded defeatedly. The first part of the deal was done. The professor’s demeanour indicated that he thought the problem was solved and he turned expecting to leave. Terri was not finished yet.
The other question had not even been touched let alone addressed.
ooo000ooo
Covid Nineteen. Reaching the finish line but not yet over!
© Copyright to Beverly Taff
List of Characters
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-
snatchers,
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Part 13.
Professor Cummins was reaching for the door handle as Terri asked.
“Who is to benefit from any vaccines that might ensue from my blood and how will priorities be determined.”
Professor Cummins stopped dead in his tracks.
“I. – what d’ you mean.
“Well, I’ve no idea how many vaccines might be produced from say thirty centilitres of blood but it’s not going to be all that many is it? This vaccine’s going to be in very short supply.”
George the lab technician interceded.
“Until we can determine just how your blood or other bodily fluids induces any immunity, it’s impossible to say how many vaccinations can be produced from one transfusion. Your question is unanswerable.”
“Yeah, I accept that the specifics can’t be determined yet, but I’d like some answers relating to any moral questions.”
“What sort of answers, or more importantly what sort of questions?” The professor responded.
“Oh, political questions, ethical questions, moral questions, racial questions, religious questions, eugenics and any other thorny questions that might crop up.”
“Are your trying to tell me you have issues with these questions.”
Terri was slowly gaining confidence as she slowly came to realise the significance of the issues surrounding her development or discovery. She decided to take the bull by the horns and shake the authorities out of their complacencies.
“You’re damned right I have issues, big ones!”
After a long, thoughtful pause, the professor responded.
“Such as?”
“Well firstly, the distribution of both my semen and my blood, or more correctly, any vaccines derived from it. - Who gets first dibs?” Who gets refused – and why? Who decides why?
“What do you want? Who would you give it to?”
“Bloody hell! I dunno. All I know, based on the shit I’ve had so far, is that the shit always comes back to me. I want out of that responsibility; it’s too bloody dangerous.”
“What about entrusting it to the World Health Organisation?” Aggie McTavish suggested.
“Don’t think so,” Terry replied ironically. “We saw what happened with Covid nineteen - and twenty one. Governments trying to hide things and the WHO kow-towing to bullies.”
“One bullying government trying to hide things,” Professor Cummins corrected, “and they look as though they’re learning their lesson.”
“Again, I don’t think so. They’re still trying to deny it by bullying anybody who confronts them. And that idiot from the UN is still sitting pretty as the boss of WHO. He hasn’t been sacked for misleading the world. Nobody can trust him or his so-called scientific advisors, his cronies.”
“That’s a bit harsh Terri.” Doctor McTavish tried to calm the transvestite Terri.
.
“Not from where I’m standing it’s not! - Not if you’re some poor woman stuck in some slum at the bottom of some social pile and only wishing for a child or even two while she sees some despot’s wife or mistress getting access to my sperm by dint of some political sleight of hand or just some brutal power play.
The same goes for the vaccine. Some fat, brutal dictator grabs the serum while more deserving cases on their death beads need it.
“How about some NGO like Medicine San’s Frontiers?” Professor Cummins suggested.
“That sound’s reasonable, but they would have to be protected, militarily that is. Once some small team of doctors is stuck out in some foreign country, you can bet some local warlord or crime boss is going to try and muscle in and snatch the vaccines or sperm for personal profit. There will have to be guards.”
“Hmm. Quis custodiet Ipsos custodes?” Doctor McTavish asked.
“What does that mean?” Terri asked.
“Who guards the guards?” The Professor nodded sagely.
“Justice does,” Terri replied, demonstrating a wisdom beyond her years.
“Meaning?” Doctor McTavish wondered.
“It only has to happen once, and that particular country gets no more sperm or vaccine. Then the governments all over, - and the UN, - will sit up straight.”
“Hmm. Yes; a bit heavy handed but certainly effective.”
“Effective is what we have to be. But we still haven’t decided who is the arbitrator to share the benefits.”
“I’m afraid Terri, if you want legitimacy to be demonstrated on an international scale, you’re going to have to accept some form of UN input or intervention.”
Terri fell silent for several moments as she struggled to accept the idea. She had studied the United Nations in history at school but she had also seen some of the monstrous hypocrisies in recent years, especially in the ‘human rights’ debates on You-tube; not to mention failures in war zones.
Based upon her own fugacy, those human rights had become dear to her heart, indeed central to her very being, - her transvestite, LGBT., being.
The silence became somewhat oppressive as Terri struggled to think of a solution, then she found herself studying Doctor McTavish as the paediatrician was offering to pour out some tea that she had ordered. It was this motherly action that caused the kernel of a solution to slowly grow in Terri’s head.
‘Yes,’ she concluded slowly, ‘why shouldn’t the people who stood to directly benefit, be the arbiters of priority and distribution? Why shouldn’t the people most directly affected, physically, financially and emotionally, have total control over their own destinies? The group that constituted more than half the world’s population!’
“I think I might have a suggestion for the foundation of a solution.” Terri proposed nervously for she was sure she’d be howled down.
“I think it should be an international council of women only who should decide.”
Professor Cummins squinted thoughtfully then slowly nodded.
“You’re not just a pretty face, are you girl?”
Doctor McTavish scolded the professor softly.
“Really Brendan! That’s exactly the sort of remark that antagonises women and reinforces Terri’s view.”
“No Aggie. I was indirectly approving her idea. Boys often use it amongst themselves, usually when girls aren’t present and if the suggestion is deemed collectively a good idea! Millennials call it ‘banter’! My generation have used such expressions for decades, but today it’s deemed education by humiliation.”
“So what d’ you think?” Terri asked.
“It’s a sound idea girl,” George the lab technician agreed.
“Ye-ees,” Professor Cummins replied thoughtfully, “It’ll ruffle a few feathers, but I could rub along with the idea.”
“I’m scared to add my approval for fear of being accuses of being sexist!” Doctor McTavish added.
“Stop looking for approval Aggie,” the professor observed. “You really think it’s a sound idea don’t you?”
“The principle is sound, but the devil’s in the detail.” The paediatrician elaborated.
“Now there you have it in the shell of a nut.” The professor pursed his lips before adding, “who for example chooses the women to sit on the council?”
“The women vote for themselves.” Terri replied though secretly telling herself that would rarely happen in many countries around the world unless the governments were coerced.”
“And how would that be enforced?” Doctor McTavish asked.
“We’ve got the whip hand.” Terri continued. “If any country cannot demonstrate that their elections to the UN Women’s Council are freely selected, - and elected. Sperm and vaccine is withheld.”
“More cause for confrontation.” George the technician observed. “Do you think some countries will stand for that?”
“Short of kidnapping me,” Terri shrugged, “there’s nothing they can do. In many countries there are no girls under three or four years old. There’s a blue funk going on and whatever they do, they dare not harm me .”
“Be careful Terri, you’re beginning to sound like a megalomaniac.” Aggie warned softly.
Terri stopped and pulled up short as she caught herself already abusing her power.
‘Dammit!’ She scolded herself silently, ‘it was too damned easy to cross a line, even if she had drawn it herself!’
After an embarrassed hesitation, she clenched her hands into fists and pumped frustratedly on an imaginary bench.
“Dammit, this is gonna’ to take a lorra’ sorting out. I don’ mind being a bastard about stuff, but I refuse to be a bitch.”
Professor Cummins let out a soft snort of amusement as he riposted.
“Careful Terri. For a moment I thought I saw a feminist slip showing.”
“It’s too bloody complicated Professor”
The professor sighed patiently as he explained.
“You’re going at this like a bull at a gate. You’re going to have to be systematic. List what you want then discuss it with others, - what’s legal, what’s fair, what’s achievable, what’s enforceable and what’s impossible.”
“All I want is what’s fair.”
“That’s what everybody want’s but what may be fair to you might not seem fair to others.”
“Right then the first thing is that I want it to be fair to girls.”
“Right, can we lay that down as the core basis?” Doctor McTavish proposed.
“Yes. Terri replied with a finality that brooked no argument.
“So what sort of things do you believe are fair to girls?”
Terri’s silent internalised scream of frustration almost escaped her as she dug her fingernails into the palms of her hands to somehow suppress the anger.
Doctor McTavish saw the white knuckles and moved closer to the girl as she sensed the suppressed anger. She reached out to gently open Terri’s clenched fists while reassuring her.
“Take it easy girl. I know there’s a lot of unfairness and inequality around. So which elements are causing you to get angry?”
“The egg snatching of course. That’s just got to stop.”
“That’s not going to be easy,” Doctor McTavish was forced to reveal.”
“There’s got to be some sort of reproductive continuity during the years until your daughters come of age. Otherwise, there’s going to be a huge productivity gap and then your daughters will come under irresistible pressure to have babies the moment the reach their menarche.
Women will be pushed even further back economically if they are prematurely forced to become baby machines and who do you think will want to take them as child brides? Why old men of course! Those with power and money.”
“But surely there are enough eggs in storage by now. Governments have been stripping eggs from fertile girls for two or three years, they must have enough to tide them over.”
“Nobody knows how many eggs are in storage.” The professor protested.
“Then your government and those of other countries have been incompetent and deceitful. I can’t be accountable for any of that.”
“You say our government as though you don’t consider it to be yours.”
“All it’s been to me these past two years is my pursuer, my enemy, my predator. That’s not a government.”
“You’re not in danger now.” The professor tried to argue.
Terri let out an explosive snort of ironic laughter that did not disguise her anger.
“Because?” She demanded.
“Okay, you’ve made your point, but Doctor McTavish is right, if society is to remain stable, we should be producing babies continuously throughout the latent years while your children grow to maturity.”
“So the transitioners will continue to face their ordeals.”
“Well, hopefully, there will be no more enforced feminisations, - womb transplants,” Professor Cummins continued, “there should be a large enough reservoir of transitioner wombs to carry your children until they themselves come into childbearing age.”
“That’s got to be at least twenty years hence, - worldwide. I don’t want to see any daughters of mine being forced into marriage and childbirth before they are sixteen or preferably, eighteen or even twenty. All my daughters shall be allowed access to education.”
“You say daughters as though you will consider them your property.”
“If that endows them with proper human rights and proper protection from cultural or religious abuse then yes, they will be my daughters until they are at the age of consent.”
“That will be very difficult to enforce. Some religions and cultures will find it very difficult to accept those constraints.”
If they don’t then rule one applies. No compliance equals no sperm!”
Professor Cummins shrugged towards Doctor McTavish who secretly smiled a brief flash of approval towards the young girl who offered so much promise of female emancipation. For Dr McTavish too, had encountered the patriarchal ‘glass ceiling’ during her career of only thirty-five years.
Privately, Aggie McTavish resolved to have a long, private and very constructive chat with the kid.
For the immediate circumstances, it was obvious that discussions would have to be put off until Terri had completed her list of terms and conditions but the morning was approaching lunch time and everybody needed a break from such intense, fortuitous events.
As the portentous silence settled once again, Dr McTavish took the opportunity for a break.
“It’s coming up to lunch time, I think we all need a break.”
Strangely, Terri didn’t feel hungry but she accepted the opportunity. She nodded and made for the door to find Jessica and the twins. On finding them, she joined Jessica on the settee to chat at length about the many issues they knew they faced.
Doctor McTavish hesitated as Professor Cummins turned to the lab technician to discuss medical factors surrounding the sperm and individual sperm extraction.
They were making some progress with speeding up the process but several hurdles needed to be cleared before effective success could be claimed.
As the professor left with the technician to re-join his team, Doctor Aggie McTavish stepped the other way to follow Terri.
As she entered the room, Jessie twitched nervously then relaxed as she let the shawl slip from her naked breasts to reveal the twins busy at their favourite task.
“Wish you’d knock,” Jessica complained.
“So sorry darling, but we’re all girls here. We need to talk privately.”
“So what d’ you want?” Terri asked.
“It’s about what you were saying in there. If we’re to achieve what you want, we’d best get moving on the feminist front.”
“I’m not a feminist,” Terri Protested, “I’m a humanist. Equal rights for all. Real rights that is.”
“Whatever,” Dr McTavish agreed, “but whatever rights you want world-wide, you’ll have to move quickly, very quickly. I know for a fact that George is closer than he’s letting on about gamete separation and individual egg fertilisation. Yesterday, I was with him when he fertilised ten eggs and implanted them in ten transitioners. The only reason he didn’t do more was because we only had ten transitioners available.
There are already ten of your babies out there, he’s not wasting any time but that’s a good thing.”
“Have they implanted successfully?” Terri asked.
“We’ll know by next Monday when you deliver your next deposit. It’s a simple pin-prick to test the blood then the urine of the impregnated transitioners and they’ll know who’s taken and who hasn’t. From what I can guesstimate, there’s about a ninety percent chance of success and that’s far higher than the old techniques. George is a bright boy.”
“Well what are you worried about, isn’t that what everybody wants?”
“Yes, among the legitimate governments, but there are a few out there who are more than suspicious of everybody else.”
“Go-oo on.” Terri replied.
“Well one of the technical team working here is a Muslim. He’s quite religious but that’s a good thing, he attends mosque several times on a Friday and he also sit’s on the mosque management committee.”
“And?”
“Well, like in many religions, there’re a few hothead fanatics in his mosque and they know he works here.”
Terri nodded slowly as he felt he knew where this was going.
“So they think they’ve got some sort of ‘in’ if anything develops at this clinic.”
“Oh they know something is going on, the news about your daughters is already out there. They are trying to pressurise him to somehow supply them with sperm by stealing it from the clinic.”
“Have you told the police?”
“Not yet. Fortunately, I think Marek, - that’s his name’; is on our side and he can give us more information about the fanatics’ connections to other political entities outside of the UK.”
“How?”
“We need to lay a trail, and bait it with some spermatozoa from your semen.”
“Hold on! There’s no way I will deliberately allow any potential daughter of mine to end up in some country where women are abused.”
“We won’t use female spermatozoa. We’ll use male ones.”
Terri did a quick analysis and realised that to a muslim country, some male sperm
might count more valuable if the subsequent male babies could eventually father both sexes. Even then, it would be all of twelve to fourteen years before such boys were fertile. The time equation was the same for everybody. She pressed Dr McTavish a little further.
“So what do you expect this baited trail or trap to reveal?”
“Where the criminals are, who they are working for and how they get stuff to their country.”
“But you won’t know anything for, - as you say – twelve to fourteen years.
“No, but we’ll be able to prove that the spermatozoa have been stolen and that’s the first legal step to stiffening up the security. If we can prove that your sperm is at risk of theft, we have hard arguments and facts to prove the crime and proactively intervene at the earliest stage of developments. More importantly, we can defend any such actions we are forced to take in any court of law including the Hague.”
“Jeeze!” Terri cursed. “Why does everything have to be legal?”
“We have to be legal and seen to be legal.” Dr McTavish confirmed.
Terri sighed and squeezed Jessica to her.
“What d’ you think love?”
“How will they trace the route to whichever country is trying this on?”
“Marek is prepared to seemingly steal some spermatozoa and act as a courier under the guise that the sperm has to be frozen properly for protection and he’ll have the technical expertise to do that.”
“And when he gets to destination X?”
“He hands the sperm over, collects his fee and returns home as though nobody knows of the theft.”
“And what happens when they learn that he’s only delivered male spermatozoa.”
“He makes no secret of it. He simply says that he only has access to the male sperm in his section of the lab and he can only steal male sperm. It’s actually true. He works in B Block and rarely goes into C Block where the female spermatozoa are handled. He doesn’t have clearance to handle female sperm and that actually protects him from being forced to supply female spermatozoa.”
“So how much spermatozoa will we give him to steal? I mean there’s millions available on an individual basis.”
“We let him take about twenty individual male sperm. He works in the separation section where each sperm is deep-frozen and individually packaged. -Yes, we’ve already reached that degree of precision. The Manchester clinic confirms that the sperm we’ve sent to them has been successfully implanted individually into many assorted eggs. The logistical problem is currently, the surgical process to embed the fertilised eggs into the wombs. They are currently building brand new clinics in Manchester and Glasgow and training gynaecologists at a new school attached to Leeds university.”
“It’s not like you people to move that quickly.”
“Need’s must Terri. The economy is already suffering from various gender- related impacts.”
“Well. I’ve already said, I don’t want to be too involved with the whole baby growing side of things, so you’d best get on with it. To tell the truth, I want a break and I want protection.”
“Okay. Just get yourself and Jessica to compile your lists of wants and we’ll see you next week. Go and take a break. So far they only know that twin girls have been born at this clinic. Nobody knows about their transvestite father, - outside of this unit that is.”
“So for now, I’m just a female friend of Jessica’s but that still leaves Jessica’s liberty to walk freely through the streets to be addressed.”
“Behave as though your just two common-or-garden transitioners each taking your single child for a walk in the park. It’ll be easy to dress them as boys, there are no new-born baby girls in the whole of Bristol and no girl’s clothes available.”
“And protection?” Terri demanded.
“We’ll have armed plain-clothed troopers wandering discreetly around your locations and they’ll be with you in seconds if any approach seems untoward.”
“And if some sweet little old lady simply comes to adore the new-borns -?”
“Just treat her as a little old lady. Your so-called partners will be nearby anyway.”
“Hmm. It could work.” Jessica surmised. “Anything’s worth a try.”
“This afternoon then. We’ll give it a try.”
ooo000ooo
Authors note.
Dammit!
Once again, I didn’t get to finish this story with this chapter. This thing could run and run. I’ve just got to get the girls safe and the story closed.
I’m trying! Honestly, I’m trying, but I haven’t worked out a suitable ending yet!!
That’ll teach me to start a story without knowing the ending! (Stupid bitch!!)
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 Crossing the line.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS fertility terrorists in Syria.
Part 13
Jessica emerged from the bedroom as Terri finally got the twins Eleanor and Diana settled into their double baby-buggy.
“You all set darling?” Terri asked.
“Yes darling buy you’d better fix your hair.”
“That’s what comes of being a busy mum.” Terry grinned before stepping into the bathroom and fixing her looks.
“That was quick,” Jessica observed as she ran her gaze over her friend.
“Getting better with practice. Come on, let’s try our first stroll in the park.”
“Nervous?” Jessica asked as they locked the front door.
“As hell,” Terri replied, “aren’t you?”
Jessica nodded and took a deep breath as they stepped onto the pavement. As she looked both ways to cross the road she could not help but notice the escort casually emerging from the main hospital gates. She smiled and gave a tiny ‘finger-wave’ to the escort who gave the briefest of blinks then turned to look the other way.
“They don’t want you to acknowledge them babe’s,” Terri whispered.
“I know but it seems so rude just to ignore somebody who would lay down their life.”
“You can say thank you when we get back safely. Nobody knows what the dangers are.”
Terri hugged her to show he was not annoyed, just concerned, and they continued chatting. When they arrived at the park, Terri took out her mobile and dialled up Dora.
“Hi are you busy?”
“Just clearing up the lunches why?”
“We’re in the old part of the castle park. D’ you wanna’ meet up?”
“Give me an hour to scrub down then scrub up.”
“Okay, we’ll go for a walk around the harbour and meet you back in the park under the cherry trees by the twist.”
“Right, I’ll be wearing my red biker jacket.”
With arrangements completed Terri and Jessie were pleased to spot the bright red jacket as arranged. When Dora spotted the baby-buggy, it was hard for her not to come running to greet them but she knew that any untoward responses might attract unwanted attention.
“Hi,” she grinned, “nice to be out.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Jessica agreed. “Coffee?” she asked as she nodded towards the Costa café across the river.
Soon they had settled in without a fuss and Terri noticed the discreet guard casually sat on the wall looking towards their table while seemingly playing with his mobile phone. After coffee Dora arranged for Charlie and Jan to meet them back in the Castle gardens and they duly rendezvoused.
“You didn’t have trouble getting out of the hostel then?” Dora asked.
“Nah.” Charlie revealed. “We’re stuck with it now so we may as well accept the shit and carry some bloody sucker for nine months.”
“What about you Jan?”
“Got no bloody choice have we. They’ve re-inserted the micro-chips so bloody deep it would take a bloody surgical operation to get them out.”
“Have they done you yet?” Jessica asked.
“No. They’re waiting for the results to come back after the virus. Summat about blood platelet levels and antigens. One of the quacks even wants us to take part in some sort of vaccine trials., then get us pregnant just to see if their vaccine affects unborn babies. Fucking lab-rats, that’s what we are.! Our kids could be born with two ‘eads for all they care.””
Terri and Jessica exchanged brief glances with Dora but none of them said anything.
Eventually they separated and Dora accompanied Terri and Jessica back to the fertility clinic. On the way, they discussed Charlie and Jan’s predicaments.
“Charlie and Jan are already immune to the virus, why do they want to test any vaccine on them? They should be testing uninfected people.” Terri observed.
“Search me.” Dora replied. “It doesn’t make sense.”
They arrived back at the clinic and once inside, they personally thanked their guard. He turned out to be a black trooper from the SAS and ideally profiled for seemingly ‘hanging around’ on the inner city streets of Bristol. They ended up having coffee in the canteen with him and he entertained them with exploits he’d had before he ended up with a -
“ ‘Cushy number’ like guarding you two.”
As he said this, Professor Cummins appeared.
“You said you had some sort of problem Terri?”
“Yes Professor. Can I talk to you privately?”
Professor Cummins glanced questioningly towards Jessica who nodded as she allowed.
“Be my guest. I know what it’s about.”
Thus released from obligation the Professor took Terri to a quiet corner table of the canteen and asked.
“So Terri. What’s up?”
“This vaccine they’re making from my blood. Is it dangerous?”
“We haven’t fully tested it yet; we don’t think so.”
“What about unborn babies if the mother is vaccinated while she’s carrying a baby?”
“That’s something of a problem. The implanted eggs are not genetically related to the transitioned mother and there’s some potential for complications we think. Possibly if the blood groups are conflicting.”
“Hold on Professor! My blood is ‘O-negative’, it’s good for everybody.”
“Yes, but the antigens are somewhat unusual. We have to run tests.
“Can’t you test the eggs before implanting them?”
“We have to test the foetus after it’s implanted and that’s very difficult. Invasive procedures like that could endanger the foetus.”
“So you just test the mother and foetus after impregnation.”
“It’s much easier and quicker.”
“But there’s potential for foetuses to be damaged.”
“Usually a foetus aborts if it’s that badly damaged. Amniocentesis tests are the most effective, followed by scans to find out.”
“And the mothers to be tested, are they here in Bristol?”
“Yes, it’s logistically easier to have the research concentrated in one place.”
“So the transitioners will be those lodged at the Nightingale hostel next to the Nightingale Hospital.”
“Who will the fathers be?”
“Depending on the progress surrounding separating your sperm, they’ll be possibly amongst the last tranches of randomly collected sperm bearing in mind your fortuitous appearance.”
Terri fidgeted with his fingers and Professor Cummins could sense a question coming.
“Can I ask a big favour Proof?”
“Go-oo on.” The professor replied cautiously. “I’m making no promises.”
“I’ve got two good friends in that hostel. They looked after me during my first times on the streets after I ran away from home.”
“Aa-and!”
“Can you exempt them from the trials?”
“I can exempt anybody Terri. The selections will be truly random and if your friends pop up in the selections, I am fully enabled to de-select anybody.”
“Would you have to give reasons?”
“Only to my private team, Doctor McTavish and George and a couple of others.”
Terri sighed with relief and the professor smiled.
“Consider it done girl. Would it be unfair of me to ask why?”
“Just that they have been good friends to me and I might not be here if it hadn’t been for them. They hid me away long enough to avoid being transitioned.”
“Ah. Then that’s more than reason enough. Would I be allowed to meet these friends?”
“I’ll ask them. If they’re sure they can be de-selected, they’ll agree; I’m sure.”
With this agreement secured Terri took the news to Dora and Jessica. The following morning, the friends met again at a different rendezvous.
ooo000ooo
“How?” Jan demanded as Charlie craned forward.
“It’s a very long story. I’ve got pull in high places.”
“I should co-co!” Jan declared. “How’s that worked out?”
“If I told you, you’d have to shoot yourself.” Terri pursed her lips.
“Come on, be serious!” Charlie chuckled.
“Uuhm! She is being serious,” Dora responded with some gravitas, “deadly serious!”
Jan and Charlie fell momentarily silent.
“What! Are you being serious?” Charlie
“Yes!” Jessica hissed impatiently. “This is no shit!”
Jan let out a weak high-pitched squeak of alarm.
“What’s goin’ on?”
Terri, Jessica and Dora exchanged glances before Terri murmured.
“Shall we tell them?”
“We’ll need a sworn oath.” Dora warned.
“What’s this shit about?” Jan demanded.
Jessica moved forward with a constructive ploy.
“How do you guys feel about being impregnated with any old egg and any old sperm.”
“Yeah, then we’re single mothers in thrall to the fertility clinics and egg-snatchers.”
“No blood connections to your babies save being the carrier; not even knowing who the mother or father was.”
“Exactly. Fucking battery ‘ens.” Jan cursed.
“If you are prepared to maintain absolute silence and keep secrets, we can go some way to getting around the anonymity shit.” Terri explained.
“How?”
“I want a sworn promise.” Terri demanded.
“About what” Charlie asked suspiciously.”
“About what we’re prepared to share with you, provided you’ll not talk. Leastways, not until any babies you might have, are born.”
“We’re gonna’ have babies anyway, whether we like it or not.”
“Yeah, but babies who know their parents and whose parents will know them.”
“Do you mean you two?”
“Exactly!” Dora replied. If you’re prepared to stay shtum, Terri and Jessica can supply both the sperm and the eggs.”
Charlie, as always a sharp brain, squinted knowingly.
“You’ve got summat’ else to offer haven’t you?”
“Yes, but first I want your promise,” Jessica pressed.”
“Is this legal and is it likely to cause us any problems?” Charlie demanded.
“It is legal and yes, it’ll probably cause you problems.”
“Legal problems?”
“No, problems with fame and notoriety.”
Jan stared hard at Charlie and they both decided to take the plunge.
“Oh all fucking-right then. Yes! We promise,” they chorused.
“I knew you would.” Jessica grinned as she motioned them to lean into the buggy.
Deftly she unfastened the twin’s nappies and revealed the big secret. Jan almost shrieked out loud but Terri had anticipated her reaction and covered her mouth before she could draw breath. Charlie alternately just grinned as she stared transfixed at the baby girls’ genitals.
“Fuck me Jessie!” She whispered hoarsely. “So you’re ‘super-mum’ !”
Jessica nodded as a second, even brighter light dawned in Charlie’s head. She turned to stare questioningly at the extremely attractive girl with her hand around Jan’s mouth. Terri slowly nodded and Charlie’s jaw sagged.
Dora took great pleasure in confirming it.
“Yes Charlie. Terri is ‘super-dad’. Pretty isn’t she?”
As Terri finally released her hand from Jan’s mouth both Charlie and Jan stood shocked as they slowly assimilated the information. With mouths agape, they stared first at each other, then at Terri and Jessica and finally they leaned over the buggy and simply stared incredulously. After a painful silence, Jessica grinned then scolded them gently and mockingly.
“Okay! Okay! Have you never seen a baby girl’s bits before?”
Then she realised her insensitive blunder. There had been very few girls born at all in the past fifteen years as Covid 21 had spread like a cancer and slowly taken hold in a delayed action to destroy the ‘X’ chromosome in sperm.
Worse still, there had been NO girls born in the last three years. Charlie turned and frowned at Jessica.
“Actually, that’s true! I’ve never actually seen a baby girl, let alone a naked one.”
“Shit! Sorry Charlie. D’ you want another look, - seriously?”
“No. But if I’m going to be forced to have a baby, then I want a baby girl.
After a pregnant pause, Jessica nodded thoughtfully.
“Would you like it to be my and Terri’s baby; his sperm and my egg.”
Charlie choked back a sob.
“Yes! Who else’s?”
ooo000ooo
Likewise, Jan had fallen completely silent as she grappled with the idea of carrying Jessica and Terri’s baby. Slowly she observed.
“If you did that Charlie, your baby would be a full blood sister to Jessica’s babies. What are their names by the way?”
“Eleanor and Diana; they’re named after our mothers.” Jessie explained.
“Do your mothers know? – You know, about these two.”
“Of course,” Terri confirmed, “and they’re keeping shtum about it. Just like you have to, - for now.”
A cloud crossed Charlie and Jan’s faces as they began to realise the dangers. They settled on the grass under a cherry tree and Jessica eased her breasts as the milk needed to flow. She invited Jan and Charlie to gather about her to hide the next act while Terri took a large blanket out of the baby-tray at the bottom of the pram and draped it around Jessica. Hidden from view, the twins quickly settled as the thrilled transitioners chatted softly about it in the park.
The full import of the circumstances eventually took root in Charlie and Jan’s heads and the sincerity of their promises was re-iterated intensely. Finally, Jessica released the twins from her breasts and fixed her nursing bra while Terri savoured the luxury of having two friends determinedly fussing as they placed them in the double pram. Finally, they parted company as Terri and Jessica returned to their apartment in the grounds of the clinic and Dora returned to Ron’s café.
Charlie and Jan found themselves unexpectedly approached as they strode back to their nightingale hostel.
A tall black girl accosted them briefly with a firm warning.
“Anything Terri and Jessica told you, is a state secret. You tell nobody on pain of death, d’ you understand.”
"Bloody hell! Are you another of their protection squad?"
"Yes. Be warned here and now. Their identity has got to be kept secret for now."
“We’ve already got that thank you!” Charlie snapped back belligerently until she noticed the girl carefully peel back the lapels of her bolero jacket to reveal a pistol discreetly tucked into a breast-and-shoulder holster.
“It’s for your protection as well as theirs, especially when you’re together in public.”
“Fuck me!” Jan cursed softly. “You’re serious aren’t you?”
“Never more so girls. Mind how you go.”
ooo000ooo
Back at the clinic Terri was approached before she got through the front door of their apartment. Doctor McTavish and George the technician were waiting in the outer lobby.
“Thank God we’ve got hold of you! Can we respectfully ask you for a deposit of sperm right now?” Doctor McTavish pressed.
“What! Right now?” Jessica protested.
“F’raid so girls, Spy ‘catcher plans have been advanced. The kidnappers have set up a back-up plan if they can’t access , any sperm.”
“Haven’t you got any immediately to hand? -You know frozen in storage.”
“Not right now, the last sample was delivered to Manchester yesterday. We were working on the X sperms at the moment and all the Y sperms were delivered to Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester.”
“That’s three destinations, I thought it was only Manchester and Glasgow.” Terri inquired. “Why suddenly Birmingham?”
“Logistics Terri.” Professor Cummins assured her as he entered the room. “As more transitioners are being located, were calling them in and impregnating them. The faster we get girls back into circulation, the sooner that social stability will return.”
“What about other countries?” Jessica asked.
“The same applies. Once the system gets up and running we’ll be distributing world-wide. Our biggest issue at the moment, is locating these gender terrorists and stopping their threats.”
“But there must be dozens of crazies out there. All with some sort of agenda.”
“We have to start somewhere. The biggest identified threat at the moment is from some country in the Persian Gulf. We’re not sure which but the sooner Marek gets on a plane with a bait sample, the sooner we get to track them down.”
“Brave man,” Terri observed.
“Very,” Professor Cummins agreed. “His reward is a son from your sperm and a female cousin’s egg. She’s currently living in a refugee camp in Syria. If he completes his task, his sister gets asylum to come to the UK.”
“She’s better not be a fundamentalist,” Terri declared. “I don’t want any of my daughters or granddaughters to suffer from any of these damned fundamentalists whatever their religion.”
“Point taken Terri. Now, Marek is leaving tomorrow morning so can we have a sample ASAP please, then we can separate X and Y?”
If you must,” Terri sighed as she took a sample bottle from the stack in her bathroom cabinet..
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 14 Over the line but not done.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
Part 14
While Terri pre-occupied herself in the bathroom Jessie took it upon herself to probe / ask Professor Cummins about the dangers of egg extraction.
“Well, these days Miss Jessie, they’re very low. The world has had a lot of experience these last twenty years or so with egg recovery or, as it’s more colloquially known – ‘egg-snatching’.”
“That expression’s not just colloquial,” Jessie protested mildly, “it’s almost universal, - at least among us young women it is, - and street kids, for what that’s worth.”
“I don’t think anybody would disagree with that, cruel necessity I’m afraid; - well it was until your amazing partner appeared. How do you think he’s handling the pressure?”
Jessica forced herself to ignore the Professor’s pronoun slip;
“After all,” she told herself, “Terri seemed totally unphased when other people got her pronouns wrong.” I that respect, Jessica had to admire her partner.
“Terri’s handling the pressure okay so far, so good.” Jessica observed before qualifying her view. “But the pressure’s hardly started yet, has it?”
“Sadly, you’re right, and next Monday we’ll find out just how much pressure there is.”
“Why?” Jessica wondered.
“The government goes public about Terri’s sperm. They’re going to announce it at a special WHO meeting.”
“But they’ll be keeping Terri’s identity a secret.”
“Of course! We’ll use every endeavour to do that, but we’ll be under immense pressure.”
“Terri won’t be best pleased that the government have chosen the World Health Organisation; she’s had a low opinion of them since the first Covid nineteen outbreak all those years ago.”
“It’s the best choice of a bad bunch I’m afraid, and it’s the best way for us to be seen as fair.”
As he said this, Professor Cummins suddenly wondered.
“Why did you ask about the risks surrounding egg recovery?”
“I was thinking about donating some eggs and wondering if it’s possible to only donate a few, you know, like not stripping the cupboard bare.”
“Really!! You’ve changed your tune.”
“The situation’s changed, hasn’t it?”
“Of course, but healthy eggs from younger women are still scarce. The most eggs we’ve been able to harvest successfully from one individual is a couple of hundred. Most eggs don’t survive one single, total extraction, Unless the girl is prepared to donate eggs several times through her life thus enabling the remaining unharvested eggs to ripen in the follicles of the ovaries; otherwise, we only get a couple of hundred per girl.”
“Is it possible to only extract a couple of eggs?”
“Of course, that’s the way we used to do it, - back in the day that is, but nowadays, well.”
“Yes. I realise the issues.” Jessica agreed. “To put it crudely, it’s a numbers game.”
“If the human race is to survive, it had to be, - until Terri appeared.” The professor admitted apologetically, then added. “Thank God, that prospect’s been eliminated. So Jessica, why do you want to donate some eggs, and why so few?”
“I’ll wait until Terri returns and he can say why. I’m prepared to donate more eggs later on, after I’ve done this first.”
“Done what?” The professor asked.
“Later.” Jessica replied as Doctor McTavish returned with a tray of tea and biscuits.
“Where’s George?” Jessica asked.
“He’s down the lab’s preparing to separate some Y Sperm for Marek to courier to the Persian Gulf.”
At that George reappeared and shortly after, Terri appeared with the sample.
“Oooh! Choccy bic’s and coffee.” She grinned as she handed the phyle to George.
“You can have my coffee, I haven’t touched it,” George declared as he left immediately for the labs.
“Jeeze! He’s in a hurry.”
“Yes,” the professor replied, “there’s been a change of plan, the sooner Marek gets to the Gulf States, the faster the ISIS resurgence is nipped in the bud. They’re looking to capture you as some sort of blackmail tool.”
“So how does getting the sperm there avert their endeavours?”
“It’s pretty much common knowledge that there is a source of XY sperm in the UK and ISIS are trying to accuse Britain of using it as a blackmail.”
“When it comes to fundamentalists, and fundamentalist governments,” Terri declared bluntly, “I am using it as blackmail. No girl or daughter of mine deserves to be abused or denied fundamental human rights; like the right to control of her own body.”
“Well said Terri.” Doctor McTavish applauded with a soft hand-clap. “Have you discussed your terms?”
“Pretty much,” Terri replied as Jessica declared a loud, simultaneous “YES!”
Her loud determined response served to emphasise the couple’s feelings and Jessica dug out her mobile.
“Here they are. Terri hasn’t put them on her phone in case her phone gets hacked.”
“Very sensible girl.” Professor Cummins applauded.
“Glad to see you’re getting the pronouns right professor.”
“I thought you said Terri doesn’t care.”
“He doesn’t but it you keep referring to her as him or his or he, others might pick up on it. And I worry about her security even if she doesn’t”
“The professor ‘harrumphed’ irritably but he knew Jessica was right.”
With Terri down in the labs with George the others chatted at length about the conditions that Terri and Jessica had laid down.
“There’s going to be lot’s not liking some of these conditions.”
“Only if they’re religious bigots, homophobes, transphobes or machoistic patriarchals.”
“Somebody might get two plus two to be four if they consider these conditions in depth. Terri might inadvertently reveal his trans issues.”
“There’s issues enough with the enforced transitions and some fundamentalists. They’ll be pre-occupied with the present issues enough to slow down any psychological extrapolations.” If Terri keeps a low profile and I present as a lesbian that should be publicity enough to cover the trail. Just let people think I was somehow inseminated by an anonymous donor that nobody knew was XY and he wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.”
Eventually, Terri returned from the labs with the News that George reckoned he had isolated enough spermatozoa and they were already packaged. Marek was collecting them and he was on his way to the airport.
“He didn’t see you there did he?”
“Not to speak to. He passed me in the corridor but I was wearing a lab coat. He would have presumed I was just another transitioned lab worker. It’s a big place.”
“Good,” the professor observed as he explained.
“Jessica has explained why she is prepared to donate some eggs, are you happy about your two friends?”
“Yes, they asked for this and Jessie’s okay with it still, - aren’t you Jess?”
Jessica nodded and added.
“I’ve agreed to undergo the extraction next week, after they’ve injected the hormones and my cycle is advanced.”
“Okay. I’ll speak to Jan and Charlie tomorrow then, in the park. I’m not discussing anything over the phone.”
With the plans finalised, Terri and Jessica retired to their apartment.
The next day, Jessica went for the hormone injection while Terri went to the Castle Gardens to meet Jan and Charlie.
“It’s all fixed girls. You’ll be needed next week all being well. You’ll be needing these.”
“What are these?” The pair chorused.
“Letters from Professor Cummins stating you’re exempt from any compulsory impregnation experiments or procedures by the Nightingale foundation because of your exposure to my antibodies when your recovered from the Covid 21.”
“Will this work?” Charlie wondered.
“Yes. Professor Cummins is a big noise with the fertility ministry. His word is law.”
“Good cos there’s a lot of stuff going down this weekend as the lists are being prepared for the first tranche of impregnations with the XY semen.”
“My semen, as if you needed reminding girls,” Terri grinned as they took a table in their favourite café and ordered coffees.
“Yeah, well, being as you’re the toast of the town, you can pay for the coffees.” Jessica chortled.
Terri had no objections; she knew the government allowances paid to enforced transgenderists only just covered clothing, rent and food. She, on the other hand, now lived high on the hog.
After chatting at length, they went for a stroll around the city docks which had now been extensively gentrified. Terri knew that after the next week, she would have to be doubly cautious about casually walking out in public and accompanying Jessica would be virtually impossible without the armed guards surrounding Jessica.
“Don’t forget you two. My female persona is a vital disguise and we must preserve it at all costs.”
“Yeah. We got that love. Well, we’ve got to get back before the hostel curfew. It’s not a rigid rule and not harshly enforced but they like to know if we’re safe. Any unusual circumstances might cause interest to focus on us. See you next week at the clinic.”
“You’ll see Jessica and the professor but likely not me. I’m very low profile at the clinic so don’t acknowledge me if you see me in any public spaces or any of the labs. They’re going public with the XY sperm news on Monday but I’m still incognito. Jessica and our daughters, however, will be all over the news. We’ve got to feel our way a bit for the next few months. At least until they know my sperm works and they can determine the sexes of the foetuses.”
“Good night both.”
“Bye babes. Be quick, isn’t that your bus?”
Terri recognised the driver as the one who had helped her a few nights earlier and she smiled as she paid the fare. Through the window she waved at her friends and settled in her favourite seat at the front by the driver. Safety was now paramount for an attractive girl alone in the city. She arrived at the clinic just as the evening shadows were darkening and checked to see if she recognised one of the regular armed guards at the gate. It was not one of their regular personal escorts but she had seen him several times patrolling the grounds.
Behaving just like any regular employee of the clinic she exchanged a brief ‘good-night’ before entering the accommodation block that housed her and Jessica’s apartment.
“Hi babe’s, I’m ba-ack. How was the egg thing?”
“Oh it was just tests and hormone jab’s to prepare the follicles in my ovaries, they’ll extract the eggs next week but the day depends on my bodily response. Charlie and Jan will have to live in for a few days so their uterus linings can be prepared with hormones and synchronised with my eggs. Your part is easy, lucky bitch!”
Terri smiled softly. “All right don’t rub it in.”
They hugged each other for long emotional minutes before settling for bed.
The following day turned out wet as a storm blew in from the Atlantic. This was a blessing in disguise for it meant the pram (buggy) had to be buttoned up against the driving rain and far less people were in the park. Charlie and Jan met them by ‘The Twist’ under the Cherry Tree and they immediately retired to the Costa coffee house. Arrangements were finalised and instructions concerning safety procedures explained. The café had emptied except for a tall black girl sat by the entrance and seemingly fussing with her phone.
Terri explained to Charlie and Jan as Jessica draped her shawl over her shoulders and commenced motherly things with her daughters.
“Just remember, we now have to have an armed guard all the time. That’s her by the door, don’t acknowledge her.”
Charlie and Jan turned to exchange the briefest of knowing glances and the girl just blinked discreetly to confirm she had recognised them as friends.
Half an hour later, after Jessica had finished nursing, Terri signed discretely to the guard and she casually finished her coffee to depart the café and check the area before the friends emerged. Outside as they prepared to separate in the driving rain, Terri cautioned her two friends.
“Don’t forget, when our daughters go public on Monday with the United nations announcement, we might have to go into lock-down. Jessica’s name will be splashed all over the world but the father will remain anonymous for obvious reasons. Security will be increased however and we might not be able to meet casually like this until things settle down.”
“How long d’ you think that’ll be?” Jan pressed.
Terri shrugged apologetically.
“How long is a piece of string?”
“We’re gonna’ miss you babes.” Charlie sighed.
“Unless they move you to the clinic for safety and you move into our accommodation block.”
“But that’ll mean some sort of lockdown. The clinic will be surrounded by hordes of reporters all screaming for information.” Charlie observed.
“Or terrorists looking to locate super-dad.” Terri advised. “Remember, keep shtum!”
“During the week-end the storm continued into Sunday and the friends only briefly met up as Jessica and Terri savoured their last truly free forays into the park. On Monday evening the news broke but a strange calm persisted until Wednesday as newshounds all over the UK searched for the twins and their parents. During that calm period, Charlie and Jan moved in to prepare for their artificial conceptions.”
On the Thursday morning, Professor Cummins returned from the United Nations WHO offices in Switzerland and eventually clawed his way through the press frenzy at the gates to the Bristol fertility clinic. His first call was Jessica’s apartment.
“Bloody hell! I feel as though I’ve just been in a buffalo stampede!”
Jessica and Doctor McTavish grinned. They had never heard Professor Cummins swear before.
“So Proff;” Aggie McTavish chuckled, “Where d’ you intend holding your press conference? – The Albert Hall.”
“I could hold it in Wembley football stadium and there still wouldn’t be enough seats!”
“I’m getting worried Proff,” Jessica remarked as she peered through a tiny gap in her curtains. “They’re all the way down the street, it’s pandemonium.”
“This going to take some organising!” The professor sighed. “I’ve never had to handle something this big.”
“Do it on-line Proff,” Terri suggested as she emerged from the kitchen. “Let the media vultures organise it.”
“Good idea,” the professor agreed as he phoned the clinic administration office.
After some more calls, a press conference was organised and ten different news agencies were invited to connect on-line and question Professor Cummins on the Friday at 1400 to facilitate US, Russian and Middle Eastern media organisations in addition to European ones. Other countries would have to endure late-night or early morning connections. Through the ten international agencies, the interview was distributed world-wide.
“Now I know how politicians feel,” Professor Cummins revealed as he finally reached the table and took his seat.
They had decided that sitting down conveyed a more scientific circumstance unlike standing, that seemed to imply a political state of affairs. Nevertheless, he was almost invisible behind the array of microphones. Beside him sat the British Minister of health and the WHO chief executive plus an American Supreme court Judge to convey as international a flavour as possible and avert any accusations of political black mail.
Naturally, the first question concerned Jessica’s absence and ‘the father’s’ continued anonymity.
The question was brushed aside easily as the clear dangers of kidnap and religious animosities were demonstrated by revealing the already countless threats and demands that had flooded the clinic’s e-mail-box.
The second question was a sighting of the girls and this was agreed to. Jessica placed a mask over her face that almost resembled an Islamic Niqab then she entered the room and presented her daughters. A request for the girl’s genitals to be exposed was fiercely debated until Jessica finally declared that in the interests of science she would allow one five-second close-up to demonstrate that girls were no longer to be considered pieces of male property to be locked away and hidden from view, or leered at and slavered over depending on whichever countries or cultures they were exposed to.
Openness, freedom and transparency and respect were to be the watchwords of the lives of all of the girls born to the ‘anonymous father’
To drive the message home, she also stipulated that if any news agency or country refused to reproduce the image about to be shown, that country would be denied the father’s sperm.
The mood in the room became suddenly silent as various on-line reporters digested Jessica’s words and countenanced the fall-out.
Once the camera video was completed with a clear image of Jessica’s hand uncovering her infant daughter’s bodies to provide undeniable proof of the images’ authenticity, Jessica covered up her infant daughters and left. Outside she slumped against the wall and wondered if she had done the right thing.
‘Would her daughters one-day condemn her for such a move?’ She wondered.
Seeing the turmoil in her demeanour, Doctor McTavish and Sarah the midwife gathered around her to support her.
Meanwhile, back in the newsroom, Professor Cummins was declaring the carefully prepared list of conditions that Jessica and Terri had stipulated concerning the proper use and fair dispensation of Terri’s sperm.
The uproar that followed left the professor and the other members of the panel exhausted as they fended off accusations from all sorts of sources.
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 15 Small steps slowly.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff 2020.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
Part 15.
When Professor Cummins finally reached the sanctuary of the clinic he virtually collapsed into Jessica’s arm chair and recovered his breath. Jessica slipped into the kitchen while Terri tended to the twins Eleanor and Diana. She emerged with a tray of tea and some cake and placed them on the coffee table beside the professor.
“It’s a stiff whisky I need,” the prof croaked.
“Sorry Prof, we’re tee-total. Tea’s reputed to have more caffeine than coffee so tea it is. What was the reception like – to our conditions?”
“Plenty of protests but those will have to be resolved in due course.”
“You know our conditions Prof, firstly ALL my daughters are to enjoy full human rights as declared in the US constitution both in the letter AND the spirit.”
“But why copy the Yanks. Brits enjoy pretty much the same rights.”
“I just like the declaration, it’s some of the best pro’s in English and it’s succinct. Pity really that the Yanks don’t even apply those rights in their own country but I’ll be sitting on the arbitration board to discern if the spirit is being upheld. There’ll be no colour thing or Jim-Crow shit anywhere.”
“But why didn’t you use the United Nations declaration of Human Rights?”
“Oh come off it Proff! Have you seen which countries sit on the U.N., Human Rights commission! Leave it there! Human rights have been a joke at the UN since Paddy came over. And as for women’s rights; let alone mother’s rights, well! Least said, soonest mended!”
The Professor frowned. “I get the women’s rights but mother’s rights; well that could cause problems, rights to abortions and stuff. The Yank right-to-lifers might get a bit arsey.
“Who’s going to abort Proff. Every one of my daughters will definitely be a wanted child, at least insofar as the transitioners and few remaining genetic girls are prepared to volunteer for impregnation in every instance. Besides’, they get a decent mothering allowance, more than enough to live on.”
“So what about your sons? In the long term, their ability to produce granddaughters is equally important.”
“That’s fifteen to sixteen years hence. Inbreeding will be averted by storing harvested eggs for impregnation for one, two or even three generations hence. Those first generation eggs will not be related to the ‘second-generation’ half-blood sperm. Unrelated first generation eggs can even be stored to be impregnated with third or even fourth generation sperm and the genetic relationship will be distanced even further from Terri.”
“Good God, we’ll have to keep a stud book!”
“Only to avoid inbreeding and hereditary diseases. Absolutely no first or second cousin consanguineous impregnations. Egg and sperm selection will be random subject to genetic and hereditary checks.
Professor Cummins and Doctor McTavish shrugged philosophically. Keeping a worldwide ‘stud-book’ was going to be inevitable anyway to avoid inbreeding and maintain a robust gene-pool.
The thorniest biological question was how long healthy eggs could be kept frozen to increase the genetic distancing in perpetuity. Now was the time to address the science and the law surrounding these issues.
“Well, at the moment, we can keep fertile eggs frozen for up to thirty years. If sperm is taken from adolescent boys at say fourteen or even thirteen, that’s three generations accounted for. If we can preserve eggs for longer, then the fourth and possibly even fifth generation separation will clear the inbreeding hurdle completely.. The only reason we don’t know, is because nobody’s ever done it. We’ve only been freezing eggs since the nineteen-eighties.
The British law was last amended some thirty years ago to allow eggs to be frozen for twenty-five years. That is obviously going to have to be changed.”
“Well that’s up to the lawyers to sort.” Terri concluded bluntly. “They’d better get their act together.”
“Oh I’m quite sure they’ll jump when the science is made brutally apparent,” Doctor McTavish smirked. "It will be good to see biological science and reason superate religious law and primitive superstitions. The holy men won't like it."
“Their problem, not mine.” Terri finished as she turned to re-join Jessica in their apartment.
After she had departed the Professor turned to his colleague and sighed as he held Terri’s declaration in his hand.
“Well Aggie, this is going to set the cat amongst the pigeons.”
“We already know that Prof. Have you seen those religious groups gathered by the cross-roads waving their placards. It seems that Terri’s conditions are against the laws of their gods.”
“Yes and it looks as though they’re already having some sort of argument with those other groups.”
“Well, that’s for the police to sort, Aggie sighed."
"Too right, Professor Cummins agreed. George and I have work to do.”
“Well for the next few months it’ll just be sitting and waiting won’t it.”
“Not in the labs love. We’ve got to develop more sophisticated and faster techniques to ensure safety and success during impregnation and egg extractions. Not to mention the simian womb transplants. It’s as much a matter of scale as well as success rates. There’s billions of babies to sort.”
“I read last week that the Canadians seemed to be having some transplant success with porcine wombs. You know, plenty of pigs around.”
“Yeah.” The professor frowned, “I’m sure that’ll go down with the Muslims.”
“Well that argument defaults to Terri’s conditions about religious ethics and restrictive constraints. You know how she’s dead set against religion, all religion.”
As they spoke, the noise of the crowd outside increased suddenly as the two opposing groups at the centre of the mostly peaceful crowd by the cross-roads erupted from name calling and threats, to violence. A score of hot-heads had clashed and the police were struggling to get at them through the crush of peaceful people trying to escape the trouble.
“It’s started already,” Professor Cummins sighed as the two doctors watched the police struggling to maintain order.
ooo000ooo
So what was the trouble about?” Terri asked that evening when it was over.
“The conditions you stipulated about women’s freedoms and your babies.”
“Oh come off it Proff, I set very simple standards concerning freedom for transitioners and the few remaining genetic girls. Anybody disputing them is exposing their own bigotry or chauvinism.
“Well the Muslims were claiming your requirements for women goes against Koranic law. The right-to-lifers were objecting about abortion choices being solely in the hands of the mothers if a foetus is found to be damaged while the feminists are objecting to the muslim demands about father rights. Then the christian fundamentalists were going on about the destruction of family values and I don’t know what else.
“That’s a joke. By 'family values' they're really alluding patriarchal values. The only person who’s got any father’s rights is technically, me.”
“Do you expect to exercise such rights?” Aggie McTavish wondered.
“Not bloody likely. That’ll bring me right into the public spotlight and expose my disguise. By the way, are all the entrances to the hospital blocked by these numpties?”
“Yes, but seemingly, hospital staff are getting through provided they’ve got ID badges.”
“So are Jessie and I going to get badges?”
“They’re in the pipeline. Two or three days max.”
“So I’m stuck here until Thursday.”
“Count yourself lucky. Jessica will need a helicopter to avoid being followed and located. She obviously cannot stay here at the clinic with the twins under lock-down.”
“While I come in by bus pretending to be a nurse or something.” Terri pointed out.
“It should work. The nurses and doctors are managing.”
Terri exhaled wearily.
“What happens when these clowns get organised; you know; monitoring traffic.”
“They don’t look as though they could organise a party in a brewery at the moment.” Professor Cummins observed
“These clowns might not, but other, more determined agencies might. You know, governments who refuse to follow the protocols. They might organise kidnap gangs or sperm theft or something. The sperm is going to be vulnerable to theft or interference anyway when it’s being despatched all over.”
“Yes, we’ve only just begun to address the security issues. There’s a lot to be done.”
“Well, I’m tired so I’m going to sleep on it.” Terri yawned.
“Have you moved in with Jessica permanently?”
“Yes. Once a person’s shared a bed and parenthood with another, it get’s pretty lonely sleeping alone.”
With those words, Terri made her excuses and returned to find Jessica already fast asleep. After checking in on the twins, she slipped very carefully into bed and remembered nothing until Jessica stirred at dawn.
ooo000ooo
“Mmmm.” Terri murmured softly as she savoured the warmth and softness of their mutual embrace.
“Time to get up.” Jessica whispered.
Terri simply tightened their embrace, greedy for the last delicious crumbs of intimacy before bodily needs forced her to get up. Reluctantly, they separated and shared the bathroom before checking in on the sleeping babies.
“What d’ you want for breakfast darling?” Terri asked as she enviously watched Jessica prepare to feed their daughters.
“Same as usual,” Jessica replied as she settled in her favourite comfy chair.
Terri obliged then shared their food before pitching in with the nappy-changing. Once they completed preparing the girls they were ready to face the day.
Outside the clinic, in the street. The vast bulk of the crowd had dispersed as they realised the futility of protesting about their different issues. Only a modest group of determined protesters remained sharing the pavements outside the main gates with the nucleus of press hoping to somehow catch a glimpse of Jessica and her twins. As the day wore on, while Jessica and Terri were busy with the clinic staff inside, the pavement vigil group slowly shrank until barely a score of hopefuls remained.
Jessica looked down from her curtained window and considered the situation.
“They don’t look too angry or violent down there now.”
“They’ve got nothing to be angry about.” Terri added. “The baby girl issue has been technically solved, it’s just a matter of numbers now.”
“Well, I’m getting cabin fever stuck up here all day. Shall we sneak out the back way?”
“I’ll call the bodyguards.” Terri agreed. “But we might as well face the music and confront the rabble outside. Hopefully, at least the press will have had their fill by then.”
“And the protesters?” Jessica queried.
“We’ll know how many are left after the press are finished. Hopefully, the police and the guards on the gate can keep them at bay. If they prove to be too aggressive, we don’t go out past the gates.”
“We're like bloody prisoners.” Jessica cursed.
Terri shrugged. There was little she could do until a helicopter was put at their disposal.
After organising the bodyguards, Terri and Jessica cautiously approached the main gates and confronted the group. Inevitably, camera’s flashed as the press identified Jessica from the previous photo-shoot, but they asked about the other girl. Jessica lied by describing Terri as her nanny to help with caring for the twins. Eventually the crush of pressmen settled down and their curiosity was satisfied. They had their pictures.
The next hurdle was the protesters.
ooo000ooo
A quick body-count determined the protest groups to number fourteen people, four fundamentalist muslims, five right-to-lifers and a mixed fundamentalist christian ‘family-values’ group mostly concerned with children growing up without a stable nuclear family environment. The three small groups stood slightly apart seemingly more self-conscious of their paucity of number than the righteousness of their protests.
Terri studied them and sensed that while their numbers were small there might be some chance of at least finding some degree of reason or even consensus. She approached the police inspector monitoring the gathering and suggested some sort of meeting.
“Possibly each group separately.” Terri suggested, “over there by the garden seat under the cherry tree.”
“Would you like one of my officers to be with you?” The inspector asked as he considered the potential for small groups to somehow bring a calmer measure to any meeting.
“A couple of lady police officers might be best,” Jessica offered. “We’re all girls on our side so if there are any issues about talking to women, (she stared pointedly at the muslims and the almost all male ‘family values’ groups) we’ll bring some measure of balance and perhaps courtesy to the meetings.”
“It’s worth a try,” the inspector replied as he crossed over the line to speak to the protesters.
Within minutes, the ‘Family values’ group were escorted to the garden seat where Jessica and Terri were fussing with Eleanor and Diana. Their issues very quickly proved to be none-issues insofar as families were historically based upon blood ties and those were now over. The group also concluded that somehow, Jessica was involved in a lesbian relationship with her partner Terri. This further devalued their arguments against men living with transitioners to bring up the first generation of survivors from the fundamentalist’s perceived gender holocaust.
With their arguments proved baseless, the family values group were forced to concede that the future of mankind lay essentially in the hands of one man and he had proven to be impossible to locate let alone meet. If they pressed with their arguments concerning family values based upon the world-wide, historically patriarchal structures, then they placed the fate of mankind directly into the hands of that one patriarch. Such a situation would force them to relinquish their self-aggrandised status based upon their own patriarchal mores and Abrahamic beliefs.
Thus were the Christian fundamentalists politely despatched with their metaphorical religious tails between their legs.
The ‘right-to-lifers’ were despatched with equal alacrity when it was made abundantly clear that virtually every harvested egg that could be fertilised, would eventually be fertilised. Consequently every foetus would become valuable and absolutely vital to expanding the human gene pool thus giving humanity some hopes of going forward.
Abortions would virtually disappear except in the rare cases where the foetus was clearly proven to be somehow disadvantaged or damaged and even then, the decision could only lie with the foetus’s carrier; the transitioned womb-holder or the natal female with her own egg.
All their old arguments would have to be put aside for at least two, or even three generations while the genomic qualities and genetic ‘in-breeding’ log-jams were extirpated and the gene-pool widened enough to resume ‘free association’ in all groups irrespective of gender, race or religion.
When it was the fundamentalist muslim’s turn, both Terri and Jessica were surprised and pleased to learn that the four men, despite having reservations about talking to strange women, had recognised the reality. Based on the unknown sperm donor’s clear stipulations, the four fundamentalists recognised that there would have to be some substantial reforms within their Islamic faith. Terri put it bluntly.
As she produced the list of conditions and stipulations that the world health organisation had been compelled to accept, she numbered them and read each one out carefully. On completion, she studied the four over the paper list.
“Well, gentlemen, on the basis that the sperm donor, whoever he is; demands that women and transitioners are treated respectfully and with clear equal rights in ALL aspects of their lives including and especially child conception, birth and rearing; are you prepared to accept what every other society has been forced to accept.”
A begrudging, collective ‘yes’ was the reply but Terri wanted more.
“I think gentlemen, that you realise I have occasional contact with the sperm donor. He realises that there are obvious dangers to his person such as assassination, or kidnapping.”
The four nodded reluctantly as Terri pressed her advantage.
“There has already been one terrorist threat to somehow access and steal donated sperm but this was averted by negotiation. The sperm donor clearly fears for his life and is now forced to live a secret life, thanks to terrorist threats.
The very first threat proved to have its origins in islamic scriptures and this worries the sperm donor. He has been forced to live now with proper and permanent protection which is invasive and oppressive. These very recent developments have alerted him and frightened him thus compelling him to lay down additional strictures towards ALL religious groups.”
The four fundamentalists shifted uncomfortably as Jessica reached into Terri’s briefcase and produced a bundle of printed sheets. She pushed four copies across the garden table and sat back while the four protesters read them.
During the interval, Terri and Jessica gave each other a hug and a kiss to blatantly demonstrate their relationship to the fundamentalist protesters. One of them stopped reading and protested.
“There is no need to behave so offensively in front of us.”
“Who ever told you our love for each other was wrong is the very person or persons we want to expose and, if possible, deport from this country. The police want names from your organisations or you will be facing charges of advocating murder. There is plenty of evidence to show you shouting death threats down there in the street during yesterday’s demonstrations.”
“You are discriminating against our faith!”
“No. This list has been made available to all religions and the same conditions apply. Any threat to the sperm-donor’s life will necessarily result in deportations of all foreign people deemed to be a threat or, they will face a trial under current hate laws if the perpetrator is a British national. The laws have always been there, it’s just that political correctness has dissuaded the police from being robust.
The situation is now drastically changed and hate laws will be strictly enforced. – At least, they will in the UK.”
“What about other countries, muslim countries for example?”
“The British government cannot speak for any other country; it is now a sovereign country concerned only with it’s own laws and it’s participation in the United Nations.”
“But this list describes actions that interfere with other country’s laws!”
“That is NOT a list compiled by her majesty’s British government. It was compiled by the sperm donor and presented to the United Nations Human Rights council in Geneva. Those are HIS conditions.”
“But he chooses to remain anonymous.” The protester accused.
“He doesn’t choose to remain hidden,” Terri replied, “he’s forced to hide because of very real threats to his person. If you have anything more to say that is constructive, I suggest you contact the authorities in the UK and possibly negotiate with them or preferably the UN. That is all gentlemen, my partner and I need to attend to her babies.”
By stopping the discussion to attend to Eleanor and Diana, Terri and Jessica had laid down one more subtle marker to demonstrate that child-care was more important than arguing about law, religion or anything that used to be perceived as 'men's business.'
“This isn’t the end of this business!” The lead protester declared.
“Indeed not!” Terri countered. “It’s just the beginning.”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 16.
Covid 19.Trying to go forward.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff 2020.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Part 16
Having established a reasonable system of security at the Bristol fertility clinic, Terri and Jessica deemed their lives to be reasonably secure and they settled down hopefully for a calm few weeks until word came back from Marek in the Middle east. The news arrived in the person of Marek himself who was immediately interrogated by the security forces and the medical sorority in the form of the newly assembled ‘United Nation’s Women’s Fertility Council.’
After delivering all the information he had gathered to both communities, he naturally looked forward to having his female cousin Jamal brought to the UK and enjoying the benefits of the exciting developments surrounding the ‘Y and X’ gametes. When the agreement was delayed for unspecified reasons Marek was understandably angry.
He still worked at the clinic because he had to maintain the pretence that he had stolen the sperm and sneaked it out of Britain undetected; so inevitably, his anger became known to Jessica who saw Marek quite often in and around the clinic. After promising that she would ‘look into it’; it was only a matter of hours before Marek received confirmation that his cousin Jamal was on her way to Britain.
He was naturally overjoyed and when he met Jessica again that same evening under the favoured cherry tree, he was beside himself with joy and relief.
“How did you manage that?” Marek begged. “I am off to Heathrow as we speak to meet Jamal, off the plane.”
“Ask no questions Marek, you’ll be told no lies.” Jessica replied. “Which hospital will your cousin be attending?”
“This one! Right here in Bristol. She’s my only living relative, I think.”
“I’m pleased for you then.”
“How did you get them to move so quickly.” Marek asked.
“How do you think?” Jessica responded enigmatically.
“Are you in touch with ‘super-dad’?” Marek grinned.
“You know he’s the father of my daughters, what do you think?”
“Can I meet him?”
“Sorry Marek, nobody meets him, even I don’t get to meet him. I only communicate by encrypted phone.”
“But how does he deliver the sperm?”
“I don’t know and what I don’t know, shouldn’t harm me.” Jessica lied. “You’ve seen the dangers out there in the middle east, you should know better than most.”
Marek nodded despondently and sighed as he stood up.
“Ah-h well. I should be thankful for small mercies. Super-dad must have a hell of a lot of clout to get the British establishment to jump so smartly.”
“He does.” Jessica concurred. “Just be thankful he’s on your side.”
“Well I did have to risk my neck but it was worth it. I’m off to meet my cousin so I’ll see you after the weekend.”
“Has she got somewhere to stay?”
“She’ll be sofa-surfing in my flat. It’s the only place she will feel safe. As children, we were together like brother and sister in my grandfather’s house in Aleppo until the Isis War.”
“You’ve no other living relatives at all?” Jessica pressed.
“Don’t know, I don’t think so. If I have, I’m hoping Jamal might know.”
“Well good luck. Bring her to meet me when she’s good and ready, I know you’ll have a lot to catch up on.”
With these words they prepared to separate but not before Marek had stolen a polite kiss on Jessica’s cheek. It was only a ‘lip-to-cheek’ peck but by Muslim standards, Marek had been remarkably bold insofar as he had broken an Islamic taboo. Kissing an unrelated woman, in public in the grounds of the clinic.
As they separated, Jessica grinned. “Careful Marek, don’t let the Imam catch you doing that.”
“Piss on the imams. After seeing what damage Islamism has caused to my family and my country, I don't think I'll ever set foot in another mosque.”
Jessica shrugged sympathetically. She was not prepared to invade another’s issues, she had enough of her own. Besides, Terri was coming back that evening after one of his seeming ‘ walk-abouts’.
ooo000ooo
The key in the double lock alerted Jessica to Terri’s return.
“Dirty stop-out!” She grinned.”
“Oo-ooh!” Terri sighed. “Those girls!”
“What have they done now?”
“Nothing! Well nothing dangerous. They’ve confirmed they’re pregnant but the silly buggers went out and celebrated.”
“And I suppose Miss Sensible couldn’t resist joining them.”
Terri crimsoned slightly as she confessed with a subdued murmur.
“Uuhm; something like that. Jan’s a bit of a twat!”
“What’s she done?”
“Silly bitch was so drunk, she let it be known she was immune to Covid 21.”
“To whom?”
“Half of bloody Bristol; or at least it seemed like that. Enough anyway, to cause the shit to fly.”
“Well it was all going to come out sooner or later.”
“Later would have been better. George and the Professor’s team are not quite ready yet. You watch, tomorrow morning the Nightingale hospital will be surrounded by thousands of hopefuls.”
So why did she open her big mouth?” Jessica asked.
“Oh their celebrations got out of hand, a crowd gathered and the police tried to send them home. They arrested Jan and she started bellowing that she was immune, she had been vaccinated and they had no right to arrest her. But of course, dozens celebrating with her hadn’t been vaccinated. The police were right to try and break it up.”
“Much of a riot?”
“No, not really, by and large people were happy to hear Jan’s protestations but her words spread like wild-fire. Especially when she showed the police the letter from the hospital authorities. They let her go but that only gave credence to her claims. I fucked off. The rumour mill has already been working for the past month or so that there was some sort of vaccine being prepared. The last place I wanted to be was caught up in all that shit.”
“So where did you spend the night?”
“Ron’s café. I slept on Dora’s sofa.”
“Funnily enough, I believe you.”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“No. That’s the truth. Where’s Dora now?”
“Working in Ron’s She’s coming around later. Excited mother to be and all that. Is that coffee fresh?”
“No but it’s hot.”
Terri poured herself a mug and savoured the over-worked groundings. She liked her coffee strong and black. As she settled in her favourite armchair the phone rang.
“Get that love, I’m about to feed the twins.” Jessica called from the nursery.
“Hello?”
“Ah. Glad I caught you,” the professor replied. “Where you at that business in town last night?”
“I was but I left before it got out of hand. Dora and I slinked away when the police broke it up.”
“Thank god for that. It’s pandemonium down at the Nightingale.”
“I thought it would be. Not my fault. Speak to Jan.”
“I don’t have to speak to her. She’s spoken to half the press in Bristol.”
“Oh shit! What’s she been saying?”
“She’s suggested there is a connection between ‘super-dad’ and the vaccine kid. Just about the only thing she hasn’t revealed is your feminine persona. The internet is going daft. Terri is the only viable disguise that Terry has now. I suggest you lay low. I’m going down to the Nightingale now to try and stuff some of the cat back into the bag, God knows how.”
“I’ll murder that stupid, big-mouthed bitch.”
“Not if I get to her first!” The professor replied.
“Just out of curiosity, when will the vaccine be ready?”
“About a fortnight we think, and it’s only about a hundred thousand doses.”
“From twenty centilitres. That’s pretty good isn’t it?”
“There’s sixty bloody million hopefuls in UK alone. When are you prepared to give your next blood donation?”
“The blood bank have told me no earlier than two weeks’ time.”
“Exactly, do the maths. Seven thousand million!”
“You’ll only be treating sick people and medics won’t you?”
“So far that’s about a hundred million and the bug is still expanding. Covid 21 is far more virulent than 19. As I said, do the maths.”
“But you’re researching all the time,” Terri offered.
“And it’s proving harder to fight than 19. If, or more probably when your identity becomes common knowledge, you’ll be living like a specimen in a bloody zoo.”
“Yeah. Don’t remind me. I could kill that bloody Jan, especially after I saved her bloody life! Drunken big-mouthed bitch!”
“Yes, well it’s spilt milk now. I think the best thing you can do is move away altogether from Bristol.”
“To where?” Jessica asked as she entered the room with a baby in each arm. “Wherever we go, Terri has to deliver sperm and blood. Her secret will be out within months every time we move somewhere new.”
Professor Cummins nodded reluctantly. Jessica made sense. Additionally, if the couple kept moving around, security arrangements would have to be perpetually renewed and updated. There was too much scope for mistakes. Stuck for an immediate workable solution, the professor ducked giving an answer.
“Well, I have to go down to the Nightingale hospital now to see what damage limitations can be enacted.”
“But just by going down there, you’ll give credence to the rumoured connection between the fertility clinic and the Nightingale.” Terri objected.
“It’s hardly a rumour anymore,” the professor conceded.
After helping Jessica get settled comfortably with a twin on each breast, Terri sagged despondently into another armchair. Her depressed expression left no doubts in the professor’s mind. A silent despondency settled on the room which Terri tried to lift by making a pot of tea but her efforts proved ineffective. Nobody could decide on a workable way forward that did not involve securing Terri’s safety. Half an hour later, there was a knock on the apartment door. After checking at the ‘spy-lens’ Terri recognised Dora and let her in. She looked around as she sensed the gloomy mood.
“Last night, I’m thinking.”
“Yes, and how it’ll affect Terri’s safety or security. Any ideas?” The professor replied.
“Well nobody but us knows that Terri is Terry, nor that Terri is super-dad.” Dora observed as she added, “or that Terri supplies the blood for the vaccine.”
“About six people know about superdad, namely You, me, Terri, Jessica, George and Aggie.” The prof observed.
“And about twenty know about the source of the blood. Apart from us six, there’s Jan, Charlie and the medical staff at the Nightingale.” Dora listed the nightingale staff she knew.
“I know most of those people,” the professor declared, “We should be able to close things down provided big-mouth Jan has realised she has got to shut up.”
“The sooner we drive the message into her drunken bloody skull; the better.” Terri cursed
“Well, I’m off down the nightingale as soon as my work ends here, in about ten minutes.” Professor Higgins declared. “D’ you want to come with me, you might knock some sense into that stupid girl’s head.”
“I’d love to.” Dora agreed. “She’s now living in the Nightingale mothering hostel attached to the clinic. No need to go into the clinic, especially if Terri’s coming. Less seen, soonest mended.”
“I’d best stay here,” Terri said, “let’s not risk more exposure.”
“Sensible girl,” Professor Cummins agreed.
The professor gulped his cooling tea down in one final swig then motioned to Dora with his head.
“Come on.”
Terri and Jessica stared at the empty apartment doorway as the pair scurried off. In the professor’s car Dora pumped him about the vaccine.
“Will they be able to up the ‘ante’ with Terri’s blood, you know, find a way of making more vaccine from Terri’s blood?”
As they picked their way through the evening traffic the professor explained how it worked and different ways to try and ‘up the ante’ as Dora had put it.
“Normal people only donate blood every three to four months and then only a pint at a time. For now, the plan is to start treating exposed medical staff and infected patients who are at risk. There’s not enough to go around vaccinating everybody but the good news is the vaccine seemingly works retroactively. It curse those infected and that’s a huge plus.”
“Is this going to cause trouble with other countries?” Dora wondered.
Professor Cummins rolled his eyes as he nodded.
“Oh it’s bound to. I’ll leave that to the politicians.”
Dora giggled.
“Good on yer Proff. Make the bastards earn their diplomacy credentials.”
They both chuckled as the professor’s car swept through the old Edwardian gates.
Nineteen. 17.
Covid 19 Disclosure.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff 2020.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Part 17 Disclosure.
On seeing the crowd assembled on the fields just inside the hospital gates, the professor stopped and frowned.
“Looks like rent-a-mob are already here.” Dora offered uncertainly.
“I’ll go around the back way, I don’t think this mob is bent on havoc. They seem at a loss as to how to go forward.”
“They could be blocking the back way as well.”
“There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” Professor Cummins replied, tapping his nose sagaciously.
Dora shrugged and sat back trying to look unconcerned. The car diverted off the main approach drive that was bordered by assorted protesters and slowed to take the path took them around the main building. Dora’s heart sank as she saw a smaller group gathered at what was obviously the alternative entrance but the professor diverted again and drove slowly towards a group of cars parked next to an annexe that was built in the same Palladian style as the old hospital.
“What’s this place.” Dora asked.
“It was the old morgue were bodies were transported to during epidemics. This used to be the old fever and isolation hospital so using it as a nightingale hospital was an easy conversion.”
“Jan isn’t in this part, she’s in the main block.”
“I know, but as you’ll readily see, the main block is virtually surrounded. Come quickly now, I’ve got a key to this part.”
Dora turned to see the group covering the back door start to show an interest in her and the professor, so she stuck close as they tried to act nonchalant and enter the annexe. Their ruse seemed to work, and when she looked out from a side window, the group had lost interest.
Inside it was obvious the annexe was little more than a store but there was one person sitting at a desk obviously counting beans.
“What can I do for you,” the clerk asked without bothering to look up.
“Hello Alf, my God are you still working here!”
“The clerk jerked his head up with astonishment as he recognised Professor Cummins.”
“Good God! Professor! I thought you’d left us for good!”
“Strange times Alf, this pandemic makes for strange bed-fellows.”
“So what on earth brings you back to my little fiefdom?”
“I need to use the old fever tunnel.”
“It’s still there, I use it all the time to deliver equipment and stuff. It’s not locked, go ahead.”
With no more ado, Professor Cummins walked down the passageway then down a ramp and opened a wide door. After pausing for effect, he invited Dora in. Dora’s eyes widened with amazement.
“Bloody hell! A secret tunnel!”
“It’s not a secret as such but not many people remember it. It used to be used to remove the bodies from the old fever wards secretly so as not to frighten the patients. Back in the day, the death rates could be quite high during some old Victorian pandemics so when they built this place they thought of a discreet way to make the death rate less obvious by sneaking the bodies in here then taking them to mass graves at night. Of course all that brutal Victorian horror was over by the time the hospital was completed, but the tunnel still remains. Now all it does is serve Alf’s needs.”
Dora giggled as their footsteps echoed along the tunnel until they came to the other door. The professor opened it and they emerged into another store-room with lots of full shelves. On the wall by a small desk the professor found the key to the main door and they climbed some more steps to emerged into the hospital proper. After a couple of corridors they arrived at the main reception where the receptionist eyed them curiously.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Professor Cummins from the Bristol fertility clinic. I’m here to see Doctors Smith and Sinclair.”
“How did you get in here?”
“That’s immaterial young lady, now where can I find the doctors?”
The receptionist looked somewhat suspiciously at the pair for she had already had a couple of protesters trying to masquerade as clinical staff. Without giving Dora and Professor Cummins any directions she pressed the intercom and made a general request for the doctors to come to reception.
“You understand my position Professor Cummins, we’ve had several attempts by imposters to get past reception today. Now have you anything to do with the young female patient Jan Doe?”
“Doe? Is that her real family name?” Professor Cummins asked.
“No, she still refuses to give her true identity.”
“Harrumph! Well she’s obviously learning at long last to keep her mouth shut. Is she available to talk to?”
“You’ll have to speak to the doctors, - and the police.”
“What’s she being detained for?”
The receptionist nodded over her shoulder towards the crowd outside.
“Because of that. Protective custody they call it.”
“That figures,” Dora opined. “I suppose she’d be hounded to death out there.”
“Her own fault,” the receptionist declared, “she should have kept her mouth shut.”
“Amen to that.” Professor Cummins agreed. “Still, we’re going to have to get her to a safer place. This place is wide open.”
They all turned to study the crowd and exchanged brief nods of agreement as doctors Smith and Sinclair appeared.
“Professor!”
“Doctors, long time no see.”
“So why have you not been to see us since your moved over to gynaecology and fertility.”
“We’ve been very busy as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Yes, exciting stuff, well the medical science and what have you," Doctor Smith observed, "but how does it feel to be getting embroiled in the political side?”
“The job is made easier by the sperm donor. He lays down categorical and absolute terms and the politicians have to abide by them.”
“Plenty of sore toes then.” Doctor Sinclair grinned.
“Oooh yes! Noses out of joint, shattered egos, you name it.”
“This sperm donor chap, is he difficult to work with?”
“We don’t see anything of him,” the professor lied, “but frankly his terms and conditions match those of most liberated, humanitarians. I have little problem with his conditions.”
“Good, good. So what do we owe for this pleasure then?”
“The transitioner, Jan Doe you’ve named her. Is she safe here?”
“I don’t follow you professor?”
Professor Cummins motioned to a private corner away from reception and other possible ears. Once out of earshot, he explained quietly.
“She was inoculated by a friend some days ago, miracle recovery and all.”
“Yes, right here in this hospital, we know all about that; but I don’t see –“
Professor Cummins interrupted Dr Sinclair before she could continue.
“She’s in danger doctor. That crowd out there is just the respectable face of the universal demand for a vaccine.”
“Yes, but I don’t see what –“
“The stupid girl caused that ruckus out there by announcing to all and sundry that she was immune to Covid 21 and that she had been vaccinated.”
“Well yes, we know that.”
And are you privy to the other big secret?”
“You mean that ‘super dad’ is also the blood donor.”
Professor Cummins winced at the expression.
'Jesus! Even the doctors are using that name now,' - "Yes, 'super-dad’! Yes him!”
"Enlighten me professor," Doctor Sinclair asked.
“Well at the clinic there has already been one attempt to access the sperm and – or the sperm donor. If it gets out that superdad is the blood donor, that girl’s life will be virtually forfeit. They will try and kidnap her to draw superdad out of the woodwork. Our source has already identified some very interested parties in the sperm donations alone, never mind the blood donations.”
“And they’re a threat you say.”
“You can bet your bottom dollar they are. This place has virtually zero security.”
“Well yes, that’s true because the boundary wall by the river has recently collapsed. There are just some wire fence sections and some padlocks blocking the hole.”
“Exactly, while the fertility clinic has been upgraded since the advent of the Jessica twins. We’ve got higher walls and better all-round secure accommodation. These transitioned, immune girls need to be protected until the vaccine is ready.”
“So that’s two transitioned pregnant girls then, Charlie and Jan; both immune to Covid 21.”
“And me.” Dora volunteered.
Doctor Sinclair smiled at Dora and nodded.
“Oh yes, you're the leader of the pack Jan tells me.”
“Well whatever." Dora confirmed. "We need to get my friends into the high security of the fertility clinic, without being seen.”
“And how do we do that? Young lady.”
“Simple. Have you got a printer nearby?”
“This a hospital, of course we’ve got a printer.”
“Then simply type out a letter to the crowd and while they’re all wanting to find out what’s in it, we four, the Proff, Jan, Charlie and I make our escape in the professor’s car.”
“So what do we tell them?” Doctor Smith asked irritably.
“The truth of course. There will be a vaccine ready in about two to four weeks, subject to final tests and that there’s only a limited supply.”
“They’re not going to like it, that mob out there I mean.”
“There are lots of things that lots of people don’t like. Truth often being one of them. At least they’ll learn to trust the source,” Professor Cummins replied, “and trust is hard earned in these times.”
“Anybody facing that mob, might be torn to pieces.” Doctor Smith opined.
“Not surprising is it?” Dora argued. “All they ever get is half-truths, lies and rumours. I’ll tell you what; you print the notice and I’ll deliver it to them.”
“I can’t allow that Dora.” Professor Cummins protested.
“Why not? You’re not my jailer.”
“You’re too valuable to the project.” The professor continued. “Just like Jan and Charlie; pregnant and immune.”
“But I still think it would be better if the truth came from somebody who’s with the programme, besides, I’m not that important. I don’t contribute to the science or medicine, I’m just another lab-rat really.”
“Don’t say that! Don’t ever put yourself down like that. You’re a priceless mother who carries hope for the world in that womb of yours.”
“Happen I am. But I’m still prepared to deliver the notices so let’s get started. It won’t take but an hour to churn out a few hundred letters on ‘A-4’ paper. I’m not a prisoner and I refuse to let myself be locked away.”
Professor Cummins exchanged resigned looks with the doctors Sinclair and Smith then shrugged.
“Very well Dora. On your shoulders be it.”
“With these words the group quickly wrote and printed the letters before they arrived at the main entrance ready to face the tumult. Dora was holding a megaphone and waving a handful of the letters while Doctors Smith and Sinclair stood nervously behind her with the remaining thousand sheets of paper.
Meanwhile, Professor Cummins had located Jan and Charlie, sorted out the police guard and persuaded Jan and Charlie to come with him. One of the officers accompanied the trio while he checked with his superiors. Satisfied with Professor Cummins' identity, he released them and they escaped via the tunnel while Dora was trying to organise the pandemonium with the notices.
Once in the car and safe from the hospital, the professor found a safe place to stop.
“You have been a very stupid girl!” He censured Jan. “What possessed you to go make a stupid declaration like that?”
“I thought the vaccine was ready but you people were keeping it back for yourselves.”
Professor Cummins sighed wearily with frustration.
“The bloody vaccine is not ready yet. We’ve got to be sure it’s safe and there’s about two to four weeks before the trials are complete. And as for your thoughts on our withholding the vaccine, well your only half right.”
“Whadd’ya mean?”
“There’s only so much vaccine available. The donor cannot just keep donating blood willy-nilly. There has to be safe intervals between donations so that she can recover. So, because it’s so scarce, it will initially be given to people already seriously sick. First, here in the UK and then as best we can manage around the world. Fortunately, her antigens behave retroactively as you well know.
Her blood is the only immediate source of a vaccine while labs all over are struggling to get a tag on this bitch of a bug. Prophylactic vaccinations are a long ways off, as they always have been. This Covid 21 is a far nastier beast than Covid 19.”
“You don’t have to keep referring to her as ‘the donor’. I know who she is.” Jan objected.
“Yes. But you don’t know the full story and it’s safer for you if you don’t.”
“Huh, if you don’t trust me, how can I trust you?” Jan replied petulantly.
“The only thing I can trust you to do is get drunk and open your big mouth. The less you know, the better.”
Jan replied sulkily.
“Once! Just once I slipped up.”
“Once was all it took!” Professor Cummins snapped angrily.”
With those words, the conversation fell silent and the professor delivered Charlie and Jan safely to the fertility clinic.
“You’ll be safe here until the vaccine is available and you’ll be held incommunicado.”
“What! Locked up!”
“Yes, you’re a blabber-mouth, this will be a lesson and it’s for your own safety. There are criminals and even governments prepared to kidnap you and use you as a bargaining counter to bring superdad out of hiding. Same goes for Charlie, they know you are somehow connected to superdad because you’re the first to be made pregnant by us with his donated sperm.”
“You can’t keep us locked up,” Jan protested. “That’s illegal!”
“It’s only for a few weeks, get over it. You’re not going to be allowed to endanger the programme.”
“For fuck’s sake Jan!” Charlie cursed her. “Just do as you’re told. Your big mouth got us into this, so stop bloody whining!”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 18
Covid 19 Part 18
Gone missing.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff 2020.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Part 18 Gone missing.
Eventually, Professor Cummins managed to secure a very argumentative Jan in one of the apartments in the block next to Jessica and Terri’s apartment. However, it took all of Charlie’s help to do it. To ensure the girl did not try to get out he had a police guard posted at the entrances.
Once he was happy with the situation he returned to the labs to chat with George about the final procedures before releasing the vaccine.
“ Bout two weeks as I predicted proof, or four at worst. Couple of tests still not come in from Leeds.”
“I’ll give them a prod George. Now, about those ideas you had about possibly improving the numbers from the blood sample. Are we any further along with the cultures?”
George rotated on his lab stool and offered the professor a view of the screen.
“This culture looks promising. It’s about fifty percent more productive. If it proves viable, we might raise the production rate to three hundred thousand vaccines per twenty centilitres of blood.”
“Which still doesn’t put us much nearer a global solution. Still, small steps slowly, at least we’ll be able to treat the worst infected people.”
“Some of my colleagues are suggesting creating just a few large regional treatment centres, bring the patients to the vaccines not the vaccines to the patients. It would be much easier to monitor results and progress.”
“Seems like a good idea. Super-sized Nightingale hospitals.”
“And it would be easier to spot if any patients have something similar going on in their blood like the donor.”
“He was always asymptomatic. He’s never ever shown the slightest signs of illness or infection. Had he not been involved with those street kids; his immunity would never have manifested itself.”
George let out an involuntary croak of disgust.
“Yes, and what a disgusting way to find out, absorbing somebody else’s phlegm into your own lungs then coughing it back.”
“That’s what I call love.” The professor grimaced. “Well they were a couple. At least Jessica and Terry were. Anyway, keep soldiering on; I presume the sperm donations are going smoothly now.”
“The science is,” George revealed; “can’t speak for the politics. Marek’s niece is on the lists for tomorrow’s inseminations. She’s offered to donate her eggs on a regular basis if her pregnancy is successful.”
“Oh that’s good, adding to the gene pool.” The professor grinned.
“And ensuring she gets to stay in the UK.”
“That was a given anyway, part of the agreement when Marek went east. Anyway, she’s very pretty and intelligent. She was training to be a doctor before the ISIS debacle.”
“I’m not running a eugenics lab here professor.” George censured the professor mildly.
“Even so, if we’re starting a stud book, - and we will have to, - she’s the sort of genetic material we need. Sorry George, morality and religion is not the issue here, survival and science is. Has she agreed to having daughters first.”
“She says all daughters, and lots of them.”
“Not ‘babies for Allah’, I hope.” The professor replied, slightly revealing his atheist propensities.”
“Oh hell no. She’s like her brother but tenfold.” I was chatting to Marek last night; his cousin had a nightmare in the city, then later in the camps being forced to use her partial qualifications to do work normally done by top class surgeons. One day she’d be removing shrapnel from a child’s skull and the next day helping mothers trying to enforce hygiene for seriously sick people. Scrubbing floors to set examples. Next thing she was being dragged around the city and forced to perform field surgery on some injured ISIS butcher. Believe me, Muslim, she ain’t; leastways not Islamist anyway. She hates them.”
“Well, keep up the good work, I’d like to speak to this Jamal.”
“She’s coming in tonight, preparatory to her op tomorrow. Maggie’s operating on her. She’s nervous around men.”
“I’m not surprised,” Professor Cummins agreed. “See you after my surgeries, tomorrow.”
ooo000ooo
“Good morning Maggie.”
“Morning proff. All set?”
“Yes. There’s twenty inseminations today. You’ll be doing four of the transitioners and the Cis girl Jamal, you know; Marek’s cousin. I’ll work with the rest of the team and we should be finished by one.”
“See you for lunch. It’ll be something of a novelty to implant a Cis girl with the revised technique. I can’t see any complications though. It’s her own egg and super-dad’s sperm.”
“You’ll be keeping copious notes I take it,” The professor confirmed.
“All taken care of; I’ll see you at lunch.” Maggie confirmed as they made their way to the theatres.
At about the same time that same morning, Terri arrived to deliver the sperm and share a few pleasant hours with Jessica and their daughters, before going down to the labs to donate her third twenty centilitres of blood. After this donation there was to be a two month break before the next donation. The doctors were keeping a close watch on Terri’s health.
As she cleared security at the main gate she met Charlie crossing the grounds between her accommodation block and the refectory.
“Oh hello. I didn’t realise you were here, I thought you were staying at the Nightingale.”
“Oh you wouldn’t believe it but Jan’s gone and blabbed!”
“How d’ you mean?” Terri wondered innocently.
“The stupid cow got drunk celebrating her pregnancy and she started shooting off her mouth in the club; bragging about her being immune to Covid 21 and having been vaccinated.”
“Oh shit! Any reactions?”
“Plenty. She was carrying the confidential letter from the nightingale confirming her pregnancy and the fact that she was ‘believed’ to be immune from the bug. Some of the more sober revellers got wind and the shit hit the fan. Before dawn broke yesterday, there was a mob outside the Nightingale demanding to be vaccinated.”
Terri listened with increasing concerns as Charlie related the whole story then cursed as she dashed up to see Jessica.
“So it’s true then.” Terri confirmed the state of play with Jessica.
“Oh yes, the whole bang-shoot. They’ve had to secure that stupid little bitch in ‘C’ block with a police guard, at least until the vaccine’s ready.”
“Does Jan know I’m super-daddy?”
“Not as far as I know, nor does Charlie. That secret is at least safe for now.”
“Where’s Dora, she should be keeping an eye on Jan, she seems to be able to keep her on the straight and narrow.”
“She’s at Ron’s café I suppose.”
“She’s not. I stopped by at Ron’s to share an early morning coffee. Dora’s not there, and she didn’t stay there last night.”
Jessica frowned fearfully. “She’s not here, Professor Cummins left her at the nightingale to deliver the letter advising the mob that the vaccine wouldn’t be ready for two to four weeks.”
“So she must still be at the Nightingale. I know she’s got a bed there, cos she’s stayed over a few times with Jan and Charlie.”
“We’d better phone, it’s not like her to go AWOL.”
Terri was already tugging her phone out and after a brief, tense conversation she became worried.
“She’s not there, I’ll phone Sam.”
Jessica now started to worry as Terri checked.
“ ‘And you’ve seen nothing of her.’ --- ‘No, first place I checked and there as well. -- No, she’d have come up here to speak to Jessica before going there, she wasn’t best pleased with Jan. I’ll go over there and check though, but Charlie didn’t mention it.”
Terri turned to Jessica.
“I’m popping across to Jan’s apartment, what number is it?”
“It’s the one with the police guard. They might not let you in. Strict instructions from the proff.”
“I only have to speak through the door to check.”
Jessica sighed as Terri kissed her and their daughters before hurrying across to ‘C’ block. It took but moments to confirm Dora was not with Jan and now Terri was getting really worried. She didn’t return to Jessica’s apartment but crossed straight over to talk again to Charlie who was still breakfasting in the refectory.
She immediately put Charlie in the picture and asked the all-important question.
“So you last saw her distributing the leaflets.”
“Yes.
“Have you got any copies of it?”
“No the Proff got us out of there before anything could develop.”
Realising she would get no further questioning Charlie, Terri phoned the Nightingale to firstly advise that Dora was missing, and secondly to get a copy of the notice that Dora had been distributing. It appeared on Jessica’s email promptly but it gave no indication of where Dora might have gone, - or been taken.
By two o’clock the Professor had finished the inseminations and authorised a full alert. Security at the fertility clinic was strengthened while Terri had donated her third and last twenty centilitres of blood before advising the Professor that she was returning to her secret hidey-hole where nobody knew where she was.
“Are your sure of this tactic, you’re more secure here.” Professor Cummins tried to dissuade her.
“I don’t think so. Everybody will know world-wide that there’s a vaccine coming down the pipe and the first place they’ll come looking is here. The best thing you can do is transfer the vaccine production to another location. George will help I’m sure.”
“You mean keep the sperm and fertility work going on here but separate the Vaccine work. How will you get to two different locations?”
“I don’t. You transfer the blood from Bristol to wherever.”
“So you’ll remain as Terri and just be a girl vising my clinic.”
“I’ve got one very trusted lieutenant who nobody knows about, well nobody but Dora and Jessica. I’ll not mention her name to you but she was with me when I first started living rough. Don’t go asking about her. She’s pretty much living rough as well.”
“Well, I can’t stop you I suppose for if I tried, it would immediately expose you to kidnap.”
“Exactly. Nobody’s looking for some street bitch. If you need to get in touch with my lieutenant or me, get a message to Ron at the café. Otherwise you’ll only see me when I come to donate blood every six weeks.”
“Jessica’s going to miss you.”
“Jessica understands, she’s lived on the streets and knows the score.”
“I don’t like this arrangement Terri.” The professor protested.
“Needs must when the devil cracks his whip Proff. Sorry and all that, but I feel safer hiding out than staying here as a ‘sitting duck’, gorra go now, just got to say goodbye to Jessica.”
Before Professor Cummins could day any more, Terri had moved swiftly for the door and left. In the corridor he quickly sped past Dr McTavish with barely a nod and a quick ‘hi’.
“Och; she was in one almighty Rush,” Maggie observed as she entered and made straight for the coffee machine..
“Yes,” she feels safer in her own undisclosed hidey hole than she does staying here.” Professor Cummins conceded.
“Can’t say I blame her. This place is being watched constantly. Everybody knows the sperm arrives here. It’s a good job Terri has an excellent disguise. Is it true, Dora’s gone missing?”
“Yes. We suspect it’s a hostage deal.”
“What. Superdad for Dora?”
“Or blood donor for Dora.”
“And what does Terri say?”
“She’s keeping her cards close to his chest.”
“Not funny Brendon.”
ooo000ooo
At the knock on her door, Jessica struggled to set the twins down and get up from her comfortable nursing chair. Through the spyglass she recognised Terri and unlocked the door.
“Where’s your key?”
“Here.” She waved the key in Jessica’s face. “You dead-locked the door.”
“Oh sorry.”
Once Jessica was comfortable again Terri explained the situation. Jessica started to tear up as she wondered.
“Who do they want, you or me or the both of us?”
“I don’t know yet, there’s been no word. We don’t even know for certain if she has been kidnapped. We’re just operating on that presumption. Now here’s what you have to do.”
Over a cup of coffee, Terri explained the plan and wrote some essential telephone numbers on a small notebook page.
“Hide these, and don’t put them on your phone. They’re for emergencies only when all else fails. You never know who’s hacking your phone. If I need to reach you, Sam will call you or Ron.
Jessica was fully alert to the dangers so she taped the page to the bottom of her panty drawer and carefully replaced the lining paper without creasing it. With the arrangements finalised, they hugged each other tightly then Terri left. After disembarking from the bus, she visited the Wesleyan Chapel in the city centre. It was an excellent technique for slipping a tail because all one had to do was enter via the eighteenth century old chapel front door, slip behind the pulpit, step through the hidden back door and walk out on the opposite side of the block through the restaurant. It was a simple matter to then cross the street and disappear into any of the several large stores.
Once certain she was not being followed, Terri made her way to Sam’s little apartment that she could now afford as a pregnant transitioner.
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 part 19.
Nineteen 19 Daddy’s Gone ‘a-hunting.
©Copyright to Beverly Taff 2020.
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Part 19
Having ensured she was not being followed; Terri entered the large ‘Primark’ Store before emerging in the Bear Garden, then she took a bus to Avonmouth. There she loitered in a little street café close to the old dock entrance as she kept an eye on the un-numbered door of Jan’s little flat.
Eventually, as the shadows deepened, her heart gave a nervous flutter as she spotted her earliest street friend appear with her supermarket bags in a little tow-along shopping trolly. Having ensured that Sam was alone, (As she expected her to be.) Terri paid for her last cup of tea and slipped away to knock softly on Sam’s door.
Now at last safe, and no longer a street-kid anymore, Sam opened the door without any nervous checks and squealed with delighted surprise when she recognised Terri.
“Eeek! Come in, come in! Where’ve you been!”
Despite not having seen her friend for months, Sam did not squeal Terri’s name. She had always been the wariest of the gang and her street habits had not deserted her. Terri entered and looked around to admire Sam’s efforts to make the mean little apartment comfortable.
“Sit down girl, so what brings you to this neck of the woods?”
“I need a safe place for a few weeks.”
“What-choo been up to now?”
“Nothing. It’s just some stuff that happened and it’s put me in spot.”
“Go on.”
Terri related the last few days events and Sam started to choke with laughter as she failed to suppress her amusement.
“It’s not bloody funny Sam! Dora’s in danger!”
Eventually, Sam recovered her composure and filled her coffee mug with her third dose of cheap supermarket ‘instant’ mud. Before explaining.
“I hate to disagree with you my lovely, but Dora’s not in danger.”
Terri’s eyes lit up with hope and relief.
“D’ you know where she is?”
“Yes.”
“Well go on then. Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“Ask no questions, you’ll get told no lies. The less you know, the less danger you’re in. And the less danger for Dora.”
“How do you know what sort of danger I’m in?”
“Dora’s told me everything. It corresponds exactly to what you’ve told me. Here, use my phone, she won’t respond to your phone because she knows you’re probably already being watched.”
Terri almost snatched Sam’s phone from her hand as she listened to the ‘quick-dial’ tone already making contact. A soft, almost conspiratorial ‘Hello’ responded.
“Is that you Dora?”
There was a short gasp as Dora recognised Terri’s voice.
“Yes. What are you doing at Sam’s?”
“Looking for you.”
“Well, obviously, I’m not there, but be assured, I’m safe. The question is, are you?”
Terri understood that Dora was aware of both issues, ‘Super-dad’ and ‘the blood donor’. But Sam may not be aware of the ‘blood donor’ issue. She double checked by turning to Sam.
“Are you aware of the blood-donor vaccine story?”
“I’ve heard talk of it,” Sam replied. “They’ve found somebody who’s got antibodies in their blood that might be used to make a vaccine.”
Terri fell into a thoughtful silence as she debated her conundrum.
It would be utterly unfair to expose Sam to any dangers associated with Terri’s blood donations without warning her; and yet if she told Sam, it would be another person in the loop, another potential leak, another ring on the ‘tail of rattle-snake’ that could come back to bite her. Seeking reassurance she whispered down the phone to Dora.
“I’m gonna have to come clean.”
“I think you are. Sam’s safe. She was one of the safest in the gang in the bad times.”
Sam frowned as she watched Terri whispering down the phone.
“Secrets Terri? Our gang never used to have secrets, leastwise, not Dora and I.”
Terri looked up apologetically.
“I’m going to have to tell you. Dora’s agreed. It’s not right exposing you to dangers you’re not told about.”
She handed the open phone back to Sam as she took a deep breath to explain.
“I’m the blood donor!”
Sam squinted with confusion before responding thoughtfully.
“No-oo. You’re Superdad; the sperm donor. Dora and Charlie trusted me with that secret and I’ve never revealed it to anybody. They had to tell me when I went to visit Jan and Charlie at the nightingale and they weren’t there. I thought they’d died until the hospital told me to phone them.”
Terri took another deep breath as she prepared to fully enlighten Sam.
“Well. It’s a fact; I’m ‘the blood donor as well. Check with Dora.”
Sam returned to the still open phone in her hand.
“Is it true Dora?”
“F’raid so Sammy.”
Sam looked from phone to Terri and back to the phone before falling into a thoughtful silence. Terri smiled wanly as she considered her oldest street friend..
‘Sam had always been the ‘insightful one’
After a long thoughtful pause, Sam finally spoke.
“So it’s only to be for a few weeks.”
“Two weeks to a month, the Proff said. Then the vaccine should be ready.”
“I can manage that – if you can. There’s a bed in what was going to be the nursery.”
“Okay.”
“No phoning Dora on your phone, you use mine,” Sam stipulated, “it’s anonymous, at least to everybody at the fertility clinic and the Nightingale. It can’t be traced and it’s encrypted. Dora’s phone decrypts the messages.”
“That works for me.” Terri agreed. “What about Dora?”
“I can live with that. I’m not using my phone to dial out anyway.” Dora replied via Sam’s still open phone.
“Okay.” Sam confirmed. “You two are in ‘lock-down’ for a month.”
With these final words, Sam closed her phone and started packing her groceries.
As they packed the groceries away, Sam and Terri chatted about the blood donor situation.
“I’m stunned to learn that you are both ‘Super-dad’ and ‘Blood-donor’. That’s just crazy.
“It’s not that crazy when you think about it. Covid 21 did not affect my sperm production, though god knows why. My body obviously has something odd going on vis-à-vis the way the virus affects it – or more correctly – does not affect it. And that resistance obviously causes my body to be immune to the respiratory effects as well.
Professor Cummins and his team were seriously thinking of getting me to donate some bone marrow but that’s a serious operation and they don’t want to endanger what they’ve already got. We’re all just thankful for small mercies.”
Sam giggled then snorted as she tried to suppress her amusement.
“What’s so funny?” Terri asked.
“You said small mercy. Yeah; one in seven billion small. That’s what I call really small.”
“I’m not laughing. Every government, every religious group, every terrorist group and every bloody crazy bastard would love to get their hands on me – superdad and ‘the blood donor in one swoop. There’s nothing bloody funny about it at all. They’re all after my blood – literally I mean. At least I won’t have to cough into other people’s lungs once the vaccine is ready. The trial group have shown excellent recoveries.”
“Don’t much like the idea of you coughing up a ball of phlegm into my lungs. I think I’ll wait for the vaccine.”
“Well even if you did catch it you’re in the perfect place with me. All it takes is a needle and syringe and I can inject some of my blood. It’s O type.”
“I’d probably be accused of endangering your blood or life or something if we did that.”
“Yeah, they tend to be a bit paranoid about my safety Once the vaccine is ready, I’ll get the Professor to have you vaccinated but not reveal who you are or where you live.”
“How will you do that if your incommunicado?” Sam asked.
“I have my ways.” Terri confided. Look, I’ll show you.”
Sam watched as Terri hand-wrote a brief letter and signed it, then she handed the letter to Sam.
“Now you write something underneath my message and then sign it across the lower right hand corner.”
After doing as asked, Terri then promptly photocopied the letter and wrote ‘copy’ on the second sheet, then tore a large, very jagged corner off the original letter and handed the torn corner piece to Sam.
“There, that’s your identity certificate, it’s got half of you sinature. I’ll get Ron from the café to deliver this torn letter to Professor Cummins. The letter explains that the bearer of the torn corner is you, the friend who’s hiding me. However we don’t mention Dora.”
“But how do they know my corner is legitimate – Oh! I get it, the torn piece has to match the torn letter.”
“Exactly, it’s impossible to match a rip in a piece of paper, especially when it cuts across your signature and your photocopy of the letter confirms the invisible half of the torn signature. Double security.”
“What if somebody captures me and my identity chit. The torn piece?”
“Who’s looking for you? Since you dropped out of the gang during the captures and went underground, nobody knows you exist, and since the sperm thing and the blood donations, nobody’s looking anymore. Even though your pregnant, there’s no longer any connection between you and the rest of us; me, Dora, Charlie or big-mouthed Jan”
A slow grin spread across Sam’s face.
“Clever. I love the ripped paper bit. Nobody could counterfeit that!”
“Yeah! Don’t lose it. When the vaccine is made available, the government will announce how it’s going to be shared, - probably to treat sick people first, then the doctors and nurses and stuff and eventually everybody else. However, I’ve got access to a few for my friends, that’s the deal. You’ll be on that list.”
Sam grinned gratefully then, as the relief washed over her, she slumped in the single arm chair and tears glittered.
“Thanks Terri, I don’ know what to say.”
“Say nothing, there’s thanks enough by letting me stay here. I should be thanking you.”
With their plans completed, it was simply a matter of Terri lying low for a month or, hopefully, less.”
For once in her frenzied life, Terri’s plans went as expected. She had an encrypted phone contact with Dora and her communications with Ron at the café operated smoothly through Sam posting that single letter and Ron confirming it’s arrival by texting Terry.
Three weeks later, the news was released to the world, that the British government had a very limited stock of effective vaccine and to show good will, they were distributing it around Europe as equitably as they could. Some even made it’s way to the USA to reinforce the ‘special relationship’. It was to be distributed under the express proviso that it was to treat the sick only and strictly gratis. Two hundred thousand vaccines would not go far but it was readily accepted as a start.
A month later, another vaccine release was enacted and three hundred thousand doses were enabled using George’s improved process. Then production was stopped until the ‘blood-donor’ had manufactured enough blood to donate safely again.
The ‘down-side’ of course was the Political pressure being brought to bear for the UK prime minister to reveal the source. Countries that had benefited from the vaccine release, were supportive of the UK’s endeavours to be fair and equitable but the truth was that there was simply not enough vaccine to go around. Charges of deception and favouritism soon began to fly.
Owing to the saturated news cover of – The Vaccine! – Terri had decided to remain hidden in Sam’s modest little flat but eventually, Sam’s needs vis-à-vis her forthcoming baby, began to weigh heavily on their friendship. Sam needed the tiny nursery room for her baby.
“I’m sorry Babe’s but you’ll have to go back to living with Jessica at the clinic.”
Reluctantly, Terri was forced to agree. The spotlight had moved from the location of ‘The blood Donor’, to the question of vaccine distribution. All the medical pundits now agreed that the vaccine was necessarily limited to one individual’s blood supply so the arguments surrounding availability had been negated. Instead the fight had boiled over into accusations of slow genocide and institutional racism.
The second charge wounded Terri. Her own partner Jessica was half Chinese and the mix had produced an exceptionally intelligent and very attractive girl who Terri now considered her to be her wife, even though there was no marriage certificate. She sat glumly staring into her mug of tea as she was forced to contemplate ‘coming out’. Sam smiled sympathetically but even as she reached out to stroke Terri’s wrist, her baby made its first kick.
“I don’t want to push you out babes but – Ooh!! Oh gosh! The baby’s just kicked!”
Terri looked up and smiled wanly. ‘It was almost as if – ‘ the baby was telling Terri to leave. Sam took Terri’s hand and rested it on her bump while the baby responded with a perfectly timed ‘hint’ – namely a kick.
“Okay Babe’s I’ll go. Give me a chance to pack what stuff I’ve got and I’ll contact Ron to come with his van.”
By the evening, Terri was on her way back to Jessica’s apartment.
ooo000ooo
Covid Nineteen Chapter 20
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Jessica's personal body-guard
Part 20.
“Well, well! Look what the cat’s dragged in!” Jessica remarked part censoriously and part in jest.
“Didn’t know you’ve bought a cat.” Terri riposted feebly.
“Well there’s one little pussy that’s been missing you.”
“Now, now. Be’ ave girl! Keep it above the navel,” Terri chuckled as they fell into each other’s arms and hugged desperately.
After each had relieved their tensions they eventually separated and fell to discussing the progress of events.
“When are you next donating.?” Jessica asked.
“Sperm; later this afternoon; blood ‘bout two weeks if the Proff is sticking to his six week thing. Where are the girls?”
“Dawn the nurse has them. She’s taken them out with one of the armed guards, I think there’s a thing developing there.”
Terri knew of the security arrangements. Any person who might compromise Terri’s safety got an armed escort. There would be two escorts but in Dawn’s case the second escort was usually a female because the security group knew about Dawn and the other escort’s relationship. It was not frowned upon indeed it was accepted freely. The essential element was that everybody in the group knew about the relationship so it did not compromise the operations.
Over a light lunch that Terri helped prepare, the pair chatted at length and eventually, the topic of ‘marriage’ came up.
“It’s going to identify me to the world,” Terri protested.
“It doesn’t have to be a public thing. Just you me and a couple of witnesses. “Jessica argued.
“What about your mum. The Chinese are big on family aren’t they.”
“She knows when not to rock the boat. She’s a refugee from Hongkong don’t forget. She’s just over the moon that she’s got two beautiful grand-daughters, especially as they’ve got fair hair and only slightly almond shaped eyes.”
“Yes, they are pretty,” Terri confirmed, “even if I do say so myself.”
Jessica felt a warm wave pulse through her heart. She also had oriental slightly almond eyes with middling brown hair but when her babies arrived with their father’s blond hair, she was ecstatic. Like many girls from migrant back-grounds insecurity was always a factor. She knew she had been incredibly lucky to find such a caring and loyal partner even if he had turned out to be a transvestite. The nicest part was that Terri’s transvestism also predisposed him to being a caring, loving parent with the same emotional intensity for the girls as she, Jessica, had.
Terri’s monogamous nature was the final knot that had tied down Jessica’s feelings for him. She knew that in Terri, she had a diamond and she intended to keep it polished. What was more, now that her parents understood about Terri’s transvestism, they had moved forward light years since the girls had arrived. Eleanor only had a western name because her great grandfather had been an English immigrant to Hong Kong and married a spectacularly beautiful girl from the boat people. That beauty had travelled down through the generations to the twins Eleanor and Diana.
Jessica leaned forward and fell into Terri’s arms as they confirmed their decision to marry someday soon.
ooo000ooo
Later that afternoon, the female body-guard returned with the twins and shared a welcome cup of tea while Jessica slipped easily into her feeding routine. The body-guard smiled enviously as she blatantly watched.
“I’ll be glad when my tour of duty is completed and I’ll be eligible for motherhood.”
“How old will you be then?”
“Twenty six.”
“Quite old then. I’m surprised the fertility authorities haven’t already conscripted you.”
“I’m army. I was promoted quickly after some nasty stuff in Afghanistan and other places in that part of the world so one thing led to another. Before I knew it I was a sergeant and when I qualified for the SAS this job came up.”
“D’ you like it?”
“Most of the time, yes. My partners have accepted me now, they recognise the women’s intuition when somebody comes on to the girls. Twice now we’ve had cause to intervene though you might not have noticed.”
Jessica’s jaw sagged with shock.
“What!! You mean there have been attempts?”
“We think so. One we nailed as they were casing the scene a second possibly when you were out shopping with your mother. We suspect that they think by taking your daughters, they’ll force their father to break cover.”
“I never noticed anything!” Jessica gasped. The trouble is Terri loves her daughters and he might do something stupid if his girls are harmed.”
“Jeeze! I wish you’d stick with the same pronouns. Is Terri male or female?”
“She flips, well in her head at least. She uses the female persona mostly to hide what’s going on. Just think of her as an ‘inbetweenie’ and you won’t go far wrong. You’ve never seen her in male mode have you?”
“I don’t think I’d want to. I met her as female and I think of her as female despite all the sperm business. Anyway, when I finish my military service, I think I’ll want her child. I prefer girls.”
“Best to keep striving to keep her alive then.” Jessica grinned.
“Well we can only do our job. I’ll be back on duty tomorrow then I’m off to see my sister in London.”
As she watched the bodyguard’s car departing through the gates, Terri returned from the labs. She helped Jessica change the twin’s nappies then settled the twins as they prepared for a quiet evening . It was a relief and pleasure to be sharing time together again as they lay cuddled together on the sofa watching a chick flick while quietly savouring each other’s closeness.
As darkness fell, Terri’s phone rang, it was Ron at the Café.
“Ah, glad I caught you, guess who’s with me.”
“Dora?”
“Got it in one Babe’s. Here she is.”
Dora’s voice came through with a cheerful note.
“Watch ‘a babes! How’s tricks.”.
“Tricks are getting a bit sticky,” Terri admonished her gently.
“Oh shit! After the vaccine came out I thought things would ease off. What’s the prob?”
“They might be trying to kidnap the girls to get to us; Jessica and me, that is.”
“Who are ‘they’?” Dora wondered.
“The body guards are operating on the idea they are probably Middle Eastern or Oriental. The gang Marek met were definitely middle eastern. But now they want him to somehow get some female gametes. Their own doctors accepted the male gametes as ‘proof’ that Marek was able to access the clinic’s resources but of course; they’re forced to accept that they will need female gametes in the future. Marek is working closely with the authorities.”
“So Marek’s got to run the gauntlet again.”
“If we are to trace their paymasters, yes. But that’s between Marek and the intelligence services. All I do is produce the sperm.”
“Ha! Nice one Terri! ‘All you do is produce the sperm’! Like the most valuable stuff on earth at the moment.”
“Happen. But it’s just an accident of my genes. There’s obviously a connection to my blood combatting Covid 21 and my sperm being unaffected by the same bug.”
“Who’s researching that?”
“Half the bloody labs in Britain plus a good few more worldwide. Now that my blood and my sperm is out there, you can bet everybody’s looking to complete the jigsaw.”
Dora let a chuckle die in her throat as she considered Terri’s dilemma.
“So; no secrets for you then, your really are a lab-rat aren’t you.”
“Yeah. Tell me about it. Now, are you coming over?”
“Tomorrow darling. I need a night’s peace after staying at Sam’s mum’s.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Terri closed her phone and prepared to join Jessica in the kitchen.
“She’s coming over tomorrow, is that okay? She said Ron will bring her in the van and put her off a couple of streets away to avoid anybody making connections between his shop and us.”
“Yeah, that’ll work; It’ll be good to see old friends. We can go for a run in the country. I’m sick of being cooped up in here.”
ooo000ooo
The intercom jarred Terri to wakefulness and she almost fell out of bed as she stretched blindly for the phone.
“Who’s this?”
“Who d’ you think it is.”
“I’m not into guessing games! Who is -?”
“It’s Dora you sleepy toad. Get up!”
Terri cursed and groped into her wardrobe for a dress. After shimmying irritably into it and slipping on a pair of shoes she stumbled sleepily to the door release. The camera confirmed Dora’s being alone and Terri slipped the lock.
“Why so early?”
“Ron hasn’t got long. He’s got some work in the late afternoon. He’ll run us to a country park or something then pick us up.”
“We’ll have to wait for the security team.”
“Well call them now.”
While Terri and Jessica prepared the twins Dora asked Ron to wait awhile but soon everybody including the security team, were sneaked out and loaded into Ron’s van using a vehicle stop several blocks from the clinic.
“We should be safe unless they turn up mob-handed.” Ron opined as they approached the motorway. “So where’s it to be?”
“Nowhere far,” Jessica requested, “Perhaps Weston.”
“Suites us,” Dora and Ron chorused, “a stroll along the open beach where nobody can sneak up on us.”
“Weston it is then,” Terri agreed and Ron selected the appropriate approach lane onto the motorway..
Forty minutes later the group were savouring the wide open spaces of Weston beach with the tide out. For Jessica it was truly a blessing to get far away from the clinic and the apartment as she savoured her first trip to the seaside since she had first run away from her family home when the egg snatchers had come hunting for her.
“Had it really been nearly four years?” She asked herself.
“Penny for your thoughts Babe’s?” Terri suggested.
“I’m just thinking; how much water has passed under the bridge since we first met.”
“Which bridge?” Terri riposted.
Jessica paused before she found a suitable response.
“The one over troubled waters; what else?”
Terri pulled a wry smile as he nodded acknowledgement to her witty reply. Lost for a commensurate response he just sighed and nodded towards the Brean Down.
“Looks like a good place to picnic.”
“You’ll be lucky,” Ron observed. “There’s the river between us and there. We may as well have an ice cream over there then head back. I’ve got stuff to finish at the café.”
Accepting Ron’s advice they stopped at the little café, indulged Jessica’s whim then returned to the apartment.
ooo000ooo
As Ron’s van slowed outside the clinic the accompanying female security guard tensed.
“Drive around!”
“Wha -? Why?”
“Don’t stop, drive away.”
Ron needed no extra urging and promptly did as requested. After several city blocks, the guard finally told them to stop.
“What was all that about?”
“The security team manning the CCTV for the hospital have just contacted me. There were some people showing too much interest in your apartment block. They were driving a white Volvo. Do any of you know of anybody with a white Volvo?”
Ron, Dora, Jessica and Terri all shrugged simultaneously and the guard spoke to the CCTV operators again.
“Right okay. Check it out. Baldwin Street?”
“That’s in the city centre.” Dora observed. “We should be okay to check the flat,”
“I’ll get one of my colleagues to check it out first,” the guard cautioned, “cant be too sure these days.”
They all agreed to the strategy, and remained in the van until given the all-clear. Finally, Ron drove a couple more blocks before Terri, Jessica and Dora and the twins walked back to the apartment with the two armed escorts. When they got to the apartment, the third guard met them.
“I’ve check the building, but I’ve not checked the apartment. Jessica had better check first to see if anything has been disturbed.”
The guards took Terri’s key and cautiously unlocked the door while the others stood well back. On finally entering, Jessica checked around but found nothing untoward but the guard took out his scanner and swept the apartment. He promptly located several tiny, hidden video-cameras. Terri’s face went white with shock.
“How long have those been there?”
“They weren’t there last night. Jessica confirmed with Sarah the female SAS sergeant.
“I swept the apartment while Jessica fed the girls.”
“So they did visit us while we were at the beach.” Terri shuddered.
“Seems so but this could work to our advantage.” The third security guard explained. “They don’t know that we’ve discovered the cameras.”
“But we can’t leave them there. The one in the bathroom will show me naked and blow my disguise. Everybody thinks Terri is a pretty girl. Just a good friend of Jessica’s who calls around a lot.”
“And sleeps over.” Jessica added.
“Not a problem. When next you take a shower Jessie, just leave a towel or something drying from the shower door stiffener. That’ll block the camera. It was a stupid place to put the camera anyway but the only place where it could be easily hidden. Remember to check that the shower camera is blocked when you take a shower Terri.”
“What about the bedroom?”
“Just make sure you’re girly at all times. Girlfriends often sleep over anyway.”
Jessica and Terri exchanged smiles before Terri asked.
“And when we – ahem; you know?”
“Can’t you abstain for a few days until we trace these people?”
“Oh! It’s only for a few days then.”
“Until we catch them; that’s all.”
“Okay then. Let the Jessie and Terri peep-show roll,” Jessica sighed “the things I do for bloody England.”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 22.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Female Bodyguard.
Chapter 21.
After Sarah and the other guards had reassured Jessica and Terri that they would be doubling the security, Jessica and Terri settled down to a quiet night with a ‘chick-flick’ Knowing where the cameras were did little for their comfort but if their exposure for a few days meant that the agents were caught, then the pair were prepared to run the risk.
Naturally, Terri was a lot more circumspect during her bathroom visits and always double checked that the bathroom guest towel was blocking the camera. The main problem was knowing that they were being closely watched and the agents would know when Jessica was alone in the flat, Terri was now compelled to upgrade his subterfuge by reinforcing the image of Terri being a close female friend of Jessica’s whilst having a job somewhere. This meant she had to stay most of the time at Ron’s café and sleep overnight in the other spare ‘box-room’ down the landing from Dora’s bedroom.
The ploy didn’t work for the agents were well trained and skilled in surveillance. In the week that it took the security guards to locate their base, the agents were close to realising that there was more to Jessica’s female friend (lover?) than met the eye.
Plans were set up to capture the ‘girl’ and find out what was going on.
Two days after the cameras were discovered, Terri was leaving Jessica to maintain the subterfuge and she failed to notice the ‘tail’ that boarded the bus behind her. When Terri alighted, the tail did not follow but simply noted the location as the bus sped on. Thus by patiently staging the pursuit the agents eventually determined that Terri lived in a row of houses that backed onto the same lane as Ron’s café. Unfortunately for Terri, the quiet seclusion of the lane also assisted the agents in their kidnap.
One wet, windy night as Terri was fumbling with the key to Ron’s yard she was suddenly taken just as she was returning her door-key to her handbag. The kidnappers attacked as Terri was opening the door to the rear yard. They quickly grabbed her arms in a powerful embrace. This was of course to immobilise her while the second kidnapper smothered her mouth. Having seemingly immobilising her the attackers dragged her to their waiting van and eventually bundled her in.
Fortunately for Terri, while she had been replacing her key in her bag, it was next to her ‘tracer alarm, that was monitored by the security forces. The moment she was attacked, she activated the tracer as she struggled valiantly to delay her kidnap as long as possible.
Once captured, she followed all the rules she had been taught and it was fully five minutes of violent struggle before the kidnappers managed to get her into the van. Five minutes was all the security force needed to be on the road and locating Terri’s tracer-alarm.
In the unlit rear of the locked van, Terri managed to locate the tracer again by rummaging cautiously in her hand-bag and eventually she inserted the tracer into her rectum.
“Thank god for micro-skirts and skimpy knickers.” She congratulated herself, as the task proved easy despite the handcuffs.
As the kidnaper’s van picked its way through the rain it eventually pulled into a small yard off Baldwin street in the city centre.
“Out bitch!” One of the kidnappers commanded.
Terri made a show of struggling to get to her feet and hopefully creating as much delay as possible. Her efforts however, only incensed the kidnappers and they yanked her violently out of the van.
“Ouch. Fuck you, you bastards that hurt!”
“Through that door bitch!”
Terri followed their instructions and eventually found herself in a seedy apartment as the kidnappers checked for followers.
“Looks like we’re in the clear.” One of them opined.
“Not ‘til we’re out of town.” The leader declared as he turned to Terri.
“Right bitch. What’s your relationship to the girl with the twins?”
“You should know if you’ve decided to kidnap me.”
He slapped Terri hard across the face as he replied.
“Don’t try playin’ games bitch! We’re serious.”
“What d‘ you think it is. I’m her friend of bloody course!”
“Do you know where her boyfriend lives?”
“Of course I bloody don’t. He keeps himself well hidden.”
“Yer lyin’ bitch. We’ve seen you deliverin’ the blood. How do you get it?”
“We have a pre-arranged delivery system.” Terri lied.
“Where and when.”
“Different times, different places; each and every time.”
“How’d ‘you organise it?”
“On my mobile.”
“Where is it?”
“Where you idiots left it; in my handbag, in the van!”
One of the kidnappers cursed and immediately left the room. Terri hoped the security guards might be onsite by now and that they would tackle him when they saw him get into the van, then she cursed as she realised the security guys would not know the van. He returned a few minutes later with her mobile in his hand.
“It’s security locked bitch! What’s the password?”
She had a coded message to contact the security forces. Instead of giving them her personal password, she gave them the extended alternative ‘dial-up’ password that simultaneously connected the phone immediately to the security guards who were now able to eavesdrop on her conversations..
“It’s ‘Allsausagesturncold!2000’
He tapped eagerly on the keys and gave a wolfish grin as her phone lit up and he quickly went to messages. What he didn’t know was that now, the security guards were actually eves-dropping on Terri’s conversation. As he searched the messages he frowned angrily.
“What are all these numbers?” He demanded.
“Coded locations.” Terri replied. “Places where I can meet him and collect the blood.”
“Oh fuck this. Just tell us when you’re next meeting him and once we’ve got him, you can bloody go.”
“I don’t tell him. He tells me.” Terri lied.
“Fuck! When next is he likely to call?”
“Every day, it’ll be tomorrow morning now. If he’s got blood, he’ll just text a number.”
“I don’t see any previous texts here,” the lead kidnapper accused her.
“Of course not. I delete them the moment I’ve got the number. Can’t be too careful, can I?”
He cursed again then shrugged as he instructed the other kidnappers.
“Lock her in the small bedroom. We’ll see what happens in the morning. Organise yourselves into watches, I’ll go and get some food.”
As they locked her in the smallest bedroom, Terri was relieved to learn that they were not gratuitously violent. Still handcuffed she settled on the bed to await the morning.
ooo000ooo
Dawn arrived and Terri kicked at the door demanding a lavatory break. They uncuffed her and obliged her. Whilst attending to her needs, she extracted the tracer from her rectum and switched it on and off two times. This was a message to confirm she still carried the tracer and she was okay. When she emerged, the leader presented her with her phone.
“Put the password in again. We switched it off overnight.”
“And you forgot to memorise the password!” Terri scorned them.
“Just do it!”
Terri obliged and waited for the number to be texted by the security forces.
It came within ten minutes when Terri was eating some bread for breakfast. The simple two digit number confirmed the rendezvous and she advised the gang leader.
“It’s in the suburbs out Bedminster way.”
“Where?”
She named the pub and explained that the blood would be located inside some ivy behind the boundary wall to the pub garden..
“Where will he be?”
“He’ll be gone.”
“Tell him to wait.”
“He never waits. He’s cagier than a snow leopard.”
“What! You never see him?”
“Only if he chooses to remain. If he wants to see me. He simply watches the pickup location and double checks to see if I’m being tailed.”
“How can he tell that you’re being tailed? We could use any vehicle.”
“I always have to use the bus. If he wants to meet me he watches the bus stop and checks to see if I’m being followed. If he has any doubts, he simply doesn’t present himself to me. As I said, he’s cagier than all hell.”
“Fuck!”
Stuck with such a dilemma, the agents realised they were forced to use the bus system again little realising that it was a pre-arranged system that Terri and the security forces had evolved for exactly this sort of scenario. Terri could hear the muffled arguments through the door and eventually the door opened. She decided to try and take the initiative.
“You’re late. He’ll normally be long gone by now, but the blood will be in the ivy covering the wall. If he want’s to see me he’ll be waiting nearby. I usually hang around the location for five minutes to see if he appears.”
The agents glared thoughtfully, but could see no way past the impasse at such short notice. They shoved Terri out of the door into the yard and straight into a carefully prepared trap.
As the group emerged from the building, Terri recognised one of the security team seemingly taking a black plastic bag of rubbish towards a rubbish bin near the gateway to the yard. Having recognised the man, Terri then spotted the security team’s van and immediately did what the team had practiced several times. Even as the gang escorted her towards their own van, Terri waited until she was walking close by the security team’s van. Suddenly she dropped to the floor. There were three quick, silenced shots at head height and three agents fell to the floor. The side door of the van slid open and Terri was bundled into the van while the dead bodies quickly followed.
Within twenty seconds of Terri having emerged from the building, the loaded van was departing the yard.
In the van, Terri recovered her nerves and turned to Sarah.
You left that a bit late. I was getting worried.
“It was the best location.”
“What about the last one, Mr big?”
Sarah handed her phone that was still recording the contents of Terri’s mobile.
“Have a listen. He’s not a happy bunny.”
“Will I get my phone back?”
“Of course. We’re not interested in your private life.”
“Yeah. Pull the other one.”
“Seriously Terri. I’ll get it back to you as soon as.”
Terri turned to study the bodies.
“What are they, middle eastern or central Asian?”
“One is a central Asian, we know him but we don’t know the leader or these other two.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find out.”
“Our job’s to protect you. It’s up to the government to find out who’s after you.”
“They only want me to lead them to the blood donor –“
“And the sperm donor.” Sarah added sotto voice.
Terri put her finger to her lips and frowned.
“Well, after this debacle, he might drop out of sight.”
“R’ you serious?” Sarah whispered.
“It’s getting too dangerous,” Terri whispered back. “Ah, here we are; back at the clinic.”
“Out you get. I’ll escort you back to Jessica’s”
“What about these three?”
“Leave that to us.”
Terri shrugged, took a deep calming breath and stepped out. Within minutes she was in Jessica’s arms before slumping into an armchair. Jessica clung like a limpet while Sarah changed her mental gears and switched the kettle on.
“How can you be so calm?” Terri asked her.
“Part of the job.” Sarah replied as she took out her phone to check on the where-abouts of the gang leader.
Terri raised inquisitive eyebrows to which Sarah replied.
“He’s seen his chums and realises we mean business. We’ve already got some answers.
“Well, I’ve still got to make the blood appointment.” Terri reminded Sarah.
“The cat’s pretty much out of the bag babes.” Jessica interjected.
Terri paled slightly.
“How.”
The blood clinic was running tests in the hope of finding any markers on your DNA that might point to any other possible donors. Some bright young thing from the sperm clinic ran stuff over his or her computer and the computer picked up on the DNA. He or she took her information to the director and he couldn’t deny it. He tried to tell him or her to keep it a secret and well, - you know the old saying; a secret’s only a secret as long as only one person knows it. The staff at the clinic now know that Mr Blood donor is Mr sperm donor.
“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Terri cursed. “So that means everybody knows.”
Jessica nodded her head despondently.
“It won’t be long before the other bit becomes common knowledge and then -.”
“Bye, bye Terri.” Terri replied.
“What d’ you mean?” Sarah frowned.
She didn’t like secrets that might compromise her operations.
“Can’t say.” Jessica declared.
“You’re not making my job any easier.” Sarah charged irritably.
“We’re going to have to let her in on the secret.” Terri sighed. “It’s not fair on them. They’ve just gone through an incident this morning that says it all.”
“You’d better talk to Professor Cummins and the team first.” Jessica cautioned.
“Speaking of the Devil. They’re crossing the courtyard now, him and Dr McTavish.” Sarah observed.
“I’ll bet it’s to do with the blood donor also being the sperm donor.” Jessica opined. “There’s been a fluttering in the dovecotes since the news broke.”
“Has that bloody kettle boiled yet.” Terri demanded.
“Calm down babes, nobody but a few know who the blood donor is yet and even less know who the sperm donor is.. The only public bit is that they’re the same person.”
Terri sat slumped on the armchair as Professor Cummins and Dr McTavish arrived.”
“Well I’m glad and relieved that you’re safe!” The prof declared. “You’re not harmed I see?”
“Only my nerves Prof.”
“Good. Well there’s good news and bad news.”
“Go on.” Terri sagged again.
“We’ve made a breakthrough with the vaccine.”
“How so?” Terri pressed.
“They’ve developed a more sophisticated procedure using viral RNA instead of your DNA. It’s faster but less predictable so it needs some more testing.”
“How much more testing?” Jessica demanded.
“The virologist was explaining it to me last night. About three months and at least five thousand volunteers.”
“What sort of volunteers?” Terri asked again.
“The first ones should be young people, mid to late teens up to mid-twenties.”
“So it’ll be schools, universities and – what else?”
“Army.” The proff replied, well, - armed forces to be precise. Definitely no young medical staff, they’re too precious.”
“Yeah. That makes sense Terri was forced to agree. “Is it dangerous? – The testing I mean.”
“We don’t think so but the clinical tests will confirm it - we’re certain.”
“Good luck with that professor. I for one, am going to catch up on some sleep.”
ooo000ooo
Nineteen 21.
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers.
Doctor McTavish. Female paediatrician
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Female Bodyguard.
Chapter 21.
After Sarah and the other guards had reassured Jessica and Terri that they would be doubling the security, Jessica and Terri settled down to a quiet night with a ‘chick-flick’ Knowing where the cameras were did little for their comfort but if their exposure for a few days meant that the agents were caught, then the pair were prepared to run the risk.
Naturally, Terri was a lot more circumspect during her bathroom visits and always double checked that the bathroom guest towel was blocking the camera. The main problem was knowing that they were being closely watched and the agents would know when Jessica was alone in the flat, Terri was now compelled to upgrade his subterfuge by reinforcing the image of Terri being a close female friend of Jessica’s whilst having a job somewhere. This meant she had to stay most of the time at Ron’s café and sleep overnight in the other spare ‘box-room’ down the landing from Dora’s bedroom.
The ploy didn’t work for the agents were well trained and skilled in surveillance. In the week that it took the security guards to locate their base, the agents were close to realising that there was more to Jessica’s female friend (lover?) than met the eye.
Plans were set up to capture the ‘girl’ and find out what was going on.
Two days after the cameras were discovered, Terri was leaving Jessica to maintain the subterfuge and she failed to notice the ‘tail’ that boarded the bus behind her. When Terri alighted, the tail did not follow but simply noted the location as the bus sped on. Thus by patiently staging the pursuit the agents eventually determined that Terri lived in a row of houses that backed onto the same lane as Ron’s café. Unfortunately for Terri, the quiet seclusion of the lane also assisted the agents in their kidnap.
One wet, windy night as Terri was fumbling with the key to Ron’s yard she was suddenly taken just as she was returning her door-key to her handbag. The kidnappers attacked as Terri was opening the door to the rear yard. They quickly grabbed her arms in a powerful embrace. This was of course to immobilise her while the second kidnapper smothered her mouth. Having seemingly immobilising her the attackers dragged her to their waiting van and eventually bundled her in.
Fortunately for Terri, while she had been replacing her key in her bag, it was next to her ‘tracer alarm, that was monitored by the security forces. The moment she was attacked, she activated the tracer as she struggled valiantly to delay her kidnap as long as possible.
Once captured, she followed all the rules she had been taught and it was fully five minutes of violent struggle before the kidnappers managed to get her into the van. Five minutes was all the security force needed to be on the road and locating Terri’s tracer-alarm.
In the unlit rear of the locked van, Terri managed to locate the tracer again by rummaging cautiously in her hand-bag and eventually she inserted the tracer into her rectum.
“Thank god for micro-skirts and skimpy knickers.” She congratulated herself, as the task proved easy despite the handcuffs.
As the kidnaper’s van picked its way through the rain it eventually pulled into a small yard off Baldwin street in the city centre.
“Out bitch!” One of the kidnappers commanded.
Terri made a show of struggling to get to her feet and hopefully creating as much delay as possible. Her efforts however, only incensed the kidnappers and they yanked her violently out of the van.
“Ouch. Fuck you, you bastards that hurt!”
“Through that door bitch!”
Terri followed their instructions and eventually found herself in a seedy apartment as the kidnappers checked for followers.
“Looks like we’re in the clear.” One of them opined.
“Not ‘til we’re out of town.” The leader declared as he turned to Terri.
“Right bitch. What’s your relationship to the girl with the twins?”
“You should know if you’ve decided to kidnap me.”
He slapped Terri hard across the face as he replied.
“Don’t try playin’ games bitch! We’re serious.”
“What d‘ you think it is. I’m her friend of bloody course!”
“Do you know where her boyfriend lives?”
“Of course I bloody don’t. He keeps himself well hidden.”
“Yer lyin’ bitch. We’ve seen you deliverin’ the blood. How do you get it?”
“We have a pre-arranged delivery system.” Terri lied.
“Where and when.”
“Different times, different places; each and every time.”
“How’d ‘you organise it?”
“On my mobile.”
“Where is it?”
“Where you idiots left it; in my handbag, in the van!”
One of the kidnappers cursed and immediately left the room. Terri hoped the security guards might be onsite by now and that they would tackle him when they saw him get into the van, then she cursed as she realised the security guys would not know the van. He returned a few minutes later with her mobile in his hand.
“It’s security locked bitch! What’s the password?”
She had a coded message to contact the security forces. Instead of giving them her personal password, she gave them the extended alternative ‘dial-up’ password that simultaneously connected the phone immediately to the security guards who were now able to eavesdrop on her conversations..
“It’s ‘Allsausagesturncold!2000’
He tapped eagerly on the keys and gave a wolfish grin as her phone lit up and he quickly went to messages. What he didn’t know was that now, the security guards were actually eves-dropping on Terri’s conversation. As he searched the messages he frowned angrily.
“What are all these numbers?” He demanded.
“Coded locations.” Terri replied. “Places where I can meet him and collect the blood.”
“Oh fuck this. Just tell us when you’re next meeting him and once we’ve got him, you can bloody go.”
“I don’t tell him. He tells me.” Terri lied.
“Fuck! When next is he likely to call?”
“Every day, it’ll be tomorrow morning now. If he’s got blood, he’ll just text a number.”
“I don’t see any previous texts here,” the lead kidnapper accused her.
“Of course not. I delete them the moment I’ve got the number. Can’t be too careful, can I?”
He cursed again then shrugged as he instructed the other kidnappers.
“Lock her in the small bedroom. We’ll see what happens in the morning. Organise yourselves into watches, I’ll go and get some food.”
As they locked her in the smallest bedroom, Terri was relieved to learn that they were not gratuitously violent. Still handcuffed she settled on the bed to await the morning.
ooo000ooo
Dawn arrived and Terri kicked at the door demanding a lavatory break. They uncuffed her and obliged her. Whilst attending to her needs, she extracted the tracer from her rectum and switched it on and off two times. This was a message to confirm she still carried the tracer and she was okay. When she emerged, the leader presented her with her phone.
“Put the password in again. We switched it off overnight.”
“And you forgot to memorise the password!” Terri scorned them.
“Just do it!”
Terri obliged and waited for the number to be texted by the security forces.
It came within ten minutes when Terri was eating some bread for breakfast. The simple two digit number confirmed the rendezvous and she advised the gang leader.
“It’s in the suburbs out Bedminster way.”
“Where?”
She named the pub and explained that the blood would be located inside some ivy behind the boundary wall to the pub garden..
“Where will he be?”
“He’ll be gone.”
“Tell him to wait.”
“He never waits. He’s cagier than a snow leopard.”
“What! You never see him?”
“Only if he chooses to remain. If he wants to see me. He simply watches the pickup location and double checks to see if I’m being tailed.”
“How can he tell that you’re being tailed? We could use any vehicle.”
“I always have to use the bus. If he wants to meet me he watches the bus stop and checks to see if I’m being followed. If he has any doubts, he simply doesn’t present himself to me. As I said, he’s cagier than all hell.”
“Fuck!”
Stuck with such a dilemma, the agents realised they were forced to use the bus system again little realising that it was a pre-arranged system that Terri and the security forces had evolved for exactly this sort of scenario. Terri could hear the muffled arguments through the door and eventually the door opened. She decided to try and take the initiative.
“You’re late. He’ll normally be long gone by now, but the blood will be in the ivy covering the wall. If he want’s to see me he’ll be waiting nearby. I usually hang around the location for five minutes to see if he appears.”
The agents glared thoughtfully, but could see no way past the impasse at such short notice. They shoved Terri out of the door into the yard and straight into a carefully prepared trap.
As the group emerged from the building, Terri recognised one of the security team seemingly taking a black plastic bag of rubbish towards a rubbish bin near the gateway to the yard. Having recognised the man, Terri then spotted the security team’s van and immediately did what the team had practiced several times. Even as the gang escorted her towards their own van, Terri waited until she was walking close by the security team’s van. Suddenly she dropped to the floor. There were three quick, silenced shots at head height and three agents fell to the floor. The side door of the van slid open and Terri was bundled into the van while the dead bodies quickly followed.
Within twenty seconds of Terri having emerged from the building, the loaded van was departing the yard.
In the van, Terri recovered her nerves and turned to Sarah.
You left that a bit late. I was getting worried.
“It was the best location.”
“What about the last one, Mr big?”
Sarah handed her phone that was still recording the contents of Terri’s mobile.
“Have a listen. He’s not a happy bunny.”
“Will I get my phone back?”
“Of course. We’re not interested in your private life.”
“Yeah. Pull the other one.”
“Seriously Terri. I’ll get it back to you as soon as.”
Terri turned to study the bodies.
“What are they, middle eastern or central Asian?”
“One is a central Asian, we know him but we don’t know the leader or these other two.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find out.”
“Our job’s to protect you. It’s up to the government to find out who’s after you.”
“They only want me to lead them to the blood donor –“
“And the sperm donor.” Sarah added sotto voice.
Terri put her finger to her lips and frowned.
“Well, after this debacle, he might drop out of sight.”
“R’ you serious?” Sarah whispered.
“It’s getting too dangerous,” Terri whispered back. “Ah, here we are; back at the clinic.”
“Out you get. I’ll escort you back to Jessica’s”
“What about these three?”
“Leave that to us.”
Terri shrugged, took a deep calming breath and stepped out. Within minutes she was in Jessica’s arms before slumping into an armchair. Jessica clung like a limpet while Sarah changed her mental gears and switched the kettle on.
“How can you be so calm?” Terri asked her.
“Part of the job.” Sarah replied as she took out her phone to check on the where-abouts of the gang leader.
Terri raised inquisitive eyebrows to which Sarah replied.
“He’s seen his chums and realises we mean business. We’ve already got some answers.
“Well, I’ve still got to make the blood appointment.” Terri reminded Sarah.
“The cat’s pretty much out of the bag babes.” Jessica interjected.
Terri paled slightly.
“How.”
The blood clinic was running tests in the hope of finding any markers on your DNA that might point to any other possible donors. Some bright young thing from the sperm clinic rand stuff over his or her computer and the computer picked up on the DNA. He or she took her information to the director and he couldn’t deny it. He tried to tell him or her to keep it a secret and well, - you know the old saying; a secret’s only a secret as long as only one person knows it. The staff at the clinic now know that Mr Blood donor is Mr sperm donor.
“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Terri cursed. “So that means everybody knows.”
Jessica nodded her head despondently.
“It won’t be long before the other bit becomes common knowledge and then -.”
“Bye, bye Terri.” Terri replied.
“What d’ you mean?” Sarah frowned.
She didn’t like secrets that might compromise her operations.
“Can’t say.” Jessica declared.
“You’re not making my job any easier.” Sarah charged irritably.
“We’re going to have to let her in on the secret.” Terri sighed. “It’s not fair on them. They’ve just gone through an incident this morning that says it all.”
“You’d better talk to Professor Cummins and the team first.” Jessica cautioned.
“Speaking of the Devil. They’re crossing the courtyard now, him and Dr McTavish.” Sarah observed.
“I’ll bet it’s to do with the blood donor also being the sperm donor.” Jessica opined. “There’s been a fluttering in the dovecotes since the news broke.”
“Has that bloody kettle boiled yet.” Terri demanded.
“Calm down babes, nobody but a few know who the blood donor is yet and even less know who the sperm donor is.. The only public bit is that they’re the same person.”
Terri sat slumped on the armchair as Professor Cummins and Dr McTavish arrived.”
“Well I’m glad and relieved that you’re safe!” The prof declared. “You’re not harmed I see?”
“Only my nerves Prof.”
“Good. Well there’s good news and bad news.”
“Go on.” Terri sagged again.
“We’ve made a breakthrough with the vaccine.”
Covid 19 Part 23
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers. Agathe McTavish. Female paediatrician (Aggie)
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
Dawn Junior Baby named after her grandmother.
Eleanor Junior Baby named after other grandmother.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Female Bodyguard.
Part 23
With the risk of being kidnapped and the bodyguards having learned who ‘Mr Blood donor and Mr Sperm were, Terri and Jessica were able to relax for a few weeks. Inevitably, Sarah the bodyguard approached Terri one morning as they were preparing to take the twins swimming. Terri was packing the baby-bags while Jessica was feeding the twins, then she swapped places with Terri who now fed the twins also with her own milk while Jessie fixed a picnic. As Terri was gazing absently through the window, Sara gently plucked her sleeve.
“Terri?”
“Wha- Oh! Yes?” She eventually replied absently.
“Can I ask a favour?”
“Sure darling what it is?”
Sarah’s brow wrinkled nervously as she took the plunge.
“Can you give me a baby?”
“Sure, take Ellie, she’s been fed.”
“Tsk! Not that you twit! I mean give me my own baby; make me pregnant!”
“Jeeze! I thought you were committed to the regiment!”
“I told you when I became your bodyguard, I would be leaving the army soon. I’m not getting any younger.”
Terri fell silent.
“It’ll have to be a turkey baster job, I can’t two time Jessie.”
“That’s okay, it won’t affect your donations will it.”
“It wouldn’t matter, I don’t deliver religiously the same day every day. That’s part of the security deal, besides Jessie and I sometimes – you know; well more than just sometimes.”
“Horny bastard are you?” Sara stifled a giggle. Full of juice are you?”
“It’s not illegal you know; we are married! And as it happens I am horny but I’m loyal too.”
“Yeah, Jessie’s lucky. Can you guarantee it’ll be a little girl?”
“Now that I can’t. You’d have to go through professor Cummins or Dr McTavish for that.”
“Would they allow it?”
“I should think they’d positively encourage it, especially a natal woman. You know how rare people like you and Jessie are!”
“Yeah even the colonel has hinted, but his baby would inevitably be a boy. I would dearly want a girl, - and that means your girl.”
“Well we’ll speak to Dr Mc Tavish this afternoon; sooner the better.”
Soon the twins were fed and they slipped down to the hospital hydrotherapy pool. There they splashed and played with the twins who shrieked with delight as they had their first experience of floatation. As they dried and changed Sarah sighed wistfully.
“I’m definitely becoming broody. Cluck, cluck!”
“Well before I cock-a-doodle-doo, we’d best see Aggie. She’s a bit more human than old Cummins.”
Taking Terri’s advice, Sarah arranged to meet the Paediatrician and few days later she turned up for duty all smiles as she produced a turkey baster. Jessica grinned.
“It’s not that simple babe’s, they extract your eggs, fertilize them in a petri-dish and then re-implant them. The impregnation is done under a microscope.”
Sarah grimaced as Terri grinned.
“Nothing romantic, believe me.”
“Ah well, it was nice while it lasted, - the dream that is.” Sarah sighed thoughtfully.
ooo000ooo
Three months later, Sarah appeared full of smiles.
“Mission accomplished guys. This girl’s going to be a mummy!” Sarah Squealed joyfully.
“So’s our mission girls!” Agathe’ McTavish declared as she and Professor Cummins entered while overhearing Sarah declare her happy news.
Sarah turned slightly confused but Terri let out a gasp of relieved joy as she double checked.
“What! Are you saying the vaccine is ready?”
“Well yes. But it’s only an immunisation vaccine, it doesn’t offer a curative facility like your blood.”
“Dammit, so they’ll still be wanting my blood.”
“For a year or two probably. It’ll take that long to roll the vaccine out world-wide.” Professor Cummins confirmed.
“Once the new vaccine produces global herd immunity, your blood won’t be needed in such large quantities. We calculate that at best only a few thousands will get Covid 21 globally. One pint per year will more than cover that equation and even better news, we can confirm that all your children have inherited your resistance. Our tests are pretty conclusive.”
“That’s odd,” Terri mused, “I’d have thought that sort of thing would have travelled through the mitochondrial DNA.”
“No, it’s seemingly on the Y chromosome; bit like haemophilia.” Doctor McTavish grinned.”
“My god! For once men are useful.” Terri giggled.
Professor Cummins let out a loud guffaw.
“Ha! Don’t knock the boys Terri; you may not look it, but you’re a boy yourself.”
“In name only Proff.”
Professor Cummins frowned.
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of transitioning!”
“Oh no! Living as a girl and functioning as a mum is fine for me. I still like Jessie; and girls in general. Men are dick-heads.”
Professor Cummins snorted again.
“Well I suppose you got the first part right. But we’re not all – what do the Americans call them – jocks.”
“Does this mean we can come out of the shadows?” Jessica pressed.
“I should think so, indeed we hope so.” Dr McTavish replied. “Come on, the staff down in the immunology labs have arranged a private party.”
“Well give it an hour or so, we’re feeding the babies.” Terri agreed.
Both Professor Cummins and Aggie McTavish sat and watched as both Jessi and Terri suckled the girls. Aggie smiled as she indulged a woman’s god-given right to lean in closer and comment to Terri; now a suckling mother.
“Proof positive I think Terri, that your are at heart a girl.”
“We’ll see when they cut their teeth.” Jessie riposted.
An hour later they were down in the labs celebrating. As the proud couple were circulating amongst the team Marek and Jamal approached them.
“We’re getting married Terri and we’d like you to attend.”
“But you’re first cousins, is that wise?” Terri cautioned.
“It’s no matter, Jamal explained. My daughters are from your sperm and Marek can’t have children. Last time he took your sperm home, the bastards back home beat him up so badly when they were trying to find your identity, that he can’t father children any more. So no inbreeding.
“Do you want more children?” Aggie asked sympathetically as Terri listened curiously.
“Marek’s happy with my daughters, but in truth, I’d like a son.”
“Well it can be arranged. Best you wait a couple of years for your daughters to grow.”
As they resumed circulating, Terri remarked to Doctor McTavish.
“I’d have thought it would be the other way around with Marek and Jamal; you know, father wanting a son and all that.”
“It takes all sorts Terri.”
“Yeah. I suppose so. What are the plans regarding my coming out of the shadows?”
“Well you may not realise this Terri, but that decision is made at Cabinet Level in number ten. There are still dark forces out there.”
“But my secret is still a secret, very few know that Terrence lives as Terri. Even that kidnap team were looking for a man.”
“That won’t last.” Professor Cummins observed. I think the best strategy is wait until the general clamour dies down and people world-wide realise that both the baby issue and the vaccine issue is over. Besides, there’s always some nutter likely to commit some deranged, lunatic act.”
“I can’t remain cooped up here for the rest of my natural, Proff. I’ll go mad.”
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 Part 24
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers. Agathe McTavish. Female paediatrician (Aggie)
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
Dawn Junior Baby named after her grandmother.
Eleanor Junior Baby named after other grandmother.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Female Bodyguard.
Part 24.
Trying to get back to Normal.
After the party in the immunology lab Terri and Jessie returned to their apartment with the twins and literally collapsed on the bed with relief and exhaustion. By now the twins were sleeping through the night and it was a refreshed pair of parents that eventually met the following dawn.
As she woke reluctantly from her sleep Jessie sat up then let out a long luxurious yawn and looked down at her partner affectionately.
“Wake up sleepy.”
A low ‘mmmm’ emitted from under the duvet followed by a couple of movements and Jessi giggled as inquisitive fingers gently roamed over her tummy.
“Never mind all that. Go and get the twins while I go for a wee.”
“Not fair.” Terri grumbled. “Our first decent night’s sleep and even now there’s no lie-in.”
As if on que, a loud squeak followed by contented gurgling emerged from across the landing.
“Go on.” Jessica riposted as she minced urgently to the en-suite. “You wanted to be mummy number two. Do your motherly duties.”
Terri groaned softly then padded barefoot to the nursery to collect the twins. A judicious sniff confirmed the twins were dry and she grabbed her chance to use the twins bathroom. Once relieved and washed, she carried the pair back to the bedroom. Jessie grinned and reached out to take one of them then both parents settled back under the duvet to feed their precious bundles. As they lay savouring the warm intimacy Jessica noticed Terri twitch salaciously as she gave a low gasp.
“What’s up?” She whispered curiously.
“Oh nothing. Just getting myself comfortable.”
Jessie was not to be deluded, however. As a long time lover, wife and mother she recognised an erotic male reaction when she felt it. And the twitch of Terri’s hips told a story Terri could not disguise. With her spare hand she reached to feel Terri’s tummy and quickly located the source.
“You’re horny!” She exclaimed.
“Stoppit! Terri protested guiltily. Think of these two! Not in front of the kids!”
“Me!” Jessie giggled. It’s not me that’s being lewd. Put it away!”
“I can’t.”
“What d’ you mean, you can’t.”
“If I want it to go down, I’ll have to stop feeding her.”
“Jeeze!” Jessie expostulated. “Surely you wank enough producing sperm! I’m surprised you can even get it up!”
“This is different. It’s my nips, they’re becoming more sensitive.”
“What! Overnight?” Jessi challenged.
“No, of course not. It’s been developing slowly.”
“What!! You’re trying to tell me you’re wired from your tits to your cock now!”
Terri’s silence was answer enough and Jessica let out a choked laugh.
“I don’t believe this. Breast feeding makes you horny!”
“It’s only recent.” Terri tried to defend herself. “I don’t do it deliberately, it just happens.”
“I don’t get horny!” Jessie censured.
“Du-uh!” Terri contested. “You don’t have a dick!”
“Huh! You’ll be saying it’s a man thing next!”
Another pregnant silence told Jessie what Terri was thinking. She wagged her head in resignation.
“Oh my god! Bloody men! Every thing goes back to their dicks doesn’t it?”
“What!” Terri protested feebly. “So now you are saying that breast feeding my own babies is a man thing.”
Jessica pulled up short as she realised the fatuousness of her remark. Even doctors knew little if anything about the physiology of male breast feeding. Perhaps it really was an unexpected side effect. Was it a purely physical thing associated with sexual arousal of the nipples or was it a psychological arousal enabled in the transgendered psyche from being able and permitted to fulfil a wholly female roll.
‘Bloody hell! Men were weird creatures!’ She concluded. ‘And it didn’t help that they never talked about stuff like emotions, arousal and feelings.’ She carefully reached out and stroked Terri’s cheek to demonstrate her concerns.
“Are you thinking horny thoughts?” She asked sympathetically. “Are you wanting to fuck me?”
Terri tensed.
“Bloody hell Jess’! Not here, not now, not with the children in bed!”
“Now you’re beginning to sound just like a worn-out house-wife.”
“Huh! Well I’ll agree I feel worn out. Are you surprised? What with kidnapping, hiding out and always looking over my shoulder.”
Jessie felt forced to agree, she had endured exactly the same rigours and suffered the same fatigue. It was at that moment that they truly connected as partners and found empathy. They found themselves gazing at each other over their twin’s heads then they reached under the duvet to grasp each other’s fingers. Jessica suddenly realised.
“You were thinking about me weren’t you.”
“Yes” Terri croaked as he forced out his admittal.
“And was it sexual?”
“Yes; sort of.”
“Explain.”
“I can’t, it sounds wrong when a say it but inside. Well - well inside it’s sort of mixed up. I can’t explain.”
Jessie became curious as she realised she might be on some sort of threshold.
“Try.”
A long silence ensued until Terri finally released Eleanor from her breasts and turned to stare at Jessie who had also released Dawn. The hiatus prompted Terri to talk.
“You’re pretty Jess. I couldn’t believe my luck when you recovered that day in my bash. I’m looking at you now and I still can’t believe my luck. Boys like me don’t get to partner up with beauties like you. I get horny just thinking of you and now – and now – I’ve got two kids by you. Kids as beautiful as their mum and that makes me so happy. Not horny of course but, you know – well - I can’t explain but I know I’m glad I met you and we had the kids. Does this sound wrong, talking about you, kids and erections?”
Jessica felt a warm thrill encompass her as she studied the tongue-tied idiot beside her. Carefully so as not to disturb the twins between them, she reached around the top of the pillow and kissed Terri tightly on the lips.
“You talk all you like love, this is what pillows and beds are for, - as well as sex of course, so – later, right.”
ooo000ooo
The four of them stayed abed until late morning when Dora came knocking.
“Good god! How do you do it?”
“Do what?” Wondered Terri who had answered the door..
“Lie in bed until now with two kids to mind.”
“They’re well fed and well bedded. We just grabbed the opportunity. Anyway, what brings you over here?”
“Ron’s gone down with the bug.”
“Ron! I thought he’d had the jab!”
“Somehow he missed out. He’s been so busy at the café and running around after the others, he somehow missed it. Anyway, he’s in a bad way. Can you organise some vaccine?”
“Of course! I’ll get some right away. Sarah my minder is qualified to give the jab, she qualified in the army. It’s not difficult.”
Within the hour, Sarah, Dora and Terri were at the nightingale hospital. It was a far cry from the frantic desperation of a few months earlier and they soon found Ron looking pretty sorry for himself. Terri frowned at him and wagged her head.
“Who’s a silly boy then.”
Ron just croaked an inaudible excuse as the nurse supervised Sarah administering the dose.
“He should be okay in a couple of hours, it’s very fast acting.” The nurse observed. “How come you’ve got access to this version of the vaccine? It’s the best one and usually reserved for seriously life threatening cases. I know that they only store it at regional hospitals and deliver it directly by helicopter on request.
”
Sarah grinned and nodded to Terri.
“D’ you want to tell her?”
Terri sighed, her situation was becoming more and more known with every passing day. Without much reluctance she admitted it.
“I’m Mr Blood donor.”
“The nurse gasped before recovering her composure.”
“But he’s a ma-!”
“That’s right,” Dora interjected. The blood donor is the Sperm Donor is Terri, and she's the man standing here before you. Don’t spread it around that the donor is a tranny, that’ll just invite more aggro. We get enough as it is and it’s getting worse. So what do you think of Terri's disguise?”
“It's incredible. I'd never have realised! So how come this gentleman Ron gets special treatment.”
“Let’s just say I owe him one.” Terri explained. “Well, actually, I owe him a lot. In the bad old days, he sheltered me and that saved my life so I’ll protect him now.”
“I see,” the nurse concluded. “D’ you want me to call the sperm clinic when he’s fit to be discharged.”
“Discreetly, yes.” Dora demanded. “Terri’s still at risk of kidnap if people find out where she’s going. There’s governments out there that would still like to have total control of vaccine and sperm.”
“Okay, of course. Mum’s the word then.” The nurse assured them.
And with those words, the trio departed.
ooo000ooo
Covid 19 Part 25
©Copyright to Beverly Guinevere Taff June 2020
List of Characters.
Terry Harrington. Fugitive boy marked for compulsory transitioning.
Samantha, (Sam) First transitioned kid Terry meets on the streets.
Theodora (Dora) Leader of the transitioned kid gang.
Jessica. (Jessie) The only natal girl in Dora’s gang.
Charlie Member of the transitioned gang.
Jan Another member of the transitioned gang.
Ron Café owner who lost his daughter to egg-snatchers. Agathe McTavish. Female paediatrician (Aggie)
Doctor Cummins Professorial Consultant Paediatrician
Sarah. Senior Midwife at the maternity unit
Dawn Very young trainee nurse.
Eleanor Jessica’s mother.
Diana Terri’s mother.
Marek. Refugee from ISIS terrorists in Syria.
Diana Junior Baby named after her grandmother.
Eleanor Junior Baby named after other grandmother.
George. Clever Insightful lab tech.
Jamal Marek’s female 1st cousin.
Sarah Female Bodyguard.
Part 25 Finale.
Through the remainder of that winter Terri and Jessica only left the apartment about once per day to walk under escort through the park. The logistics of travelling further abroad were too complicated to organise and still maintain sufficient security.
As February closed, the secret of Terri’s transvestism or partial transgenderism had starter to leak out. Finally there came the day when their stroll in the park had to be abandoned as they were mobbed by an over-enthusiastic crowd who had recognised the pair. Fortunately, they escaped to the accompanying security back-up van and returned slightly shocked and overwhelmed by the attention they had received.
“Jeeze!” Terri cursed. “Well that’s it then. No more strolls in the park. We’re going to have to find a new home.”
“But it’s going to be the same wherever we go. Just about every one of those numpties was taking pictures.”
“What do you think Sarah?” Terri asked the escort.
“Well obviously your security is compromised now so you’re right, you’ll have to move.”
“Well, will it be like a witness protection set up, or just finding anonymity in some remote town?”
Sarah paused thoughtfully.
“I think a medium sized county town or small city. Somewhere perhaps like Hereford or Gloucester. Not too far from the clinic so still handy to deliver sperm and blood.”
“Well the blood thing is soon to end,” Terri observed. “Professor Cummins and Doctor Mc Tavish told me they’re close to developing an alternative. And don’t think I didn’t notice your suggestion for Hereford. I know where your regiment is based.”
“Yeah, well you still need protecting, so the closer the better.” Sarah cautioned.
“She’s right Terri,” Jessica agreed. “Logistics again. Faster response time and all that.”
“Well. I suppose Hereford is a pretty place.” Terri conceded. “Are you thinking of settling down there?”
Sarah nodded as she watched the news reports about flooding.
“It’ll have to be well above the River Wye. Look at that lot.”
The usual news-reel stockage of RIBs travelling from house to house rescuing residents through flooded windows gave them pause to reflect.
“We could live on a house-boat Jessica giggled.”
“We’d have to teach the twins to swim.” Terri riposted.
“Not in that river; look at it!” Sara contested.
“There are plenty of hills around Hereford; it’s by the Welsh border for God’s sake.”
“Okay then, Hereford it is.” Jessica decided. Both our mums live in those parts anyway.”
“That’s a thought,” Terri agreed. “We could buy a little farmhouse and build an extension. Baby-sitters right to hand.”
Sarah nodded.
“Sounds like a plan.”
ooo000ooo
Like most simple plans, the idea just grew and grew. When Eleanor and Diana, the grandparents found out they quickly suggested that they buy a bigger place and use the sale of their respective homes to fund the purchase.
“Sounds like it’s going to be a commune.” Sarah observed.
“Well we’d better get searching,” Jessica concluded.
Naturally when Dora learned of the plan, she too wanted to join, as did Charlie and Jan.
“Where are we going to get the money to buy a big enough place?” Sarah pondered.
“Well, if the government can’t help us, I might have to put a price on my sperm!” Terri declared.”
“And to whom would you sell it?” Sarah spluttered. “The moment you put your head above the parapet, every potential buyer would be gunning for you.”
“They’re gunning for us anyway!” Jessica countered.
“Yes, but if the clinic here lost control, that would mean the British Government would lose control and you’d lose our protection.”
“There are plenty of other democratic countries where we could live.” Terri re[lied.
“I’m afraid the government might not let you go.”
“Aah! I knew it. When push comes to shove, we’re prisoners.”
“So we’re birds in a gilded cage – almost literally!” Jessica added.
“Forget it Jess,” Terri sighed. “It’s not of their making, you can blame bloody Covid 21 for this! We might as well start looking for something half decent to live in.”
“I’m not going to forget it!” Jessica snapped. “If they want to keep us stuck on this island until forever; and we’re by no means criminals! Then they can bloody pay for our keep.”
“We’re not bloody royalty Jess!” Terri sighed again. They won’t give us a bloody allowance from the privy purse or something.”
It was Sarah’s turn to stir the pot.
“Think that one through again Terri. You are bloody royalty! Your blood has been far more important than any stuff flowing around Buck-house. And what’s more, they’re going to need your sperm to produce ‘a’ girls; and ‘b’ - boys who make girls. Currently, all boys except you cannot produce ‘y’ chromosome sperm and that includes the royals. Somewhere along the line, they’re going to have to produce a boy who has normal sperm or the royal lineage might well die out. Their best solution is to wait a couple of generations to avert the inbreeding issue then let one of your great, great, great grandsons legitimately impregnate the female heir to the throne. Fortunately, the rule of male primogeniture has been repealed so the opportunity will come sooner rather than later. But for now Terri my darling, your it; nature’s royalty.”
“Oh bullshit!” All I want is to be free of all this shit. To that, they’d have to arrange a marriage to make the poor brat a legitimate heir. I’ve had enough!”
“It’ll come darling – eventually.” Jessica calmed Terri. “I’ll chat with Professor Cummins and he can crunch the numbers. They’ll know when your first son produces sperm. If it’s X and Y, then you’re a free bird.”
“So we’re prisoners at least for another what? – Eleven, or twelve to thirteen years. With no holidays abroad.”
“It’ll be at least two to three years anyway before the Covid pandemic is cleared up, even with your blood.” Sarah added.
Terry slumped into an armchair, she was losing the argument, that is – if there was an argument to be had. After ruminating silently she heard the clink of china; Jessica was doing what she usually did when things were being thrashed out, making tea. It cheered Terri up and she joined the girls.
“Tell you what, let’s go with Ron and Dora out to the borders near Hereford and look at some houses.”
“Let’s just look on line.” Jessica suggested.
“Nah, I fancy a decent day out.”
“It’ll have to be tomorrow then, logistics and all that.” Sarah cautioned.
“Okay! Tomorrow then. Give Dora a call, see if Ron’s up for it.”
ooo000ooo
It was Dora who answered the phone, then, after a brief exchange, she agreed to hold the fort as Ron grabbed a well deserved day off from running the make-shift take-away service.
Armed with a short list of appointments to view suitable properties the foursome spent the day determining their options. At the end of an exhaustive day they returned home with two probable options. After several weeks of negotiation with the government, funds were made available and as Spring approached Jessica and Terri found themselves setting up a new home. By the summer, their parents and friends slowly joined them and eventually, a small community had developed on a modest manorial farm that boasted a substantial Georgian house.
The location proved idyllic for their needs by offering seclusion and security that served to maintain Terri’s anonymity.
THE END.