Page 56 - The Muse 2021

happened. Climate change caused this virus, and those who have survived it are forced to live with the consequences. For the past five years, I have lived among about one thousand other people who have been the IOI’s testing guinea pigs, just like me. Five years of torture, and they still can’t configure a vaccine. To say that the IOI treats us badly is an understatement. Everyone is obligated to live an everyday life of being poked and prodded against our will. We are viewed by the staff no longer as human beings, but as animals.
The only good thing about this place is the fact that I met my best friend, Max. Max is the only thing getting me through the dreadful life here. In fact, he is the only reason I even have a will to live. Max is unlike anyone I have ever met. He's kind, funny, and has this awkwardness about him that makes him so relatable.
Today is my eighteenth birthday, but I mean who would even know. It's not like anyone ca-
“Adeline! Adeline! Happy birthday!” Max screamed, as he ran into the empty cafeteria.
I couldn’t help but smile. Of course, he remembered. That’s just the kind of person he is. It was 6:00 am, the usual
time we meet in the cafeteria to eat breakfast, so we can have the entire place to ourselves, well despite the armed guards at the doorway. Once we sat down with our food, we both gave each other the disgusted look we always do. The food at the IOI was disgusting. I’m not a picky eater, and it’s almost too gross from even me to eat. It’s probably because of the supplements they put in all our food. They say it's to make sure we get our nutrients, but everyone knows it’s just to increase their chances of finding a vaccine. Right as I was about to take my first bite, Laurel sat down right next to me.
I absolutely despise Laurel. Laurel has been Max’s girlfriend for almost a year now. She’s so perky and careless and overbearingly optimistic. Her high-pitched voice reminds me of an irritating pig. To make matters worse, Max stares at her like a little puppy. I mean, I don’t understand how he could like someone like her. I know she's pretty I guess, but it's just that she’s so... bleh. I was forced to sit through breakfast listening to her go on and on about how she had no cute clothes in her closet.
After breakfast was finally over, just like every other day, a guard escorted me to my testing room. All of the guards are always in hazmat suits and carrying guns. Not only am I the IOI’s lab rat, but everywhere I look there are more people in hazmat suits, which makes me sometimes feel like I'm not even a person anymore, but a prisoner. The next thing I knew, Headmistress Mongomery walked in, accompanied by her second hand, Mr. Oswald. While it was common to see Mr. Oswald, it was the second time in five years I had seen Headmistress Montgomery. I was extremely confused because she never talked to any member of the IOI, unless something was terribly wrong, or of course, she was going to pick me to be sacrificed for the sake of the vaccine. As the thought crossed my mind, I laughed to myself, for it was impossible and just a foolish, unreal rumor. Ever since I got here, one person a month disappears unexplainably, and it is said that they are killed from trying a possible vaccine to check for any possible side effects. Headmistress Mongomery towered over me. She was the most intimidating person I have ever seen.
She said, “Hello Adeline. Congratulations! You have been selected for the honor of being the very first recipient of the R-158 vaccine.”
As those words came out of her mouth, I was filled with fear. I couldn't believe that the rumors were true.
She continued, “Tomorrow morning, you will report to room 392 at 6 AM sharp. Remember Adeline, nobody can know about this honor, because some of your friends may get upset that they were not chosen.”
I was speechless. I knew I couldn’t tell anyone, or else I would be punished very badly. In reality, I might even die if I said a word. Shakely, I stood up and aimlessly walked back to my room. At that moment I knew what it felt like from my mother’s point of view. How it feels to be frozen with horror, unable to break through the trance of fear. As I layed down on my, the television in my room glitched into some sort of video. A woman sitting at a desk popped up.
She calmly said, “Hello. We are coming to you from the Lighthouse, and we are here to help. We know how much pain you all have gone through, and want to help you escape the IOI, for we know exactly how poorly they have treated you. You are located in Ferndale, California, and we are just outside the town in a place where you can live in peace and happiness, with others just like you. All you have to do is follow the-”
Her voice cut out as the television screen became static. For the first time in five years, I had hope. I waited impatiently in my room for Max to get out of testing. As soon as the clock struck noon, I ran over to the cafeteria for lunch. As I walked there, everywhere I looked I saw guards running around frantically. Once I laid eyes on Max, he looked just as stunned as I did.
“Did you... did you see it too?” Max asked.
I nodded and replied, “Well, what are we going to do about it?”
“Are you crazy?” he responded, “Nothing obviously. The connection cut out before the woman could tell us what
to do.”
I felt so disappointed. I was going to die, and I couldn’t do anything about it. This was the worst birthday I could
ever imagine. I walked out of the cafeteria into the hallway with a shattering look on my face, just wanting to be alone. Knowing Max, I knew he was going to follow me.
56