Chapter 7: The Change: A New Family DynamicChapter Text
Two months have passed, external radiation is still present, and for several months now, the world has been living a new way of life: that of underground shelters. Each shelter is managed by a mayor elected by the people and for the people, who sets up an administrative team for a three-year term. Currently, there are hundreds of shelters around the world. In France, there are only about twenty in major cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, and Paris.
It is in the shelter under the Elysée Palace that President Veil manages the various shelters in France through a council of mayors that meets every month to report on the situation on the ground and the work of the Impregnators.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending. We will begin the Council of Mayors shortly." President Veil began. "The world is in chaos because the global population has fallen dramatically in less than a year." The President continued. "I will now listen to your reports for this month." The President concluded her introduction.
The other mayors gave their reports, saying that there had been little or no change since last month. The women of childbearing age who populated their shelters were not fertile enough or willing enough to make things better. After four almost identical reports, Joseph's was eagerly awaited.
"Mayor Joseph Fucker reporting. Community members are doing better and better thanks to the climate of mutual aid and listening established by my administrative team. There are more women of childbearing age and volunteers than last month. Births are on the rise thanks to our joint efforts. I am pleased to report that the first women, such as Dr. Loring and Judith Delorme, have given birth without any apparent problems and that their children are in good health. The other women are due to give birth in a few months. However, the annual quota for the repopulation plan will be difficult to achieve unless new women are brought into the shelter or the childbearing age range is expanded. End of report, Madam President."
"Thank you for your report, Mayor Joseph. After hearing and analyzing your report, it is clear that due to the problem of radioactivity and contamination, we cannot welcome women from outside the shelters. That is why I authorize, for the sole purpose of repopulating France, incest as a means of civil rearmament. This authorization comes with rules: all so-called incestuous relationships must be registered and consensual in both cases; the individuals must be of legal age or emancipated; if one person is not willing, then the relationship will be considered rape; the relationship will be monitored psychologically and medically. In order to counter genetic mutations and other deviations, a vaccine will be created by all the doctors in the shelters and sent to all shelters. Incest will come into effect in one month. Thank you for your attention and your work, dismissed." Concluded the President Veil.
That same evening, President Veil gave the same speech to the people in shelters across France. Reactions were strong, with some thinking it was madness and others thinking it was a saving grace.
My mother didn't know what to say except that my father had made the right decision for the family, my sister stayed in her corner, and my cousins spoke in hushed tones while glancing at me from time to time.
The month passed with a great deal of apprehension for many people. The vaccine was ready and had just been delivered to Dr. Loring's lab. She vaccinated all women of legal age and sexual majority. My family took the vaccine as a means of preventing future STDs.
A week after the shelter was vaccinated, Joseph was leaving a meeting with his administrative team when he received an anonymous note:
"Hello Joseph, when you read this message, you won't know who sent it. We are two young women who are very keen to participate in the repopulation effort. We know the losses you have endured recently and we want to lighten your load. If you would like to meet us and have some fun, join us at location #319 (floor 3, corridor 1, door 9) of the shelter. Signed, Two strangers who wish you well."
Joseph looked around to see who could have sent it or if there was any reaction to his reading, but there was nothing.
After work, he headed to the meeting place and waited. Ten minutes passed and still no one showed up. Then the door opened and what he saw was a complete surprise.
Lou and Lucie, his cousins on his mother's side, were sitting on the bed. They were twins. They could be distinguished as follows: Lucie had black hair and green eyes, while Loup had blond hair and a tattoo of a howling wolf on her neck. They were both slim and wore black clothes. The cousins were the only Goths in the shelter.
"Hi, cousin, or should I say, Mr. Mayor. I see you got our message." Lou started the sentence and Lucie finished it.
"Lou?! Lucie?! You sent me the message? I should have guessed. Listen, girls, I don't have time for your dark humor today..."
"Calm down, Cousin! Slow down, Cousin!" the twins said in unison. "We didn't come here for that. Just like in the message, we would like..."
"You want to participate in repopulation?!" Joseph interrupted mid-sentence. "You want me, your only cousin, to impregnate you? Why?"
Joseph was stunned by the audacity of his teenage cousins in offering him something normally reserved for wealthy clients.
"Because you're the only impregnator at the shelter and, above all, because we think you're super handsome and attractive. All the girls our age want to sleep with the cutest guy around." Lucie blurted out.
"Besides, we're 18 now, so we can totally do it. We've been vaccinated, if that makes you feel any better. If sleeping with the most handsome guy around, you, means getting pregnant, then sure." Lou blurted out.
"Does my aunt know about this?" Joseph asked, already knowing the answer.
"Actually, it was her idea. Mom wanted to know if you were willing to do anything to reach the birth quota, including using your own family." Lucie replied.
"We know you've already done it. With Judith Delorme, your half-sister. We understand why, since she's cute." Lou continued with a slight snicker.
"If we have to do it, it will be by the book, with a contract. I'll make the arrangements for tomorrow afternoon." Joseph added.
"Yeah!! Thanks Cousin Joseph." the twins said in unison.
"Now, go home and get some rest." Joseph concluded before heading to his family cabin.
Joseph returned home with a heavy heart. Sleeping with strangers, rich and powerful women, is one thing. But sleeping with members of his own family, even if it is now permitted, is quite another.