Page 7

I got to my car and took a few deep breaths. I pressed my forehead against my steering wheel and sighed.

“This can’t be happening.”

How?

How was it that we matched? Where did it put us together? Sure, I understood that I had a healthy body, but it also took in hobbies and activities with the equation as well. It took in everything.

I knew what was on my profile. A fat, pale lab scientist who spent all her time at home or work. She had odd hobbies, such as collecting bugs and working on math equations.

I didn’t know what was on Henrik's profile, but I was sure none of what was on mine would match with his. Henrik was built like a god, and he deserved someone who could hold her head high. I was not that person.

What if I plead my case? Told the council it was a mistake. No. They would argue that I told them there was no such thing. But this had to be! This had to be the exception.

I couldn’t tell them. They would make it happen. I wouldn’t get an option.

I could just ignore this match. I could say it was inconclusive. I could just move on to someone else. I could burn the papers and act like it never happened.

My stomach sank as I remembered that everything was uploaded to them. They would know I ran someone; if I ran another, they would expect two couples.

“Fuck!” I growled, running my hands through my hair. I was in too deep. I would have to tell them I was paired up.

God! Why had I thought I could do this? What made me think I could take on a project this big? There had to be better scientists out there.

I started my car and drove home. But my mind wouldn’t shut off. It spiraled.

You are unworthy of this entire situation. You’ll fail, Henrik, and you’ll fail everyone else here. You’ve only managed to get a few women pregnant during this entire endeavor. Someone else would have figured out a solution already.

I shook my head as I got out of my car. That couldn’t be true. I worked hard. I did good work. I was figuring things out. Slowly, but I was doing it.

But not perfect. You’ve failed. You were supposed to bring results and answers, but you haven’t. You’ve hardly done anything.

I didn’t even realize I was packing up a bag inside until I was looking around my apartment, trying to think of anything I couldn’t live without.

I was leaving.

It was the only answer that made sense. I didn’t know what would happen if I got caught, but that meant I needed to be good. I had to give fast answers.

I took a photo of me and Sam. Some clothes to last me a week and some food. I left my phone on my counter, knowing it could be tracked.

As I hurried out to my car, Dahlia, my neighbor, waved at me. “Afternoon, Katie. You staying at the lab overnight again?”

I shifted the bag on my hip and nodded my head. “Yep.”

“Seems like a large bag for an overnight.”

I nodded. “Might stay a couple. I have a lot of work.”

She nodded her head, giving me a gentle smile. She was a fragile old lady who had no real family. She lost her husband andkids years ago. She had always been sweet to me, and I was going to miss talking to her.

“Well, we will see you when you get back.” She gave me a wave as she headed inside her apartment.

I continued to walk, nearly running to my car. I threw my bag inside and started the car up. I looked at my gas, knowing I would need some, but I wasn’t stopping. I could stop once I was out of town.

I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t even know how far I was going to drive, but I needed out. Everything was suddenly suffocating me, and it was all too much.

A doctor would call it a panic attack, but I just called it being honest. I always gave myself a reason why I never had results, but maybe it was simple. I just sucked. I wasn’t cut out to be the person running this entire project. The Council had made a mistake picking me.

I parked in front of a hotel after the sun set, and I started feeling numb. I didn’t know how long I’d been driving or how far out of town I was. But I was exhausted. My entire body ached for sleep.