Chapter 1: Introduction
The city lights flickered through the blinds, casting long, dancing shadows across the worn-out sofa where Mikey sat, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. The room was filled with the soft hum of his old desktop computer, the screen displaying an endless stream of cat memes that didn't quite manage to distract him from the gnawing worry in the pit of his stomach. He was alone, as usual, his small apartment a sanctuary from the bustling world outside.
The walls were a collage of his life: band posters curling at the edges, political slogans scrawled in marker, and a photo of him and his best friend, Max, grinning like idiots at some forgotten concert. A stack of empty pizza boxes served as a makeshift end table next to the futon, littered with crumpled tissues and an ashtray full of cigarette butts. The scent of stale smoke and cheap takeout hung heavy in the air.
Mikey's phone buzzed on the coffee table, making him jump.
It was another email from the government saying he was late on his duties and had to be pregnant soon or go to an obgyn to be bred. He sighed. He had already answered several times that he was trans, and thus wasn't affected by this stupid law. He never had any answers, just the same email again and again.
Suddenly, he heard violent knocks on his door.
Mikey's heart leapt into his throat, and he nearly dropped his mug. He wasn't expecting anyone, and the timing felt... ominous.
The knocks came again, louder this time. "Police! Open up!"
Mikey froze, his mind racing. What could they possibly want with him? He knew he wasn't in trouble, at least not that he was aware of. He took a deep breath and walked cautiously to the door, peeking through the peephole. Two uniformed officers stood outside, their expressions stern and unreadable.
Mikey gulped, his hands trembling slightly as he undid the chain lock and cracked the door open a few inches.
"Can I help you, officers?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The taller of the two, a woman with short cropped hair and a deep frown, flashed her badge. "We're here to take you into custody, Mikey."
Custody? Mikey's grip tightened on the doorframe, his knuckles turning white. "Custody? Why? What did I do?"
The other officer, a man with a bushy mustache and kind eyes, stepped forward.
"We have a warrant," he said, holding up a sheet of paper. "It's a new government initiative. You failed to respect your womb duty. We are thus here to take you to the Reproduction Center."
Mikey's mind reeled. Reproduction Center? He'd never heard of it. But he was trans, he had a doctor's note and everything. "There must be some mistake," he stammered. "I can't... I'm not supposed to be here."
The female officer lifted an eyebrow. "Afraid not, kid. Orders are orders. Please cooperate or we'll have to use force." She gave him a pointed look, her gaze flicking over his frame.
Mikey could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, the weight of her stare making him uncomfortable.
"I can't go with you," Mikey said, his voice shaking. "I'm... I'm trans. I don't want to bear children, and testosterone probably has me infertile by now."
The woman's expression didn't change. "We have the proper documentation," she said, holding up the same sheet of paper. "You're on the list, and that's all that matters."
Mikey looked at the man, hope flickering in his eyes. "You can't do this..." he pleaded.
He didn't have time to finish his sentence. The male officer had caught his arm and was manhandling him to handcuff him . Mikey yelped in pain and surprise, trying to pull away, but the officer was already slapping the cuffs around his wrists, tightening them until they bit into his skin.
"Hey!" Mikey protested, wincing at the sudden sting. "That's too tight!"
The woman rolled her eyes. "It's not too tight. You're just not used to being told what to do, huh? Now let's go, they're waiting for you."