Free World Of Shell And Bone by Adriana Ryan Page B

use for me. I am detritus, to be tossed overboard.
    I begin.
     

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    At push-up twenty-nine, I begin to waver. My arms are shot through with fire, and my feet slide on the mat. I will myself to keep going even as my muscles begin to shake with the effort of holding my body up. The mat nears my face at an alarming rate. I realize I’m falling a split second before my body hits the mat.
    I hear the timer beep as it is stopped. There’s silence for a long time. Sweat drips down my nose and falls off the end. I lay my cheek on the cool plastic.
    “I’m sorry, Vika,” the doctor says. “I’m going to have to report you as failed.”
    I don’t reply. I don’t move.
    “But you still have one chance to get pregnant.”
    “Yes.” Avoiding her gaze, I stand and smooth my skirt down. With the sleeve of my uniform, I wipe my forehead and then tuck my shirt back in. My mind feels soft and formless, like a ball of warm dough. I wait for tears or fear, but neither come. I feel absolutely nothing. “I’ll be waiting outside. Could you let Shale know?”
    She nods.
     
    Outside, acid rain falls. I should head inside, but I don’t. I feel the stinging, searing needles of water hit my skin and slide off. I revel in the pain.
    “The doctor told me.” Shale’s voice is soft in my ear.
    I stare straight ahead. “How did you do?”
    “That’s not important.”
    I smile slightly. “You passed.”
    “Yes.”
    I nod. “That’s good.”
    “Vika… you’re going to get pregnant. This time.”
    I look at him. “And how do you know that, Shale? Can you see into the future?” I don’t give him a chance to answer. “The odds are against me. Maybe I’m infertile. Maybe you are. Will they let you go even if you can’t get me pregnant?”
    After a long pause, he nods. “My results were very good. They’re making exceptions for Husbands with high scores on the fitness test.”
    When I don’t say anything, Shale steps closer. “What is it?”
    I shrug. “Why you? Why are they letting Husbands go? Females are the foundation of our society. We’re the ones who worked hard to restore order after the War. And now I might have to give up my place on the ship to a Husband. It’s preposterous.” The words sound venomous and needlessly harsh even as I say them, but I can’t stop myself. Anger dots my vision, it clouds my every breath.
    Shale’s eyes are cold. “Perhaps they’ve realized that a female will never be as strong as a Husband. It’s biologically impossible. Maybe the Chinese government has realized it, too, that a female can’t perform all the tasks a man can.”
    “Biologically impossible? Do you dare suggest that a Husband is superior to a female? Have you lost your mind?” My heart hammers against my chest as I stare at him, willing him to deny his audacity. But he remains quiet. Finally, I shake my head to try and clear it. “I should return to work.”
    I go back inside, my hair plastered against my skull.
    Moon looks at me, her green eyebrows raised. “Didn’t go well?”
    I say nothing. I sit in my seat, sopping wet, and turn on my terminal.
    “Don’t worry.” She pats my hand, then pulls away as the rain stings her. “You have four more attempts, don’t you?”
    “One more.” I look at her, watch as she tries to reign in her mirth at this piece of news. “They’ve made it three total attempts now, because of the bottlenecking.”
    “Oh.” The tulip on her chin moves. “That’s unfortunate.”
    “Yes, it is. They’re granting emigration vouchers to people who can pass the fitness tests with superior scores. I think you have a good chance of getting a seat on a ship.”
    Moon bites down on her lip in an attempt to contain a smile. “Really? Perhaps I should take it soon then.”
    I think about Moon, sly, predatory Moon, in a new country, getting a fresh start. I have never felt such rage, such a need for retribution. I clench my fists. Just when I think I cannot take