The v Girl Read Free Page B

provide free medical services, food, medicines, and vaccines when they haven’t drunk too much.
    They used to be strong and adequately protected civilians. Nowadays, they’re nothing but drunken guys wearing black armor and red capes who do nothing to stop recruitment. Maybe Sasquatch will point me out to the troops and then pretend he doesn’t see when they attack me. I scowl at the thought.
    A rat startles me and I jump as I turn around a corner. I can understand Sasquatch’s urge for a solitary bath away from this stench. If he didn’t look like a soldier, I’d admit the guy’s ruggedly handsome. But because I’m always in danger of rape, all thoughts of him become revolting. I hope against hope that I left him sterile.
    A copper-haired Accord cop, who is standing near the Starville canteen, leers at me when I pass him. He looks a lot like a soldier except for his round belly. As I quickly look down, I remember that he’s been in Starville before.
    I realize my shirt is plastered against my breasts. I put on my cloak. This public display of my body will cause more rumors about me, but I’m more worried about Sasquatch’s revenge. Something tells me this encounter will haunt me for life.
    I cross a bridge before reaching the hill that shelters the multi-family complexes. I always wonder how Starvillers managed to build huts and buildings on such steep, tree-crowded slopes. I’m walking up Judges Avenue, three blocks short of home, when the dog that thinks of the Velez family as his pets, hurries toward me. His gigantic body almost throws me to the floor. “How come you didn’t bathe today, huh?” I say, scratching his ears.
    Poncho’s a genetically modified dog I found by accident. Someone probably bred him for combat because, like Patriot soldiers, he barely eats and he’s always horny. I trust Poncho better than I trust people. Having him at my side partly dissipates my negative feelings.
    I should feel afraid. I feel empowered instead. I managed to escape a potential rapist with links to the troops. Coming out of the encounter with this gorgeous, stronger, naked enemy, unscathed and still a V-girl, turns me on.
    I keep feeling mighty and aroused the rest of my way home.

“S exual intercourse with dubious mutual consent is frequent among other animal species. Why deprive the soldiers of a natural inclination?”
    Barnabas Kim. Co-Creator of the DNA Modification Program.

Chapter 3
    When I arrive home, I don’t cross the door into our tiny one-bedroom apartment. To avoid a homeschooling session, I sit on the floor in the hallway. Today’s lesson moves smoothly from Biology to History.
    I hear my father’s voice. “We used to call our country America . War divided us into two countries. Which ones?”
    “Patriot States and Nationalist States, a.k.a. Nats,” answers Olmo in a chiming, cheerful voice.
    “They couldn't compromise in the division of territories,” says Dad. “At first, the Nats were winning but the Patriots had the best scientists among them. They provided the Patriots with a lethal weapon: genetically-engineered soldiers.”
    My father, being a doctor, likes scientists, but I hate them. A renowned one took a great part in passing the recruitment laws.
    “Technological advances were critical for Patriots’ strike back. That’s why technology, science, and most books are forbidden to us.” Dad always tells this story to drill the message in our minds: education is important; knowledge means power. He never mentions that these genuinely educated soldiers were the ones who raped his wife and left him without both of his legs. Besides education doesn’t prevent troops’ superstitions. They claim seers can guess who is or isn’t a V-girl by touching their hips.
    I’m sure Olmo watches Dr. Velez attentively with wide eyes while my sister Azalea pretends to listen. That’s until my father asks her to participate.
    “Nats made Patriots their slaves when they had the power,” Azalea