Brianna

The year is 2051. The effects of Global warming have taken its toll on the planet. Tainted water, unclean air, wildfires, and famine are on the rise. Though Earth is still liveable (for the moment) Hope for the future seems dim. The worst part is the effects it has done to the human condition. Making most of the women and young girls sterile, which has cut the world’s population by 30%. However, a small percentage of girls born into this new world seem to be immune. They have been called “Sweethearts”. Governments all around the world have come together to find these young ladies in their perspective countries in order to create a vaccine to save the human race from extinction. The obstacle in their way is a faction none as the top 2%. They are what’s left of the rich and powerful who also seeks a cure, but only for themselves. They have created an Awards program called the Brianna Award for young ladies to come forward to be tested with the promise of a better life, but instead is a trap to be treated as Guinea Pigs in their experiments or a lifetime of servitude and degradation. To get the young ladies to volunteer small package with letter congratulating them for being accepted in the program with a Silver “Hear-Shaped Locket.” An enticement that is a direct mockery to former U.S. President Walter Hillinger. Who spearheaded the unification of all the world’s leaders to find a vaccine. As well as a further insult of naming the program after his late daughter Brianna Hillinger who died in his arms at the tender age of 2 years old. The leader of the 2% Group is Hillinger’s former political rival Thomas Adkins who left politics for the private sector and with his connections became one of the most powerful and influential men in the country. Our story starts with a streetwise hopeful named Dejah McCray. She is 17-year-old student born Gentilly, Louisiana. A suburb of New Orleans that has survived the worst part of nature’s wrath. Unlike most suburbs and surrounding cities that have become unsafe to raise a family. She lives with her 3 brothers, baby sister, and her father and mother Tatiana. Who is one of the early Immunes who have been able to have a family in these pressing times. One day Dejah receives a package informing her she has been selected for the Brianna Award which she finds to be surprising since she did nothing to apply for this program as it is a random selection. Her family is excited for her to be given this opportunity of a new life, but young Dejah is slightly skeptical of her new found good luck. The letter states she is to be picked up from her home in 3 days. The letter instructs her to tell nobody outside of her loved ones about where she is going and to be wearing the Silver Heart Shaped Locket that was in the package she received. One day before the reserved date Dejah is approached by a woman claiming to be working for the United Government. Asking Dejah about being contacted by people claiming to she has won some sort of prize. Dejah not sure what to make of this colourfully played coy with the women not given out any details as instructed in the letter. As Dejah began to walk away the lady asked one last question that shook her to her core. The woman asked her “How does your mother Titiana feel about all this?” Dejah slowly turned and asked the woman “How do you know my mother?” Just then, sirens rang out in the background and the lady tells Dejah “There are worst things than death in this world.” A Sedan pulls up and the lady gets in and hurries away. As Dejah stood there wandering what just happened to her, men in modified police cruiser show up to the scene asking was she alright. She bewilderedly shrugs them away and makes her way home. She returns home to tell her parents of her experience and they are horrified about this encounter. They sent her to her room while they decide what to do. They immediately began to have a argument about her joining the program with her mother claiming her misgivings about the Brianna Award while her father complained about it not being safe for her here anymore. Later that night Dejah and her siblings are still awake hearing their parents argue about the predicament they are in. They are huddled together in Dejah’s room not sure what to do. Her middle brother Justin asked if she moving away? As she paused not knowing what to say. A knock on the front door ranged out throughout the house. It was the Brianna Award group claiming they need to take Dejah now and to please collect her belongings. A disagreement between the group and her parents started becoming very volatile. This made Dejah leave her room and agreed to leave with the group to quash any chance of violence. Her mother helped her pack her things and escorted out the Brianna Group while tearfully giving their goodbyes. As her mother begin to walk away, she quickly turned around stated to her daughter “There are things worse than death in this world.” Dejah clearly distraught begged her mother to tell her what does that mean? Just then the group swoops in and pulls Titiana away while Dejah cryingly asking what does that mean as the car drives away with a young girl not knowing what her future or holds and worst what past family sins will be visited upon her.