Selection

Agent Williams frowned at the perfect family before her, awaiting the Approval. Their scores were immaculate, their history clean, and the neighbours simply adored them.

Mr and Mrs Bleu sat on the opposite soft leather couch, hand in hand. Having moved from the City to Sundale Street only a month ago, their house looked rather impressive. Tall bookshelves lined the walls of the living room full of colourful volumes. A grand piano gleamed in the light of the crackling fire place before them.

Mr Bruce Bleu was a popular gardener in the county. He was tall and broad, dressed up in a crisp white button up and black chinos. His brunette hair was a clean crew cut, his angular face unable to contain his excitement. Every few minutes Williams caught him throwing a small grin to his wife.

Mrs Patricia Bleu, who liked to be called Paddy, was a non-fiction author and historian. With long honey blonde hair sitting upon her round shoulders, dressed in a simple yet stylish grey knit and white jeans, Mrs Bleu gave off the essence of simple and sharp.

But it was her eyes that caught Agent Williams off guard. It could’ve been their round shape, their subtle glint, or even the striking blue colour that made Williams think of a raging storm over the sea. Whatever it was about Mrs Bleu’s eyes had put Williams on edge.

The tablet buzzed within her hands. Williams checked- the Approval had been given. She couldn’t help but stare at it for a moment, not knowing why she felt so strange. Being a Stork for almost 10 years, Williams had seen it all. From the desperate and chatty, to the secretive and stoic, there was nothing the Selection hadn’t found out. No secrets unturned and no lies left hidden from the truth.

“Agent Williams?” Mr Bleu looked eagerly from her face to the tablet, “What does it say?”

Williams quickly squared herself in her chair and made the announcement.

“Congratulations, you have a perfect score. Mr and Mrs Bleu, on behalf of the Selection division and the President True himself, you are Approved to have your first child.”

A squeal of glee erupted from the couple as they jumped into each other’s arms.

This has to be a record or impossible, Williams thought, no couple is this clean…

Snapping back to her senses Williams recalled the ridiculous amount of caffeine she had consumed that morning. Plus the fact her brutally obnoxious in-laws were coming over for dinner tonight.

No wonder you’re on edge. Thank God I’m not cooking this time or picking the damn wine. Maybe I should start listening to Eris and cut down on the amount of papers I take home. Try to get more sleep.

Coming out of their embrace, Mrs Bleu turned to Williams with tears welling like waves in those mesmerising eyes.

“Oh, thank you Agent! Thank you so much for this blessing.”

“My pleasure, Paddy. Are you wishing for a boy or a girl?”

Paddy giggled, “Well Bruce here would love a boy but something tells me I’d have a girl. Doesn’t matter either way, it will be cherished like no other.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Well, I best be off now. Agent Eris Thomas will be around tomorrow noon to give you the official papers to sign, and then you can start… getting to it. Have a lovely evening, Mrs and Mr Bleu.”

Williams and the Bleus stood up and shook hands heading towards the front door. Paddy and Bruce waved merrily as they watched the Stork back her pristine black Mazda down the driveway and drive off down the street. Once the car was only a speck in the horizon, the Bleu’s sighed with relief and headed back into their cozy home.

Paddy plopped down on the smooth couch, her head in her hands.

“Dinners in the fridge dear, would you mind heating up a bowl for them all? My head hurts.”

Bruce looked at Paddy, concerned.

“Of course. I’ll get you some Panadol and tea while I’m at it.”

“Thank you love, I-“

SHHHHHHHHH

The Bleus went silent, locking eyes.

A few small whispers rose up beneath them. They started to grow, arguing and hushing anxiously over each other.

Paddy rolled her eyes, flung herself up and stomped furiously on the wooden floorboards.

“SHUT UP, you mongrels!”

The house went silent. The beings below held their breath.

Paddy puffed, face red with rage.

“The Storks are gone and dinners coming. Just shut up! Or I’ll leave it cold. Mother has a headache.”