The Choice

“What about me? Don’t I deserve to live, too? What about the people who love me and care for me? Don’t they deserve to have me in their lives?” E asked, wanting to cry. “They are only a few, and you can still help them should the problem arises that they need your blood. I am thinking of millions of people. You can save them, give them the opportunities to live like you try to do. Think about it—you can save the world,” the coldhearted Dr. Reinhardt replied. “I am not giving up my daughter!” E’s father exclaimed, livid from what he’d just heard. “Forget the world; forget all the selfish people who are going to just use her till they take all they can from her. She is my daughter; how could you even ask her to give up everything and break away from everyone she loves? She won’t do it.” Dr. Reinhardt was shocked. “She is the cure for humanity’s diseases. She can save all of them.” E’s father stood next to her then said, “She is more than what you say she is.… You can’t take her! I will not let you. The people here in the office will not let you. Stay away from my Eva!” The life giver opened the door and signaled to Angela. She ran to Carla, and E could hear her say, “I got to go to the car; we got to move. Dr. Reinhardt is planning to take Eva. Quick, get my bags so I can go.” Dr. Reinhardt was too distracted notice Angela and Carla’s conversation. E got up from the exam table, ready to run. The life giver looked at her and nodded, knowing she was going to run for it. He pointed at her and signaled using his finger for all of them to get out while he distracted Dr. Reinhardt. E used her hand to make a phone sign and pointed at him; he nodded, understanding. The life giver closed on Dr. Reinhardt, moving E’s father out of the way. E looked at her dad and leaned her head to the door. He knew what she was going to do, so he followed. E ran out to the car, her father behind, and then Trouble was with them, running. E jumped in and started the car while her father got in the front passenger seat and Trouble got in the back. Trouble’s voice said, “What happened? What did that man tell you? Eva, Beautiful, tell me what happened in there. You should not be driving; you just had your starter treatment.” E turned to him, saying, “Michael, please, we have to go.” They drove off, not even looking behind them at first or checking to see if they’d left anything behind. E looked in the rearview mirror, finally seeing Angela driving behind. E was in so much pain from her shots and her starter that no words came from her mouth. “Eva, you listen to me, okay?” her father said, frantic. “He can’t take you, and you know the life giver is not going to allow it. We will do whatever we can to keep you safe; it does not matter what—we will fight for your freedom. He can’t cage you away for his disposal. No way in hell, as long as there’s life in my body, are we going to allow it. Now pull over; I should be driving.”