Falling in love wasn’t meant to happen—not here, against the backdrop of sharp edges brought on by necessity. For what good could love bring when the world was near extinction? A civilisation so ravaged by war, by greed, by humanity—it now existed only on the Islands.

One island to grow the carefully monitored crops. Another island, shrouded in a constant state of cloud, seeded with chemicals designed to generate rain on command. A third island, where the children are raised to adulthood when they get to choose where they will live out the rest of their lives. And then there was the fourth island, where I resided—the land of the young, fertile adults who have agreed to ensure the level of the population is kept stable. My job is the same as all those who live here—to procreate and to populate.

And so, yes, love doesn't belong here. Not in a place where DNA matches are created by algorithms and strictly adhered to. We are raised to be compliant, the curiosity of what more could exist driven out, and where a steady supply of pills is fed to us daily—drugs to manage our dopamine, drugs to eradicate oxytocin—anything to keep us happy with our matched partners.

But now here we are, Aiden and I, standing on the edge of the cliff. And I know that if he were to jump, I would have no choice but to follow.

Perhaps love does exist after all.

***

Three days ago.

“Are you ready?” Aiden asked as he knelt, fully naked, between my thighs. 

I knew his name, but nothing more. We had been matched, and that was enough. We appeared to be around the same age, but that was where the similarities ended. While I was light-skinned and scattered with freckles, he was sun-kissed with smooth, unblemished skin. His short, obsidian-black hair stood in striking contrast to my long blonde curls, which were splayed across the grass currently serving as our makeshift bed. To our left lay the edge of the clifftop, and from below, the gentle lapping of ocean waves hitting the rock face added to the serenity.  On the hottest days, the cliff became a popular escape; it jutted far enough out over the sea that it was possible to jump straight into the water, though I had never been brave enough to try. But today we were alone.

“I think so,” I replied, tentatively reaching a hand down to check between my legs, cool fingers brushing the wetness inside. “Yes, definitely,” I confirmed.

Aiden held his erection with one hand, stroking it with ease. A glint of sunlight caught on the droplets that oozed from its tip. Gentle flutters stirred within me.  It was arousal, but at a level carefully curated by the drugs we willingly took; just enough for the women to readily accept the eager males. 

With ravenous eyes, he scanned my naked body, then nudged my thighs further apart. “Woah,” he said, “you really do have the perfect body.”

I laughed. I was far from perfect. True, my legs were strong and my arms toned but I carried the same insecurities women had held for centuries— was the swell of my stomach too great? Am I as pretty as his last match? 

“Is it okay if I kiss you first? I—” Aiden faltered.  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

No, he shouldn’t have; kissing disrupts the delicate balance of oxytocin.

“You  know I could report you for asking.” Aiden stayed silent, his hand continuing the rhythmical stroking of his cock. “But I won’t, don’t worry.”

What would a kiss feel like?  The punishment if we got caught was one month in solitary confinement.

“It’s not worth the risk,” I continued.

Aiden flashed a cheeky smile that brought out his deep dimples. “How do you know?”

I cocked my head. “Are you saying that you’ve kissed someone before?”

“No, of course not,” he replied unconvincingly. “ I was just testing you.” He gestured towards my groin with a nod of his head. “Shall we?”

 “Sure, go ahead,” I replied, not wanting to drag things out.

Still on his knees, he leaned over, casting a shadow over me as his broad torso blocked the midday sun. The tip of his cock nudged at the entrance of my pussy and I shifted my pelvis upward allowing him to slide in with ease. 

“That feels nice,” he whispered as he pushed in his full length. He held still for a moment before commencing a steady rhythm in and out. Small rocks dug into my back as he put the weight of his body onto mine. “Oh, fuck, yes,” he continued. 

Aiden was my third match, the other two having been unfruitful, but as he pounded into me it could have been any one of them; the familiar thrusting into my wetness, the heavy panting, the heat as five minutes later, he ejaculated his cum deep inside me. On the Islands, satisfaction was a one-sided coin. 

Seconds after finishing, Aiden swiftly rolled off and lay beside me. A ladybird landed on my stomach. I let it roam freely until it tumbled onto the grass. “Tell me something about yourself,” he asked, propping himself up with one arm while turning to face me. I kept my eyes closed and enjoyed the return of the sun’s warmth on my skin. 

“You’re an odd one, aren’t you? The less we know, the better, remember?”

Aiden sighed. “I know, I know. Just, don’t you ever wonder about the people you’re matched with?” 

“I—”  As I spoke, a distant buzzing sound drew my attention. “Ah, look. It’s the drones.” To the west of us, a group of delivery drones was heading our way. Aiden sat up and reached for his clothes.  I followed suit, quickly pulling on my grey skin-tight vest top and loose cotton trousers. The drones flew close, moving slowly until they were almost directly overhead. Aiden looked puzzled. 

“That’s odd.” He squinted. “That’s very odd.”

I looked up, the sun's glare making it hard to see what he was talking about. There were six large, white drones, each carrying supplies of water and food, but there was nothing unusual about that. 

“What?” I asked. 

“Those two at the back. The serial numbers.” 

I peered more closely. “G702? What’s wrong with that?” Ah! I clocked it. “And that one is the same. Okay, that is weird.” As I spoke, one of the two identical drones slowed and hovered above us. With a loud clunk, a large cardboard box was released from its anchor.

“Shit! Quick, move!” Aiden said, pushing me aside. The box landed between us with a heavy thud. The drone sped up again, joining the others as they headed towards the central hub.

“What the fuck?” “Bloody hell!” We spoke simultaneously. 

The package was sealed in bio-plastic.  In between the cardboard and plastic, there was a brown envelope with the words 'OPEN NOW' printed in black. 

“Definitely not!”  I said, knowing the price we could pay for tampering with a delivery. 

Aiden looked at me, eyes wide open. “Are you fucking kidding me? How can you not want to open it?"

As the sun bore down, beads of sweat gathered on my forehead causing my hair to stick to my face. I brushed it aside. 

“Um, let’s see… because we could end up in fucking isolation… indefinitely!”

“Jeez, you are a proper rule keeper, aren’t you? They’re not going to find out, and honestly, are you not even a little bit curious about what’s inside?” He made a fair point. “Well, I'm going to look so you can either stay and watch or leave.”  He tugged at the plastic, but it was too well wrapped to be opened easily.

“Wait a sec,” I said, feeling for the penknife I carried in my trouser pocket. “Here, use this.” I passed it across. Once he had ripped the packaging, Aiden took the envelope and tore it open. Inside was a letter.  His eyes darted back and forth as he read the contents. 

“What does it say?” I couldn’t contain myself. “Let me see!” Aiden whistled as he passed it over for me to look at. It took a moment for me to absorb it all.

Dear Citizen,

You have been lied to.

From the moment you were born, you were taught to believe there is only one way—the Island way. You were taught that your existence is dependent on obedience. That sacrifice is for the greater good. 

But none of it is true.

There is another way. 

They’ve convinced you that you give informed consent. That you choose the pills. That you play your part freely.

But that, too, is a lie.

The pills are placebos—distractions to give the illusion of choice. The real control is in the water you drink. It doesn’t matter whether you take the pills or not. Your compliance has never been optional. Your destiny has been engineered by those who thrive on your obedience.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

We urge you to tip their water into the earth where it belongs and for the next three days, drink only from the bottles contained within this package. 

On the last day, when the moon reaches the northern star, return to this point and you will be given a true choice - the choice of freedom. 

Signed -

The Republic of Scandasia.

***

For the first two days, things felt the same, and I wondered why I had agreed to replace the Island’s bottled water with those from the drone. Maybe it was the promise of something more—more than routine, more than duty, more than five-minute connections designed only to populate. But the risks were real, and with no promise of reward, it felt like chasing a ghost.

Still, I said yes.

Because of Aiden.

There was something in his eyes— a fervent curiosity that was contagious.

On those two days, we met and, as before, spent five minutes thrusting and folding into one another. The unequal balance of satisfaction remained unchanged. But this morning, on the third day, something had shifted.

We lived alone, each in a bell-shaped white tent, arranged in groups of ten. The clusters of tents were scattered all across the island which was mainly dominated by grassland and sweet-smelling pine forests. Our group of tents was situated at the forest’s edge, overlooking a meadow bursting with the colour of bright red poppies and blue cornflowers.  

From the opening of my tent, I could see the sun had barely scraped its way over the horizon, soft hues of pink added to the colourful landscape. The air felt heavy with heat, and I knew it would soon be pressing down hard. Lying back on the bed, I thought of Aiden and what he might be doing now. 

I imagined him on his mattress, naked as I was, and wondered whether he slept—or if he also felt the stir that was beginning to rise within me. With my eyes shut, it was easier to summon the memory of our moments together: the weight of his body, the tickle of coarse thigh hair brushing against my smooth skin, and the anticipation as the tip of his cock sought entrance within me.

What I hadn’t expected was the physical reaction these thoughts would provoke. I’d never been one to linger over a match. Sex served its purpose, and when it was over, so was any trace of arousal. But this—this was different. I reached between my legs, just as I had the first time we met, and found the same warmth, the same slickness. Juices that had leaked without any physical touch. That had never happened before.

The tingle grew as I explored further. My fingers slid easily between the folds of my labia. I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. Fuck, this felt different. This felt… good.

There was one spot in particular—the small, pulsing nub of my clitoris—that intensified everything the moment I touched it. None of the men I’d been matched with had ever brought me anywhere close to this level of want. Their quick thrusts and careless pounding had failed to light anything inside me like this quiet, steady touch did.

A gentle breeze drifted through the tent, drying the beads of sweat that dotted my skin. It felt like a thousand feathers dancing along my body. The gentle caress hardened my nipples. New thoughts entered my mind. Forbidden ones. I imagined Aiden’s lips, his hands, and the look in his eyes as they roamed over my body. With every thought, I circled my clit then slipped two fingers inside. My hips rose instinctively. My body bowed with a will of its own. I craved more. Soft moans escaped my lips—sounds I’d only ever heard voiced by the men who rode me.

Why had we women been denied this?

My free hand traced upward, savouring each contour as need clawed at every fibre of my body. I skimmed over my belly, then my ribs, before cupping my breasts, alternating between them. I twisted and squeezed at each nipple in turn, imagining it was Aiden’s mouth instead of my hand. Beneath me, the rough, cotton sheet tangled around my legs as I writhed around trying to keep up with the demands of my desire.

The air grew thick. Breathing became shallow. My pussy pulsed with rising heat. Like the slow flare of a sunrise, it burned brighter the more I touched myself. I wanted the sensation to last forever but, at the same time, I feared what might follow.  I knew how it ended for the men; faster, harder, that obscure look, followed by a splash of warmth deep inside me.

But for me? I didn’t know. I wanted to find out. I pushed in deeper—three fingers now—eager, desperate.

And then—voices. Too close. Behind the tent.

I froze.

Then a familiar sound as three gongs rang out—morning inspection.

Shit.

Shit. Fuck. Shit.

***

I drank in the serenity of the full moon as its light rippled along the ink-black ocean. This had always been my favourite spot—high on the cliff top with vast, unobstructed views of the horizon. The rhythmic crash of waves competed with the steady hum of crickets in the surrounding grass. 

“Hey!” Aiden’s voice jolted me from my reverie. “Wasn’t sure if you were going to bail on me.”

“Hi,” I replied.

He wore a loose khaki-green shirt, the top three buttons undone, the tails hanging over baggy jeans. The salt-laced air mingled with the musky scent of his skin. Images from that morning flashed into my mind. I looked down, cheeks burning—I couldn’t meet his eyes. But he gently nudged my chin with his forefinger, lifting my face. The intensity of his gaze held me captive. My breath caught in my throat, and every part of me screamed to look away, but I couldn’t. 

“You feel it too, don’t you?” he asked.

My mouth was too parched to speak, so I nodded. He cupped my face in both hands and drew me in, so close I could smell the trace of toothpaste on his breath. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but I was entirely at his mercy. Our lips touched; a feather-soft kiss that made my legs give way. We pulled back, eyes locking until, like magnets drawn to one another, we kissed again, only this time with insatiable hunger.  My lips parted as his tongue found its way into my mouth. We pressed into one other beneath the star-lit sky, hands exploring each other’s bodies as though we were discovering each other for the first time.  Aiden’s kisses moved to my neck—first soft, then teasing bites. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed the feel of his skin on mine.

I unfastened the remaining buttons on his shirt and pulled it from his muscular shoulders. He followed suit, lifting my vest over my head. We undid our jeans simultaneously, chucking them down on the grass. Aiden stepped back, holding my hands, breathing in the sight of me naked, bathed in moonlight. All my insecurities dissipated.

He whispered, voice shaky, “I genuinely have no words right now. You’re just... so beautiful.”

I didn’t wait for more. I pulled him down until we were lying on the cool dewy grass. He knelt between my thighs, just as he had that first time—but now there was no formality and no need for me to check for readiness. His palms slid up my thighs, rough skin against soft. When he reached the top, his fingers found the slick wetness already seeping from me.

“Fucking hell, you’re so wet,” he breathed.

I couldn’t stop staring at his cock—thick and erect,  the tip glistening just beneath his navel. I’d never wanted anything more. As he touched the entrance of my pussy, the sensation sent a jolt through me. I bit my lip, trying to keep quiet, but the next touch forced a moan from my throat.

“How can it feel this good?” I whispered.

He coated his cock with the wetness from his fingers, using one hand to stroke himself slowly while circling my clit with his thumb—pressing down gently. The pleasure was far more intense than when I’d felt myself earlier that day. My legs instinctively opened wide.

“Fuck me,” I pleaded. “Please.”

Leaning forward, he used his arms to brace himself as he slid inside me. It was unlike anything I’d felt before—like the stillness before a storm breaks. And then, just like the unrelenting fury of thunder, we let go.

I wrapped my legs around his back, drawing him in. His face hovered inches from mine as we kissed, breathless and uninhibited. Each thrust was deeper, harder. I moulded into him and did everything I could to keep him inside but instead, he teased me, withdrawing entirely. He gently traced kisses down my neck, licking the curve of my collarbone and then took my nipple into his mouth. He circled it with his tongue, then bit down gently.

“Oh yes,” I gasped. He alternated between my breasts, playing with me until I was begging once more. 

I reached for his cock, hard and slick and guided him back in. Lying back, I surrendered completely. Aiden pinned my hands above my head and moved his hips slowly, grinding them with delicious control. But soon, even he couldn’t contain it. He thrust into me, hard and fast. I tried to stem the moans, but nothing could dampen the sound.

My cunt was dripping, my clit tingled and with each thrust he pushed me closer to something I had never known. His shallow breathing matched mine.  I felt something building inside me; subtle at first, like the flickering glow of fireflies. It grew stronger, moving outwards radiating from my core.

I saw the change in Aiden’s face—he was close. Knowing this sent shock waves throughout my body. 

“Cum for me,” I moaned, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

That was all it took. He thrust once more and came, spilling his hot semen inside me as he grunted, his whole body shuddering. Still holding my wrists down, he stayed buried deep, grinding down as the last of his cum pumped into me. The friction of his groin rubbing on my clitoris combined with the feel of his thick, warm cum inside was too much to bear. 

My body convulsed with the force of my first ever orgasm, my back arched, my breath caught, and my screams cast into the night. 

“Oh fuck, yes!” I  cried out,  lost beneath him, lost in the feeling of finally understanding.

 The rippling waves of pleasure slowly died down as Aiden lowered himself gently onto my body, taking care not to crush me. He buried his head into my neck. As his cock shrank, cum leaked onto my thighs. The sounds of the night that had dissipated slowly resumed; the buzzing insects,  the lap of the waves– the world returned to us.  

“Holy shit,” Aiden spoke first. 

“Is that what it’s always been like for you?” I asked, expecting him to say yes. 

“No! I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s always nice, but that— that was on another level. Like, I dunno, just fuck. I felt… connected to you. Does that sound weird?”

Relief flowed through me. “No, not at all.”  I wriggled beneath his weight. Aiden lifted himself off and lay down next to me. His hand brushed mine, and so I took hold of it and looked up at the stars. They appeared brighter than before.

“What about you? I mean, I’ve not heard you moan like that before,” he chuckled. “It seemed like you enjoyed it more. 

“You do know that was my first orgasm, right?” 

“What?” It hadn’t occurred to me that Aiden would not know this about me. I was about to respond when the low hum of a boat engine cut through the stillness. 

Aiden jumped up, grabbing his shirt and jeans. “Do you think that’s them?” he asked, dressing quickly.

Them? After the experience I’d just had, I’d forgotten why we were there, then I remembered— the letter! I hastily put my clothes back on and stood by him, watching as the vessel idled closer. 

Waves of fear spread through me; what if it wasn’t them? What if our secret was out, and it was the Island’s security team? But that wouldn’t make sense, they would come by foot. The closer the boat came, the easier it was to make out details. It was a small fishing boat, with nets hung along the side. I counted three people on deck and one inside, steering the boat. At the rear, there was a small white flag with the letters 'RS' emblazoned in red.

“The Republic of Scandasia. Do you think it really exists?” I asked.

Aiden grabbed my hand. “Well, that boat bloody well does!” he grinned. 

“But what if they're bad people? ” Fear edged my voice. 

“What if they’re not?” 

The boat’s engine cut out as it bobbed on the ocean approximately a hundred metres from the rock face. One of the occupants called up, his voice carried on the wind. 

“If you want freedom, then come with us.”

I was scared, and not just because I knew I would have to jump into the sea below. Aiden spun me to face him. 

“I want to go, but not without you, “ he said, eyes pleading. “Come with me, please?”

As he held me close, the embers of passion that had only just been quelled threatened to reignite.

“Say yes!” he begged again. 

I looked down at the boat and then at the water. It would be a leap of faith in more ways than one. 

Fuck it. 

“Yes!” I shouted and, hand-in-hand, we counted down.

Three, two, one….

JUMP!