"don't forget that i'll be gone with lucille and katherine after lunch. they're receiving their fervoria vaccinations today," kate pulitzer told her husband, standing over his desk with a toddler on her hip.

"yes, yes i recall making those arrangements," joseph pulitzer responded. "and i suppose i shall look into them receiving the lmd as well?"

kate's face grew grim. "you know i don't believe in those devices. there isn't enough science to show if they cause harm after time progresses."

"the science shows that they're safe and effective," joseph argued, setting the papers in his hands down. "i trust the researchers at columbia, and i believe it's necessary they receive them."

"the vaccinations are effective enough," kate pressed.

joseph furrowed his brows and gave his wife an intense look. he leaned back into his seat and crossed his arms at his chest. "the lmd is foolproof."

kate straightened her posture and returned her husband's intense gaze, tightening her grip around three year-old katherine in her arms. "i'd rather take that very slim chance of the regular vaccinations falling to prevent fervoria than take a chance in science that could potentially harm our children. they're not receiving the lmds. that's final."

~•~•~•~•~•~

"ma'am," the social worker at the door of the group home said, slipping his hat off of his head. "i'm simply here on the grounds of concerns that these children haven't been receiving their required fervoria vaccines. you must understand how necessary it is—"

"of course i understand," the woman snapped, "and i don't need you telling me how to do my job. i've made sure every single one of these children receive the treatment they need."

"then i suppose it won't be an issue to show me the documents?"

"it wouldn't be an issue if i had them here," the woman said. "i don't keep them here at the group home since i have so many young children here that tend to be troublesome."

"then i'll return in a week," the social worker responded, placing his hat back atop his head, "which should allow you to retrieve their documents to show me."

"i don't have a problem with that," the woman replied, stepping back. "have a good day, sir."

"you as well, ma'am."

the woman closed the door, exhaling deeply. as if on cue, the sound of a loud crash rang though the house, with the source coming from the living area. she turned around and instantly rushed into the room, finding two young boys standing over a shattered display case, mischievous smiles on their faces.

"jack kelly, anthony higgins! what have you nuisances done?" the woman erupted, pulling them away from the shattered glass. the young boys only burst into laughter as a response. "god," she breathed in frustration, rubbing her forehead. "first i can't pay for these love vaccinations, now this?"

she knew she'd have to conjure up fake medical forms for the fervoria vaccinations, and she knew the risk, but it was all she could do. she simply couldn't afford them, and the hole she'd dug herself was too deep to escape.

~•~•~•~•~•~

fervoria: a disease caused by passionate emotions and infatuation.

everyone was required to receive vaccinations for the disease every three years. fervoria is considered a serious illness, and those who are diagnosed with it are placed under intensive care and watch.

however, vaccinations do not guarantee that a person won't come down with the disease, with a prevention rate of 97%. new treatments are constantly being invented in hopes of complete prevention, but there is distrust in these methods.

love is a major concern, for love leads to dangerous emotions and actions. therefore, to avoid danger in everyday life, arranged marriages are the norm in society.

in the minds of many, love isn't worth the risks that come with it.

heartbreak is too dangerous.