The Mart was already busy when we arrived.

It had been two years since I'd last entered this crowded place, and it was just as alive with bustling bodies and the hum of chatter as it had been back then. The orange flags of the house of the Andekas, emblazoned with the familiar black Celtic fertility symbol used to represent the esteemed family, were displayed proudly all around the venue.

Not everyone here had come for the Katki. The Mart was a central hub for the community, serving several of the surrounding towns and villages. Many came to socialise, since the borders of the large, decorated hall were littered with places to find food and drink. The tables and chairs outside the numerous cafés were all occupied, so, as often happened, there was only room to stand for those that sought to mingle.

"Shall we stop for a drink?" asked my father, as we entered the throng.

"Maybe afterwards," I replied politely, not wishing to be in this place for any longer than I needed to be.

Following my father to the centre of the Mart, I had more than one beverage spattered on me by oblivious patrons who were too engaged in conversations with their friends and family to notice that we were trying to squeeze by. I nodded and smiled politely at each of their apologies, while trying not to lose sight of my overly eager father in the crowd.

I paused and held my breath as I lifted my gaze and the Katki came into view. They were lined up in neat rows on a viewing platform and facing the swarm of people that we'd just passed through.

Each Katki looked very different from the others, the men and women taking on a variety of shapes, heights, sizes and colours. Looking at them now emphasised the importance of understanding the genetic markers – there was no way to tell who was a Katki or not from appearance alone.

Yet, under the influence of the Ravim, they also all looked strangely similar to each other, barefoot and dressed in matching simple brown outfits. They wore their identical blank expressions like masks; devoid of emotion and punctuated with lifeless eyes.

My fascination with this subclass of our community was rising again, but since I was convinced that it was my atypical interest in the Katki that had sealed the fate of my first one, I endeavoured to suppress it.

"Over here," the voice of my father reached me over the cacophony around us.

I realised I'd come to a halt while staring at the group of statues, and quickly joined the man that was summoning me.

"Shall we just do what we did last time and have a look along each row?" I asked him as pleasantly as I could.

"Whatever works best for you," he smiled. "Take your time, son."

I still had no plans to actually bring one of these individuals home with me, but I started going through the expected motions so that I might look convincing when the time came to decline the offer.

As I wandered down the line, it disturbed me that there were people inside these stolid shells. I understood there was a high risk of violence associated with them, but they were still people. People that, if it weren't for the Ravim, would have free will and opinions of their own, being imprisoned before a crime had even been committed.

Why did everyone around me seem unfazed by that?

My father's words sailed past me as I walked. There was no point in listening to any related advice he was giving me when I knew I'd be leaving the Mart empty-handed anyway.

I paused briefly in front of a platinum blond male Katki, but it was only for a couple of seconds before I resumed drifting down the line.

I don't know why that one had compelled me to linger for a prolonged glance, but despite moving on, I found his captivating image etched into my brain. His skin had been paler than many of the Katki, smooth and almost white, like porcelain. Like the others, his icy blue eyes were bereft of emotion, but the colour and depth they'd shown me was like diving into crystal clear water. I had felt for a moment as though I'd been looking at an angel. He'd been so ... alluring.

My father continued to talk to me about the various traits I might want to consider as I made my selection, but his words floated past me as I got lost in my own thoughts. I'd always wanted to find out more information about the Katki, but with my previous endeavour being less than successful, it had always deterred me from considering any future efforts. I inadvertently pondered whether I could figure out a way to make it work better this time.

Any investigation I carried out would be risky for both the chosen Katki and for myself. But would his fate be any less detrimental in the hands of someone else? The Katki were considered disposable by many of the elite, and often treated with disrespect. Some were even worked into an early grave and then just replaced with another.

At least I intended to look after mine and treat him as well as I could.

I flinched slightly, as I recalled having the same intentions with the previous Katki I'd brought home. The guilt I still carried from his early demise reared its head and reminded me that nobody, not even a Katki, should be paying the price for my curiosity.

I sighed inwardly. All the more reason to be more careful with this one, then. After all, how could we ever expect things to change if nobody challenged the status quo? These Katki were humans too, and I couldn't help them if I didn't take steps to find out why they were considered dangerous.

My resolve to take a different approach grew, and my brain whirred as it mapped out a rudimentary plan. The porcelain angel that had captured my interest had had a slim build, unlike my previous one that had been more muscular. Being on the sturdy side myself, I determined I would be able to restrain him if anything went awry.

But I didn't just have brawn on my side, I was a scientist now, with access to a laboratory. I could use that to predict and mitigate any risks. Perhaps this Katki didn't have to suffer the same fate as his predecessor.

I was careless last time. Young and naïve. Eager to learn but not patient enough to pause and consider the possible outcomes. I'd had no strategy; I'd just dived in and relied on hope to get what I wanted.

I was older and wiser this time, and I better understood the consequences of my actions. I was more skilled and had more experience that I could use to my advantage. Preparation and planning were crucial in order to stop history repeating itself, and with every second that passed, I became increasingly convinced I could do this.

With those crystal blue eyes leaving an indelible mark on my soul, my ideas fused more solidly, and my conviction strengthened.

"I've made a decision," I declared, finding a gap in my father's attempted discourse with me.

"Marvellous," my father responded, genuinely thrilled. He indicated the Katki immediately in front of us that he'd just been inspecting. "One of these?"

I shook my head.

"Back here," I clarified for him, walking back in the direction we'd just traversed and stopping next to the one that had caught my eye. "This one," I added, directing his gaze to the Katki in question with a pointed finger.

Scrutinising my choice, my father clearly observed every detail as he inspected the platinum blond.

"He doesn't look very strong," he mumbled, somewhat confused as he studied the Katki's slender build.

Evidently, he expected the Katki to be taking on a share of any physical work I needed doing.

"It's not like I need the extra muscle," I pointed out, indicating the formidable physique that I'd inherited by purposefully casting my eyes down the front of my body.

In truth, I needed a Katki that was unlikely to be able to overpower me in a physical engagement, so the fact that he didn't look that strong worked in my favour. I hoped my father would be persuaded by my act.

Thankfully, my father slapped my back in approval.

"Good point, son," he chuckled. "It's your birthday, and your decision, after all. You're sure you want this one, then?"

I turned back to face the porcelain angel. His impassive icy blue eyes stared inertly past me as if I weren't there. And, still, there was something mesmerising about him, and I knew his face would haunt me if I let this opportunity go.

Besides, I'd always been more curious than cautious.

"Definitely," I confirmed, nodding.

"Then let's do it," he smiled, moving his head forward to examine the neck of the Katki to find his identity number, which he then read aloud. "Seven, Zero, Eight, One. Think you can remember that?"

I rolled my eyes in response, grinning at him to let him know it was good-natured.

"Come on," I replied, pointing towards a desk in the far corner. "I think we need to go that way, right?"

Evidently satisfied that he was providing me with a decent birthday gift, he happily strode towards the registration desk, with me following close behind.

"Hi," greeted the lady sitting behind the desk as we approached. Her dark hair was neatly piled into a bun, and she wore an orange blazer with the same Celtic fertility symbol that adorned the surrounding flags. "Can I help you?"

"My name's Dr. Elijah Sullivan," my father responded politely. "I should be on the list to choose one of the Katki?"

The lady searched for his name against her records, smiling when she found it.

"Of course," she ratified. "Have you chosen one already, or would you like some help deciding? I have a list of distinguishing attributes in case there are any specific tasks you particularly want them to focus on?"

"We've just had a look," said my father. "We'd like to take 'Seven Zero Eight One' if we may?"

"Certainly," she agreed, rising from her seat and walking over to the Katki while we waited for her to return with him. "This one?"

"Please," my father confirmed, nodding.

The lady proceeded to check my father's credentials and tell us that all the practical things I already knew about, having had one before. Each Katki was trained in basic skills to enable them to be flexible in a variety of tasks. Reading, writing, basic mathematics and other useful skills were taught to them, as well as domestic competencies such as cooking and basic home improvement skills. Like any human, they needed food and drink to survive, so we needed to ensure they had sustenance. For as long as they were under the influence of the Ravim, they would do as instructed by a member of the Andekas family or a designated other named individual - usually their custodian.

Although I knew some of it may not be relevant to my own situation, I was paying attention anyway in case anything had changed in the last two years.

"I'm assigning him to you, sir?" she asked eventually, indicating my father.

"No," he replied. "I'm gifting him to my son."

"Perfect," said the lady. "Can I take your name please?"

"Dr. Matthew Sullivan," I answered politely.

"I just need your address as well?" she asked, and so I told her.

Reaching under the desk, she pulled out a small wooden box and opened it to reveal six small bottles of the white powder that I was already all too familiar with.

"All of the Katki were given Ravim on Friday," she informed me. "There's six weeks' worth in here. Administer once a week, preferably dissolved in a drink, starting next Friday. That should keep everyone safe. Another box will be delivered to the address you've given me every six weeks."

"Got it," I confirmed, taking the box from her after she closed it. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Dr. Sullivan," she said, handing me two spare Katki uniforms. "Seven Zero Eight One, you have been assigned to this gentleman, Dr. Matthew Sullivan," she added, indicating me clearly to the blond Katki. "He will be your custodian. Please confirm you understand."

His blue eyes met mine for a second before he repositioned and addressed her.

"I do," he said indifferently.

"Congratulations," she smiled at me. "We're all done with the registration process. Enjoy your gift with blessings from the Andekas family."

"Thank you," I responded as courteously as I could, before addressing the blond male. "Come with me," I said simply, and slightly uncomfortably, knowing he'd follow where I led.

I took a deep breath. After promising myself I wouldn't do this again, now that I was giving him his first instruction, the whole situation suddenly seemed very real.

The three of us made our way through the bustling crowd and stepped out into the fresh air. I snuck a look at my platinum blond companion as we made our way to the transport-bus that would take us back to our village.

I don't know what I was expecting; I knew he wouldn't look back at me. His listless eyes stayed trained on the path ahead.

I sighed.

So much for my plan to not bring one of the Katki home today.