Chapter 37
.
Nadia and Eve stood in the corner. Nadia tried to talk these people out of suicide. Eve wasn't even sure it was her place to stop them. But she admired and respected Nadia, and didn't want her to be hurt. Jack and some of the others got annoyed by Nadia, felt she was infringing on their right to die. Jack got angry, particularly when two others joined Nadia and Eve. They were two boys, RJ, and one whose name Eve didn't know. They seemed to have become inspired by Nadia's courage. This made others angry. They felt that Nadia and her friends were judging them. Eve realized these people were not thinking rationally. Eve suggested they leave while they still could. But Nadia had already saved three people from damnation. She refused to leave if their was a chance she could save anyone else. Thus her three protectors stayed as well. Jack lost it. He grabbed his gun, and told these four to go into the basement. Nadia still refused to move. If neccessary she would die for Allah. Eve knew Jack would kill Nadia. She punched Nadia out for her own safety. Eve and the two boys tried to drag Nadia outside, but Jack still forced them to take her to the basement. Eve wondered why Jack would force them to the asement, rather than force them outside. RJ believed Jack wanted Nadia to see their dead bodies later, knowing she had failed. As Nadia woke up Eve tried to explain why she had slugged her. As they talked they began smelling smoke. RJ said the door was locked, the smoke was coming from upstairs. Then Eve realied, Jack was trying to murder them all, and set fire to the house. Eve seriously regretted coming here tonight. Fire and smoke inhalation seemed like an incredibly painful way to die. Unless they could get out their defection to Nadia's side would be for nothing. RJ and the other boy tried to break open the door. These stairs could only hold two of them, and they were the strongest two. Nadia recited the Shahadah, an islamic testimony of faith that is given before death. Eve didn't know many formal christian prayers, she just asked God to get them out of this. Perhaps God was indeed listening, RJ and the other boy broke open the door. Nadia and Eve followed up the stairs. As they saw the fire destroying the house all the bodies were unconsciouss. Hard to say if any of them were still alive. Nadia was unsure if she should try to help them. Eve said she did all she could, time to protect herself. Nadia agreed and fled with Eve and the boys.