Chapter 46
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The bus arrived around 11am. Before they were processed captain Greer insisted they all get together for a group picture. They would all be given a copy later to take home. One person joked that if ELE hit these pictures would be on display in the Arks. That was one way to lie on, let future generations know what they'd accomplished. Eve was directed to a medical station for a quick check-up, to make sure she was physically fit enough to work. So far so good. They assured Eve they would find some use for her, even if the tests showed something bad. By this point it was afternoon. Eve was hoping for lunch, but she still had lines to wait in. To learn her job, where she would sleep. Fortunately there were people from the neighboring town of "Caseyville." They were giving away free sandwiches and drinks. Eve ate this in line. She still kept her duffel bag with her. Eve didn't know these people well enough to leave her bag un-attended. Between the confusion, and possibility of stealing, Eve kept her bag with her. Eve hoped to visit Caseyville on her days off. It took Eve a little while to get her bearings. They were building the Ark from inside the mountain. Hopefully the mountain would provide a defense against the coming snow. Eve was asked to get her Ark worker ID. Her mother had taught her how to take a good picture. Start smiling before she steps into the light, hild the smile until it was done. After this she recieved her assignment. She was to help with construction,starting tomorrow. Eve had no experience with construction, but they promised they'd teach her on the job. The first schedule was one week, thursday, friday, sunday, monday, and wednesday. Saturday and tuesday she had off. The hours were 10am to 4m each day, with a half hour each day for lunch. Eve was given her living quarters. She saw four beds, but only one roommate thus far. This girl, Julia, said the other girls were working right now. Julia seemed nice, a couple of years older maybe. Julia and Eve went to the mess hall for dinner. This place seemed like a school cafeteria. The food was free, there was plenty to go around. She'd heard jokes about the quality, but as the new girl she said nothing. Eve only had a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, some chips, and soda. There was a rec-room with some video games. Eve played pinball for a little while before returning to her room. By the time Eve got back Julia was in her bed quietly reading. Anothr of her roommates was back, asleep. Julia put her fingers on her lips, telling Eve to let her sleep and keep the noise down. Eve quickly understood that people with different schedules would be coming and going at all hours. They would all just have to be as quiet as they could be. The small room had a television, but clearly that option was out. Eve just lay on her ed, quietly reading the Koran. This provided her some comfort during this scary time. Eve knew she had to get some sleep for tomorrow, but was too nervous to relax. She had never been so far away from home. She'd ben on vacations to Wildwood, once to Disneyworld, but always with both of her parents. Now she was here, alone, for two months. Plus she knew that one of her roommates set the alarm for 4am. Knowing this was coming also made it hard for Eve to sleep. Eve feared this was going to be a long night with little sleep, and not the last one.