Chapter 84
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On Sunday October 2nd pope Peter II symbolically released a white dove. Sadly, this photo-op went wrong when this dove was attacked by a black crow and a white seagull. Some saw this as a dark foreshadowing of the death of peace. Others chose to see it as a white seagull and a black crow working together. Over the next week at Eve heard reports at Ravenwood that didn't bode well. Extremists were attempting to sieze power in Saudi Arabia. These fundamentalists had some power in this government for awhile now. There had been reforms over the last decade. Free elections, rights for women, protections for religious and ethnic minorities. Now, those reforms were in danger. There were rumors of the royal family's excesses. One princess was rumored to bathe in milk, the king was believed to have his lunches flown in from Paris, all while their own people were starving all around them. In the minds of many Saudi citizens, these excesses became linked to secular reforms. Thus conservative clerics came to have a populist message. Certain radical clerics said this was ultimately a holy war between christianity and islam. America had a deal with the current Saudi government. Shelters were built in both countries with American technology and Saudi oil. If these clerics siezed the shelters it could derail the population for either country. These fundamentalists, and preachers like Walker, seemed to enjoy stirring up violence between christians and muslims. But these guys weren't nearly as frightening as one preacher, known only as "Samuel", suspected of calling for the direct murder of children. Samuel claimed that the Arks would lead to evil, the corrupting of innocent children. He claimed it was best to kill the children now, save them from eternal damnation. With barely 1,000 days untilimpact, this world was becoming very scary. The first week of the new food rationing was difficult for Eve. This wasn't suppossed to last more than another two weeks at most. Than she'd be able to buy more food. But even then everyone would have less than normal. This hunger was starting to show at school. Combined with developments in Saudi Arabia resulted in some tension between the christian and muslim students. The guards were there to prevent any fights, but the tension was still there. Amy promised Eve she'd stand with her if trouble started. Rumor was coach Miller, their physical education teacher, was organizing fights between them. He seemed to feel that small controlled fights could prevent greater violence. This wasn't encouraging to Eve. When the schoolyear began less than half those who were suppossed to return actually came. Between Ark volunteers, teen parents, or those who completely gave up, school didn't seem important. Eve still found school comforting, her only sense of normal these days. A part of her wondered if she was being evaluated. She didn't consider herself a conspiracy theorist, but she wondered. Surviving on less food, remaining in school to learn important skills. Eve hoped her chances of getting into the Arks were good.