Chapter 198
.
Amy woke up early Friday morning. They were still driving, it was Eve's turn to take the wheel. The radio was on, Eve decided to listen for awhile. A preacher, Caleb, was saying that the collective was founded on christian principles. But instead of embracing it, people were bringing over sins from the U.S. One of his examples was a certain woman advocating spousal abuse. Her theory was that small instances of violence could help people control their anger better. Another example Caleb used was a popular online comic book. It was loosely based on Samuel's murders, it involved two girls, daughters of Satan, murdering their half-sisters while they were still children. Eve couldn't understand how Samuel could inspire a comic book, or how a woman would be advocating wife-beating. Caleb said this sinful epidemic was all over the world. Even in the holy cities like Mecca and Jerusalem there was now rampant theft, prostitution, gambling, blasphemy, even murder. According to Caleb the holy sites were being desecrated. Fortune tellers right outside the temple of Solomon, worshiping pagan gods outside the dome of the rock. Some had even altered the sanitation system in Bethlehem to put waste in the very site where Jesus himself had been born. Caleb warned that God would not tolerate this much longer. If the world continued in this sin, it would be punished soon.
Arounf 12 noon Eve and Amy were still in Texas. They made another quick rest stop, but still didn't have time for a sit-down lunch. Still, Eve enjoyed the opportunity to stretch her legs. As they got back into the car the radio was still on, talking about the vote before the Texas legislature. It appeared that the Brotherhood's plan had backfired. Lee was dead, killed by bodyguards as he completed his mission. Those on the fence before today were motivated against those who'd killed two of their friends. Pro-Texas forces won the day. The legislature officially declared Texas a seperate republic.