Chapter 209
.
Over the next few days Eve heard mixed reactions to the abduction of Mason's daughter. President Douglas made a plea, asking for her safe return. In both the Collective States and the United States there were reactions of sympathy. Churches and mosques held special prayer services. In Washington people placed pictures at the white house gate. Along with toys for little Rebecca, and cards praying for Mimi's safety. At Colby's farm, Eve heard some people express sorrow about this, but they were in the minority. People who'd seen children die from the plague, those who'd lost their own children, they were vengeful. They liked the idea of George Mason suffering as they had sufferred. Eve didn't talk much about this with Jacob or Bianca. She was still the new girl in many ways. But noone knew what she was thinking. Eve would silently pray for Mimi's safe return without her comrades knowing.
On Friday December 22nd Eve asked major Hamilton for permission to show Jacob and Bianca some hunting skills. Hamilton gave permission for them to leave the farm briefly. It seemed like a good idea for the recruits to know how to catch their own food. Eve taught them about setting traps today. With guns and bullets about to become a limited resource it would become important to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. During this hunting trip Bianca began talking about the first daughter's kidnapping.
.
Bianca: About time their president learned how it feels to lose someone he loves.
Eve: That's harsh. I don't think Mimi was responsible for the plague.
Bianca: And what did my little brother ever do to anyone? One million men, women, children, all murdered by Mason's plague.
Eve: What about the plague in Loyalist states? Many civilians killed on their side.
Bianca: They started it.
Eve: Probably. But my faith tells me that the killing of civilians is always wrong.
Bianca: That's your opinion.
Eve: It's the law of Allah, as revealed through the prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him.
Bianca: I don't have your faith. I don't give a damn for the lives of loyalists. I hope that some who died in our country were loyalists. If collective spies died over there, I mourn for them only. But George Mason started this was, and I'm glad he's suffering now.
.
Eve, Bianca, and Jacob returned to the farm, having eaten the one bird that they killed. This trio wasn't sure if hunting skills would help any of them get into an Ark, but it helped them now. Eve had about an hour before guard duty, guarding the barn from thieves. By the time they returned everyone was talking about something. Soon they learned that there had been an attempt to rescue Mimi Mason. Her captors were all killed, even the agents 14 year old son. During the attempt Mimi was shot in the head, she might not live through the night. Even if she survived, she might be a vegetable. This was suppossed to be the christmas season, where people came together in peace. This season just seemed cold and hard.