Chapter 211
.
Major Hamilton had warned his soldiers about drifters stealing food, claiming to be taking for their children. According to the major most of them had no kids. Eve realized she had never seen Steven's children, for all she knew they didn't exist. She knew that Hamilton would question her about the missing apples and water. She could claim she didn't know what happenned. She'd get in trouble, but not as much as if she admitted to stealing. But then, there was the danger of someone else getting in trouble. Eve didn't want anyone else to pay for her sins, but she also didn't want to be shot for disobeying orders. Eve prayed to Allah for the strength to do the right thing, and the wisdom to know what that was.
On the afternoon of the 23rd Eve was told that major Hamilton wanted to see him, fearing what this was about.
.
Hamilton: Some food is missing from the barn. According to my math, they dissapeared during your watch. Did you see any drifters near the barn?
Eve: No sir. I did hear some noises, but I didn't know what they were.
Hamilton: Did you radio your comrades about this mystery noise?
Eve: No sir. I should have. I take full responsibility for my carelessness.
Hamilton: I spoke to other sentries. Two others have confessed that they allowed a drifter to sneak in, claimed he needed to take food for starving children. But this drifter still needed help from at least one sentry near the barn.
Eve: This drifter, he may have been what I heard. But I never actually saw him or her.
Hamilton: My grandfather, he was not an educated man. But he did give me some wise advice once. "Never feed stray animals." Do you know why?
Eve: No sir.
Hamilton: Because they breed. They carry diseases and they continue to steal from decent people. I've decided not to execute the sentries who confessed. But if I find out someone not only stole food, but lied about it, I will not be so forgiving. So I'll ask you one time. Did you steal food and give it to this drifter?
Eve: No sir. If my carelessness cost our army food, I take full responsibility for that. But I didn't steal food, for any reason.
Hamilton: Very well. Because I have no proof you stole you will not be punished for that. Your own rations will be cut in half for three days for your carelessness. I find evidence of your guilt, I will take appropriate measures.
.
Eve told Jacob and Bianca about her punishment. They never asked if she was guilty, they probably didn't want to know. It seemed that these two now slept side by side, Eve thought they might be a couple now. Early on the morning of the 24th Bianca and Jacob went to a special church service. Chances were many loyalists were also celebrating christmas right now. Likely George Mason was praying for his daughter. In the afternoon Eve heard some disturbing news. Mimi Mason was officially dead. Rumor was her father pulled the plug. It seemed that he had given up hope, and didn't want her to suffer. Eve already knew that Mason allowed his son Jed to serve in the military. He was willing to risk his own son's life in this war. Now it seemed that George Mason was willing to end his own daughter's life. Allah alone knew what he was capable of doing to his enemies.