Chapter 216
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On Monday January 15th Eve was on guard duty at the barn. Others had been given this duty unexpectedly today. This wasn't too unusual, there was always the danger of loyalist forces attacking the farm. And two of their sentries in the woods hadn't contacted base in the last few hours. They were young recruits, possibly just engaging in romance with each other rather than their duty. Eve hoped they'd be found soon and Hamilton would discipline them accordingly. At least Bianca was here to keep her company. Then Eve heard a sound, a whizzing noise she couldn't quite identify. A few seconds later the explosion came. Not too close to the barn, but close enough for Eve to see and hear. It had been an enemy shell. Three of her comrades were killed instantly. As everyone mobilized there was no denying they were under attack.
Eve was scared, but tried to hold it together. A part of her wanted to help her comrades, but Eve knew her orders were to stay by the barn, protect the crops that were feeding everyone. Bianca was worried, probably worried about Jacob. There seemed no way of knowing if he was alive just yet. They soon saw loyalist soldiers advancing from the trees. The two groups exchanged gunfire, each soldier attempting to take what cover they could. On this the collective soldiers had the advantage of sandbags. But Eve still saw it. A loyalist soldier aimed his rifle and shot. Immediately after this Eve saw a body fall beside her. To her horror it was Bianca, her head torn off. Eve could still make out Bianca's face, but her brains were now on the barn wall. Bianca was dead.
Eve fought to retain her composure. The barn and it's crops had to be defended. She had lost yet another friend. But this time, Eve could avenge Bianca. She'd seen the bastard who shot Bianca. He was behind the tree right now, the coward would not get away with this. As soon as he tried to fire another round Eve shot him in the heart. He went down. He was still twitching, not dead yet. Eve didn't mind seeing him suffer. Eve and the others defended the barn for another ten minutes. After that the surviving loyalists began retreating. The collectivists had successfully defended their home from the enemy invasion. The man Eve shot was still twitching in pain, his comrades didn't even bother to take him back or put him out of his misery. Eve went over to him. She wanted him to suffer, until she saw his face. He was younger than Eve couldn't be more than 15. He didn't seem to realize what was going on, only that he was in great pain. Eve was suddenly filled with remorse. She was responsible for this boy being in such pain. Eve tried to comfort him, told him the pain would be over soon. He didn't seem to realize that Eve had been the one who shot him. When he called for his mom, Eve said his mother would be here soon. She couldn't make out what he was saying, except that he kept saying "Mom." Was it possible that he thought Eve was his mother? Eve took his hand, and took on the role of the boy's mother. She said "It's okay baby." "The pain will be over soon." "I will always protect you sweetheart." Then this boy died in Eve's arms. Eve realized that she would have to live with what she'd done for the rest of her life.