Chapter 240

.

On Wednesday April 24th Eve heard the news, loyalists were marching into Los Angelas. Most prisoners felt the war was lost at this point. The collective army wasn't even trying to defend their capitol. Some shot randomely at loyalists, choosing to be shot down rather than surrender. Most either tried to defect, or simply took off their uniforms and went home to wait it out. The collective army had been plagued with dessertions these last few months, now even the capitol would soon be under occupation. Bu Sunday Mason's army was surrounding president Douglas in the former governor's mansion. For the moment they allowed Douglas, his cabinet, and their families, to stay here. This might've had something to do with the children that Douglas had taken into his home during the fall of Los Angelas. Whether Douglas did this to protect the children, or to use as human shields, people seemed to have different opinions on that. Mason's army severed the mansion's communication with the outside. Douglas and his cabinet were likely making policy that they would never again have the power to implement.

On Sunday afternoon Eve was told that loyalist soldiers had come to the camp to evaluate where P.O.W.s might be sent after the war was officially over. After her shift she was sent to a young woman, corporal Littleton, for evaluation. Corporal Littleton looked maybe two years older than Eve, she began asking questions.

.

Littleton: Your name?

Eve: Eve Thompson.

Littleton: Rank?

Eve: Private, collective army.

Littleton: State of birth?

Eve: New Jersey.

Littleton: Age?

Eve: I turn seventeen on May 6th.

Littleton: Your parents?

Eve: Zack and Kendall Thompson. Both deceased.

Littleton: Did you escape from prison?

Eve: Yes, during the initial mutiny. I was in colonel Park's oil fields for murdering my step-mother. And I was guilty of the crime.

Littleton: The name of your cat growing up.

Eve: I never had a cat. I had a dog named Cujo.

Littleton: How long did Adam Hellar beat you during your relationship.

.

This last question threw Eve a little off guard, how did they even know about that. Then she realized who this was, she had heard her voice once before. This was Claire, Adam's girlfriend.

.

Eve: Adam and I dated for two months, he was the first boy I ever kissed. He hit me once, and I pressed charges against him. After that Adam went to work on an Ark. I haven't seen him since.

Littleton: I really hope that was the first and only time you're going to lie to me. He told us how he helped you in the woods. He also told me that he kissed you.

Eve: I'm sorry. If it helps any, I'm fairly certain I'm a lesbian now.

Littleton: A little.

Eve: Did he get in trouble?

Littleton: The plan was to use you for intel, he wasn't suppossed to give you legitimate directions to a P.O.W. camp. Adam was reprimanded, a blot on his record, not too serious. Right now we need everyone we can get.

Eve: Is he okay?

Littleton: He's alive, I think, I can't say anything more.

Eve: I'll pray for him.

Claire: Me too. He never hit me, but I had to ask.

Eve: Ofcourse. So, what's going to happen to me.

Claire; You haven't committed any war crimes as far as we can tell. But you're 16, no living relatives, a fugitive from the law. The president is setting up refugee camps, primarily for immigrants from your side. Given your status you'll likely be sent there. You and others will concentrate on resources for the Arks. You won't be excluded from the lottery. I want you to know two things. The first is that me and Adam will be speaking on your behalf, trying to get you released. The second is that you might want to seriously consider accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Whatever happens with ELE we all have to answer to God some day.

Eve: I'm a muslim. And I don't want to sound ungrateful, but why are you helping me, all things considered?

Claire: My brother, he died fighting on your side. If thigs were different, if he had survived and wound up a P.O.W., I like to think Adam would've done all he could for him.

.

Claire Littleton was good to her word, but Eve knew her chances of leaving this forced labor site anytime soon weren't good. For a few awkward days loyalist soldiers in Los Angelas just kept Douglas and his cabinet contained. Soldiers from both sides kept their distance, even saluted each other. On May 1st president Mason himself came to the mansion. No cameras were brought inside, Mason just had one secret service agent with him for protection, even general Gardner had to wait outside. Whatever they might've discussed they finally emerged around 4pm. Both presidents announced that Douglas had surrendered. The war was officially over.