Chapter 266

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On Friday October 26th Eve attended the prayer services at her mosque. Some knew she was also attending church, but there was much over-lap these days. After the services her friend Jamal approached her. Jamal usually talked with the Sangalan immigrants, helping them adapt. Jamal never bragged about helping Eve a few weeks ago, only asked to make sure she was okay. Today he began talking about baseball. Before Jamal liked the Yankees, Eve the Phillies. Eve wondered if he was using baseball as a pretext to hit on her. Jamal said how he had dreamed of playing in the majors, once. When he was certain the sector police weren't around, Jamal revealed the real reason for this conversation.

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Jamal: Our friend Anne wanted me to talk with you.

Eve: Anne? From the safehouse?

Jamal: Yeah. We have some informants within the sector police, or so she tells me. They're planning raids on some suspected safehouses.

Eve: Ours, or the radicals'?

Jamal: Don't know, maybe both. But once they find the refugees, they'll euthanize them.

Eve: Are you sure?

Jamal: Why do you think their side barely gets a slap on the wrist from three weeks ago, our side is never seen again? The loyalists want as few of us alive as possible. We were hoping, you could take in a refugee.

Eve: I have a roommate, she'd be in danger too.

Jamal: I'll understand if you don't feel comfortable. You and your friend would be the ones who have to live with this decision.

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On Friday night Eve explained the situation to Julia. Julia suspected that Eve covertly helped the refugees, but never asked questions. Now, it was unavoidable.

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Eve: They want me to harbor a refugee.

Julia: We'd be taking a risk.

Eve: I know. Are you in?

Julia: If we do this, we do it right. I know how to persuade sector guards, but we'll eed something from you.

Eve: What?

Julia: You still have a house outside the sector.

Eve: The state took it. I'm suing to get it back.

Julia: You can relinquish your claim in exchange for a financial settlement. With that we can start an account, get foo, medicine, and little luxuries. The guards will expect a cut.

Eve: I do that, I can never go home.

Julia: I'll understand if it's too much.

Eve: I just needed to hear it outloud. I'll do it.