Chapter 270

.

Friday November 23rd, 240 days until impact. Eve knew some people wouldn't understand her actions. Why would one life matter so much, when all this would be laid to waste in less than a year? All life was sacred, that was a belief Eve clung to, especially now. Eve thought about Nazi Germany, those who fought against their attrocities. Despite people hiding them, Anne Frank and her family were slaughtered. The heroes of the German army, those who tried to assasinate Adolf Hitler, failed and were executed. Even though they failed, they died with a clear conscience. And now, Eve was also harboring a fugitive facing murder by the state. If she was going to die, at least she'd die on her terms. Death was certainly a possibility. Eve was more worried about her baby than about her own life. Similarly Teri seemed more worried about Eve and Julia than her own life. From her point of view, she was already saved, Eve and Julia weren't. It would be a shame if they died, and went to Hell, for protecting her. Eve figured if Allah sent her to Hell, it would be for her many sins, not for not picking the right religion. As Eve walked home a young woman, a sector guard, seemed to be following her. Eve tried to walk away, the guard kept following. Eve couldn't go far, being eight months pregnant. She finally sat down on a bench, and the guard joined her.

.

Guard: I'll be blunt private Thompson. I know you're harboring a fugitive from the mercy clinics. I don't enjoy sending people to them, but I have a job to do. I'd hate to lose it. If I take a risk and do some moonlighting, I expect to be compensated.

Eve: I understand officer. My roommate Juli is suppossed to handle this detail.

Guard: Yes, she has been generous with her body. But she was suppossed to provide certain things, food, little comforts. Recently me and mine have grown somewhat bored with your roommate. Julia has decided that you will be paying us. You're a week late in our fees.

Eve: I apologize officer. I will sort this out with her and pay you tomorrow.

Guard: Good, but I need some collateral.

Eve: I have two candy ars in my purse, and a mostly full pack of ciggarettes.

Guard: I mean something else. Julia didn't mind being a "lady of the night." And I actually find pregnant women sexy.

Eve: What are you saying?

Guard: Apparently I'm being just a little too subtle. I want to have sex with you. If you don't, I'll tell my superiors what an "anonymous informant" told me. Maybe you'll just get a slap on the wrist, can't guarantee they won't force you to have an abortion. I assume your guest will recieve worse.

.

Eve thought about what this guard was saying. She knew that Julia was taking some of her account for herself, that was compensation for taking this risk. But could Julia be taking more, shorting the guards and putting Teri in more danger? Eve hoped this was just bad communication between the two of them. At any rate, the choice before Eve right now, become a whore for this lady guard, or let Teri be killed. A part of Eve wondered if she could kill this woman to shut her up. But that would just bring even more unwanted attention from the sector police, maybe even loyalist soldiers. What would Allah think? Maybe God viewed this as being raped by the guard, she was holding a gun of sorts to Teri's head. At the very least, Allah would forgive this sin, probably. As much as Eve hated this woman, she knew she had to save Teri's life. Eve and the guard went into an alley, and completed their transaction.