Chapter 277

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When she woke up, Eve had no idea what day it was. They told her it was December 23rd. She'd been unconsciouss more than a full day. Eve still couldn't walk. She had made a commitment to Christ, and even in her current state there was something that she could do. Eve asked the orderlies to take her to Jamal's room. They put her in a wheelchair and wheeled her in. Jamal was still in a coma, only able to breathe through machines. Eve spoke to Jamal, hoping he could unerstand her, that she could get through.

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Eve: Hey Jamal. There's something you need to know. I'm not a muslim anymore. I'm christian, a real christian. I've been saved by Jesus Christ, by the sacrifice that he made on the cross two thousand years ago. I'll pray that you wake up, or at least that you understand me now. I want you to be saved too. You deserve it more than I do. I'll keep praying for you.

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On the morning of the 24th Dr Weber permitted Eve to see her baby, with him there to supervise. Eve was scheduled to be released tomorrow. He still wasn't sure about letting her take the baby. When Eve first saw the baby, she was amazed. She had created this tiny, innocent life. Eve began talking to her daughter.

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Eve: Hello, my child. It's me, your mommy. Your eyes probably can't see too well yet, but you might recognize my voice. I don't know if you can remember me. If you do, I'm sorry. I did some bad things, dragged you into my mess. I can't promise you much. I can promise that I will protect you until I'm dead. I will try to lead you to Jesus Christ, to salvation. And I promise to always love you. The rest, we'll have to figure out together as we go. No matter what mistakes you make, I'll always be here to love and protect you. Starting right now, I'll always be your mother.

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On the night of christmas eve, a sector guard came to see Eve. In all the excitement, she'd almost forgotten that she'd murdered a guard. The issue of her raising her child was now irrelevant. She had come to Christ in time to save her own soul, but not Jamal's. Unless he could actually understand her in a coma, or maybe someone else, possibly reverand Jenkins, got through to him. This guard handed Eve a piece of paper, asked her to sign it. Eve assumed it was a confession, but she read it anyway. But to her suprise, it said that the guard had attacked Eve, threatened to hurt her baby, like she hurt the refugees. It ultimately said that Eve killed her in self-defense. She didn't understand, why let her go like this? Then it became clear, Amanda had murdered a councilman, kidnapped large groups of refugees. These couldn't be ignored, they needed scapegoats, to say that a few dishonest people had acted independantly. The rumor around the hospital was that the refugees had fought back, even killed a few of their captors. Maybe the other dead ones were also being singled out as scapegoats. Eve thought about this, could she ignore the others, what they'd done to Teri, to Anne, to Jessica? One guard couldn't do all of that alone. But she technically had no evidence of any other individual's guilt. Maybe God was protecting her. How long that might last, Eve did not know. But she would not waste it. She would continue doing Christ's work as best she could. Eve signed the paper and went along with this version of events.

December 25th was christmas day. Likely the last christmas this world would celebrate before impact. Eve missed the old decorations, cookies, Santa Klaus. Few were even able to give gifts today. But Eve knew there was one christmas gift she could give her daughter, baptism. Reverand Jenkins was providing comfort to the sick. He admitted that he'd given the baby an emergency baptism after she was born. But Eve still wanted a formal ceremony. Jenkins brought her a modest dress from her apartment. They went to the hospital chapel where the reverand gave his christmas sermon. After which Eve held her daughter as Jenkins put water on the baby's head. Even Dr Weber stood outside, watching awkwardly. Eve swore before God and witnesses, she would protect her daughter from Satan, and all his empty promises. Here, Eve also named her child. This baby was the hope of the future. So Eve named her "Hope."