Chapter 311
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After church services on Sunday March 16th Eve wet with Jamal and they went to a meeting together. This meeting had eight others, they discussed possibly escaping. If they escaped now, it was unlikely they could survive on the outside, especially with their tattoos. And that assumed they could escape the landmines on the other side. Rumor was the soldiers outside amused themselves by forcing escapees to walk on the landmine field, and gambling on how long they lasted. It would be different if they were selected. So far none of these people had been selected, despite three drawings. Some might be selected come April 1st, but not all of them. They agreed to help each other escape should this happen. But they would likely need help from the outside world. Zoey Allen might be sympathetic to their cause, or she might completely turn her back on them, noone was really sure what, if any, side she was on. Either way, the window on asking would close very soon. Although it was risky, they knew they needed to move very soon.
Jamal and his friends decided to slip Zoey a note before she left the sector. They needed a phone for Zoey to contact each other later. Jamal agreed to work on this. Eve knew he would have to move quickly. She also thought about what exactly the note should say. They couldn't take the chance of it being too subtle. Despite the risks they had to say what their ultimate goal was. Eve wrote this note on Sunday night. If she was caught with it early, se might be executed.
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"Dear Zoey, thank you for all you've done for us. We know you have attempted to help the oppressed. Slaves, sector prisoners, persecuted christians in one place, abused women in another. Now, we must ask for more direct help. Some of those who've been selected for the Arks are being held against their will. They wish mainly to survive, but Barnes and others won't let them leave. Perhaps we have no right to ask this of you, I couldn't blame you for refusing us. But without your help, these people will not survive. You're the only one who can decide if it's worth the risk. Sincerely, Eve Thompson.
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On Sunday night Eve paced nervously in her apartment. Jamal should've been back already, with an illegal cellphone. The note that she'd written could be used as evidence against them both later. Their courts would have reason to look for it if Jamal was caught. Eve prayed for Jamal's safety. According to her faith, if Jamal died un-saved, he would be sentanced to Hell for eternity. She tried to convert him, he tried to bring her back to islam. Both seemed absolutely certain that theirs was the one true religion. As frustrating as this could be, Eve wanted to be frustrated by Jamal for many years. Finally, Jamal returned. He looked like he'd gone six rounds with Muhammed Ali, but whatever fight he'd been in he apparently won. And he returned with his prize, a cellphone.