Chapter 322
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Amanda clearly didn't like the judges' decision, but she brought Nadia to Jamal and Eve. When she was informed that she was free now, Nadia ran over and hugged Eve.
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Nadia: Thank you so much, both of you.
Jamal: No problem. We couldn't let you remain a slave, not after what you did for my wife.
Nadia: Wife? Congragulations.
Eve: Thanks. We've been married less than two months. Trying to find as much love as we can in these final days. So, how did this happen to you?
Nadia: It's a long story, and I'd like to tell you. But I need to help the others. My friends who are still slaves of Amanda. You have both done more than enough. If you don't want to help, I'll understand, but I'm going to try and rescue my other friends.
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Nadia told Eve and Jamal her story. Her parents were both killed during the war. Her mother died of the plague, after which her father joined the loyalist army and died in battle. Because of Nadia's experience in Sangala she began working in a hospital in Philadelphia, helping provide commpassionate care for infected patients. Three months ago Nadia began working in a refugee camp for displaced persons. But then, less than one month ago, Nadia was betrayed. She and others were attacked by Amanda's goons and forced into slavery. Thus far Nadia had avoided being sold, she didn't want to talk about what Amanda had forced her to do for top clients. But Nadia feared that if she waited, even just a day, her friends would be sold, she'd never see tham again. There was clearly no stopping Nadia. Jamal and Eve didn't want her to be killed. They agreed to help Nadia rescue the other slaves, or die trying.
Before this trio left the flea-market they loaded up on supplies. They bought three rifles, bullets, enough food and water to last one more day. They were fortunate to find a wealthy man, one with two or three wives, who'd won big betting on Jamal and was feeling generous. They each had to sell a large portion of their hair. Jamal also had to give this guy two teeth that he'd lost fighting Rocky. The trio made a plan to attack Amanda's compound the next morning at sunrise. Eve was suprised that Nadia knew how to shoot a rifle, but all things considered, she probably shouldn't have been. That night, they made camp nearby. They talked about their experiences during the war. Eve and Nadia were friends again, even though they'd been on opposite sides. Their plan was to rescue the slaves, kill Amanda if neccessary, and retreat to the local farm nearby. Suppossedly farmer Elliot provided protection to runaway slaves. Helping free slaves, working together for their collective good, seemed like as good a way as any to spend the final days. They tried to sleep for a few hours, this proved difficult. They took turns on watch while the others slept. Eve feared something else. It might be stupid to be worried about Nadia and Jamal. But Jamal had saved Nadia, and they were both muslims while Eve was a christian. But Jamal swore to always e faithful to Eve, and Nadia wouldn't betray her friend like that. Eve feared they would realize they were better than her, would reject her for some of the choices that she'd made. But Eve knew they weren't looking down on her, it was just her own guilt.