Chapter 327
.
Eve went to Elliot's church service on Sunday April 20th. She didn't think he was qualified to lead a christian service. Still this helped alleviate her fears. During the service Eve noticed Lily, she was shaking. Eve went over to try and comfort this girl. They quietly walked away and talked in private.
.
Eve: Are you okay?
Lily: I keep thinking about my parents. I see their faces every time I close my eyes.
Eve: I'm sorry. But the woman who hurt them is dead. She can't hurt you anymore.
Lily: My parents said I'd go to Heaven one day, if I accepted Christ as my personal svior. But I don't know how. I'm scared, I don't want to go to Hell.
Eve: You don't have to. I'll help you. Tell God, you know you are a sinner, ask for his forgiveness. Know that you cannot get into Heaven on your own. But accept that Jesus died for your sins two thousand years ago.
Lily: That's it?
Eve: As long as you're sincere, yes. You will be forgiven for all sins, past, present, future. And when the time comes, you and I will go to Heaven together, and you'll see your parents again.
.
With that Lily prayed as Eve told her. Eve still feared she couldn't get through to Nadia in time. But it seemed she had helped lead Lily to salvation before the deadline. After helping get Lily saved Eve went to her normal shift of guard duty. Nadia was stationed here today also. Eve was feeling good, having won an unexpected victory. She again broached the subject of salvation. But Nadia remained faithful to Allah, and Eve became discouraged again. They both fulfilled their shift, then another guard came to relieve Nadia. Eve wondered where her replacement was. Nadia promised to find out. Eve soon heard the commotion. Elliot was yelling at a guy named Frank for over-sleeping. Frank walked away in anger, threw his knife on the ground. Eve could hear Frank mumbling as he walked towards her, he was saying some very nasty things about Nadia. Frank told Eve he was here to relieve her. Apologized for this, offerred to cover Eve's shift tomorrow. Eve accepted and walked away. She really didn't want to be around an angry man with a gun.
Although Frank was covering her shift on guard duty Eve was expected to find another way to contribute on Monday April 21st. She and some others went out hunting wild dogs. Although the gangs feared and respected Elliot, they might not recognize these hunters. And there was always the possibility of lone hunters who didn't know the rules, would fight them for meat. The truth was as the countdown got lower, even Elliot would lose what little grip he had on order. This task was dangerous, but neccessary. They killed three dogs, who seemed healthy, before heading back. Whe they returned the camp seemed to be in chaos. Someone had been murdered in camp. If it was an outsider, they were probably now at war. If it was a loner, they could avoid war, but the individual had to be found and executed. If it was one of their own, they still had to die. Eve looked around for Nadia, hoping she could provide some answers. People saw Eve and looked away. One person said "Sorry about your friend." Eve feared what he meant. She ran over to where this individual had been killed. Her fears were confirmed as she saw the corpse. Nadia was dead.