Chapter 328

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Nadia was buried before sunset. Eve spoke about Nadia's virtue, her bravery. The first time they met, Eve was ready to end it all, but then Nadia showed up, risked her life to save the souls of others, complete strangers. She saved Eve this day, later guided her in faith. They worked together outside the mercy clinics, trying, often in vain, to save other lives. Tragedy affected Nadia during the war, but she refused to give in to despair. She saved strangers during the plague, and after being feed from slavery Nadia risked her life to save the other captives. It wasn't right, her being murdered like this. Elliot would find who did this, and execute them. Eve hoped Elliot would let her personally killed the bastard who murdered her best friend.

After Nadia's funeral Elliot questioned Eve. He was cop, judge, executioner. Eve told him what she knew. She'd seen Nadia this morning before going out to hunt. When she came back, Nadia was dead. She couldn't imagine who'd wanted to murder Nadia, she had no enemies that Eve knew about. Elliot asked her about the arguments they'd been seen having. Eve told the truth, she was a born-again christian, tried to convince Nadia to convert. Elliot seemed to believe that Eve wouldn't hurt Nadia, she was trying to save her friend's soul. Elliot then asked about Frank. Eve remembered Frank being angry, said some nasty things about Nadia. He seemed to blame Nadia for Elliot yelling at him in front of everyone. Frank seemed to be a malcontent, and it was his knife that slit Nadia's throat. The obvious conclusion was that Frank murdered Nadia, and would be executed accordingly. Elliot asked Eve one more question, had she seen Frank throw his knife on the ground? Eve thought about it for a minute. She had seen that, but Frank could've picked it up later. Eve didn't want Nadia's murderer to weasel out of his punishment. But if she lied, it could damage her credibility as a witness. So Eve told the truth. She had seen Frank throw his knife on the ground in anger. She hadn't seen anyone pick it up later. Elliot seemed saddenned by this news. It seemed that Frank had an alibi, guard duty, where others had seen him. Frank also claimed he'd seen someone else take this knife. With Eve's testimony, Elliot had little choice but to turn to the person Frank saw steal his knife. That person was Lily.

Elliot brought Eve to a secluded spot in the woods. There, two armed guards were watching Lily. Elliot dismissed them while Eve questioned the girl. Elliot wanted to make sure she was guilty before handing out any punishments. Until then, he didnt want anyone knowing the charges.

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Eve: Is it true? You murdered my friend?

Lily: They murdered my parents.

Eve: Who did?

Lily: The muslims. My parents trusted one, and he betrayed us, sold us into slavery. The things they did...

Eve: Nadia didn't. She risked her life to save you.

Lily: I see my parents' faces every night in my dreams. Every morning I saw her face, pretending to be my friend.

Elliot: I'm sorry, but I have to uphold the law, no exceptions.

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As Elliot drew his gun Lily tried to cower behind Eve. She was scared, Eve actually felt sorry for her. Although Lily murdered Eve's best friend, all Eve could see was a scared little girl.

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Elliot: Step aside Eve.

Eve: She's just a kid.

Elliot: She murdered one of mine. No exceptions to this law.

Eve: Couldn't you just banish her from camp?

Elliot: Then what? Let the gangs rip her to shreds? It's better this way, it will be quick. Now, step aside Eve.

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Instead of obeying, Eve punched Elliot. He went down, but was still consciouss. In the heat of the moment Eve took Lily's hand and they took off together.