Chapter 332
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When Eve closed her eyes she never expected to open them again. She was hazy now, but opened them out of instinct. Eve found herself tied up, in the back seat of a van. The driver she would soon know as "Gaines." She had no idea where she was, maybe Hell itself.
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Eve: Where are we?
Gaines: I believe we're still in New Jersey, if anyone still cares about borders.
Eve: What happenned?
Gaines: You tried to kill yourself, I stopped you. That's why you'retied up.
Eve: Thank you. Are you worried I might try again? Is that why I'm tied up?
Gaines: Partly. I imagine you'll get your deathwish before long. My side controls the Arks now. We fought and died for them in the war, only to have thatbleeding heart George Mason take in collectivists, ignoring the soldiers on his own side. Some friends of mine, you and a few others are our ticket in. We'll offer you as a gift. What they do to you is none of my business. I saw your tattoos, I know you'rea murderer and a traitor, so I don't really mind what happens to you. I'llunderstand if you want to take back your thanks for me saving you from suicide.
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Eve knew what Gaines meant, the rumors were true. There had been a military coup, Gardner and others basically stole the Arks from Mason. Gaines might be a part of the coup, but there still wasn't enough space for all of them. He and others were offering young girls like her to their superiors. What they would do with her, Eve would wish Gaines had let her die.
Gaines didn't talk much, perhaps he felt somewhat guilty about what he was doing, not that this guilt would stop him from doing it. From what Eve could tell Gaines had been a loyalist soldier during the war. He and others were upset about Mason takingso many collective refugees into the Arks. Thus general Gardner organized this coup. They took in some collective personnel, doctors and farmers mostly, and someleaders brought in children that they could properly educate. But most of the collectivists were screwed. Gaines said they'd be at the Ark site tomorrow. That night they stopped to eat. Eve refused to swallow the dead bird meat, she saw little point in eating and surviving considereing what awaited her. Gaines threatened to force her to eat intravenously. Eve was suprised to learn he knew about medical stuff, even doctors were more brutal these days. First Gaines used drugs to knock Eve out. Before she lost conscioussness Eve was actually grateful she wouldn't have to think about what they'd do to her.
When Eve woke up she was hooked up to feeding tubes in the back of the van. The van was still. At first Eve thought of making a run for it, but then she saw another guard with a gun. If her calculations were right it was no April 29th 2036. 82 days until impact. Not soon enough for Eve and the other prisoners. Gaines returned and brought Eve some water. She was thirsty enough to drink it. Two other prisoners were brought here, Jane and Natalie. Both young women like Eve, maybe a little younger. Gaines' other team brought them as bargaining chips. They didn't have tattoos like Eve. Gaines might've preferred offering up murderers and traitors, but he'd take what he could get. Gaines locked all three girlsup in the van with the window cracked open just a little. As bad as their situation was, at least these three girls had each other.