Chapter 361
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The morning of June 17th Eve got up early for the duel. She wanted it over with quickly. A part of her also didn't want to be late for work, unless she was dead before her shift. Eve went to the designated spot, close to the White House. There, Zoey and her friends were waiting. Eve wondered if this was some sort of Washington dueling society. There was even a priestess of Finis Generatium, ready to give one girl the last rites. She thanked the players for their sacrifice. One was about to give her life to atone for the world's sins, the other was about to take on the guilt and continue her work. Eve didn't understand this religion, but understood the importance of ritual, without them, what were these people? One woman handed Eve and Zoey each a pistol and explained the rules. Each girl would walk ten paces in opposite directions. Once they were aiming the pistols at each other the "referee" would drop her hankerchief. Then each girl could fire at her pleasure. Whoever fired first, if she missed, would have to stand still and wait until her opponent took her shot. Eve still wasn't sure what she was going to do. But she'd have to decide quickly.
Eve took her pistol and walked the ten paces. Zoey did the same. Both girls aimed their guns at each other and watched for the signal. The woman dropped her hankerchief. Neither girl fired at first, hesitant about killing her friend. Finally Eve pulled the trigger, and missed Zoey. It was over, nothing to do but stand here and wait for Zoey to put her out of her misery. Finally Zoey pulled the trigger, and missed Eve. Eve wondered if Zoey had missed on purpose. Eve had deliberately missed, chosing in the moment Death over killing her friend. With this duel over Zoey walked up to Eve. The crowd wondered if there would be another duel later. But instead Zoey kissed Eve. Eve was confused. Zoey had challanged her to a duel, yet now they were kissing.
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Eve: Why did you really want to fight?
Zoey: Because I'm scared, of what comes next.
Eve: Did you want me to kill you?
Zoey: A little. But I was also trying to protect you from the mob.
Eve: So you thought you should just kill me?
Zoey: I tried to talk Jed into a suicide pact, but he wouldn't abandon his fellow soldiers. I should've shot him in his sleep. Now, God only knows what they'll do to the president's son.
Eve: But you don't get to decide what's best for me. We're in a relationship Zoey, we're suppossed to talk about these things together. And I decide what's best for me. Even if Walker's mob comes, I'll take care of myself.
Zoey: There is no "If." I heard the president talking yesterday. He plans to draft you, despite your night with him, send you against the mob to defend what remains of the capitol.