***
“And you came from there, so you know it is. Don’t you think we’d be able to handle it?” Alice asked Savannah.
“What?!” Savannah exclaimed, as she looked between the two of us. “First of all, you two would be separated.”
“Oh, right. Cuz we’re interracial. They hate that stuff.”
“No!” Savannah exclaimed, “Because you’re young, and you’ve been together for too long, so they’ll assume you two are… you know, doing things, and they’ll say that you’re ‘too passionate.’ I saw it happen to a dozen couples, young and old! They almost split my husband and I up. Secondly, you do realize that anyone who comes to them has to go through the Confessionals? So, you two will be put in front of all of them in the village square and whipped, at the very least.”
“But we haven’t done anything bad!”
“It doesn’t matter. You two are old enough that you can be held responsible for anything you have done wrong. Did you ever lie to your parents? Did you ever disobey them? And even if you two aren’t… doing anything…” I laughed, because it was so awkward for her to say it, “They’ll think you two are! All of those things are grounds for lashings. Look, I love that you two are so motivated to help us all out. I think that is so brave and so mature. But it is not a game up there.”
“We didn’t say it was, Savannah.”
“I know, but you need to know it. It is nothing like it is here. And once you are there, there is no way they are going to let you leave. Especially if the people who are hiding out here report back to them that they are training Deep Cover Agents. Guys, just take my word for it, it is not a good idea. If you want to help, just stay on Security, because you guys are already enlisted. Okay?”
“We’re at least going to train for it!”
“Can I train for it?” Ellie asked from behind us, “I don’t get to do anything except babysit Oliver and go to school!”
“No, you can’t train for being a Deep Cover Agent, Eliza. But nice try.”
“No, not Deep Cover, but can’t I train for the Army? Tommy and Lisa Chen are doing it, and so is TJ Price!”
“What?!” Alice, Savannah, and I exclaimed.
“Yeah! They were talking about it at lunch the other day.”
“I think they were exaggerating, Elle.” Alice told her, “There is no way that Brynna, Don, Adam, and Janna would let people your age enlist.”
“They are! Swear to God! When I come home tomorrow, I’m bringing TJ, and we’re coming to your house, and he’ll tell you himself!”
“Please do.” Quinn said, “Cuz TJ is full of shit.”
“He’s not! And he’s kind of my boyfriend, so be nice, Quinn.”
“What?!” Savannah exclaimed, “Ellie, we have talked about this, and he is not your boyfriend!”
We left, and they continued their argument.