Snippet #1821501

Jemima's eyes widened at Jessamine's frank account of what happened to her "travelling companion". That didn't exactly inspire confidence. But then, maybe there was more to the story. And besides, it wasn't as though Jemima was being presented with a selection of prospective escape partners from whom she could choose. Either she could coexist with Jessamine, or Jessamine would be a problem she'd have to get rid of. And that wasn't Jemima's style.

"I see." she said flatly. "Well that worked getting one person in, I'm not sure it'll work getting two people out."

She walked into the middle of the room. It was a small gesture of trust, because it did after all leave the door exposed if Jessamine wanted to make a run for it. Jemima hurried over to the brazier and took the pierogies off the heat. They were overcooked, but still edible.

"And we don't really have police and criminals in this town anymore." she said bitterly, "There's two new classes of people instead; people who are willing to be the invading force's lapdogs, and those who aren't. Those who aren't are in the jail, whether they're criminals or police. Regular civilians get put to other kinds of work. But law and order's gone down the drain, there's just the army's rules and the army's punishments. They haven't even stated demands, they've just marched in and taken over. I guess the same thing's happening in other places...what'll happen in the long run I've no idea. I just want to get my mom out and get out of here. With whoever else I can help...but right now there's not much I can do."

Jemima looked across at Jessamine and sighed. She was right, this wasn't going to be a good hiding place indefinitely.

"Yeah we'll have to do something sooner or later. Right now, gotta eat. You wanna share this? It's nothing amazing but until I can get out for supplies it's all there is."