No Escape

Chapter 11

Ellie Maisie's depression-filled dreams were interrupted by Dominic's loud banging on the railings.
"Sorry," he yelled.
"It's ok," she laughed.
"I need to go, my shift's over. Adrian's coming, just a fair warning," Dominic said.

and Adrian entered. He smiled at his mother and everyone else.
"Where's Keres, doesn't he want to greet us this morning?" Nanette taunted.
"Keres is busy ruling his empire, Miss Martinez, but today is an important day. The first of many. Please stand up and accompany me to your dressing rooms, you'll need to look your best," he explained with pride.
They all followed down the same hallway and opened the door where their clothes and boots were stored. They quickly sped in there and changed into the clothes, as well as tidying up their hair into a sophisticated bun that still didn't match the perfection that Cindy had reached the day before.

Nevertheless, they continued walking through the corridors until they reached the great hall with an innumerable number of chairs and tables. They all sat down and waited for what seemed like an eternity. During this time, Ellie Maisie was able to observe what was happening around her. A day before, all the women were bravely and valiantly protesting this despicable government and now they all looked like Cindy. They were nervous, shy, overly apologetic, and scared. They too understood they could be shot at any minute. Like Najya Javed. Finally, two men emerged from the front steel doors. They were dressed very differently but seemed very similar. The first man was dressed in all black, the uniform that represented all of Keres' men. The

second man was dressed like a priest. He had round spectacles and a grey, receding hairline. He wore a long, white garment, he had a red shawl hanging around his neck and dripping down to his legs. In his arm, he held a giant, silver cross decorated with gemstones. He was standing silently, unable to look at any of the women.
"Good day," the man in all black announced, "I would like to say that you all look lovely in your clothes and this is quite an improvement."
That day, Ellie Maisie was wearing the navy blue, elegant, tight dress, Mo and Nanette wore the beige, plain dress, and Ariana wore the ivory- colored dress with the brown trench coat. None of them felt comfortable, and none of them smiled, though none

of them frowned either. Keres' plan of containing a woman's emotions had followed through flawlessly.
"As I was saying, today is when we begin training you. You will go through a series of lectures and lessons on how to become the perfect woman," he explained, "After six months, we will evaluate you, and if we deem you worthy, you shall be released and forced to follow the rules of our great republic. If you do not pass the evaluation, we will keep you here for another six months, and another six months after that. The limit is five years because Keres is generous and believes in you. If five years comes and goes, you will be executed."

A guard came by with a giant tray, serving each woman with two slices of bread and a hard-boiled egg.
"I will now have the priest speak, he is the religious voice of the government. He will give you your lessons. You are to listen to him and remember what he is telling you. Your life depends on this!"
The guard exited, and so did the man with the tray, after he finished serving everyone their fast. The priest stepped forward. He fidgeted with his fingers for a while before speaking to the room of women in uncomfortable, dress clothing and perfectly straight hair tied in a bun with only three colors of option.
"Good day, please begin your food. Now, you might be wondering why you

are eating this breakfast. I'd like you to know this is the only breakfast you will have in your time here. Lunch and dinner will be a bowl of porridge. This is to maintain you in the correct weight for a woman. Eating little will get you very far, believe me. Women who eat as much as men are undesirable and unmarriable. I want you to remember something very important. Women always eat after men. Women can not eat at the same time as their husbands. Once you get out of here, you will have 30 days to marry someone. When you do, you will make and serve your husband his food. We will work on all of that. After that, you shall serve your children, which you must have by law. The best thing a woman can do for the world is bring in more men. After your