Gibber’s Creek Gazette, 2 December 1972
. . . Rocky Valley residents are urged to vote at the old schoolhouse. Remember, if we get fewer than seventy-two voters, we may lose our polling place!
RA ZACHARIA
It had been hard being so close and not examining her. But 40 had done a good job, even photocopying the girl’s records.
An underdeveloped spine. Perfect. Even better — the records indicated that Scarlett O’Hara, as she now called herself, had far surpassed the doctor’s prognosis for her condition. Which meant the girl had focus. Courage.
The next step was to win over the sister . . . A giggle broke into his thoughts. Ra Zacharia frowned. He needed to increase Number 23’s medication, or keep her at the centre. Questions might have been asked if she had failed to vote though. Ra Zacharia was willing, even delighted, to answer many questions. But other things were best kept quiet until the Day of Sacrifice. His day, and the Elders’, of enlightenment and joy.