Page 11 of Resistant

My voice breaks and I take deep breaths to try and stave off the panic and tears that are welling up inside me.

“Mama” Nathan whispers. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll find a way. We should leave Mama. Even if we have to walk into the swamps. We need to leave and go somewhere where we won’t be found. We can make it on our own.”

I smile at him, trying for a brave face. “I don’t think we’ll make it far baby. They are executing people who don’t comply.”

Nathan blinks at me, his mouth hanging slightly open. I feel a stab of grief, my son shouldn’t have to know about these things. He should be saving to buy himself a new car and taking girls out on dates.

His mouth hardens. “Okay Mama, I’m going to help you. I’m going to take this phone and figure this all out. We’ll talk more about it tomorrow.”

I swallow at the knot in my throat. Who am I that I’ve been unwilling to face this myself and my son is willing to do this for me? I’ve got to pull my shit together. I sigh.

“Let’s look at it together.”

I open the program and read through the messages. The first is a “Welcome to the Mercantile Program” message that turns my stomach. I read through the rules and swallow down the bile in my throat.

RULES

Working hours are from 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM. You may schedule as many client appointments as you like during this time slot.

All work will be performed in your own home.

Your clients will rate your performance. High-performance scores will earn extra credits. Each job is assigned a credit number. See Attachment A.

You will review your potential client list, and agree on a performance based on the menu items in Attachment A.

Your provider will communicate with the client to collect payment and get feedback.

All communications will be sent through the message center in the app and appointments will be recorded on the calendar. Your provider will manage your calendar and your client list.

All clients andtradesworkers must shower and change clothes immediately before the appointment to limit radioactive chemical transfers.

---