I rushed right back to the store and found Ralph in his office, and told him that I had no way of repaying him, at least anytime remotely soon. He car...d nothing about that, and asked me if there was any milk for Olivia in the house. I admitted there wasn't any, and almost immediately he handed me a gallon and told me to take it home. I could "pay him later" when I could. My eyes were again filled with tears as I thanked him and left.The next morning, I was sorting out the boxes and cans to plan. "Charlie, you agreed to follow all of the instructions of the staff,did you not?" Yes, Nurse Hamilton," I quivered."Does someone need a few strokes from the 'obedience rod?' ?" No!" I gasped. "No..." That sounds like a ye-es," she trilled reaching for a convenient rodwith a leather handle hanging from the dresser. I looked around andnoticed that every station had one.I tried to back away, but Nurse Hamilton pulled on my leash (the bellof my collar tinkled) and pulled it down, forcing me to bend. Most importantly, there was a wardroom only steps away. It would be empty this time of day, with the ready platoon topside, getting some fresh air. Time outside was a rare and special thing for these troops. Platoons competed for the privilege of some time topside, so we could be sure they would be taking advantage of it.As soon as we were through the door, the women headed into the wardroom. When one of the guards started to shout at them, I made a hushing sound. Getting their attention, I. Then, would you like to change the lives of those you hold dear?I hadn’t expected another message.The faces of the two women I lived with—my aunt and my younger sister—surfaced momentarily from the depths of my selfishness, but I closed my eyes to them.Aunt Riley was getting by just fine without my help, and Jessie—You’re running away from it.—was better off without a useless brother like me. I selected “no” again.There was no third prompt.Since I didn’t have anywhere in particular to go, I.