The Men's Camp

Chapter 5 Shula's Diary

The dress I'm wearing is elegant, but it's slinky and hugs at my body. I tug at the sides. I'm not used to this type of clothing. We always wore identical outfits with old auntie because she said it was easier to do laundry when everyone had the same. But now, things are different, and so are our clothes. When new auntie came up the stairs with her arms full of beautiful shimmery fabrics, we all squealed and gathered around. Allie especially was delighted and now she has finally stopped moaning about her austere bedroom as she twirls about and fusses with Cara. Soft voices call across the hallways, "how do I look?" and the answer is always, "beautiful!"

After we dress, new auntie helps us with our makeup.

"Not too much, just enough to highlight your natural beauty," she says. She's looking at us now. She watches me closely as she uses the pencils and brushes. She squints to make sure she has done it right and softly brushes the baby down on my cheek with the tips of her fingers when some eyeshadow escapes.

"Very pretty," she says softly. I finally feel like she's seeing me. My heart is almost bursting with joy.

Five girls file outside and the usual black van with tinted windows collects us. New auntie stands by the front door to watch us leave. I think she looks hopeful and I want more than ever, to make her proud and help our society survive.

The van drives slowly along the track and we come to a large wall. The wall was built a long time ago and it makes a very large circle around the men's camp. The wall has windows at the top and lookout towers. There is a path at the top of the wall where guards can walk around and watch the camp to ensure none of the men get out. Sometimes in the past, the men have tried to breech the wall. Old auntie told us the stories and showed us pictures of the uprisings. It's not their fault of course. The virus is responsible for taking over their minds and making them lash out. Although the men tried to escape, they were never successful. Containment is the only way to stop the spread of the virus so those who tried to get out were restrained and returned to their places without question. The rebels removed. Often executed.

The van stops next to a large iron door. It is the entrance to the camp and the five of us look at it in awe. Cara, Allie and Emma are usually raucous but now they are subdued. Their twittering has stopped. A serious feeling has come over all of us and we stand in front of that huge door wondering what will come next. Our driver, a stout woman, dressed entirely in black, goes to the door and knocks. It opens with a groan and a beautiful woman stands before us. She looks like an old-fashioned showgirl with her tight colourful costume, fishnet stockings and high-heeled shoes. Her lips are bright red in contrast to her perfect white teeth as she smiles to welcome us all.

"Hello ladies, I'm Stella," she says grinning at all of us. "How exciting, your first visit. Welcome!"

Her long delicate hands beckon us inside and we follow her in silence down a long hall that is lit with soft lights. It is warmer than I expected but I still shiver in my dress. Stella's waist is snatched tight and her hips seem to swing separately as she takes us into the meeting area. I walk behind the others with Annie who is also quiet. Cara, Allie and Emma are all eyes and whispers as follow Stella closely.

The hall opens into a large dimly lit space with a bar in the corner and tables and chairs scattered about the room. There are lounges along the walls and another dining area through a doorway where couples can have dinner dates on the nights that the restaurant is open. There is also another area with private rooms where couples can be alone, but we didn't see it during this first visit. Above us, a banner with large red letters serves as a reminder to all: AGGRESSION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. It is a sad reminder of what our society faces with this virus and how quickly things can change if the infection takes hold.