Whittman.” Bateman’s tone was condescending. “What do you mean ‘arrest’?” My mother was still trying to process. I loosened my hold but did not release his arm. He looked at me for the first time, but his eyes were strange, as if they didn’t register that I was present. Instinctively, I wrapped both hands around his forearm. “February twenty-fourth? That was only Monday!” Beth said sharply.Ĭonner reached across the threshold of our home and grabbed my mother’s shoulder, pulling her forward. It includes all dependent children under the age of eighteen.” “The current version was revised on February twenty-fourth. “Article 5!” Ryan blurted out from behind us. My mind flashed through the rumors I’d heard about sending people to prison for Statute violations, and I realized with a sick sense of dread that these weren’t rumors at all. “Lori Whittman, you are under arrest for violation of the Moral Statutes, Section 2, Article 5, Part A revised, pertaining to children conceived out of wedlock.: Conner lifted a paper I hadn’t seen him holding, ripped off the sticky backing, and slapped it against our front door. Bateman checked it quickly before stuffing it into the front pocket of his shirt. She found her wallet and pulled out her ID. I stepped shoulder to shoulder with her and forced my breath to stead. My mom returned to the door, digging through her purse. Something was wrong, There were too many soldiers here just to fine us for violating a Statute.

Article 5 by kristen simmons