Becka hides in the water cistern

Becka, the young Supplicant known as Aunt Immortelle, was a quiet, deeply sensitive girl who had been rescued from a forced marriage by Aunt Lydia and brought to Ardua Hall. She had a history of trauma, having been abused by her adoptive father, Dr. Grove, and had attempted suicide with secateurs during a flower-arranging class. Her friendship with Agnes Jemima (Aunt Victoria) was her anchor, and she had long harbored a desire to serve a higher purpose, even if it meant self-sacrifice.

The Plan to Hide

When Aunt Lydia revealed that Commander Judd had discovered Nicole's true identity as Baby Nicole and planned to marry her, an emergency escape was devised. Agnes and Nicole were to flee Ardua Hall disguised as Pearl Girls. Becka was tasked with a crucial, dangerous role: she must conceal herself for at least forty-eight hours after their departure to delay the inevitable search. Aunt Lydia suggested hiding in the library, but Becka, thinking quickly, proposed a more extreme solution: the rooftop water cistern. She reasoned that if she hid there, the authorities would believe Nicole had climbed over the Wall, rather than searching inside Ardua Hall. Agnes protested, calling the cistern too dangerous, but Becka was resolute. She planned to drain the water first, running it through the bathtub in their apartment, Doorway C, to make the cistern habitable. She acknowledged that this would cause a water shortage for the neighboring Doorways A and B, but believed it would not be noticed immediately, as baths were not taken early in the day.

The Sacrifice

On the night before the escape, Becka and Agnes shared a final, emotional farewell. Becka told Agnes she would think of her as a bird flying away, quoting a Bible verse: "A bird of the air shall carry the voice." She confessed, "I've never loved anyone but you." Agnes promised to find a way to get Becka out later, but Becka seemed to know this was unlikely. She chose to stay up and keep a vigil for her friends. The next morning, after Agnes and Nicole had fled, Becka carried out her plan. She climbed into the rooftop cistern, having removed her outer clothing and folded it neatly on the ladder rung, a final act of frugality and modesty. She blocked the cistern's outlet, causing a water shortage that was eventually investigated by the Works Department.

Discovery and Aftermath

Becka was found dead in the cistern by the Works Department. The official story, crafted by Aunt Lydia, was that she had been investigating the faulty cistern in a selfless act of duty and had either slipped or fainted. A dignified funeral was held, and Aunt Lydia praised her sacrifice. However, the discovery of her body fueled speculation among the Aunts, who began to suspect that the new Canadian recruit, Jade (Nicole), had murdered her. This suspicion, combined with the discovery of the Pearl Girls backpacks in Vermont, helped to cover the true nature of the escape. Becka's death was a willing sacrifice, a final act of love and loyalty that enabled her sister-figure and Nicole to carry the microdot containing the evidence that would eventually bring down Gilead. Years later, a statue was erected on the Boston Common in her memory, with an inscription that reads, "In Loving Memory of Becka, Aunt Immortelle. This memorial was erected by her sisters Agnes and Nicole and their mother, their two fathers, their children and their grandchildren. And in recognition of the invaluable services provided by A.L. A bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Love is as strong as death."