Chapter Forty-One Faith

"Faith!" An urgent voice. "Faith! Can you hear me?"

Hands, shaking her. Not gently. A new presence, leaning close. The scent of lemons, fresh and sharp.

"Come on." The tone grew panicked. "Please!"

But she was paralysed. The weight on her was leaden, and refused to lift.

"Please."

The woman's voice was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. She was on her side again. She tried to stir her limbs, open her eyes, speak, but there was nothing.

Sighing, the figure moved away. Faith strained her ears, apparently the only part of her that was working. There was the familiar tapping sound. The same, odd whirring noise.

The woman was beside her again.

"I've reduced your sedation." The voice seemed to come from far away. "But it will take too long for it to wear off. There's no time to–"

She broke off, her breathing ragged.

"Do you hear me?" The woman shook her again. "They'll be back any minute. I can't stay much longer."

Placing a hand on her chest, the stranger bent her head closer. "Your heartrate's steady. You're breathing evenly." She sighed. "I don't think you're in immediate danger."

There was a pause. The sound of something being unzipped. A clinking, like metal instruments striking one another.

"I guess it's plan B, then."

Faith felt a pressure at the back of her neck. Something cold, being wiped over her skin.

"I'm sorry," the woman whispered, close to her ear.

There was a sharp pain as something sliced into her. A searing, burning sensation. And then, immediate relief as the instrument was withdrawn. A firm pressure as something soft and dry was pushed against the same spot and held there.

"All done."

The woman withdrew her hand. There was the sound of her packing away equipment. Rustling, the same odd clink of metal, the zipper being done up.

"It's the best I can do for you, for now."

A hand patted her arm. The lemon scent swirled around her again as the woman leaned close.

"Stay strong, Faith."

And then she was gone.

Silence.

For a long time, silence.

But somehow, the weight had eased. Faith was lying on her back again.

She forced her eyes open, recoiling at the light which pierced them. Clamping them shut again, she drew in a breath. This time, she opened them gradually, allowing them time to adjust.

The room spun around her. Sophia's room. Now hers.

As it came into focus, Faith assessed her situation.

Twin tubes snaked out of her arms, attached to the machines on either side. The incessant beeping sound seemed to grow louder as her focus sharpened. A tiny red light blinked in time with the noise, drawing her eyes to a screen filled with numbers that meant nothing to her.

There was the sound of voices. Heart racing, Faith closed her eyes again. The squeak of the door as someone entered. But were they friend or foe?

Whoever it was, there was more than one person. And the pair were mid-conversation.

"…over three hundred, I heard, by the time they reached the square." The voice was hushed.

"That many?"

"Incredible, isn't it?" Medics, Faith thought, as the women removed her pillows. "Marching through the city in the middle of the night."

"What's Danforth doing about it?"

Hands took hold of her again. Forcing her body to relax, she allowed the women to roll her on to her side. When they had replaced the pillows, they continued.

"Not sure." This voice was familiar. Susie, Faith remembered. "There are guards on patrol, of course, but…"

"You think it might get out of control?"

"They're headed for the academy, apparently, so it's not looking good. Sanders has instructions to move her to the Eliot Street location if things get any…" Susie stopped talking suddenly. Rapid footsteps crossed the room. "Wait a minute!"

"What?"

"Her sedation's been reduced." Susie's tone was sharp. "Did Sanders sanction that?"

"No." The second woman sounded nervous. "Maybe it was an accident."

"Are you kidding? We all know how important this girl is." The familiar tapping sound commenced. "Better hope the doc doesn't find out."

As the machines whirred into life, Faith's hands shook.

"Faith?" This was definitely Susie. "Can you hear me, Faith?"

Keeping her body as relaxed as possible, Faith feigned sleep. After a moment, the shaking stopped.

"She's still out. Guess the dosage wasn't low enough to make a difference."

"Thank goodness." The relief in the other medic's voice was palpable. "That could have been disastrous. If…"

The heaviness was already returning and Faith heard no more.

But her strange visitor had come with the intention of helping her. Who was she? And, more importantly, would she return?

As Faith gave in to the darkness, a flicker of hope sparked inside her.