Chapter Forty-Three Faith

"Shouldn't she be awake by now?"

"Patience, Susie."

It was Sanders, again. Faith kept her eyes closed. It was instinct now, to protect herself. If they believed she was out cold, they discussed things more openly. She could assess her situation better, without alerting them to the fact that she was conscious.

Something was different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what. There was a scent in the air that she didn't recognise, and the echo which had existed in the room had been deadened somehow.

Around her, the conversation continued.

"But we can't administer the metraxilone until she's awake." Susie's voice was aggravated. "That's what worked with the other one. It's key that we start her on it as soon as possible. Danforth wants us to–"

"She'll come around soon." Sanders' voice was firm now. "Give her a few more minutes, then I'm sure we'll be able to get started."

Faith's heart pounded. The other one was clearly a reference to Sophia. The casual reference to her friend as a nameless subject was horrific. The mention of metraxilone was worrying, too. Once the second drug had been given to Sophia, the pregnancy had followed. And once she was on the metraxilone, there had been no going back.

Faith remembered her mystery visitor, the whispered words of encouragement. She had to find a way to resist the experimental meds until the Resistance could mount a rescue.

The voices had retreated slightly, so Faith chanced a quick glance at the room. She froze. Whilst she was still surrounded by machines, and in a bed, she was no longer in the hospital. The space around her was totally unfamiliar.

How long had she been out?

Realising her change of location meant the Resistance would have no way of knowing where she was, Faith felt sick.

"You're awake!" It was too late to snap her eyes shut now, as a slender face loomed over her. Susie. "How are you feeling?"

The medic was joined by Sanders, her face emotionless. "Now, we can get started."

"What are you going to do to me?"

Faith knew what was about to happen. But there was no harm in keeping them talking as long as possible.

"I told you before." Sanders smiled. "You're going to be my big success."

"I don't want to be your…" Faith tried to struggle, but the sedation had yet to wear off completely, and her limbs felt heavy. "Don't want any part of this."

She glanced around the room, her heart racing.

Sanders laughed softly. "Don't think you're getting out of here. That was the whole point of moving you."

"Where am I?" Faith willed herself to get up, but only succeeded in shifting her limbs a couple of inches.

"Never you mind."

As Sanders moved away from Faith, she glanced at her surroundings. The room she was in was small, but it didn't look like a hospital. The metal joists on the ceiling were exposed and the space seemed more industrial than medical. More like a warehouse.

"Her vitals are good, considering." Sanders nodded at Susie, pressing a button on one of the machines.

"So you're happy to start her on the metraxilone now?" The medic seemed greatly relieved. "Shall I put another line in?"

Sanders squinted at the screen. "Yes. I think so. We might give it another half an hour, but it's best that she's ready."

Susie opened a drawer at the side of the bed. She brought out a section of thin tubing and a wicked-looking needle attached to a plastic vial of some kind. Faith recoiled as the woman grasped her arm.

"That sedation's really wearing off now." Susie commented. She tutted at Faith. "Hold still."

"No!" Now Faith had regained some control, she writhed this way and that, making it as difficult as possible for the woman to take her arm.

Suddenly, Sanders was at her side. "Give it up." Stronger than Susie, she held Faith's wrist with an iron grip, pinning Faith's shoulder to the bed with her other hand. "It'll be worse if you fight."

Susie moved closer, steadying Faith's arm at the elbow. As she brought the needle towards Faith's skin, it glinted in the light. Forcing her body to relax, Faith waited until she felt the tip of it pressing into her skin.

Sanders' grasp relaxed just a fraction. Tensing her entire frame, Faith let out the shrillest scream she could manage. Susie fumbled, and the needle fell from her grasp.

"Dammit!" she cursed.

Sanders rewarded Faith with a stinging slap across the face.

"Quiet!" she demanded. Turning to Susie, she gestured to the door. "Did you hear something?" The medic shook her head. "Go and check who's out there."

Susie obeyed. When she was gone, the doctor leaned closer. "Listen to me." Little flecks of her spit hit Faith's face as she spoke. "We will get that cannula into you if it's the last thing we do. You will be my first success."

There was a disturbance at the door. Sanders let go, and the two of them spun to face the newcomer.

Danforth stood in the doorway, her face twisted with fury. Beside her, Faith recognised Hammond. The lieutenant was armed to the teeth.

"Chancellor!" Sanders stumbled forward. "We weren't expecting you yet. I–"

"Change of plan." Danforth barked. Her glance ran over Faith's body. "She's still a viable option for the treatment, right?"

"Of course." Sanders inclined her head. "We were just about to–"

"We had to move quickly." Danforth sighed. "Things are… not going quite the way I'd planned." Her gaze fell on Faith again. "Let's…" she gestured to the door, "speak privately."

Nodding, Sanders followed her out without a word. When the door had closed behind them, Faith allowed herself a small sigh of relief. A temporary reprieve.

She had better make the most of it.