Chapter Forty-Four Noah

By the time they reached the forest, it was late.

Their journey through the city had been a real eye-opener. There were citizens out on the streets in many places, some wandering aimlessly, others moving with more purpose. Several of the women had been carrying weapons. The group had managed to avoid several protests, where guards were struggling to force citizens back inside their homes.

"Down with Danforth!"There were chants everywhere they went. "Stop the experiments! Save the academy students!"

One woman had been giving out handmade leaflets. Citizens call for a new election, they declared.

The fabric of the city was unravelling fast.

As they approached the forest, a slender figure burst from the trees, propelling herself towards him. "Noah!"

Ruth's embrace almost knocked him over. But when she released her hold, he missed its reassuring familiarity.

"He-hey." Ruth choked on the words, then recovered herself. "S'been a while."

"It has."

He looked properly at her face. One eye was badly swollen and several cuts marked her cheek.

"Jacob?" He gestured to her injuries.

"Yeah. I'm okay though." She pulled her hood higher. "Take more than that to keep me down."

Aware of another figure melting out of the trees, Noah turned. As Paulo came into view, a fresh pang of sorrow washed over him.

He stumbled forward. "I'm s-so sorry." He stepped in to hug his brother. "Flynn… I can't… I couldn't–"

"I know."

Paulo squeezed Noah so tightly he couldn't breathe for a moment. Noah felt his brother swallow hard. And then, abruptly, Paulo released him and stepped away. He turned to Kemp.

"I sent the rest of the group on ahead. Some of the girls were…" He cleared his throat. "I figured getting them somewhere they could rest was the biggest priority."

"Thank you." Kemp nodded gratefully. "We appreciate your support."

He shrugged. "We'll do our best for them. But if any of them need proper medical care, you know we're pretty limited."

"We managed to keep them off the metraxilone. That's the most dangerous drug, but none of them were given it. They should recover from the femgazipane, with time." Kemp shook her head. "I'm hoping they won't need to be with you very long. Things in the city are… well, let's just say they're changing."

"What's going on?" This was a new voice, and one which Noah struggled to place.

A third figure stepped out from behind the trees. With shock, Noah recognised Charlie, the guard he had threatened in the tunnel confrontation between Eremus and Danforth's patrol.

He turned to Paulo. "What's she doing here?"

"She's here to help." Paulo shot the Bellator guard a look Noah couldn't identify. "She knows the city well."

"But isn't she…" Noah frowned. "One of them?"

"Not anymore." Ruth stepped in. "She's on our side now."

Kemp raised an eyebrow. "You were a guard?"

Charlie nodded. "Yeah. Things change, though." She glanced at Paulo. "Let's just say I've learned a few things since I arrived in Eremus."

"That's an interesting way to put it." Kemp narrowed her eyes. "Some might say you've been their prisoner."

Charlie shrugged. "At first, perhaps."

Paulo took a step towards Charlie, almost protectively. "She's come here to do what she can to help turn the tide."

"Excellent." Kemp gave the ex-guard an approving look. "The women of the city seem to be coming around to our way of thinking, and many of the drudges, but the guards are mostly loyal to the chancellor. Would be good to have your support."

"I'll do what I can."

"Do you know where the warehouse is located?" Noah glanced at Charlie, hoping his brother was right to trust her. "I have a map, but you might be more familiar with that part of the city than me."

Charlie nodded. "Eliot Street, right? In the industrial district to the east."

"That's the one." Noah turned to Paulo. "Thanks for your support on this. We have to destroy both warehouses. As soon as possible."

"Whatever we can do to help bring that witch down." Paulo's voice was taut, carrying the weight of his uncle's death in every syllable.

Noah wondered if Olivia's team had reached the other warehouse yet. They had left the library at the same time as his group, but there had been no explosion so far. He hoped they hadn't run into any issues.

He turned to Ella and Helen. "Think you're alright to get back to Eremus from here?"

"Won't be a problem." Ella nodded. "I know the woods well."

"And I'm not sick," Helen added. "We'll be fine."

Kemp stepped forward, smiling. "Well done tonight. All of you. We did a good thing. It will make a huge difference to a lot of people." She held out her hand to Helen. "You have the wristclip with the recording?"

"Here." Helen fumbled in her pocket and handed it to her professor. "Where are you going now?"

"To the library, see where I can help." Kemp shrugged. "My cover at the academy is completely blown, so I can't go back there." She pocketed the wristclip. "Madeleine will want to hear this. To pass it on to the relevant people. Need to get it back to her as soon as possible."

"Sure you'll be alright?" Noah felt a wrench as the older woman turned to leave. She had risked so much this evening, in the name of the Resistance.

"I'll be fine." She gave a wry smile. "I've been surviving this city and its monsters a lot longer than you have." Stepping close to Helen, she took the young woman's hand. "I know how hard the last few days have been for you. After tonight, maybe things might just get a little easier."

Helen managed a watery smile. "I hope so."

Kemp squeezed her hand. "Take care now."

Stepping back, she nodded to the rest of the group. Then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadowy streets of the city.

Paulo turned to the rest of the group. "We'd better be making tracks."

Ruth stepped close to Ella, pulling her close. The sisters had been separated for a long time. And just as Ella was coming home, Ruth was heading for the city. It seemed a cruel thing.

Paulo nodded a goodbye to Ella and Helen, but shifted from foot to foot, clearly anxious to get going. Noah ignored Ruth's curious stare as he hugged Ella goodbye. He'd grown close to her during their time in the city. The dangerous situations they'd shared had forged a bond he'd never forget.

"Lead the way then." A ghost of a grin crossed Paulo's face. "These warehouses won't destroy themselves."

As Charlie led them into the city, Noah tried to be optimistic. Finally, they were going to put an end to Danforth's experiments.

But he couldn't shake the feeling that the explosives in their packs might do more harm than good.