Chapter Eight Noah

For a moment when he woke up, Noah was still lost in his dream. He'd been walking though the woods close to Eremus, hand in hand with Faith. The sun had filtered down through the leaves, casting a warm light across her face. She'd turned to him and smiled, and all was right with the world. And when she leaned in to kiss him, he felt the trees around them whispering their approval.

He kept his eyes closed, trying to hold on to the emotion. It faded all too quickly though, and was quickly replaced by a gnawing ache.

The narrow bunk he slept on was uncomfortable and cramped, but no worse than he was used to back home. The drudges' food was basic, but he was never hungry, as he had been in Eremus. His body had even grown more used to the uncomfortable posture he had to adopt throughout his waking hours. But the pain he felt wasn't due to his drudge position.

It was rooted in the fact that Flynn was going to die.

Since the announcement about Thursday's memorial service for the fallen Bellator females, the staff and patients of the hospital seemed to have nothing but admiration for the chancellor. Noah had been forced to bite his tongue while the women heaped praise on Danforth for taking such decisive action, for her devotion to protecting them, for the multiple measures she was putting in place to ensure this heinous crime would not be repeated.

He'd lost count of the number of times he'd had to force himself to walk past people spewing hatred about Flynn and his followers. Curl his hands into fists to stop himself from lashing out at the women who cursed the males of Eremus for something Noah was certain they were innocent of.

Damn Jacob's insistence upon violence. He'd ruined everything for them.

After a quick wash in the tiny bathroom, Noah headed out. His shift would be long and tiring. The panic of the initial emergency was over, but the patients injured in the explosion would no doubt require frequent attention, which meant additional food deliveries, more sheets and towels, and extra meds. Noah didn't mind the work. The busy day would keep his mind off Flynn's situation.

Leaving the dorm, he lowered his head as he crossed the alley which ran between the drudge quarters and the hospital. He'd only made it halfway across when a strange hissing sound made him stare into the shadows on his left, where a row of waste bins was ranged along the wall. As if the drudges didn't already know their lack of worth, the positioning of their lodgings served as a daily reminder that they were trash.

He walked a few more steps before the hissing sound came again. On instinct, he moved closer to the first bin. Stooping to pick up a stray paper which had fallen out of the bin, he glanced at the space between the bins. Sure enough, there was someone standing there.

He raised the lid of the bin to cover his actions. "Who's there?"

The reply was instant. "Diane. There's a camera on the wall to your left. But it rotates. Wait until I say, then get in here while it's facing the other way."

Noah took his time dropping the paper into the bin. As he lowered the lid, she spoke again.

"Now!"

Without hesitation, he squeezed into the narrow space. Once there, he looked up.

Diane didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "How long before you're missed?"

"Not long. Five minutes. Ten, at most. We're still really busy with the fallout from the explosion, so there's a lot of–"

"Fine." She cut him off, her eyes urgent. "Let's get this done. I'm here to check in with you. Make sure you're alright. Swap relevant intel." She tapped her wristclip. "I'm going to record our conversation so I can report it back accurately."

"Okay."

"We expected you to check in with us. Use the comms device we provided." She tutted. "Not for us to have to lie in wait to speak to you."

"I tried, but it's not functioning." Noah fingered the tiny device concealed in the sleeve of his drudge tunic. "Not sure if it's damaged."

"Could be something to do with the extra security measures around the hospital, I suppose." She peered closely at him. "You look tired."

"I'm exhausted." He shrugged. "The emergency has taken a toll on all of us. But I'm coping. Once I–"

"Are you in danger?" she continued. "Sick? Injured?"

"I'm okay." Noah flexed his arm. It still ached, but the pain was easing now. "Just tired, as I said."

"I assume your cover's still intact?"

"As far as I know. I did have one sticky moment, but–"

"Do you need us to extract you?" Her eyes flicked to the alley beyond and back to him. "We'd rather not, but if you feel your position is a dangerous one, we can–"

"It's fine." He shook his head. "I know the ropes now, and I have a drudge on my side. He'll help me out where he can."

"That's good." She nodded. "So you're safe, for now."

As he nodded, it struck Noah how well Diane had adapted to the Resistance life. For Madeleine to send her on a mission without a partner so soon was impressive. But things were difficult, right now. Perhaps desperate times had called for desperate measures.

"Thought you'd want to know that Sophia's safely back at HQ." Diane waved away his response. "No time to celebrate. But Madeleine conveys her thanks for your part in the mission."

Noah felt a small surge of triumph. One thing had gone right with the mission, then. "Is Faith–"

"She's fine. Happy to have Sophia back, obviously." Diane pressed on with total focus, seemingly unaware of Noah's emotions. "You know about Flynn?"

"Yes." The gnawing ache returned. "What are you–"

"We're working on a solution." Her voice contained an urgent quality. "You are, under no circumstances, to attempt any kind of rescue. Leave it to us."

Suddenly, Noah understood the main purpose of Diane's visit. Not to check on his status. Or to share intel. But to make sure he wasn't planning any rash moves to save his father that might mess things up for the Resistance.

"I won't." He sighed. "It's not like a single unarmed male would stand a chance of getting into a maximum-security government facility. I'm assuming Danforth has him locked up somewhere?"

Diane dropped her gaze. "We think so."

"You think so?" Noah lowered his voice as the door to the drudge quarters banged open. "You mean the Resistance doesn't know where he is?"

"We haven't been able to locate him yet." Diane paused, allowing the drudge to pass by before continuing. "Things have been crazy at headquarters. Trying to check in with all our operatives, working out who was behind the bombing, looking after Sophia, figuring out what we're going to do about the academy situation."

Noah frowned. "What academy situation?"

Diane's face darkened. "Kemp paid us a visit. Seems since Danforth discovered Sophia missing, she's decided to intensify the testing regime. Give all the seniors metraxilone." She held a hand up, anticipating his question. "We're working on sending a new batch of placebos, but we're not sure when we can get them in."

"That's–"

"Shocking, right? Danforth's even suggested they start testing the junior students! We're looking at ways to get the girls out as soon as possible. But we also have people looking for Flynn. We're confident we'll find him soon. And we're looking at ways to retrieve him when we do."

It was cold comfort. But the Resistance was Flynn's best hope right now. All Noah could do was trust that they would find him before the memorial service. Aware of the time ticking away, he moved on to another matter which had been plaguing him.

"Is Ella…" he couldn't finish the sentence, "I mean, has she…"

Diane's face softened slightly. "She turned up late yesterday."

"And she–"

"She's completely fine. Physically, at least." Her eyes clouded over. "She's a little traumatised, but she'll recover, in time."

"She witnessed the bombing then?" Noah remembered the violence and chaos of the Fertility Unit explosion. That time, there had been virtually no casualties. "Must've been horrendous."

"She stayed to assist with the clean-up too." Diane's tone was admiring. "Many of the victims were people she knew, so…"

It was just like Ella to stick around and offer support in an emergency. Noah could imagine the horror of finding people she had been working with only hours before dead. He shuddered, remembering the blonde woman he had taken to the morgue. Fearing the worst, not knowing whether the people you loved were alive or dead, was horrible.

He changed the subject. "Helen's here. In the hospital."

"She is?" Diane's eyes pierced his. "I'll let headquarters know."

"Tell Ella too. She must be out of her mind with worry."

"You've seen her, then?" Diane's eyes flashed with concern. "Is she injured? Sick?"

He shook his head. "Think they just want to keep her for observation, for now. As for what Danforth intends to do with her next…"

"I know." Diane held his gaze. "It's one of the things we're concerned about. Madeleine wanted you to stay in position and await further instructions anyway. But I'm pretty certain when she finds out Helen's here she'll definitely want you to stay. It's been very difficult to get people inside the hospital, what with all the extra security.

"How will I get a message to you?" Noah frowned. "If I need to?"

Diane shrugged. "Sounds like our only option is to send someone here in person again. Contact might be a little sporadic for the time being. But we'll do our best to get someone to you when we can."

"Alright." But Diane's words had not been comforting. Noah glanced at the alley behind him. "I'd better go."

Diane nodded, but as he backed away, she grabbed his arm. "Be careful in there." It was the most emotional the young woman had been since they'd started talking. "Keep a close eye on Helen. I'll let Faith know you're okay."

She released him, craning her neck until she could see the security camera. For a moment, she stared at it in silence. Noah held his breath, readying himself to leave. When she finally waved a hand, he slipped across the alleyway and into the building as fast as he could.

Once inside, he got to work immediately, attacking tasks from the jobs' board like a man possessed. When he finally stopped to catch his breath, two hours had passed.

He was desperate to let Helen know that Ella was safe. But he had to have a good reason to visit her ward. Another hour passed without a suitable opportunity, but eventually Noah spotted a job on the board which would take him to A9. A patient needed to be taken for a scan. Hoping he'd be able to pass by Helen's bed and check on her at least, he snagged the task.

When he reached the ward though, the patient being taken to the scanner was Helen herself. Unable to believe his luck, he focused on keeping his head low and his movements smooth until he had her trolley in the lift. Echoing his actions of the previous day, he stood out of sight beneath the camera.

"I was hoping it might be you." Helen angled her head away from him again, disguising their conversation. "Any news?"

"Ella's okay." Noah felt a surge of warmth at delivering the good news. "She wasn't in Matriarch House when the bomb went off."

"Thank goodness." Helen exhaled audibly. "How did you–?"

"Diane showed up this morning." He glanced at the numbered lights indicating the different floors as the lift ascended. "Apparently Ella stuck around though helping with the aftermath of the explosion. She didn't get back to the library until quite late last night."

"Typical Ella, putting others before herself." Helen tensed. "It must have been awful for her."

"Yeah. I found it hard enough seeing all the dead bodies brought in here yesterday." Noah grimaced. "But they were strangers. To deal with the bodies of people she'd been working with… that she knew…"

He stopped talking as Helen brushed away a tear.

Gathering herself, she continued. "Any other news?"

"Apparently, they're working on a plan to help Flynn. And the girls at the academy." He sped up, knowing once they reached their destination, he would be silenced. "Kemp says they're making changes to the experiments again. They're upping the dosages for some of the seniors, even considering giving the drugs to the junior girls."

"The juniors? But they're–" Helen visibly paled. "Has Danforth gone mad?"

"Sounds like it. Sophia's disappearance must have sent her over the edge."

There was a brief silence. On the trolley, Helen shifted on to her side so she was facing completely away from him. Noah stayed quiet. Perhaps she needed time to digest what he had said. But as the lift began to slow, she spoke again.

"I'm frightened, Noah." Her voice was thin, shaky. "I heard the medics talking this morning. They're pretty satisfied that there's nothing physically wrong with me. This scan is just to double check there are no hidden issues. They're also waiting for some blood samples they sent up to the lab, but if they're clear…"

She broke off. The lift was coming to a halt now. Noah prayed she would finish what she had to say fast.

"If they're clear…" she was visibly trembling, "they're going to send me back to the academy."

Before he could respond, the lift doors sprang open. Noah wheeled Helen the rest of the way to the scanning department in silence. As he handed her over to the tech, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Diane had asked him to look out for her. Already, he was failing.

He headed back to the supply building with a heavy heart. When he arrived, Liam was waiting in line to pick up a new job of his own.

For a moment they stood in silence. But as the line shuffled forward, Liam dropped back slightly so he stood almost next to Noah. Glancing around, he made sure that there was no one behind them.

Then he leaned a little closer. "Grab a task in the laundry room."

The man's voice was muffled behind the mask, but Noah understood. Giving a very slight nod, he did as the drudge instructed.

Ten minutes later he entered the laundry. Located at the rear of the hospital, it was staffed almost entirely by drudges. When Noah had first arrived, he'd dreaded coming down here. In Eremus they washed everything they owned by hand, and he'd had no prior experience with the large machines which did the job for the Bellator citizens. He'd had to closely observe the other drudges to discover the process.

Now, however, the room was one of his favourite places. The noise and steam which filled the room made it the perfect place to talk without being caught.

Liam was waiting for him just inside the entrance. "Look busy."

Pulling open a bag of dirty sheets emblazoned with the green star emblem of the hospital, he pushed it towards Noah, then moved to open the next one himself. Noah loaded the bag into the machine, filling the drawer with soap as he waited for the drudge to speak.

"You need to be careful." Liam emptied the second bag of laundry into the machine next to Noah's. "Sanders is on the warpath."

"I know." Noah folded the laundry bag and placed it on the shelf above the washing machine. "I was there when she found out yesterday. She didn't look happy."

"She's trying to work out who's responsible."

Noah felt a finger of panic curl inside him. "Do they know how Sophia got out?"

"Not exactly." He turned to face Noah. "Apparently there was an issue with a camera that went blind for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure you had something to do with that."

Dread settled over Noah as he considered Liam's words. "Do they know a drudge was involved?"

"Rumour has it they do. As for which one…" Behind the mask, he grimaced. "We're all the same to them." He shrugged. "But I think you need to be prepared for them to start questioning us all. Looking at which one of us might have been in the hallway when that camera went out."

Fighting a rising sense of panic, Noah collected another bag of laundry and began loading the next machine. "You think I should run? Before they start asking?"

"Maybe not." Liam snapped the drawer of the washing machine shut and turned it on. "They haven't started questioning us yet because there are so many patients at the moment. They're busy, so they need the drudges more than ever." He shrugged. "You probably have a couple more days before they start to investigate properly. But I heard that Danforth already has people checking the other camera feeds."

"Do you think there are drudges who know it was me?" Noah wiped his sweaty palms on his uniform. "Other drudges, I mean – who might give me away?"

The other man stared back at him, his gaze piercing above the mask. "I've spread the word that you're to be left alone. That you're on our side. Drudges are a pretty loyal sort. I think the others will know it was you, but they're unlikely to give you away." He inhaled a slow breath. "The administration isn't stupid though. They'll work out who it was in the end."

"Then I–" Noah found he couldn't look away. "I should run. But–"

"But what?"

"I received instructions this morning to stay. For now, at least. There's a patient in the hospital… the Resistance thinks I can help her." He shrugged. "I don't want to let them down."

"Fair enough." The drudge took the laundry bag from Noah's hand and folded it, adding it to the pile of empty bags on the shelf. "But don't risk staying here too long. And as I said, if you need me to cover for you in some way…" he shrugged, "let me know. I'll do my best."

"Thanks." Noah leaned closer, touched by the man's support.

"No problem."

"Don't take this the wrong way," Noah waited until another drudge passed by behind them, "but why would you risk your life to help me?"

Liam turned to face Noah. "You… the Resistance… you're trying to change things. Do something positive. That girl who spoke at the ceremony the other day?" Noah nodded. "She spoke for us. For drudges." He held Noah's gaze steadily. "No one else ever has."

Before Noah could reply, the drudge had begun to walk away.

"Wait here a couple of minutes before you leave. Probably best if we're not seen together."

Noah emptied a couple of machines which had finished their cycle and folded the sheets neatly, giving Liam time to get away before he headed for the exit himself.

As he headed back along the hallway in silence, he considered the effect of Faith's speech on the drudges. Aimed at convincing the women of Bellator that Danforth was bad, it had inadvertently had an impact on the servant class. Who, just maybe, were willing to join in the fight to remove Danforth from power.

It was encouraging news, and he found himself wishing he could share it with Faith. A pang of sadness hit him. He had no idea how long it would be before he could speak to her again. He was willing to bet she didn't believe her words had had any impact, after the explosion had overshadowed them.

As he headed out of the laundry room, he felt a strange mixture of fear and elation. They were making a difference, no matter how small. But he was in more danger here than the Resistance realised. How much would he have to risk before they permitted him to leave?

And how long would it be before the Resistance located Flynn? Attempted a rescue?

Thursday was five short days away. In a city with so many people, could Madeleine's team find him before then? Noah had no answers.

With a shiver, he put his head down and headed back to the storage room. Stay busy, he repeated to himself. Perhaps it would keep him sane.