Chapter Twenty-One Faith

Faith's body ached with tension as she listened.

"…just back from a meeting at the medcentre."Anderson's voice was shaky. "There's an extremely worrying leaflet tacked up on the wall outside the academy."

In the silence which followed, Faith presumed Danforth was responding. She stifled her laughter, wondering which Resistance member had been brave enough to place one of the leaflets so close to the school building. She hoped one of the students would see it. Perhaps it would give them hope.

Not that Anderson let them outside the academy buildings these days.

"So you're already aware." Anderson's tone changed. "And you've had the printing press shut down?" A short pause. "You're sure it's the only one?" Faith could hear Anderson's sigh of relief. "That's good. Do you think–"

She fell silent again. It was very clear who had control of the conversation. Faith strained closer, as though it would help her to hear what Danforth was saying. She found herself hovering between elation and terror. Danforth was concerned about the leaflets. And she had acted quickly to close down the printing press at the Bellator Blade. She crossed her fingers that Stella had been nowhere near when the chancellor's guards had stormed the place.

It was several minutes before Anderson spoke again.

"Faith Hanlon."Faith jumped at the sound of her name. "Well, she was always trouble, but…" Another pause. "She's obviously back in the city, then. And working with the Resistance."

There was a repetitive sound, as though Anderson was tapping the desk with a pen. Faith wondered if it was a nervous habit. She certainly hoped so.

"Didn't we think she was still in Eremus?"Anderson asked, waiting for Danforth's response before continuing. "But if she's back in the city, won't it be easier to get our hands on her now?"

Not if I can help it, Faith thought. Begrudgingly, she admitted that Madeleine had been sensible to keep her inside. Being featured on the leaflet clearly made her more of a target.

As Anderson waited for the principal to reply, Faith cursed. It was difficult to judge what the chancellor was saying from Anderson's responses. She would have given anything to hear Danforth's side of the conversation.

"Unfortunate, yes… How many do you think there are?"A few murmurs, as though Anderson were agreeing. "And if I've seen one, other citizens will have too." A pause. "What are we going to do?"

Again, Faith wished she could hear what the chancellor was saying. There was a lengthy gap in the conversation now, so long that Faith thought perhaps Danforth had hung up. Eventually, there was a long sigh.

"I see. Yes, of course. You know I'll back you on that." Anderson cleared her throat, sounding almost uncomfortable. "I can see how we would explain away the claims about Eremus… but the information about the drugs will be a lot more difficult."

Faith felt a surge of triumph at the mission's success. She found herself grinning as Anderson continued.

"Yes. Things here are the same. We've made no significant progress, though we've been trying different concentrations as Sanders suggested. I'd appreciate some extra security, if you can spare the–" Anderson stopped abruptly. "I see. No, of course not. Catching Stella Thane has to be your priority. I'm sure you'll have her in custody in no time." She hesitated before continuing. "How's the Thompson girl doing?"

At the mention of Sophia's name, Faith stiffened. She didn't have to wait very long to hear Anderson's reply.

"And you're certain the Fertility wards are totally restricted? No one could get inside?" Faith imagined Anderson biting her lip. "Because if anyone managed to verify what we're doing to her," her voice shook, "that could be very difficult for us."

Faith's hands curled into fists on the table in front of her. The fact that Danforth and Anderson were concerned about their experiment being discovered when her best friend lay pregnant and alone in a hospital bed was horrific.

"I'm sure you have." Anderson's tone turned placatory, and Faith wondered if Danforth was angry. "No, I'm sure it won't come to that." A pause. "I'll let you go. Yes, of course. Goodbye now."

But as Faith kept listening, the deep sigh which Anderson gave as the call ended told her more than the entire conversation. Anderson was frightened.

The leaflets were doing their job.