Chapter Twenty-Two Noah

Tightening his grip on Ella's arm, Noah began to inch backwards. Evelyn followed, mirroring their retreat. The footsteps in the street ahead grew louder.

As they reached a door in the wall of the alleyway, Evelyn held up a hand for them to halt. It had to be the rear entrance to a restaurant. The scruffy-looking door was set back in a slight recess, which would allow them a small amount of cover. Directing Noah and Ella into it, Evelyn positioned herself at the front, blocking them from view.

They had made the move just in time. From his position, the sounds were muffled, but Noah heard the footsteps stop somewhere close by. Tensing, he pushed Ella further into the recess and reached for the knife in his belt.

Evelyn remained stock-still as the guards' conversation floated towards them.

"I'm so tired." There was an exaggerated sigh. "I can't believe that she has this many of us out tonight searching for these damn leaflets. I mean, we're stretched thin enough as it is."

There was a pause before the second guard replied. "Danforth seems pretty concerned about their content, though. I s'pose, if they're being delivered as we speak, we stand a good chance of catching whoever's responsible."

"Guess so." But the first woman did not sound enthusiastic. "But if I have to work one more double shift this week, I'm going to scream."

There was a short pause, then a clicking sound echoed down the alley. Beside him, Ella whimpered, clamping a hand over her mouth to stifle the noise. Seconds later, wisps of smoke began to drift past. Noah pointed it out, miming a smoking action. Though Ella remained tense, she calmed enough to remove her hand from her mouth and gave him a tight nod.

Glancing around, Noah wondered what part of the city they were in. The route Evelyn had led them on had been unfamiliar to him. He hoped she was trustworthy, because he had no idea where they were. She could lead them right to Danforth's front door, and he'd be none the wiser until he was standing in front of her.

In an attempt to distract himself from the uncomfortable thoughts, he peered at the restaurant door. What kind of food did they serve? His ma had told him about eating out. She had fond memories of delicious meals out she'd shared with friends in the years before she had fled the city. The concept of paying for food to be served to you by a stranger had blown his mind.

He ran his gaze over the doorway. The signage said Staff Only in faded lettering. To one side of the door, there was a message board. Several notices were pinned on it: advertisements for comcar firms, the restaurant's menu, and a torn slip of paper with half a phone number scribbled on it. At the top, a newer-looking leaflet took precedence. Citizens of Bellator Unite! It proclaimed. Your government is lying to you. Tune in to Bellator Exposed to find out more.

Noah reached up and pulled the page down from the board. Was this what the guards were talking about? No wonder Danforth had half the guards in the city looking for them. Ignoring Ella's look of alarm, he turned it over and froze.

On the back of the leaflet was a photograph of Faith. She was unsmiling, her head angled to one side, but the look in her eyes was one of determination. Underneath, the headline read Danforth Academy Student Speaks Out. Noah shuddered. Just how involved was Faith with the Resistance? And in such a short time, too. But he didn't have time to read it properly now. Folding the paper in two, he slipped it into his pocket. His questions would have to wait.

As more smoke filled the air around them, Noah felt the urge to cough. Forcing himself to breathe slowly through his nose, he managed to regain control of his lungs. He strained his ears, hoping he might hear more. When they spoke again, it sounded like the pair had moved closer.

"How can we go on like this? I mean, Hammond keeps saying there'll be more recruitment, but it's not even like the new ones are properly trained, is it?"

In front of him, Evelyn shrank backwards ever so slightly. Noah pressed himself and Ella as close as possible to the wall as the guards continued to complain.

"You're right. There's been no time." The second woman spoke more softly. "And after the attack in the forest…"

"Yeah." The first guard barked out a humourless laugh. "Who wants to join her ranks now that we know what Eremus is capable of?"

"I heard rumours there might be another attack…" the woman sounded worried. "Perhaps in the city this time…"

The first guard scoffed. "Eremus would never attack Bellator."

"I'm not so sure. I mean…" The rest of the woman's words were lost as a delivery truck drove past the end of the alley.

"…struggle to hold them off," the other guard sounded dejected, "the way things are right now, it could be–"

The guard fell silent at a shrill beep. Seconds later, a disembodied voice cut through the night air.

"Suspects spotted on Bramwell Street. Backup requested."

"Must be one of the rebels delivering the leaflets." There was a grinding sound as the woman crushed her cigarette under her boot. "Danforth will be pleased."

"Bramwell Street's not far." There was another beep and the guard standing feet from where they crouched spoke again. "Unit 6 responding. Affirmative. We can be there in five."

"Thanks." Even over the intercom, the voice sounded relieved. "I'll hold off on making a move ‘til you get here."

"Understood. Over and out."

A clicking sound, followed by a sudden shifting of feet indicated the guards were leaving. As the boots retreated in the opposite direction, Noah's heartrate slowed. But when he turned to face Evelyn, her face was white.

"This suspect. Are they part of the Resistance?"

"Most probably, yes."

"I'm sorry."

Evelyn shook herself. "They haven't caught whoever it is yet. And I can't worry about that now. You're my priority. We're almost there. But let's hurry."

With a smile of encouragement to Ella, Noah joined Evelyn at the end of the alleyway. This time, the route ahead was clear, and she beckoned them to follow her again. When Noah stepped out of the shadows, he found they were in a square, rather than a street. Impressive buildings flanked the open space, which also contained several benches and an ornate fountain.

On the far side of the square was an odd-looking building. Far shorter in height than the others, it was nonetheless attractive, in an old-fashioned sort of way. Solid and welcoming, it was totally out of character with the rest of the area, yet Noah found he liked it better than the skyscrapers which almost engulfed it.

"That's where we're headed." Evelyn waved an arm towards the older building. "The Bellator library."

Noah started towards the building Evelyn had indicated, but felt her grip on his arm.

"We don't access it that way."

She turned around and headed around the square rather than across it. Exchanging nervous glances, he and Ella followed her down yet another alleyway. A moment later, they found themselves being let into the side door of a shop. The woman who opened it acknowledged Evelyn before relocking the door and disappearing into the darkness.

Evelyn led them down a set of steps into a cellar. Moving to the far wall, she pulled aside a curtain, revealing a small door. When she opened it, Noah found himself looking into a tunnel.

"I'll bet we're more at home down there than most people."

But Noah's attempt at lightheartedness fell flat. Ignoring him, Evelyn gestured for him to move ahead. With a sudden burst of nerves, Noah stepped into the darkness.