Chapter Thirty-Nine Faith

"This is where you'll be sleeping."

Faith gestured to the mat on the floor of the store room. Her heart lurched as she stared at it, remembering the previous night. Turning back to her companion, she managed to smile.

"I know it doesn't look like much, but–"

The drudge stepped into the tiny room behind her. "It's no worse than I'm used to."

"Really?" Faith cast him a concerned glance.

He gave a small smile. "You think the hospital gives us comfortable beds?"

"Of course, they don't." She glanced away, embarrassed. "It's just– I mean I've never seen the drudge quarters, anywhere."

"This is fine. Warm, dry, private." He stepped inside, stooped to push a hand down on the mat. "This is thicker than those in the drudge quarters, too." Faith noticed he didn't use the word home.

She stared at the newcomer. The Resistance had really lucked out with the drudge they had taken from the hospital. Robyn and Blake had grabbed him at the rear of the hospital as he headed away from the night shift. Blindfolded, he'd been bundled into the back of a comcar and brought back to the library. But after the initial shock of the kidnapping had worn off, he had listened as Madeleine explained the reason for his kidnapping.

Surprised to discover that rumours of the Resistance were true, he had been quite amenable to their questions once he'd been assured they would treat him well. He'd even helped Noah to prepare for his mission, demonstrating how to blend in as his replacement. Despite his lack of sleep, he'd worked with Noah all day, explaining the hospital systems, sketching a map of the key areas, and going over the different duties Noah would be required to complete.

It was imperative that Noah absorb the relevant information fast. He had to be in place to start Rowan's next shift.

This evening.

Having spent the day tucked away in the library finishing her speech, Faith had not found out about Noah's imminent departure until an hour earlier. Since then, she'd been unable to focus on anything. Once Rowan had finished working with Noah, Robyn had asked Faith to show him around. Faith suspected the job was aimed at keeping her away from the office, where Noah was receiving his final instructions. But she had been grateful for the distraction anyway.

During the tour, she had really warmed to the man. As with Arden, Madeleine had named him. Faith could see the pride Rowan took in being introduced to others. The name meant he, a lowly drudge, mattered. Faith's determination to deliver a powerful speech had solidified as she'd accompanied him around the building. The appalling treatment of the drudges was something else Danforth had normalised. Yet another reason the chancellor's reign had to end.

But showing him to the store room was another reminder that Noah was leaving in a matter of hours.

"You okay?"

Looking up, she found Rowan's eyes resting on her. She was relieved to discover that his were a light blue, rather than Noah's vivid green. She had to admit, Robyn and Blake had chosen well. Hiding in the alleyway at the rear of the hospital, they spent a long time observing the drudges to make sure they chose the one most like Noah. And aside from the eyes, the two men were very much alike.

The similarity in their shape was uncanny. Dressed alike as drudges, and viewed from behind, they could have been twins. But up close, Faith could see many differences. Rowan's hair was a similar colour to Noah's, but his chin was narrower and his lips thin, where Noah's were full. His nose was a touch larger than Noah's too, but all of this would be covered by the mask.

Faith found it comforting that the pair looked so similar. This, in addition to the scant attention paid to the drudges by the Bellator women, would keep Noah safe. At least, Faith hoped so.

"Faith?"

She was jolted from her reverie. "What? Oh, I'm sorry," she stammered. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

Rowan looked as though he wanted to press her for more, but his reticent nature took over and he lowered his eyes respectfully. Faith marvelled at how intuitive he was. He'd read her mood accurately, understanding, despite her smile, that something was wrong.

She hurried to cover the silence. "Won't you have been missed today? I mean," she searched for the word he had used, "in the drudge quarters. The others, they won't have… reported you gone?"

He shook his head. "Unlikely. Drudges disappear, from time to time. We don't question it."

Faith frowned. "You don't?"

"Who would listen?" Rowan shrugged. "Sometimes drudges die. The consequences of disobedience are severe. If a drudge is beaten by one of the Bellator citizens, no one questions it. We don't have rights."

"But…" Faith struggled to understand.

"And sometimes drudges run away." Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Mostly, they're discovered and brought back. But our lives are–" he paused. "If a drudge is brave enough to risk it, we let them go."

"Do any of them escape? For good, I mean."

Rowan shrugged. "I don't know. I've never had the courage to try it myself. We hear of those who get caught, because they're–" He stopped, biting down on his lip.

"Danforth gets rid of them?"

"They're classed as malfunctioning. Because they disobeyed orders. Danforth has them executed. Quietly, though."

"She's clever."

"Too clever." Rowan growled. "So to answer your original question, no. The drudges might notice I'm not in my bed. But they won't report it. When Noah arrives tomorrow to replace me, they'll notice him. But they probably won't question it. As long as he's convincing as a drudge, they'll just assume I've been replaced."

Sucking in a breath, Faith sagged against the doorframe.

"You're worried about him."

"A little." She blushed at the lie.

Rowan held her gaze. "From what I've seen today, he'll be okay. He acts the drudge well. And I've done everything I can to keep him safe."

Faith managed a smile. "I'm sure he'll be alright." She backed away. "You get some rest. You deserve it."

She watched until the door had closed behind him. Then she hurried to the door of the library and headed up the stairs.

Her sanctuary was quiet, but the high ceilings and old books didn't distract her the way they usually did. Collecting a datadev from the front desk, she moved into the side room which housed the research documents and curled up on the sofa under the window. She tapped the button on the front of the device and waited while it whirred to life.

Her speech was almost there now. Noah had restored her belief in a shared future with him and a better world for them all. His words of encouragement had proved a catalyst for renewed inspiration, and her thoughts had been flowing freely ever since. Her words could make a difference. She knew it now.

But there was one group of people she needed to add.

When the screen loaded, she opened the document and began typing. Her fingers flew over the keys, describing Rowan, Arden, and the rest of the drudges who the women of the city never saw. Their individual personalities. She was ashamed that she too had regarded them as less than herself until very recently. Until someone pointed out how unjust their treatment was, reminded the citizens of the city that these men were human too, nothing would change. The drudges deserved a better life as much as anyone.

When she had finished, she sagged back against the sofa. The speech was ready. She could do no more.

She still quivered whenever she thought about delivering it. She would be telling the truth, uncovering lies, casting light on things which had been hidden from the citizens of Bellator for years.

But the chancellor would deny every word she said. She had to be convincing.

Learning of Eremus' action had given Faith confidence. She had been surprised by the Eremus plan to bring a hostage back to the city, but knew that Flynn's arrival at the ceremony would send a powerful message. Who could deny Eremus' compassion if they permitted another Danforth student to return safely to the city? The action would offer concrete proof to support her words. Surely, then, the women of Bellator would believe them.

She ran her finger down the datadev screen, scanning the sentences she'd spent so long constructing. The words she had played with, writing and reordering, replacing and rephrasing, so she could deliver a speech worthy of the danger the Resistance members were putting themselves in. Everyone else would be directly in the line of fire, whether it was Flynn approaching the stage at the ceremony, Kemp and Arden doing their best to protect the academy students, or Noah at the hospital. All of them risking their lives. To make their efforts worthwhile, the speech had to have the desired impact.

There were so many things the Bellator citizens needed to know. Faith could only hope she got the chance to tell them everything. And that they listened. And, she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer, that Sophia's rescue would go smoothly.

The two events were bound together: Liberation Day would act as a distraction, allowing the rescue to go ahead. Because many of the hospital staff would be otherwise occupied listening to Danforth's speech, they would be less attentive to their surroundings. With Noah on the inside and many of the staff looking the other way, the Resistance was hoping they could get Sophia out without anyone noticing.

Faith turned back to the words on the datadev screen. Were they enough?

Closing her eyes, she recited the words aloud, imagining the crowds in the Main Square transfixed by her voice, believing her words, rising up and rebelling against Danforth until everything was perfect. Sophia wasn't pregnant, the academy students were safe, the drudges were free, and the Eremus folk were able to roam in and out of Bellator without fear.

A noise startled her, and she turned to see Noah standing at the entrance to the Records Room. He was smiling, but the expression on his face was somehow also sad.

"Make sure you deliver it just like that."

Her face heated at his words. "Like what?"

"With passion." He walked towards her, offering her a hand. She took it and he pulled her upwards, forwards, framing her face in his hands. "With that tone in your voice."

Breathless, she eyed him. "What tone?"

"The one which is totally convincing." He held a finger to her lips as she tried to protest. "Which demonstrates how much you believe in your words. Because that means others will too."

She blushed. "You think so?"

"I know so." He circled his arms around her, pulling her close and whispering in her ear. "You'll blow them away." He leaned back a little, so she could see his face. "And while you're delivering the speech of a lifetime, I'll be letting the Resistance into the hospital so they can bring Sophia home to you."

She closed the gap between them, holding him tightly. For a moment, they simply stood with their arms around one another. In the silence, Faith could feel his heart beating against hers. She laid her head on his shoulder, feeling like it belonged there.

Eventually, she felt his shoulder rise as he inhaled deeply. "Faith, I–"

"You came to say you were leaving, right?" She held her breath until she felt him nod. "Okay."

He leaned back a little, cradling her chin in his hands. "You want to come down and–"

She shook her head, cutting him off. "If you don't mind, I'll say goodbye here. I know most of the people downstairs suspect there's something between us, but I'd rather not slam it in their faces with a tearful farewell."

He raised an eyebrow. "It would be tearful?"

Stepping away, she punched his arm lightly. "Don't mock."

His face turned serious. "I'm not. I'm trying to accept the fact that I got to spend the last few days with you without anyone judging or disapproving. And now I have to leave," he paused, closing his eyes, "and I don't know when I'll see you again."

Her breath caught in her throat, but she attempted to lighten the mood. "You're saying you're the one who'll be tearful?"

He grinned, seeming to appreciate her attempt to relieve the tension. "Very possibly."

"Then we should definitely say our goodbyes here. Safer." She winked. "You know, for your reputation."

He chuckled. "Thanks. Wouldn't want people to think I was afraid."

She studied him closely. "Aren't you though?"

"I'm terrified." He held her gaze. "Does that make you think less of me?"

"I'd think less of you if you weren't."

Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his. Softly at first, then with more determination, as though she was trying to sear the memory into her mind.

After a moment, she broke away. "Better go then. Don't keep them waiting."

He held her gaze, his eyes blazing. "Promise me you'll give that speech everything you have?"

"I promise." She cocked her head to one side. "Promise me you'll do everything you can to go unnoticed and convince everyone you're just an ordinary drudge?"

"I promise."

Leaning in, he kissed her softly one last time. She closed her eyes as he eased away from her. He released her hand last, and she shivered at the loss. His footsteps faded as he walked away.

When she opened her eyes, he was gone.