Maisie sighed. “I know.” The Reapers—the only gang in the south that Lopez hadn’t managed to quash—had been threatening to seize control for years. They didn’t have the numbers, but if Lopez couldn’t deliver the shipments soon, they might have better luck recruiting.

“Hey, did you know Nathan Fredrick still has his original kidney?” Maisie asked.

“What!”

“I was impressed too. He should keep it. Put it in a box and show it off.”

“Only you would think that’s a good idea.” Hadley spun around in her chair again to face her desk. “Hold on.” She slipped her headphones over her ears and leaned into the mic in front of her. The music faded out.

“I’ve got a few news updates for you this morning—first, we’ve got a garbage pileup happening at the plant right now, so everyone’s going to have to keep their garbage to themselves for the next week. Regular schedule resumes next week, supposedly.”

She looked at the laptop screen to her left. “Some news from beyond the wall today—Lennon Pierce, the son of Senator Camden Pierce, has been kidnapped. Camden Pierce is the Democratic nominee for president of the United States and has suspended all campaign activities since his son’s kidnapping a few days ago. The election is tomorrow.

“And in news you actually give a shit about, Rosa’s Bakery has started making those blueberry scones again. Run, don’t walk.” She clicked off the mic, music filling the room once more.

Maisie leaned forward. “Who sent you that news about the senator?”

“The State Department. They’re always sending me election updates. They’re relentless this time, insisting I update the Q on everything. They think we’re actually going to care about this Pierce dude because he’s campaigning on a platform about finding a cure and tearing down the walls.”

“They always say that.”

“They sure do. Apparently, they think he actually means it.” She put her feet up on the table, crossing one boot over the other.

“Does it even matter? Hasn’t the same family won every year since before the Q?”

“Yeah, always the Howards, just a different one every time they run into term limits. I think they like to pretend it’s a fair election, though. Makes them feel better, I guess.” Hadley shrugged. “Never voted, couldn’t say.”

“Eh, doesn’t sound that great anyway.”

Elise appeared at the door, dragging her oxygen tank with her. Her curly blond hair was tied in a messy bun, and she pulled her mask down to her neck and smiled at them. Her pale skin was almost translucent these days, and the skin beneath her eyes was a deep purple. She held up a white paper bag.

“Blueberry scones,” she said.

“Yesss,” Hadley said.

Elise offered Maisie one, and she shook her head as she stood. “I’m good.”

“Any word on the shipment?” Elise asked.

“It’s…in progress.” Maisie tried to sound more confident than she felt. “We’re working on it.”

Elise didn’t seem convinced as she pulled her mask back up to cover her mouth and took a breath. Her one remaining lung wasn’t really up to the task of breathing anymore, and if they didn’t get the medical parts shipment in, there was no way for her to get a new set. Without the medical supplies in that shipment, most of the people in the Q couldn’t get the surgeries they needed.