A Lovers Journey (Newt x Reader ~ Sequel to Him)

Chapter 4: "It's Always Been WICKED"

"Good evening, Dr. Paige!" Janson exclaims, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor.

Ava Paige is alive.

On the screen, seeing this with my own eyes, is Ava Paige. She wore her familiar white clothing with her blonde hair pulled back into a bun, and it's clear that she was in her own office now, not like the Glade.

"Lovely to see you again. Though I admit, I wasn't expecting to hear from you quite so soon." Across from me, Thomas lowers himself to not be seen as Ava Paige begins to speak.

"Change of plans, Janson." She begins, "I'll be arriving a little sooner than expected." She gets up from her desk and moves to stand in front of it. "First thing tomorrow."

Janson moves closer to the screen as well. "Oh, we'll be delighted to have you. I think you'll be pleased with the progress we've made." Janson motions to the man next to him, and a couple new graphics then appear towards the right of the screen.

"As you can see, early results have been extremely promising..." Janson begins, "Whatever it is you've been doing to them in there, it's working."

Thomas' head suddenly turns to face me, and I meet his eyes with a worried expression. Secretly, WICKED has been working on these people, using them as science experiments right under everyone's noses. How are people not noticing?

"Not well enough." Ava Paige corrects, "I just received board approval. I want all the remaining subjects sedated and prepped for harvest by the time I arrive."

"Did she just say harvest?" Aris whispers to me, and I slowly nod my head.

"Dr. Paige, we are going as fast as we can." Janson verified, "We are still running tests."

"Try something faster." Ava Paige suggests. "Until I can guarantee their security, this is the best plan." And Janson is quick to retaliate. "Ma'am, security is my job. We're on twenty-four hour lockdown here. I am assuring you, the assets are secure."

"Have you found The Right Arm?" Ava Paige shouted, and I glance back to Aris at the sudden mention of this. What if the Right Arm was a refuge? Where his friends could be?

"Not yet..." Janson begins with an odd tone. "We tracked them as far as the mountains."

"So they're still out there?" Ava Paige exclaims while throwing her arm in the air, "And they've already hit two of our installations."

The Right Arm, it is a refuge, it's a rebellion. Thomas looks to Aris, and then they look to me. Somehow, I knew that we were all thinking the same thing, I nod my head.

"They want these kids as badly as we do." Ava Paige starts again, "And I CANNOT! I cannot afford another loss. Not now, when I am so close to a cure. If you are not up to the task, I will find someone who is." Ava Paige finishes while moving back to sit down at her desk.

"That won't be necessary. Might I suggest, we start with the most recent arrivals." My head whips towards Thomas at the sudden realization of Janson's words. The Gladers were next.

"Just get it done." Ava Paige demanded, and Janson turns to walk away when she calls for him. "Janson, I don't want them to feel any pain."

"They won't feel a thing." Janson assures, and I'm convinced that's a lie.

~ ~ ~

Racing through the vents, Thomas leads the way and breaks open the vent to the Gladers' room. It didn't even hit me that I would finally be seeing them again, I was too panicked.

"Thomas!" I fear Frypan yell, but Thomas ignores him and moves to help me get out the vent. "Y/n?!" Minho is the first one to say, and I take a moment to look at their shocked expressions, holding onto Newt's gaze for a little longer than the others.