~Daniel~
Thomas and I looked at each other in disbelief.
"Good evening Dr. Paige," Janson greeted her. "Lovely to see you again. Although I admit I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"Change of plans Janson. I'll be arriving a little sooner than expected. First thing tomorrow."
"Oh well, we would be delighted to have you," He smiled. " I think you will be pleased with the progress we have made here."
I shivered. The man projected a chart on the screen.
Mr. Ratman talked while Dr. Paige looked at the chart, "Whatever it is you're doing to them in there. It's working."
"Not well enough," The doctor responded in disappointment. "I just received board approval. I want all the remaining subjects sedated and prepped for harvest by the time i arrive."
What the heck? Zoe! All I could think about was my sister.
"Dr. Paige, we are going as fast as we can. We are still running tests."
"Try something faster until I can guarantee their security. This is the best plan."
"M'am, security is my job. We are on 24 hour lockdown here. I am assuring you the assets are secure."
"Have you found the right arm?"
I turned my head to listen better.
"Not yet, We tracked them as far as the mountains-"
"So they're still out there?" She questioned. "They have already hit two of our installations. They want these kids as bad as we do! I cannot. I cannot afford another loss!"
Thomas and I made eye contact and nodded.
"Not when I am so close to a cure!"
Cure? I didn't hear the rest of what they said. My heart was pounding in my ears. I had to get my family out of here and fast. The three of us waited until Janson and his partner was gone before running out, climbing into the vent, and rushing back to our dorm.
Aris kicked the grate off and we clambered out from under the bed.
"Thomas?" Minho asked. Thomas grabbed a sheet and started tying the door closed.
"Danny what happened?" Zoe ran out of the bathroom with newt on her heels.
I couldn't even form words. I shook my head. My twin sister hugged me.
"We gotta go! Right now!" Thomas yelled.
"Go where?" Molly asked.
"We just gotta go," I replied. "It's her."
"We gotta go. They're coming for us!" Thomas kept saying as he barricaded the door.
"What happened?" Frypan asked Aris. Aris was frozen.
"Thomas what happened?" Newt demanded. "Talk to us!"
"She's still alive!" He replied. Tying another sheet.
"Who's she? Teresa?"
"Ava!" He answered.
"Ava?" Zoe asked.
"Turn around and talk to us!" Minho grabbed Thomas.
"It's W.C.K.D! It's still wckd. It's always been WCKD!" He slammed the mattress against the door.
"Thomas," Newt put a hand on his shoulder. "What did you see?"
One after the other we crawled into the vent. Aris led us through the labyrinth without a word. I could feel how thick the anxiety was. Zoe crawled behind me. I kept looking over my shoulder to check on her.
Thomas opened a large grated door. We all ran out into a hallway. Thomas looked both directions and ushered us towards a ramp.
You guys go on. There's something I have to do!" Aris whispered.
"What are you talking about?" Thomas asked.
" Trust me, It's really important." Aris insisted. "You guys want to get out of here right?"
"I'll go with him," Winston offered.
"Alright Winston, go!" Thomas closed the grate door behind him.
We all ran after Thomas down the hall. Newt and Zoe ran behind me.
"You sure we can trust this kid?" Minho was asking about Aris.
"Trust me, you don't want to know where we'd be without him!"
Thoms started around the corner but yelped and hopped back. Dr. Crawford.
"What are you kids doing out?" She looked at all of us. Newt pushed my sister behind him.
An alarm sounded and all the lights began to flash. They were on to us.
We arrested her and brought her with us.
Our gang rushed down the halls of WCKD. We came to a corner. A guard coming down the other hall began to fire at us. "Why are they shooting at us?" Frypan asked as he all ran back a ways.
Minho turned back.
"Minho!" Thomas called after our friend. "What the heck are you doing?"
Minho ran, gave a shout, jumped, and slammed the guard into the wall.
We all ran back to him, dragging crawford with us.
"Crud Minho," Newt said, impressed.
Thomas grabbed the gun, "Let's go." He nudged the Doctor forward. I waited until everyone was ahead and then followed.
"Where do we go?" Molly asked.
"Teresa." Was all Thomas said.
Crawford opened a door for us. We shoved her in and pointed the gun at the other doctors in the room. "Where is she?" Thomas demanded. "WHERE IS SHE?!"
Part of the room was separated by a curtain. Thomas passed Minho the gun then ripped it open. Zoe and Newt began tying the doctors hands with strips of cloth.
"Guys! They're coming, where do we go?" Frypan was looking out the small glass window in the door.
Newt and I slid the metal table in front of the door. Janson and his guards tried to push into the room. We all backed away with Minho pointing the gun at the door.
"Uh, this is a dead end!" Zoe cried out in panic. Thomas grabbed the nearby stool and slammed it into the glass window behind us.
"Newt! Help. Help!" He yelled. Newt grabbed another stool and together they shattered the window. Thomas hopped over, "Go go go!" He helped Teresa. Frypan and I both clambered over the half-wall and assisted the other girls. Newt passed Zoe to me, "Easy does it."
I picked up my sister and set her gently back on her feet. I brushed my hand over her stomach briefly. She smiled and nodded. Minho tossed Thomas the rifle and hopped over.
When Thomas opened the next door a guard was standing right outside. Quicker than lightning Thomas shot the guard with whatever the gun was loaded with. I grabbed the pistol from the guard's harness and slipped it into the deep pocket on my pant leg. I grabbed a small cartridge of ammo that was hooked on as well. The guard writhed in pain but still managed to grab my wrist. I slammed his hand clasping my arm into the floor before wrenching it free. I ran after my friends. Ahead of us was the door we had come through into this prison.
"There it is!" Thomas yelled as we dashed down the hallway. We all crowded around Thomas as he tried the key card.
"Why isn't it working?" Molly asked.
"Shoot," Thomas said as he slid the card through again. "No no no no!"
"Thomas?" A voice asked. Janson. I slipped my hand into my pocket with the pistol. Thomas pointed the gun at Janson and his men as he walked towards them, "Open this door Janson!"
I looked at Zoe who was leaning against the wall looking rather pale. Newt whispered something in her ear.
"You really don't want me too," Janson held his hands up.
"Open this dang door!" Thomas commanded.
"Listen to me! I am trying to save your lives. The maze is one thing but you kids wouldn't survive one day out there in the scorch! If the elements don't kill you the cranks will. Thomas, you have to believe me!" Janson lowered his hands. "I only want whats best for you."
"Yeah let me guess. WCKD is good?"
"You're not getting through that door thomas," He replied. A light clicked on green in the scanner. The door opened.
"Yeah sucker?" I whispered. Aris and Winston were on the other side.
"Hey guys," Aris smiled.
"Thomas! Come on let's go!" Newt yelled as he pushed Zoe through the door. Thomas fired at the group as he backed up towards us. After he fired the final shot he threw the gun and ran down the hall. The door began to close.
"Come on Thomas!" Newt.
"Hurry!" Molly screamed.
"Run!" Teresa yelled.
Zoe had her hands over her stomach as she watched Thomas.
Thomas slid under the door just as it closed. Aris smashed the scanner next to the door. Jansons face appeared in the window, "You little-"
Winston grabbed another pistol from the guard on the floor's belt. Thomas flashed Janson the finger. Minho and I grabbed the four packs leaning against the wall. I tossed one to Newt, one to Zoe, and the other i kept for myself.
"Come on!" Frypan yelled as Thomas and Aris sprinted around the corner.
"Let's go," I smiled at my sister and nudged her ahead. When we came to the doors leading outside Thomas pulled down a red lever.
A blast of sand blew in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter unofficially sponsored by My Big Fat Greek Wedding.