Disclaimer: I definitely don't own the Maze Runner Series, but only my OCS and this story line which exist between the six month gap of the movies.
Chapter One:
Rapids, the sound of roaring water, the release of heat filled saturated day's. But it wasn't anything of the sort. A few meters underground in a bunker, the running of water and the smell of raw sewage permeated anything in close proximity. And the entire bunker was the proximity of the sewer system.
Eight day's it's been since we ran from our crushing defeat from WICKED. This was limbo, between the Scorch and the wide yonder of elsewhere. Vince insisted that all injured members stay here until a proper hideout was located. That meant me and ten others and three guards are left here to rot. My ribs are broken and because of the lack sanitary work place, besides worn out cot's meant no medical treatment.
Brenda and I did our best not to lose sanity under these conditions. Pain and shortness of breath with the ever dripping pipes in percussion and the stench, I'd rather be hunted down. Everyone left, more hands on deck situation. Even Jorge was jousted into the brigade. Thomas and the others are miles away searching for a safe place to lay low. The only second familiar face is Harriet. Which I'm glad for, she can hold her own. I just need the chance to strike a friendship with her.
"You alright?" Asks Brenda sitting up on the cot next to mine, reading a book she found lying around.
"No, I'm not. The place stinks literally and I can't but be bedridden in such ghastly conditions." I exclaim.
"It's funny."
"What is?" I turn to ask her.
"When it comes to seriousness your so gun-ho, but during downtime your such a child. Did you know that." She laughs turning to face me.
"Oh haha!" I smirk.
"How about I read to you, that might make you feel better."
"Knock yourself out!" I huff turning away from her burying my face in the pillow.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Brenda recites from her book.
"Where's that from?" I ask not lifting my head from the pillow.
"It's a passage from a book of poems, from back before we where even born." Brenda says in a rather insightful manor.
"Then again I have faint memories of long ago, when I was just a child. Mother, I uh mean Ava Paige use to read to me alot whenever I was in sour mood."
"Ross it's okay, don't feel ashamed. What she does has nothing to do with you, mother or not." Brenda said with concern. "In a lot of ways you're like the brother I lost long ago. But that's neither here nor there."
"You had a brother?" I ask.
"George but it's not something I like to think about." She says trying to change the subject.
"It's okay Brenda… I get it we all have painful part's of our lives we rather not remember. Either way if you ever need to let out sorrow or frustration, I'm here for you." I dug my head out the pillow and smile. Just for a while as the stench of sewage smears my nostrils.
"Sorry about dinner guy's where down to the wire." Harriet spoke as she hands out bowls of porridge.
"It's fine." Brenda says getting her serving.
"What's with the long face Harriet, did something happen?"
"I can't explain it but it's like where being watched."
"Serious?"
"Yes and the guards don't want to go poking around."
"We can't risk a surprise attack. I'll go with you," I say motioning up from the cot.
"Absolutely not, I'll take a further look into the situation, you need to rest." Harriet slams her rifle down on the ground, scaring me witless.
Harriet gave me a serious glare before walking off, she didn't have to say anything else. Even if I wanted to help, what was I able to do? The place is huge. Huge in all the wrong ways, splintered hallways where you can easily get nabbed or attacked. With little numbers a spacious area can be the most daunting thing to deal with.
With my mind running sereval ideas, I force the mushy oats down my mouth, I need to keep strong if I'm going to heal properly. Yet all I could focus on what was watching us in the shadows.
"You going to look after her aren't you?" Brenda says staring me in the eyes.
"I can't let her get hurt, I see people in danger it's just how I am. I can't let that come to pass." I explain.
"That's how Teresa took advantage of you. You wanna be helpful give someone the benefit of the doubt. As far as I can see it's going to get you killed." Brenda spoke in her own way as a warning.
"That's fine." I mention as I tie my sneakers. "I need to prove that I'm nothing like her, that I'm actually going to help. No matter the cost."
"You're so naive, but in a way so am I. I keep telling myself bad things aren't going to happen. That the ones we love aren't in harm's way. It's pathetic how I manage to cope."
"Shut up!" I yell. "As long as you're around me, I don't ever want to hear you talk bad about yourself. You understand!" I firmly state looking her in the eyes with a bit of anger.
With that I left the resting area to find my way to Harriet. If she's concern then it isn't a closet case of paranoia. If what's she detecting is real, then it shouldn't be brush off. Down the long cylinder hallways with parts interceting in the middle, it's easy to wander off and get lost for a very uncomfortable amount of time. Yet between the section are different parsecs- which weave together life a tube of the human lungs.
The dim lighting makes visibility difficult, the sounds of rushing water drowns out my perception and sense of location. The smell of sewage now pales in comparison to the scent of rotting flesh and wet grass. The faint stench of gasoline lingers above head while the surrounding area a few meters ahead are blanketed in darkness. Should I turn back now, or face the nexus that leads from the bunker into uncertainty.
Such a large unguarded partition is left uncontested as the bunker isn't all that secure. Once pass the threshold a spotlight of sun beamed down a rather ominous hole illuminating the area with warmth and light, the pipes above dripping a cocktail of water and gasoline. The broken cement of the walkway is hosting vines and flowers. Stepping under the spot light was a small field of grass and flora which was cultivated by exposure. The ground became mushy yet firm enough to hold weight.
In this small micro subspace was an extraordinary terrarium. Spider webs cascades along the walls and tiny holes along the bottom of the wall breed home to rats and small insects. How long has it taken for this bit of plant life to grow? It was a small mercy in a tireless world. I could spend hours here just observing this small patch of nature. Unfortunately the smell was too great that eventually I grew nauseated. I had to retreat, once again struggling to make heads or tails of the layout. Unable to find Harriet or venture further onwards there was only one thing to do. Turn around.
At first I hear a sound of bones snapping in the distance like ligaments being torn out of place. It's everywhere but nowhere. The last thing I hear before collpasing to the floor is the sound of heads twisting. From above a Crank drops down on me, it's teeth bearing at thoart. This was an intellectual Crank for having used the over head pipes to travel unseen.
Kicking with all my might I'm able to break free and stumble up. The Crank lets out a bellow which grabs the attention of two more who drop down. Before his friends can join him, I smash the heel of my shoe into it's head till his eyes bust out with squishy pop. It was finally dead, and trying to flee I trip over a lead pipe bitting my lip and compressing my ribs against the cold ground. A shiver of pain rides up my body.
Quickly I swoop up the pipe, raming it through the second Cranks chest cavity, sending it to floor as panic is taking hold. One left, to contend with. This one is faster in it's chase but I can't afford to be killed here in the swarming darkness. Its arms are flailing to get an attack on my torso, giving into it's basis nature to lash out. Lowly creatures, I curse to myself as I counter next strike. Twisting it's hand forward, using all it's momentum I slam it's body forward into the reinforce concrete wall.
With my other hand I bash the Cranks face over and over until blood splatters off the walls and cover my face in a red mist. The Crank is quickly fading, it's screams out in turmoil. No friends to back you up, we're both in the same predicament. I just happen to come out on top was all.
"Sometimes I find myself struggling to strive for the light." My voice echos in a sicking laugher. I felt everything around me, every last movement to each pain receptor throbbing in my chest, like fire unending. There was some will overlapping my sanity, the will to live. But even so, this brutal and unpredictable style of combat isn't mine. Slowly my hands grip the dying beast and with a hard yank right, then left. I snap it's neck as it slinks to the floor dead. I didn't enjoy this one bit, but it was something exhilarating about this rush I'm feeling. For once fighting without others around, a part of me that been repressed finally emerges.
Whatever this was, I need to keep a lid on it. Or people I love will get hurt. Making my way back, with some difficulty, I find most of our supplies had been packaged and sealed. Weapons, food, water, are left out as it was time to move out. Harriet holds close to head a walkie-talkies before putting it back in a pouch at the side of her pants.
"What in the world happened?" Demand an a answer, is Harriet who's walking over to me furious.
"Took care of that problem. Cranks, three of them have been roaming around the upper system of pipes. Watching and stalking. But their all dead now." I boast.
"That was very foolish of you, but if nothing was done, who knows when they might had attacked." Harriet commends me. "Tony escort him to the showers, and make sure he doesn't wander off."
After an okay shower and a fresh change of clothes, I head back over to the resting area where everyone is at work putting stuff away and other things to attend to. With nothing but a black under shirt and a blue lightweight jacket and grey sweatpants and combat boots, I feel slightly sane again. Underneath my shirt is red swelling and inflammation around my ribs which looks as if I was stung by a hornet's nest.
I try not to think about the pain, it's there and it isn't leave anytime soon. But human nature is worrying and over worrying so I can't help but mentally complain. Whoever I was back in the fight has me trembling. I was overwhelmed with rage, rage which I never want to submit to ever again. No matter what, I must force this dormant side to do just that remain dormant.
Once the tension and work stops, Harriet calls everyone to attention with no issue. She is a commanding officer and well respected by the older members of our team. I can't help but wonder how she's manage to hold this place down pact. It's must take a heavy amount of compartmentaliztion on her part to not get overwhelmed. Always keeping things on track we'd be fish out of water down here.
"I'll be honest, things are dire. As it currently stands our numbers are low, many of can't fight currently. Outside our risks are more immense and it will appear to anyone we're servely is what WICKED reduce us to. If for any reason fighting is to break out between us and the people who litter these lands. Do not engage with them, we can't risk more fatalities or injuries. That's the only rule I'm instating."
"C'mon now Harriet, where the Right Arm, we can't let one loss define us." Spoke up one of the injured members.
"Of course I know that, who doesn't. But that doesn't warrant recklessness on anyone behalf." Harriet speaks with a clear head dispelling restlessness amoung many injured members.
"Do we have a plan?" Asks Brenda.
"We've got four day's travel until we reach our rendezvous. It's going to a long four days, but we've seen worse and been through it. So prepare for the long haul. Ross, Brenda, Nick you're with me in the Jeep, everyone else in the trucks." Harriet says over mild conversation that's broken out.
"Ready when you are." I motion from my cot which I've been reclining on.
"Alright then, let's move out." Harriet order as she directing people to the stairwell
Everyone took their time carrying supplies, climbing a staircase leading to a hatch, which kept out the light and heat. We've been living like moles and now it was time to resurface. What waited ahead in turbulent sea of sand is unknown, but atlest I'm not doing this alone. I'm on my way back guys.
The first thing that happens is the heat smacks you across the face. My eyes are use to the brightness nowadays. This isn't the Scorch but at the same time it is. My forehead begin's to bake and my ribs throb in pain as I walk over back of the Jeep. Brenda takes the seat next to mine which is fine. Although four-day trip in such a small vehicle. I best make myself at home.
Nick and Harriet took the front seats, as she'll taking the first driving shift. Locking myself in a seatbelt, I relax as we leave behind the bunker which has been our refuge for some time. This was the absolute middle of nowhere, complete and utter isolation dashed with desolation. Prehaps this was once used in the old days before the Flare and Cranks. Prehaps this was all that remain of military outpost. Would explain the sweage system, running water and electricity that power the bunker. Now it's a decaying tomb left for any wandering soul to take home in.
Once miles away from where we started, everything slowly merges and fades the faster and further we travel. Harriet is a excellent driver avoiding bumps and rough terrain that might make my injuries worse. I respect and appreciate her discretion. When we finally pull over for a break it's late in the night. Pitch black wilderness, we need to eat and use the bathroom in a timely fashion before being spotted in the distance with all our head lights. There is no moon out and the stars seem so far away from this elevation.
After relieving myself and eating a sandwich, I hunker back down into my seat and nap, as Nick takes first shift of watching over us. Sleep finds a way to reach me, as I can doze off to the white nose of low pitch whistling of the wind. I wake up half way during the night to find Brenda's head resting on my shoulder.
"I'll take next shift," Harriet's voice said from the front. "She been talking in her sleep, she only calmed down when she leaned on you. So let her sleep."
"Thanks Harriet, wake me if anything happens." I reply.
"Night." Harriet says in a yawn.
"Night," I reply back following with my own yawn.
Freeing my right hand, I wrap Brenda in soft embrace, keeping her slightly at bay beside me. I would hate for her to wake up prematurely. With her warm embrace, I slowly close my eyes and welcome sleep like an old friend..
A/N: It's been a while, needed to take a break and recover from writing. I'm back and doing my best to provide a good side story. It will be no less then ten chapters no more then fifteen. Unless the plot permits it to be. This chapter was going to have a darker scene then what's written. But I've opted out to do a lesser of two evils and save this gruesome stuff to later. Enjoy and feedback is appreciated.