A/N: So here it is. Last Chapter. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 9
Newt and I quickly get separated as he rushes to find the others. I try to stay calm and collected as I process the scene in front of me. Several of the surrounding tents are up in flames. People are running trying to avoid the ever growing flames. The air is thick with smoke. I rush forwards the centre of the camp. 3 or 4 helicopters are surrounding the area bathing it in light. WICKED soldiers are sliding down from them armed to the back teeth. I try to find Mary. Seeing her off to the side with some others I race towards them.
'Mary!' I scream. 'We gotta go!'
'Take 'em out!' An electronic sounding voice shouts from the side of me. A WICKED soldier is coming up to us fast.
'Go Kira!' Mary shouts, and for once in my life I do as I'm told. Running from the soldiers I see Vince and Harriet shooting from an old truck. I rush over jumping onto the truck.
'What do you need me to do?!' I shout to Vince.
'Cover me whilst we get this working!' He shouts motioning to a machine gun he is assembling.
'I can do that!' I scream, stuffing one gun into my trousers and lining up the other one. We're quite a big target here and several if the soldiers seem to have caught ono that. Scanning the oncoming swarm of soldiers I choose the closest to us.
BANG
I release my first shot and hit him straight in the chest. The bullet bounces of his body armour but pushes him back a few paces. I flick my eyes over his body looking for an opening. The knees! They haven't covered up their knees because it would hinder their movement. I hide a smirk as I let of two bullets.
BANG BANG
The man in front goes down clutching his legs. I almost want to marvel at my work but more are coming as fast as we can take them down.
'Harriet! Ammo!' Vince shouts trying to get the machine gun up and ready. Switching my aim to the next guy I release 2 more bullets, and 2 more and 2 more until I'm out. Throwing my empty gun on the ground I pull out my second and keep firing. Soldiers fall left, right and centre but more keep coming.
'I can't hold them off for long!' I scream to Vince.
'Kira! Vince! Harriet!' Minho's voice carries across the camp. Flicking my gaze quickly I see Minho launching himself across the camp followed by Frypan, Jak and Newt. I look at them for long enough to make sure they are not hurt before going back to taking care of the soldiers.
'Come on!' Vince shouts.
Over here!' Harriet, this time.
'How can we help?' Minho shouts crouching by the edge of the truck.
'Give them a gun!' I scream at Vince as the others reach us.
'Hey! Do you know how to use this thing?' Vince shouts to Minho, giving him his shotgun. Minho cocks the gun in answer. Seeing a pile of guns on the floor of the truck, I crouch down chucking one to Newt, Jak and Fry.
'Cover me! This fifty's our only chance!' Vince shouts.
'Go for the knees!' I scream. They nod and begin to shoot. Focusing in on my section I fire 2 more bullets. Again and again and again.
'Vince, hurry up! There's too many of them.' Newt shouts as the soldiers keep coming.
'I'm out!' Fry shouts, I flick my eyes to the floor.
'We're out to.' I scream. Noticing one soldier hiding behind a barrel, I line up my shot, but before I can let it off he stands and throws a grenade at us. Shit! I grab Vince and throw us off the side of the truck as the grenade goes off. I should have known it would been an electric one considering the guns, but I didn't. Fire runs through my veins as my legs give out. I hit the floor with such force that my head cracks down onto the ground and blood begins to drip down my head. I can see Newt. He's lying a couple of metres away from me. I try to move but my body won't let me. The soldiers advance on us and begin to drag us towards the centre of the camp. The dirt underneath me rubs at the fabric of my trousers, and the heat from the flames hurts my eyes. My head throbs as the soldier drops me back onto the floor. Another grabs my arms and pulls me up onto my knees before kneeling down in front of me and taking of his mask.
'Oh Janson's gonna love this.' He says to me with a smirk. 'We got his girl!' He shouts to the others. Laughs and jeers echo from round the camp.
'I'm nobody's girl.' I spit before head butting him in the face. I feel a crack as the bone in his nose breaks under my skull as he falls back clutching his face.
'You bitch!' He shouts standing up. I grin at the blood streaming down his face. I look across the line I'm in. Newt is on my left with a small smile on his face. Minho is next to him along with the others. To my right there is a gap before more people are lined up including Mary and Vince. Mary is staring at me, pride shining through her eyes. I nod gently at her as she smiles. Sonya is pushed past me being held by another soldier. She is forced down onto her knees next to Fry. The soldier takes out a machine like Jorge had and scans her neck.
'B-4.' He says.
'How many did we get?' That nasally tone interrupts my thoughts as to what B-4 could mean. I look up and see Janson waltzing down the path looking all high and mighty. I glare at him as he gazes around at his prisoners.
'All of them. Give or take.' A man with a clipboard (Again with the fucking clipboards. Is this like a club or something I don't know about!) to his left.
'Give or take what?' Janson asks keeping his eyes on me.
'Well, they lost a few.' The man says smugly. The soldier cataloguing us moves quickly down the line.
'A-4.'
'A-6.'
'B-3.' Janson looks up at the guard closest to him, blood still streaming from his face. I grin again.
'What happened to your face?' He asked as if he already knew the answer. He soldier just glared at me, as Janson whipped around to smile at me. 'Still using your same old tricks, I see.' He comments smoothly. 'Where's Thomas?'
'Right here.' Thomas' voice comes from the side of the group. I whip round to stare at him. He got away. What the fuck was he doing handing himself in. He must have a plan. He's got to. He wouldn't be so stupid as to…'
'Freeze! Go!' The soldiers shouted rushing around him pulling him forward towards Janson.
'Thomas.' Janson says, putting his arms out as if he was going to give him a hug. Ew, no don't give him a hug, you disgusting little weasel. At the last second Janson moves and punches Thomas in the stomach. Still probably easier to handle than a hug, I think to myself, but struggle against the guard holding me anyway. 'Get him in line.' Janson says as Thomas is pushed down next to me.
'You okay?' I whisper to him. He nods still trying to get his breath back.
'Okay.' Janson smiles, 'Bring her in.'
'Why didn't you run?' Minho whispers to Thomas.
'I'm tired of running.' Is his response. Janson kneels in front of me, too far back for me to head-butt him though, I notice.
'You're going to be on your best behaviour, okay?' He grins at me. Supressing a shiver of disgust, I push a sarcastic smile onto my face.
'Aren't I always?' I quip. Janson grins again and my smile curls into a grimace. A soldier grips hold of my shoulders tightly causing me to whimper as his nails dig into my wound. Janson takes a handkerchief out of his pocket, licks it and then wipes at the blood on my forehead.
'Got to make sure you are looking your best.' He trills before standing up and moving over to the guards. As he does this another helicopter flies overhead before coming to land a shirt way-a-way from us. The dust from the floor whips into our faces causing us to try and cover our eyes. The base of the helicopter opens and four fully kitted out soldiers, march down in formation followed by one Dr Ava Paige. She walks down the slope gently before coming to a stop in front of us all. I glare at her.
'Is this all of them?' She asks Janson.
'Most of them.' He replies. Dr Paige gives him a look. 'It'll be enough.' He finishes.
'Start loading them in.' She says coldly.
'Yes, ma'am. Okay, you heard. Let's go!' Janson orders as the soldiers begin to haul people up and into the helicopter. 'Get 'em on!' Dr Paige walks forward before motioning for Thomas and I to stand. Thomas does without aid, but I do not get that option. The soldier gripping my shoulders pulls me to my feet.
'Hello, Thomas.' She says ignoring me completely. Shaking the soldier's hands off me I charge towards Dr Paige. A guard steps in front of her, gun out, causing me to stop. Ava puts her hand on the guards arm pushing him aside. 'Kira,' she smiles sweetly. I glare in return. 'I'm glad to see you're not harmed, too badly.'
'Yeah, no thanks to you.' I snap. Dr Paige shrugs and refocuses her attention to her new recruit. Teresa is being guided through the group by another guard.
'I'm glad you're safe.' Ava says reaching out for her.
'What the hell?' Minho whispers staring at Teresa. I'd forgotten that they didn't know.
'Teresa?' Fry look at Teresa betrayal all over his face.
'Wait, what's going on?' Jak says, thoroughly confused.
'She's with them.' I snarl glaring at her.
'Since when?' Minho asks.
'Teresa's always had an evolved appreciation of the greater good. Once we restored her memories, it was only a matter of time.' Janson grins smugly at us, before walking over and putting his hand on Teresa's arm. I cough out a bitter laugh.
'Greater good? What would any of you know of the greater good? Everything you do is so that you can live. You don't give a crap about any of us.'
'I'm sorry. I had no choice. This is the only way. We have to find a cure.' Teresa implores.
'She's right.' Ava says. 'This is all just a means to an end. You used to understand that, Thomas. No matter what you think of me... I am not a monster. I'm a doctor. I swore an oath to find a cure! No matter the cost.'
'A doctor?' I laugh for real this time. 'Doctors heal people. They don't kill them. They don't torture them.'
'That's what I'm doing,' Ava says walking towards me. Her guards shift uneasily. 'I'm trying to heal people. I just need more time.'
'More blood.' Mary's voice calls from behind us. I feel her walking up behind me and my racing heartbeat calms slightly. I turn to look at her. She smiles gently at me reaching for my hand.
'Hello, Mary. I hoped we'd meet again. I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances.' Ava says from behind me. Mary squeezes my hand.
'I'm sorry about a lot of things, too. But not this. At least my conscience is clear.' Her voice comes out strong and in that moment, I feel so proud to be her niece.
'So is mine.' A gunshot echoes round the camp, causing my heart to skip. Whirling round I see Ava staring at Mary whilst Janson comes from behind her, gun in hand. I stare at him and memories fill my head.
My mother is lying on the floor. Blood pools around her. I turn to stare at the soldiers. 'You didn't have to kill her.' The voice is muffled like were underwater. I watch as the figure with the gun removes his mask and stares down at me. Janson. His crooked nose is straight and his hair doesn't have the greying sides, but it's him. He killed my mother.
Fury overwhelms me like a wave. I launch forward knocking the gun out of his hands as my hands find his throat. 'YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! YOU KILLED MARY! IT WAS YOU! IT WAS ALWAYS YOU!' I scream until my throat is raw, pushing my thumbs ever deeper into his neck. His eyes bulge as the airflow gets cut off. Gripping as hard as I can I fight against the arms trying to pull me away. Janson's eyes become bloodshot and massive. A soldier hits at my arms with the butt of the gun and the pain caused my grip to loosen. Janson flied back coughing and trying to catch his breath.
'Mary? Mary? Mary! Mary! Mary! Get off me! Mary? Mary? Mary? Mary? No! Mary! No!' Vince's cries mingle with my own as I fight against the men holding me.
'Don't hurt her.' Ava commands calmly.
'DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TERESA. SHE WAS TRYING TO HELP US! SHE WAS TRYING TO HELP EVERYONE AND YOU KILLED HER. HER DEATH IS ON YOU. ALL OF THIS IS ON YOU. LOOK AROUND TERESA. LOOK AT THE CONCEQUENCES!' I shriek until I can't fight anymore and flop onto the ground. Teresa has tears falling down her face.
'Come on, Janson. Load them up. Let's go. All these people. Get rid of them.' Ava says sternly, looking at me. I stand and glare at her defiantly.
'I'm not going anywhere, and neither is anyone else. Thomas whatever you have planned, do it now.' Thomas leaps into action, elbowing the guy behind him and pulling out Jorge's bomb.
'Everyone, stand back! Stand back!' he shouts holding the bomb in front of him. I back away from Janson and Ava and stand beside Thomas.
'Hold your fire!' Janson croaks.
'Everyone, stand back!' Thomas yells.
'Hold your fire!' Janson.
'Stand back. Let 'em go.' Thomas.
'Thomas, put it down.' Ava says panic lining her face.
'Let 'em all go!' He shouts motioning to the others.
'You know I can't do that!' Ava groans shaking her head.
'Thomas, please stop. I made a deal with them. They promised we'd be safe. All of us.' Teresa begs.
'And I'm supposed to trust you now?' Thomas scoffs.
'It's true. It was her only condition.' Ava says.
'And what, were supposed to trust you. After everything you have done to us!' I whisper disbelievingly.
'Everything can go back to the way it was. Thomas... do you really want all of them to die?' Ava motions to the other Gladers.
'Listen to her, Thomas. Think about what you're doing.' Janson croaks again. "Ribbit" I look over at the Gladers who are looking between themselves. Minho moves first the others following. Minho, Jak, Fry and Newt all surround us. I walk to stand behind Thomas and grip Newt's hand squeezing it tight.
'We're with you, Thomas.' Minho says quietly putting a hand on his shoulder.
'No.' Teresa whimpers from beside Ava.
'Don't.' Ava says, pitch rising in panic.
'Do it, Thomas. We're ready.' Fry says.
'We're not going back there.' I whisper leaning my head on Thomas' shoulder.
'Thomas?' Ava starts.
'It's the only way.' Thomas' voice is shaky, so I wrap my free arm round his waist.
'Do it.' I whisper in his ear.
'Thomas!' Ava shrieks.
Thomas sighs and moves his finger towards the trigger. I turn my head to stare at Newt but catch sight of a truck barrelling down the road towards us. The horn blares out knocking us all from out stupor.
'Go!' I scream, running towards the machine gun. A foot hooks around mine forcing me to the ground. I scramble back up to see Janson glaring at me.
'Round 2?' I quip with a grin. He rams into the side of me causing me to fall again but this time I take him with me. Spinning us over, I punch him again and again in the face.
'Stamina!' He screams as I start to get tired. He flips us over again causing me to hit the floor hard. I gasp trying to catch my breath, as Janson stands over my holding his gun to my head. I try to scramble back but he puts a foot on my injured shoulder causing me to howl in pain. 'What a waste.' He says, but before he can pull the trigger a gunshot sounds knocking Janson to his back. I whip my head around to see Brenda armed with a rifle, grinning at me. Before I can respond another gunshot alerts me to my surroundings and I continue running to the truck. Leaping onto the truck, I grip the trigger and let the bullets fly. Soldiers drop left and right. Any of our people are smart enough to get down to the ground. Vince and Harriet run to my side.
'I need you to take over!' I scream. 'I need to find the others!'
'My pleasure.' He shouts with a grin chucking me his gun. I hop off the side of the truck and scan around to find the others. I can see Newt, Thomas, Jak and Fry hiding behind some crates. I rush towards them.
'Where's Minho!' I scream. Jak just points to where Minho is stood with a gun holding them off. I grin. 'Minho, come on!' I shout. Hearing me he whips around before running towards us. Soldiers billow in behind him shooting left and right. As a shot nearly hits me, I duck down behind the crates.
'Minho, no!' Thomas yells from beside me. Pulling myself back up, I see Minho leaning on some creates, electricity coursing through him. He looks up at us with a grimace.
'Minho!' I shout, leaving my place behind the crates and running towards him. Strong hands grip my waist pulling me back.
'No, Kira.' Newt's voice causes me to stop fighting and just stare as the soldiers come and take Minho away into the helicopter.
'No! Thomas, no!' Jorge grips onto Thomas before he can intervene, pushing him back into Fry and Jak's awaiting arms.
'Minho!' Thomas' cries echo as we are pulled away from the soldiers and up the hill. I grip Newt so tight, I fear he might faint. A low rumbling catches my attention causing me to turn back and stare at the helicopters. The soldiers are falling back, causing the Right Arm members to cheer and whoop. Staring at the main helicopter I watch as Minho is taken aboard and Teresa, Ava and Janson are pushed to the front. They stare out in hard defiance and anguish in Teresa's case. The base of the ship closes and it takes off, Minho in tow.
I look around me at the survivors. That can't just be it. It can't. I look to Newt who is doing the same. I lean against the wall and sink down til I'm sat on the floor. The camp is worryingly quiet now, all of us seemingly realising what just happened. Newt comes and plonks himself down next to me. Nothing needs to be said. I rest my head on his shoulder as the others all sit as well. We sit in silence until the sun comes up. Lifting my head I smile at the soft snores surrounding me. Gently propping Newt properly on the wall I walk down into the main camp and kneel down next to Mary's body. She is cold now and her face is pale. Turning her onto her back it sit beside her and stroke her hair back so I can see her face. Sand and dirt is smushed along one side where it was resting against the floor. I wipe gently at her face with my hand, ignoring the stinging in my eyes. I'm not sure how long I sat there for, staring at her face and stroking her hair but I was brought back to reality when Vince's voice interrupted the silence.
'You were all she ever talked about, you know?' Vince came and sat next to me. 'Thomas kept her well informed about you when he worked there. She was so proud.' Wet droplets leak out onto my cheeks.
'I wish I'd got the chance to know her. I'd only just found her again.' My voice cracks and Vince loops his arm around my shoulders. Reaching into her pocket, Vince pulls out a picture. He looks at it, smiles and gives it to me.
'She would want you to have this.' He says. I look down at the picture. It's of Mary and my parents. They have their arms looped round each other's and are smiling widely at the camera. I grin at my father. A wild shock of dark hair is atop his head with a small but noticeable receding hairline. His dark eyes shine with a kind of mischief that reminds me of Minho. My mother had long hair tied back in a ponytail. I finger my own as I continue looking at the picture. Her eyes are lighter than my dad's but still a deep brown. I smile at their happy expressions and how they hold each other close. I move over to Mary. She looks a lot younger in this picture, happier too. Her dark hair missing the silver streaks she had now. The similarity between her and my mum was striking. They had the same kind eyes and face and the same smile slightly upturned at the edges giving them the look of being constantly amused. I look up at Vince before leaning into him and whispering, 'Thank you.' He nods stiffly, obviously unused to this kind of affection. To be honest I'm not that used to it but in that moment…
'Should we bury her?' I ask.
'We will,' He nods, 'but we need to see how many we have first.' I nod as well and take the sheet that Vince had brought with him. I lay it over her body gently but not before closing her eyes. I look up and notice that the others are up now, walking round the camp trying to tidy things up a bit. Bodies litter the camp, all covered in sheets. I look up and see Thomas sat on a crate deep in thought. I walk over to him and sit next to him.
'You're going after them aren't you?' I ask simply, already knowing the answer. He nods gently.
'I made a promise to Minho that I wouldn't leave him behind.' I nod.
'He's one of my Gladers and he's my best friend.' He smiles gently at me, knowing what I'm really saying. If he's going, he's not going alone.
'What do we do now?' Fry says quietly.
'Well, we pick up what's left of us. We stick to the plan. We get you kids to the safe haven.' Vince takes a breath and looks around at the mess surrounding us. 'Then we start over, I guess.' Brenda and Jorge come to join us. I look at Thomas and nod.
'We're not going with you.' He says standing and putting on his pack.
'What?' Vince says as the others stare at us like we're mad.
'I made a promise to Minho. I wouldn't leave him behind. I have to go after him.' Thomas states, looking at me. I smile and stand also.
'He's family.' Is all I say.
'Hey, kid, look around you. All right? WICKED just kicked our ass. You think about where you're headed.' Vince gestures to the destroyed camp.
'I'm not asking anyone to come with me.' Thomas shrugs. 'She volunteered.' I smirk slightly.
'Thomas, listen to me.' I notice Newt doesn't include me in this. He obviously knows better. 'I've known Minho for... Well, as long as I can remember. So, if there was any way that we could help him... trust me, I would be up there standing next to you. This, what you're talking about... is impossible.'
'More like suicide.' Jorge interjects. 'Hermana…' I smile gently and look at him.
'Maybe. But I know what I'm supposed to do now.' Thomas pulls a rifle onto his shoulder. I pull some guns of the floor and check them over. 'It's not just about Minho. It's about all of us. It's about everyone WICKED's ever taken, everyone they will take. They'll never stop. They'll never stop, so I'm gonna stop them.' I look over to Newt who has a small smile working its way onto his face. Oh, he is so in! 'I'm gonna kill Ava Paige.' I cock my guns in agreement.
'I have to admit... I'd like some revenge.' Harriet says standing. I grin at her, and she grins back before looking at Vince. He still doesn't look convinced. Walking over to him, I take his hand.
'What they've got, isn't a cure. They will always need more people. More people will be taken, more people will be killed trying to protect them. Just like Mary.' I can see this is working. 'If you don't do it for us, do it for her. Help us take down WICKED and I'll let you have Janson.' He looks up at me, determination shining in his eyes. He flicks his eyes to Thomas.
'Well, that's a good speech, kid. So, what's your plan?' I grin, and turn to Thomas. He nods looking around at us.
WICKED, you better be ready for us.
THAT'S IT. IT'S DONE. AHHHHHH!
I have enjoyed writing this fic so much. It has been my pet project for the last 2 years and I have all of you readers to thank for making it such an enjoyable experience. I have loved getting to know you all through reviews and replies and am very grateful for all the response I got. Every review would make me smile like crazy for the next few hours.
Spoonie: I KNOW! I KNOW! I KNOW! I was so excited when I was writing it. I wanted to drag it out further and further so that when it finally happened we would all celebrate like Queens! I had that scene in my head pretty much from the start of writing so actually fleshing it out was a very weird experience but i loved it. I think Newt and Kira as characters are very aware that there is other stuff that is the priority, and so push their relationship on the back-burner but at that moment they thought everything was good and calm so had it out, with a great ending! I'm super excited about my job, I go all the way down to Devon in the south of England tomorrow, for my training and then get posted to a camp still to be confirmed. Makes it all quite exciting if I do say so myself. Your phone sounds like its on its last legs. Hopefully it'll hold out long enough for you to sort out a new one! I just wanted to say thank you for your reviewing - it has made my day to see a review from you and pick up our conversation where we last left it. I hope to hear from you when i start updating again.
PandaBeaar77: Eek! I know. Me too! Thank you so much.
So that's it. Reviews answered. Chapters uploaded. Story temporarily finished. I will obviously start updating again when i see the new film, but until then my fabulous readers, followers and reviewers,
Have a good week.
Oh! By the way, if any of you like the Shadowhunters tv series and want to read a new fanfiction about that, I will be updating the first chapter of my new fic very soon.
Love you all,
Zoe xx
