Chapter Fourteen:
Carefully I followed her down the street tailing her like a shadow on the walls. Blending in wasn't as difficult liked imagine. People shuffling to their homes, fear of the Flare didn't make me seem suspicious. Which was the desired effect. Her long brown hair was all the obvious, I just had to keep a keen eye on her staying three rows of people behind.
We crossed a few blocks still on track. I knew the meet up spot was about roughly six block's away. It's surprising going well, as well as kidnapping can go. Eventual I cross the adjacent street as I know she'd be following the path to Thomas. I sprint ahead keeping a my eyes on her light brown coat, as I cross over and meetup with Thomas.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Ready!" He responded as we stood to face her coming down the same block she had been on. Eventually Thomas and I step up and after her gaze left a loud commotion, our eyes locked with hers. Just as a bus went zipping by, we headed back to our rendezvous. She was likely to chase after us. Both Thomas and I kept up a steady pace. Soon we was under the atrium where parking lot extended over a long measure of blocks.
"Thomas? Ross?" She called out. Thomas turn back to face her but we kept our brisk pace as the clicking of her shoes got faster. She started to run after us. But turning the corner, we had the trap ready.
Inside a dim light corridor we branch off keeping out of sight. I hid and so did he. When she arrived,Teresa spun around confused nobody was around. Thomas finally appeared from the right and threw off his hood.
"Thomas?" She asked.
"Hey Teresa." He said showing little to no emotions.
I emerged from the left with my hood off. "It didn't have to be like this Teresa."
"You two shouldn't be here. If Janson finds out your here."
"We're not staying." Thomas replied. "It's just uh, I had to see you.. Had to ask you something. Do you regret it, what you did to us?" Thomas asked her sounding more hurt now then these past months.
"Of course she doesn't!" I spoke up stepping towards her. Her face swelling with unreadable emotions. "You were are friend Teresa. We trusted you, and here you are working for the people who put us thorough hell.
"Sometimes I do. But I did what I thought was right." There was break of silence between the three of us. I felt like a fool thinking in the back of my mind she really didn't have a choice in the matter. But what she said next really drove the nail into our heads. "And I'd do it again!" Her resolve unfailing.
"Good…" Thomas said as Gally came from behind and bagged her head.
"Good going, now let's get the hell out of here." I replied.
As we returned, Gally lead us to a abandon church where the other's awaited our return. This way we wouldn't be disturbed during our integration. Standing a few feet away from Thomas. Gally sat her down and forcefully withdrew the bag over her head.
Teresa eyes lit up in disbelief before spitting out a single word,"Gally?"
"Here is how this is gonna go. We're gonna ask you some questions, and you're gonna tell us exactly what we need to know." Gally said looking at looked around to the group. Then her eyes fell on Gally. "We'll start off simple. Where's Minho?" Gally demanded.
"You guys don't seriously think…" Teresa started looking to Thomas.
Almost like instinct, Gally moved a chair and sat in front of her.
"Don't look him. Why are you looking at him? Look at me." Gally said, "He is not gonna help you."
"I'm not gonna help you!" I retorted as her eyes fell to me next, as I took my chair next to Gally.
"Now we know you have Minho in the building, where?" Gally said pressing her for answers.
"He's with the others in holding." Teresa explained, "Sublevel Three."
"How many others?" Newt asked.
"Twenty-Eight." Teresa voice echos out reluctantly.
"Where are my other friends?" I asked her forcefully.
"They are included in the Twenty-Eight." Gally gave Brenda a glare.
Brenda had been at a table playing with a deck of card's by candle light sitting across from, Jorge. "I can make that work." She said assured.
"No. No, you guys don't understand. The whole level's restricted. You can't get in without a thumbprint ID. " Teresa stated.
"That's why you're gonna come with us." Thomas stated.
"Well, I don't know." Gally added, "We don't necessarily need her. Right?"
Gally got up and went to the table, "Not all of her. We just need her finger." He said picking up knife.
"Gally, back off." Thomas stated.
"What are you squeamish?" Gally asked.
"Thomas she's the enemy, like it or not." I said agreeing to Gally barbarism.
"I guarantee you she's done worse to Minho." Gally said inching closer to her.
"That is not the plan. Back off, Gally." Thomas said standing up and walking to Gally, taking the knife from his grasp.
"It won't make a difference. Do whatever you want to me. You still won't get through the front door. Sensors will pick you up the…" Teresa started.
Before I know what came over me, I bolted at her from my seat. A moment later her neck was in the palm of my hand as I lifted her up. I felt her trembling heart beats to the her windpipe reverberating as she chocked in my grip. "Enough of the arrogant demeanor. All you've done was act all high and mighty, talking down to the people from above." I groaned in a terrifying fashion to her pale face.
Everyone scuttled to their feet and did what they could to break her free. People yelled, some trying prying her lose. Someone tried breaking a bottle over my head. Yet with a final hard tug I crushed her windpipe and let her crumbled body slip from my grip.
I. I killed her, when the rage subsided, I knew I blew our chances. To be swayed by swelling anger, I figured I gotten over that. I've done my hardest not to act on impulse. But this night, I fell to my feral animal urges. How could I had?
But that's not what really happened. I blinked and when my eyes open, well it was just a played out scenario in my mind. Anger blinded my better judgement, yet terrifying I was allowed to view a had been still alive. I was still in my chair. I couldn't say what brought about this episode, but I'm relieved.
"You still won't get through the front door. Sensors will pick you up the…" Teresa continued.
"We know. We're tagged." Thomas finished. "Property of WICKED." Thomas said walking over to her with scalpel in hand, bending down next to her. "Your going to help us with that too." Thomas said handing her it.
"Wait, I'll go first." I stated. "If I were to die, well then, Thomas still has a shot at saving Minho." I made clear as I wiggle out of my hoodie and heavy t-shirt. Left only with my under shirt in the chilly church. I knew already this wasn't going to be a pleasant experience.