Disclaimer: I don't own the Scorch Trials.

Chapter Twenty Five:

Heading once more outside I keep searching. After some time, I came across plenty of empty mason jars in box. Placing them to the side, I keep digging untill I noticed a unused carriage that once was pull by horse. It's wooden and large enough to fit a few people, but can't rely using a sail. Something has to push it manually. That's when it hits me, a bicycle could be attached and pedaled to pull it. And the wooden wheel seeming to belong to it are just a few feet away. They can be easily attached.

'Nyx I need you out here, quick I found a part of our transit.'

'On my way.'

With further digging I come across a ugly but large curtain that could be used to keep the sun out. With a few holes which can be added there be a generous amount of airflow. Soon after, I gather and bubdel the curtain and the wheel's tossing them inside the wagon. Luckily the jars would be used for water and food storage. It was coming together piece by piece. Unfortunately we had two halves of different vehicles.

It's a massive yard of discarded junk from times before the Solar Flares. What are we going to do? I'm seriously stressed out for once. Frustrated beyond belief. But then I remember we need this to work, so I force out any doubt.

Nyx alongside Leon ran over bringing spare muscle to drag everything inside. Soon the sun slowly set. Despite today being what is was, things seem to be back to normal. Which wasn't odd when you account we never plan on coming across Tesla. So it wasn't a massive shock that halted everyone's progress henceforth. I'm grateful it happen now, then later down the line.

Back inside Soc was hard at work at the forge. He must be burning from all that open heat. But he had five large steel poles inside the forge, tempering them out into deadly spears. They're not proper because we didn't had molds to form the correct shape. But rest assured the end result will be sharp and versatile. Soc commits to what he does.

He took to using the hammer and chisel to break and shape the steel. Curie had a large bucket full of water which he tossed the steel cool off. It'll take sometime, even I knew that. Soc did his best to make the edges as sharp as possible, it's was the best of what we had.

Sadly he wouldn't be able to grind them to a fine point. Still it was scary how methodical he is. I can't pathom what he used for bait for the rats were trying to catch.

Jane and Jacob came from around back with four dead rats. Each with it's neck snapped. Leon being the goof ball took one and chase after Curie who was scared of it. He went around the entire factory on her trail. I never saw her run so fast before. Her short legs kicking into overdrive.

"Cue it's just a dead rat it can't hurt you." He giggle gaining speed on her.

"Stop it Leon…" She screeches. "Seriously I will cut off a testicle in your sleep, if you don't stop."

Everyone was in a laughing fit at the scene. It was well needed to have a little fun. But I knew she wasn't bluffing. I hope Leon catches on. With the remainder, Jacob took a large stick and skewers the rats placing them above the forge to roast. He's cook with them before so we left him be.

Nyx and I focus on all the parts when Soc came up and started moving things in a operable order. He focus on each part not as individuals but one massive collective. Gears in a machine keeping it in motion. The wagon had two rows side by side of wooden planks. Three to a row with some leg room. Everyone minus a cooking Jacob, took a seat. Leon, Soc and Curie took to the right. Jane, Nyx and I took left. Although it was such enclosed space our feet did press on another but it works. There is a tiny bit of space in the back to store things.

"This can work, we attach the wheels back on, it can be pulled. Question is what can we use to pull the weight of the wagon and us? Either independently or manually we need something." Soc said analyzing the situation.

"A Bicycle with someone peddling could in theory." I mention.

"That wouldn't be enough to get us going fast. And we would need atlest two people doing it at a time. Unless we think out of the box!"

"We're going at it as if we back in the cowboy era. Because it's horse drive wagon. But there was a way that six of us could fit and one could take turns being the driven force. For back in twenty first century, urban areas would often have one man bike driven carriage. It was to reduce emissions pollution. It was a car alternative." I stated as I once read up this in my studies. I was affixed with the old world flawed as it was.

"I like the idea, but how do we get rid of the bulky weight?" Curie said.

"Take apart the the wagon turn it into a carriage. If we can forge weapon's, fix electrical circuits, make do with the bare minimal, purify water, have a vast sea of old world knowledge and have the will to put a plan to motion. If that does work we improvise and adapt."

"You sure know how to rally a cause, Ross." Nyx said rather confident about this plan.

"Thanks, my best friend told me that before." I smile thinking back to the night before the escape of the Maze.

"Alright enough brainstorming, dinners ready." Jacob says calling us over to broken plywood meant to be a table, which we brought from the back area.

"Oh wait I nearly forgot I found something upstairs." Curie mentions as she goes up there and swiftly return with plates. Actual clean plates and silverware, now that's odd for out here.

"Glad you found that. Otherwise this would of been difficult to divide food evenly." Jacob mentions. "Oh I found a can of baked beans which I heated up, so this should hold us."

We all gather together at the would be table, sitting at all ends, legs crossed on the ground. A meal between a group of friends. No this was more, felt more. Together we are a family. It's our first official cooked meal even if was rat and beans. I shortly subcome to a tinge of nostalgia. It was like one of those fancy holidays get-togethers. It brought a tear to my eye. It's been so long since I've eaten in a large group.

"I'm not to happy about eating rat but c'mon don't cry about it." Leon said laughing.

"It's not that. It's just like something I remember, people in a group. A family gathering for a festive meal."

"How come, there's nothing to celebrate." Soc said rather unable to not think about earlier.

"I know!" Curie shouted. "Since I've been keeping count of the days since I hacked the terminal back when WICKED brought us in. If I'm right it is August 14. You guys are my family so I say we mark this the date an anniversary, when we became a family, whaddya say?"

"It's perfect!" We all blurt at the same time then laugh.

"Good now can I serve this meal?" Jacob said with a humorous smile.

Jacob took the rats, removing the skewer holding them together, then proceeds to remove the bones with a stake knife with ease. He soon cuts the meat into pieces giving everyone a equal portions. Follow by the baked beans. The end result look like chicken. We all ate our meal thanking the chief for stomaching and putting it together. It wasn't long before everyone wanted me to talk about things I've learned about.

Everyone one wanted to hear a story of the old world. I was the only one with knowledge and memory of something I never lived in. It's ironic I call about these ideals and memories but nothing about who I was really before the wipes. I told them about what Thanksgiving was about. Even went into detail too. They ate it up better then the food. By the time I was done, I was thirsty but not desperate to tempt it.

Jane took the plates upstairs to the sink and guides Jacob to the shower. He needed to clean off the smudges of blood. Nobody even questions it. I had a the most puzzled look on my face.

'I know what your thinking. I'm not upset or sore about their being together upstairs. They were a couple before the Drone happen so who better to help him get cleaned. That period of time is over it only mutual.'

'You sure are mature. It's one of the reasons I respect you.'

'Thanks. Beside we keep constant contact in our heads. That's what's special about our bond.'

'Ah. I could say I have that with someone but her heart belongs to another.'

'If you and Teresa are meant to be it'll happen naturally.'

'If only…'

I walked off nodding not wanting to think about our last encounter. I take off the sheets and enjoy the freedom of my clothing. I just head back outside to search some more alone in the dwindling sunset. This time I go further out in the yard. Coming across more piles of junk and scrap. Twelve dead Cranks litter the ground leading to the rather hefty patch of stuff. There a Crank head off its body. I pick it in my hand walking onward. That could be very well us soon, if everything goes awry. I shudder at the thought then instantly think of something else.

I cautiously lift the face up to mine, slowly moving it's mouth. "To be or not to be? That is the question." I saying mimicking a ventriloquist. Then I drop the head as something gathers my attention, in a nearby pile. A rusty brown bike. It needs work but it could be the answer. I lift it up without thinking, a wave of junk flows out almost overtaking me. From the rubble was more bike's. Quickly I grab two and run back with them in my arms calling out loud for the others to help.

Nearly everyone comes out snatching wheels and chains. Frames and spare pedals to different bike's. As a huge collective we drag them inside and celebrate as it appears our luck has turned around. I just hope it lasts, even if it doesn't nobody's going to quit. For now, it's time to seriously get work our butts off. Everyone braced to work endlessly till something of use is created. Tonight we turn a crushing defeat into a victory.

A/N: Thanks to all have been reading up till now. The next couple of chapters are going to be short but it means I'll be able to edit them faster and get them out. Story Wise, I'm writing and fleshing out the finale. I still owe an explanation on how things are going to mesh. Trust me, I'll get that out later down the line. Till next time.