Chapter Thirty Eight:

Things got stiff and tighter as we went around a bend or two through a canyon like area with very steep foot holds leading up hill and back down The next part was going through a dust ridden valley.

I could fill my legs stiffining up as my feet hurt and ache. Nyx was just as bad as I was. The two of us crossed through the range into the unknown. To my surprise, everything seems the same as the dim light did poorly to show the way, but Aris never got out of view.

"Some walk he's taken." Whispers Nyx.

"Yeah why go so far alone? He's up to something, maybe he's another patsy for WICKED?" I whisper back.

"You think?"

"Yeah, but who could he be meeting out here? He doesn't need the Cure so why go out this far."

"Doesn't matter, once we get where he's going if by force were getting answers. If he poses a threat we take him and whoever he's meeting, out." Nyx said firmly in a hush whisper.

We started off, heading down the switchback-laden path, the loose soil and rock crunching underfoot. Nyx couldn't help but take a look behind him, searching the mountain face and the narrow entrance to the Pass for signs of unwanted company. I was so confused about everything, but still had a strange urge to see where he was headed. I gazed across the dark slopes, but saw only dim shadows and reflections of the moonlight's glow.

We turned and started walking, almost relieved we hadn't spotted Group B. The walk was getting harder and the gap between us and him was closing in. The element of surprise is our best chance, so we stay back shortly. Just enough to widen our gap.

Once more things got steeper as we made our way down the mountain, crisscrossing back and forth on the trail in silence. Nyx lingered in the back again. I was surprised at how blank my mind felt. How numb. I had absolutely no idea where Thomas where, no idea what dangers might be waiting for him.

After an hour or so of traveling, our legs started to burn from the awkward downhill walk, soon all of us came across a pocket of dead trees that arrowed up the mountain in a big swath. It almost looked as if at one time a waterfall might have been. Around was formation of trees. Though if it had, the last drop had long since surrendered to the Scorch.

I've never felt so homesick for the comfort of the Glade. Sure it had it's share of problems, but it hold a certain charm that the Scorch lacks. And that was life.

The trees might have been dead, but their branches still pulled on our clothes and scratched at the skin. The wood shone white in the moonlight, and the streaks and pools of shadows across the ground gave the whole place a haunted feel. Aris was now out of sight. But pairs of foot steps more then one lead upward the mountain.

"Look." Nyx whisper beside me. "There likey three people up there."

"It appears so, but we've dealt with greater odds." I smirk.

"Let's not attack until we have a grasp of the situation." Warned Nyx.

So once more we make our move this time crouching our way up. The more we did the more voices got apperent but no people.

"Say hi, Aris," a voice said.

"Hi, Tommy," another voice said rather sinster "Such a thrill to be with you again."

I was ready to sprint when Nyx pulled me by the shirt collar. "Don't, as much as you want, you'll endanger him more!" Nyx whisper behind me.

"They have Thomas, Nyx! I can't sit idle." I nearly shouted.

"If Soc was here he'd punch you, we need to assess before we strike. Their armed that's for certain."

Kicking a spot of dirt I let the anger and anxiousn knot's in my stomach simmer. I stare at Nyx before beginning again.

"Where are we going?" Thomas asked in confusion as it echos into the night.

"You'll find out soon enough."

The two of us hurried to follow before they got the satisfaction of harming him. The trees got thicker and closer together, and the moonlight flitted away. Darkness pressed in on us as we no longer heard the voices.

We reached a cave, the thick copse of trees serving as a tight wall at its entrance. I didn't have any warning―one minute we were picking our way through prickly branches, the next we were in a tall, narrow hole in the side of the mountain.

The two of us crept in by the entrance. There was sounds of fighting, but still we proceeded slowly against our urge. When things seem to get quiet. I heard a muffle voice, femanine for sure. Teresa!

"Just do it!" Thomas spoke broken and dejected.

"Tom," she said. "If it helps, I'm really sorry I hurt you. I did what I had to do back in the Maze, and being all buddy-buddy seemed like my best shot at escape. When we arrive back with WICKED they returned my memories. For that I had to pay a heavy cost. They aren't giving us much choice here in the Scorch. All I had to do was get you here to pass and we'd be welcome back as heroes. But plans often don't pan. Our escape was a wrench in the plan, for your definece Ross is out here suffering in a Trial."

"What?" Thomas said unasure of anything.

"He's alive, always has but because of us Phase Two had be put upon him. Either way the Trial played out, this place would still be your grave, don't you get it?" She confessed.

"I don't understand, there no need for us to be here."

"I couldn't lose him, they swore they'd kill Aris. So it's you or us." Teresa said rather flatly

"What's so special about Aris!" Thomas rose his voice although we couldn't see them we haven't full made our way inside.

Teresa paused for a second, "Aris is my best friend, Tom," she said calmly, evenly.

"Tommy it's just bad business, you understand. But don't worry, Ross and the others are safe and sound together a few miles back. You cooperate, I swear I'll spare them all." Aris said knowing that we would be a issue to his plan so it was the best way for Thomas to go along.

"Do it for us, if not do it for them." Teresa said coercing in monotone.

"She's resolved to this, make it easy on yourself. You gotta let it go, I know what's she truly capable of!" Aris said.

This was utter bullshit I wanted to jump in but they didn't make a move against him yet, but still I moved in closer as sickly green dim light lit up the cave.

"I get it I used everyone, especially you Tom. It wasn't accidental that I got lost from the group. But... The other part had to come to fruition. Meeting up with Group B as we all ran from Jorge place. I knew dispite our initial eacpae, Group B was already in motion. WICKED just happened to force your best friend along. Despite that I love Aris. Haven't I made that apperent Tom, haven't I? She pleas

And that was what finally made Thomas crack. "I ... don't ... care!" he screamed, though nothing could've been further from the truth. I knew how much he cared for her, how much I cared for her. Her voice her actions burn inside my stomach making me disgusted.

"I'm just saying. If you care about me, then you should understand why I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to make it through this and keep him safe. Wouldn't you have done the same for me?"

I couldn't believe how far away I felt from the girl I once thought I had been in love with. Even in all of my memories―it was always the three of us.

"What is this? Are you trying to come up with all the ways possible in the universe to hurt me? Just shut your shuck mouth and do whatever it is you brought me here to do!

"Fine," she replied. "Aris, let's open the door. Time for Tom to go."

Nyx and I got a chill as something over came us. Jacob was standingbehind us with a slience that was inhuman.

"How'd, you?" I shake to ask.

"I was awake when I saw you two follow that weird kid." Jacob leans in and whisper.

"I'm glad you're here but, what about the others?"

"I set off my transmitter just a moment ago they should be receiving the ping. Right now we get Thomas, how we do this is up to Ross.

"I will comfort Teresa and Aris. You two are on standby but you'll keep close, I want them to think it's a unfair fight, when they get cocky swop on in."

"Alright then, lead the way!" Nyx said ready to move forward.

We was still a distance away but the voices got clear as the guys follows behind. "This is it. Thomas, be a good boy and go on inside. Who knows, maybe this is all a big test and once you're in they'll let ya go and we can all have a happy reunion."

"Shut up, Aris," Teresa said. It was actually the first thing she'd said in quite some time that didn't make what to kill her. "Let's get this over with."

"Come on. Don't make me drag you in." Insists Aris.

The shadows on the walls were large but still further off. I wasn't moving fast enough, I was just hoping I'd reach them before something bad happens.

How far deep is this cave? I felt fear and disgust but I couldn't reach them as fast as I push myself. Another step. How much further? But the distance elapsed into a multitude of pathways. Still not close enough. If it wasn't for the light I'd would of made the wrong turn. Don't do anything reckless Thomas, I say to myself sweat drips and drips as the cave grew warmer.

"Aris, what did Rachel look like as she bled to death?" It was a gamble, a pitch to throw them off, but I wasn't there just yet. He signed his own death warrant.

There was slience for a second or two. Then a loud clattering.

The click of metal against rock rang out, a fight had broke out. Thomas isn't the type to go quiet.

But then I heard Teresa scream, then shout."Get in the room, Thomas," she said through heavy breaths. "Get in the room or I'll hit you again. I swear I'll keep doing it till you pass out or bleed to death."

"You're going in that room," Aris cried out. "Help me, Teresa!"

I couldn't stand to hear everything, my head spun and spun it was as if rocks tossed and rolled in my shuck brain. I force onward Thomas was injured that's for sure.

"Don't do this," he whispered, giving in to desperation. Every word sent a surge of panic across my nerves. "Please ..." All I could see was flashes of red, pure hatred. I want to rip their spine's out. I had been plunge into rage.

"Stay strong." Nyx said as my body language was tense and distraught.

"I going to kill them!" I shouted through Jacob hand who covered my mouth.

"I know, but don't give away the element of surprise." Jacob said letting me loose.

"Fine but we need to hurry!"

"No," Thomas pled, but it was merely a whisper. The image of the three of us flares in my head. The Map room where we planned and solved the riddle behind the Maze. The Grievers and fighting them off, a ideal trio of friends now tranished.

"No," Thomas had repeated; it was so quiet he couldn't imagine they heard him.

"You're so stubborn," Teresa spoke again. "You had to make it harder on yourself! Harder on all of us!"

"Teresa," Thomas whispered.

'Teresa,' a voice popped in my head, it was Thomas. Our connection was back momentarily.

'Thomas. I'm coming,' I called out in tears but there was no response.

I'm sorry, Tom,' she answered back, in his mind as well as mine. 'But thanks for being our sacrifice.'

I was so close I felt it in my gut but there had been a few more turns and twist. It grew quiet before a loud slamming noise echoed off the walls. It made the three of us stop dead in our tracks. But I was back at it a second later or so.

Making one more quick turn, the traitor's are in line of sight. They're before us was a small slope that lead to the pair. Which Jacob and Nyx stood behind on as I ready myself.

It was now or never, so I slid down the slope and walked casually towards them, till I was arms lenghr of them. My eyes breeding hate for the duo.

Ross!" The two gasp aloud.

"Yo!" I smirk before readying to draw my weapon, unbeknownst to them.

This will end in blood, and I was more then happy to shed it… Whatever their reasoning, how dare they harm Thomas. It was unforgettable his cries for help. Utterly unforgivable for what they done to him.