I wrote all of this on my phone, so tell me if you see any grammar mistakes.
I sit in the floor of the helicopter, wrapped in Newt's warm embrace. He won't let go of me, and I don't try to move. It's as if this hole inside of me has been filled, but only partially. Even now as he mumbles sweet nothings in my ear, his status as not immune plagues my mind.
My head is resting on his chest, and I'm glad he's here to hold me up. I feel as though my skull is full of bricks. My stomach is doing flips, and despite the heat of the Scorch, I shiver. It's probably from where I haven't eaten.
" Are you alright love? " Newt asks over the helicopters loud blades, and I smile. Oh how I longed to hear him call me that.
" I just haven't eaten in a couple of days. " I mumble. I look up from the metal floor, and at all of the other people in here. I'm surprised by how little there are. Sonya watches me with pity, no doubt remembering our brief friendship.. Frypan looks like he's about to burst with happiness, and Winston eyes me with suspicion. But it's Minho that surprises me the most. He simply stares at the ground, a distant look clouding his eyes.
Weariness overtakes me, and I let my eyes drift shut, Minho being the last thing I see.
…..
" Get up. We have to go! " Minho says, shaking my shoulders. He jumps out of the helicopter and sprints across the sand.
Newt wakes up, still feeling groggy. He stands, and offers his hand down to me. I smile and take it, my heart fluttering in my chest. I try to stand, but my legs won't move. My smile drops, and worry flickers across Newt's face. Panic flares in my stomach, hot and searing.
" I can't move my legs. " I shout over the thundering helicopter. A screech is heard in the distance, and a guard jerks Newt away from me.
" Move your ass! " The guard shouts at me.
" I can't move my legs! " I don't feel anything. He groans like a kid being forced to eat his vegetables. He grabs me and carries me to the structure. It looks too similar to WICKED. Not only that, but Janson saved me earlier. This isn't safety—it's a trap.
Another screech sounds throughout the sand dunes, and my blood runs cold. It's inhuman. I've never heard anything like that. Gunshots resonate across the sand, and I hear bodies landing with thuds. If this is the Scorch, then those have to be Cranks. Even the ones in the cage never screamed like that.
The man carries me into the facility and the door shuts, echoing through out the room. It's empty except for the table in the middle, and the guards that line the walls. Food is piled high on the table, but I can't think about eating it. The thought makes my stomach churn.
" Lo? " Newt questions. He walks up to the man holding me. " I've got it from here. "
I'm passed from the strangers arms and into Newt's. A couple of his fingers touch the bare skin on my back as the hem of my shirt slides up. It feels like electricity is humming through my body when he touches me.
" Are you okay? "
" No. " I answer truthfully. I can't move my damn legs and I still have to save Newt from the Scorch, and Cranks.
His mouth opens to ask another question, but Janson's voice stops him.
" Welcome! " He says loudly, opening his arms as if to embrace us. " We are people who save people like you from WICKED. You are safe. "
I want to slap the fake smile right off of his face.
" Would all of the girls care to follow me? " He says, " I need to show you to your rooms. "
Other girls from group B walk forward, but I wouldn't even if I could feel my legs.
" I'm not leaving my friends. " I say, then I catch sight of Teresa. My breath catches, and I remember how I betrayed her. I lied to her. I broke her brother.
Janson's jaw ticks, but he replies in a steady voice. " Fair enough. " He looks at us, a fake warmth in his eyes. " I'll be back for you later. Help yourselves to the food. "
The Familiars move towards the table, and Newt does too. I hear his stomach growl, and I let out a small laugh.
" Just set me in one of the chairs. " I say, looking up at his face. His eyes dart down to me, and a smile spreads across his face. He carefully sets me in one of the chairs and sits next to me. He grabs an apple and bites into it.
He looks at me with such compassion, it makes my heart want to explode. He truly looks happy. When he smiles it makes his eyes shine. It's like he's a completely different boy from the one I watched through the beetle blades. He thought I was dead, and he cried for me. He was broken down, because of me. I never want to see him like that again.
" I'm sorry. " I tell Newt, ignoring the Familiars chatter.
" For what? "
" I'm sorry for how I made you feel. I'm sorry for being so close, yet not doing anything. I'm sorry I couldn't help you get out of the Maze. I'm sorry I stood by and watched idly as you guys struggled. I'm so sorry you thought I was dead. I, I " I pause, trying to get air into my lungs. It's like it's been sucked out of my body. " I'm sorry about Alby. Ben. Chuck. I'm so sorry. "
I realize that as I have been talking the Familiars stopped their talking and started to listen to me. I feel a tear roll down my face and I wipe it away, feeling ridiculous for crying. Is that all I can do?
" It's okay Lo. We don't know what you went through. " Frypan says before biting into a piece of chicken.
" By the looks of it, it was much worse than what happened to us. " Thomas adds. He doesn't even know me anymore, I think with bitter remorse.
" What exactly happened at WICKED? I saw the bodies in the floor. Were there any survivors? " I ask, my mind going over the people I almost liked. Newt's face takes on a dark look, and my stomach drops.
" There were no survivors. " Minho says, uttering the first word since I've seen him.
No survivors. It rings around in my mind, and I shake my head. I don't believe it. My brother and my mom are fine. They have to be. Lee is fine. They're alive and rebuilding WICKED as we speak.
" No. " I mumble. " It can't be true. "
" I'm sorry Lo. " Newt says, and the happiness I was feeling earlier evaporates, being replaced by the bitter coldness of loss. I feel my eyes water up, and I press my hands to them. I can't ruin the Familiars mood. They were happy, laughing and feeling safe. They deserve that.
" It's okay. " I bring my hands away from my face, and shove my emotions into a bottle. " How's the food? " I try to lighten the mood.
" It's really good. You should try some. " Thomas says before biting into pizza. Some grease from the food rolls down his chin, and I roll my eyes.
The food in front of me does look good. Better than anything we ever had at WICKED. I gingerly reach out and grab an apple, knowing that I have to eat. The white lights in the room make it's red peel shine. I take a small bite, and the juiciness of it takes me by surprise. It's sweet, crisp flavor spreads across my tongue. You'd think, that out in the middle of the Scorch, the food would be dry and bland. Not juicy and flavorful.
" So Lo. " Frypan asks. " What exactly happened to you? "
" It's a long story. " I say, trying to dismiss the subject. But they press on, curious as to how I vanished into thin air.
" It seems as though we have the time. " Winston says.
I take a deep breath, and launch myself into the memory of the day I disappeared.
" I remember everything going black. Then I felt someone put a cloth to my mouth and nose. I screamed, but no one could hear me. I blacked out, and woke up with my foot healed and inside WICKED headquarters. " I make it short and sweet. To the point. They don't have to know everything else.
" What about your memories? "
" I have some of them back. "
" What the hell happened to make them torture you? " Minho asks, picking at his food from the end of the table. I take a bite of my apple before answering.
" I was trying to help you guys. " I say with a shrug. " I knew WICKED wasn't safe. "
The Familiars' jaws go slack at my revelation. It's quite disgusting. They all had food in their mouths.
" That's enough chatter! If you would follow me. " Janson says, popping into the room. Everyone stands, and Newt picks me up. Janson leads us through a small hallway. It's the same white and gray color as WICKED. Are they even trying to trick us? They could be at least more convincing.
Doors begin to line the hall, and Janson comes to a stop. The doors are glass like they were in WICKED. No doubt the Familiars are getting their suspicions. I would've questioned them when they shot my family. Not only that, but Janson just looks evil all the time. You can't trust him.
" Here are your rooms. Food will always be on the table in the main room, so if you're ever hungry just go there. " Janson smiles.
" Where's Teresa? " Thomas asks, and I think of their relationship before the Maze. Have the rekindled that old flame?
" You will see each other for breakfast tomorrow. " Janson looks right at me, a smirk playing at his lips. " She needs to go to the doctor. "
" Let's go then. " Newt says, clutching me closer to his chest. Janson lets out a small a small laugh.
" I trust the rest of you can get situated. " Janson walks past us, and back toward the main room. " Newt, Louisa. Follow me. "
I know Newt never told him his name. If WICKED is trying to make them think they are safe, then they really are doing a horrible job.
Newt follows Janson, and I curse myself for my uselessness. Last time I was with the Familiars, I had problems walking. This time, I can't even take a single step. I don't even know why I can't move my legs. Is it really because of lack of nutrition? Because I've been through that before and it feels nothing like this.
" Are you okay Lo? " Newt whispers in my ear. I nod my head yes, and lean it against his shoulder as Janson opens a door. My eyelids suddenly feel too heavy, my limbs too weak. My stomach lurches, and my head pounds. I can hear Newt's voice talking to me, asking if I'm okay, but it sounds too loud. I groan, clutching my ears with my hands and squeezing my eyes shut.
I loose grip on reality as I fade into another memory.
….
WICKED headquarters rests behind me. I trudge through the sand, tears running down my face. My whole life is falling apart around me. WICKED is a lie. The effort I thought I was helping is pointless. There is no cure. I've done the math. I may not be a scientist, but I was trained to be smart in every aspect.
The Flare is unstoppable.
Civilizations shall fall to it, one by one, until the world becomes an apocalyptic wasteland. Humans are doomed. Immunes are simply genetic mutations. Who knows? Maybe the Flare lays dormant in us all, just waiting for that one thing that ticks it off.
" Louisa! " My brother shouts, from the doors of WICKED.
I ignore him, and climb to the top of the sand dune. My breath catches when I see what lays past it. A ruined city, yet it's bustling with people. I narrow my eyes at the people. They seem to stagger around with no sense of direction. And their skin! It's tinged pink, like they are all sunburned.
" Louisa. " 15 year old Noah huffs, now beside me. He pays no attention to the community of Cranks that live not a mile from WICKED. We could easily be over taken by them.
" You can't just run off like that. " He grabs my shoulders, making me turn and face him, but my eyes stay glued on the civilization. Wouldn't the best thing be to put them out of their misery? One day they'll all be past the Gone, completely thoughtless and rotting.
" Louisa! " He shakes my shoulders in an attempt to get my attention. I let my eyes slowly drift over to his. A glare coming off of his glasses from the bright sun makes my eyes hurt.
" We're all going to die. " I mumble. His eyes widen, but he simply grips my shoulders harder.
" Humanity hasn't fallen yet. As long as we're still alive, we're going to fight. " Noah says, and I shake my head, mumbling again about how the world is ending. " Look, I know I'm a pretty shit brother, but as long as I'm alive, I'll make sure there's a cure. I'll make sure Newt and every other none immune gets it. "
He pulls me into a hug, and my tears start to dry.
" We will survive. " He mumbles into my hair.
...
I wake up and burst into a fit of sobs. I'm aware of the soft bed I'm laying on, and the antiseptic smell of the white room, but none of it matters. All that matters is what I just remembered.
" as long as I'm alive... "
He's not. My brother is dead. He may have locked me up and kept me from seeing the Familiars, but I know it was for the cure. He was trying to save everybody. He was trying to save Newt.
I had made the resolve to get my mom and my brother out, but I'm too late. I'm always too late. WICKED killed them. They were the two people I thought were safe for the moment, but no. No one is safe from WICKED's wrath. I should've assumed that. If I had, maybe they would be alive. If only I had done something, anything!
My whole body is shaking. I, I lost my family. There's an actual pain in my chest that throbs with each constricted breath. One touch, and the precariously built tower will fall and crumble to the ground.
" It'll be okay Lo. " Newt says, reaching a hand out and pushing my greasy hair away from my face. I look at him, my eyes watering, lip trembling. I expect to see pity in his chocolatey brown eyes, yet I see none. All I see is sorrow, like he feels my pain. I think about Alby, and how close they were. Newt lost his friends. I lost my family. I can't shut him out. I need him to get through this. He can be the one that pulls me through the saddness and depression and back into a world of light.
" They, " I try to say, but the tightness of my throat makes the words come out like useless garble. I make an effort to compose myself, and try again. " They're dead. " My voice breaks.
" We can get through this Louisa. I'm here for you. " He grabs my hand, and gives it a reassuring squeeze, but it doesn't stop the downpour of grief from attempting to drown me.
I glance around at the room I'm in, fully noticing that I'm in a hospital. There's a machine hooked to me, measuring my steady heartbeat. A tube is hooked in my arm, putting some type of clear liquid into my body. Newt sits on my right, grasping my hand in his.
" Do you know why I can't stand? " I ask just as the door opens. Janson comes strolling in, a smile plastered on his ugly face. Funny, when he smiles, his nose looks even more crooked.
" I see you're awake. " he says while sitting in a chair. I prepare myself for whatever conversation we're about to have. Anything could have a double meaning. " You were poisoned. By WICKED. "
Poison. That would explain why the knives burned like fire when they touched my skin. No ordinary blade inflicts so much pain.
" It was a paralyzing poison, designed to keep you in place. "
My heart speeds up, and the beeping on the monitor becomes more frequent. Ratman seems to pick up on the scared gesture, and attempts to reassure me.
" Don't worry. It will be out of your system in a couple of days. "
A sigh of relief escapes me. I'm not permanently paralyzed. Some of the tension in Newt's shoulders seems to dissipate.
" Until then, you will remain here. " Janson says, crossing his hands into his lap. " You should preserve your energy. Don't waste it on silly thoughts. "
He doesn't want me plotting an escape. Too bad. I'm already doing it.
" Can I stay here? " Newt asks, and Janson's eyes dart between the two of us.
" There is only one bed. "
This time, I reply with a steady voice.
" That won't be a problem. " I grin weakly, and Janson simply rolls his eyes.
" Very well. If you need anything press that button. " He points to a button that I can't reach unless I get up and walk. It's practically useless to me.
Janson stands and leaves, shutting the door behind him.
I look back at Newt to see him staring at me. His eyes pour into mine; it's as if he's trying to show me something. Questions linger in his eyes, but they never pass his lips. His hand moves to rest on my cheek, and I lean into the warmth of it. He starts to move closer, slowly as if I would flinch away. We're so close, sharing the same breath. I can see every detail in his eyes. They aren't a solid brown like I previously thought. Flecks of gold surround his pupil, almost not visible. Then his eyes close and he kisses me.
Electricity. Sparks. Fireworks. Those are the only words that can describe this. The world around us melts away, and I can think of nothing but him. The way his lips move against mine, making me feel like everything can be ok. But he pulls away too soon for my liking.
Newt's eyes slowly open, as if he's trying to hold on to a piece of bliss. They lock onto mine and the emotion behind them takes me by surprise.
" I'm in love with you Louisa. " He says, and it sends my heart soaring. A smile so wide spreads across my face I fear my cheeks will cramp up. He's said it before, but never like that.
" I love you too. " I say, and a smile stretches across his own face.
And then he kisses me again.
GUYSSS LEWT! XD So, how did I do? I hope I did this right.
NorangeKat722 ~ I saw that winky face. ;)
Swagmaster5000 ~ Don't die pls
fiercetiger333 ~ It's crucial to the plot. Also... LEWT
GabbyKeyes9 ~ I hope you get whatever you were writing back.
LostInMiddleEarth ~ I'm glad my writing keeps improving. Maybe one day I'll get a decent story up here.
Thank you all for your reviews!
I hope you have a good day, night, evening, morning, I'm going to go eat something.