SURPRISE

HEY HI HELLO

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I don't know how Minho and I got into this position. One second were running and the next he's pulling me into a closet he saw. It's small and cramped—I don't even know if you could call it a closet. I'm just aware that I'm flush against Minho, his chest on my back. This is just for survival. Just for survival. His arms lift and wrap around the top of my chest. Great. Now he can probably feel how fast my heart is beating.

" Sorry, " He whispers into my ear, " It's more comfortable this way. "

I nod my head to show that I heard him but my mind is in a completely different place. For some reason, even though my life is in danger and there's a crazed Crank lady chasing us, I can only wonder if Newt is okay. Did he get out of the building okay?

Minho is too close. I know I said I loved him, but do I really? I should feel differently about this situation if I did. I should be breathless considering how his arms are wrapped around me, but all I feel is annoyance. Distance, Minho. He's too close. It's suffocating. Everything is suffocating.

But I can't move because of the Crank hunting us down.

My leg is quivering. All I want to do is collapse to my knees to give my legs a break, but there isn't enough room. This musty place wouldn't allow it as long as Minho's in here pushed up against me like he—

Why am I so dizzy?

I bring my hand up and clench Minho's arm, trying to stop the walls from moving.

" Minho… " The word comes out quiet, " I don't feel so good. "

" Keep it together, Louisa. " He says, " We just have to wait a little longer. "

He's right. The Cranks' screams are fading. But, I'm so tired.

Minho's shaking me. He's whispering in my ear as loud as he dares, but the words don't register in my mind. A thick haze has settled over everything making it impossible to decipher what's going on. My eyelids feel heavy and my knees feel like bags of water, unable to withstand my body weight any longer.

When sleep comes drifting towards me, lazy and taunting, I fall into it's warm embrace.

…..

At first, there was darkness. Cold and heavy, weighing down on my shoulders and keeping me from standing. A shiver worms it's way down my spine and I push against the force, hearing voices call out my name, pleading, begging. They're full of pain and longing and sadness. They echo in my mind, sapping the strength from my bones and I fall to the ground again.

A feeling of uselessness overtakes me and I stop struggling against whatever is pushing me down. This is what I should do. Lay down and let whatever happens happen. Why did I ever try to go against WICKED in the first place? I'm hopeless and dying. They're a strong facility with hundreds of people working for them.

The odds have been stacked against me. I was doomed to fail from the start.

" Useless wench. " I hear my mom say. My shoulders shake as I sob. " I should've let you die when you got sick. "

Even my mom agrees.

I should just die.

Stop fighting the infection and let death take me. Anything would be better than watching the people I love suffer. What even happens after death? Do heaven and hell exist? Is it just going to be this insufferable darkness for eternity?

I'm tired.

Not in the sense that I need sleep. I'm tired of trying to live—to survive. My entire family is dead and Newt has the Flare. I failed. My shoulders relax as I stop fighting. Giving up would be so easy. I could just lay here on the cold ground forever.

" Get up. " I hear Noah say. I lift my head and look at him, feeling my heart contract. " Get up you stupid bitch. "

He grabs my forearm with a cold hand and pulls me to my feet.

" You failed. So make up for it. "

I shake my head no. I don't deserve to live.

" Make the world a better place. Get the cure for the Flare and save people! Repent! " He strides forwards and grabs my shoulders and shakes them. His dead, green eyes pierce into mine as he raises his voice:

" Wake your ass up and make my death mean something! "

I fall into his arms and sob. He's right. I can't die. If I do I would be failing him even more. " I'm so sorry, Noah. "

He puts his hand on my head and smooths down my hair. His touch is cold and faint, nothing like it was when he was alive, but it's there. His presence starts to fade and panic causes my stomach to lurch. He can't go yet. I'm not ready yet. I need him.

" Please. Don't leave me. Please. " I plead but he's still fading. I hold onto him tighter as if I could keep him from leaving.

" Live, Louisa. "

Then his presence is gone and I'm left a sobbing mess, his words ringing in my ears.

….

As much time as I've spent in the sun, you'd think I would be used to it. But the sun in the Scorch is something else entirely. It beats down on us, sapping our energy and leaving us dreary and exhausted. The only thing that keeps me alert is the fact that she's still missing.

They're all still missing.

Trapped in some underground place with relentless pursuers. The few people I've come to care about aren't safe and there's nothing I can do to help them. Louisa has done so much for us—so has Thomas and Minho. But we can't even help those who saved us from a life stuck inside those walls.

Kind of pathetic if you ask me.

" They'll be okay, Newt. " Frypan says, looking at me with doubt, " You know Louisa. She won't give up without a fight. "

What if that's the problem?

She's been fighting for so long. When I tried to confront her about it she threw flour in my face and it had completely slipped my mind until now. You're carrying too much Louisa. I can see you breaking. I still can. With each day she cracks a little more. Soon enough, there will be nothing left for any of us to love or care for. She'll be an empty husk, walking around broken and lost. One day I fear I won't be able to protect her.

" I guess not. " I say with a shrug, trying to seem apathetic so no one else sees a reason to stress.

" Minho would sooner shave his head bald than let that girl get hurt, " He comments with a small smile, " You have no reason to worry about those two. Thomas is pretty capable himself. They'll be—"

Frypan is interrupted by someone yelling.

Not just someone.

Minho.

And Louisa is on his back, unconscious and pale.

I don't waste time turning and sprinting towards them. The cracked pavement threatens to trip me but I stay on my feet, keeping my eyes on those two as if they could disappear. Minho looks exhausted, as if he could collapse at any given second. He squints against the setting sun at my back and raises a dirt and blood covered hand to shield his eyes.

As soon as I get close enough to them a barrage of questions leaves my mouth. " Are you two okay? Why is Louisa so pale? Why is there blood on your hand? Where are Thomas and Brenda? " Minho falls to his knees, " Blood hell, Minho! Answer my damn questions! " I drop next to him and grab him by the shoulders, like I could shake some sense into him. But he did just get hit by lightning. Who knows how long he was carrying Louisa like this? He needs water, and rest.

Louisa falls from his shoulders and lands on the ground with a light thud. I can hear people behind me, running towards us, but I can't stop staring at the girl I love reduced to such a weak state. Her face looks wet, as though she's been crying but I suspect it's from sweat. Her brows are creased together and she's frowning, the only sign that she's alive. If it weren't for that, I would assume she's dead.

Minho catches my eyes and shrugs. He doesn't know what happened to Louisa.

" Tsk, " Jorge says as he looks down at Louisa, " I told that girl. "

" Told her what? " I ask. Aris looks down at Louisa with a strange satisfaction on his face. I scowl at him and then at Jorge.

" That she was dying. " He crosses his arms over his chest, " She obviously didn't listen. "

I'm dying, Newt…

She told me. And I barely remembered it—barely paid any attention to it.

Jorge crouches down next to her and unravels the bandage on her leg. I'm tense the whole time and Minho eyes him with distaste and a silent threat that if he did anything to her, he wouldn't live to see tomorrow.

" Is there a way to save her? " I ask, but Jorge ignores me. Instead he turns to the glaring Minho.

" How long has she been out? "

Minho barely spares the energy to shrug. " Lost track of time. Best guess is a day. "

I shake my head. That's too long. I don't care how strong she thinks she is, she needs help. I glance down at her leg and grit my teeth. It's as if her skin surrounding the teethmarks is dying. Red and puss filled, but slightly green and pale at the same time. I want to scream at her for not showing us this; for not telling us how bad it really was. How can I protect her if she doesn't tell me what's wrong?

" Can you save her? " I ask, knowing the situation is dire. Jorge's mouth presses into a thin line and he slowly nods his head.

" But, it's a risk. She could die from loss of blood. "

Loss of blood?

" Just what are you planning to do? " Frypan asks, his eyes looking anywhere but Louisa. Jorge pulls a long knife out of his bag as he replies.

" We have to cut her leg off before the infection spreads. "

I nearly choke.

" Cutting her leg off? " Minho says, " No way. "

Jorge narrows his eyes at him. " It's the only way. It's either cut her leg off or she dies from the infection tomorrow. "

It's the only way, I know it is. We won't make it through the Scorch in time for WICKED to save her. Who even knows if WICKED would save her?

There's no guarantee that she would survive the amputation, either. She's likely to die either way. How did she even get that bite? How long was she in the Scorch by herself before Brenda and Jorge saved her?

I just don't want to lose her.

" It's the only way. " I say and Minho glares at me too. " Let's take her into that building and do it there. Besides, we should rest. "

I hate what I'm about to do.

Everyone nods in agreement but Minho just stares at me, baffled. He's probably wondering how I could do such a thing to someone I love, but the answer is simple enough.

I just want to save her.

I pick her up and stand, her head automatically going to my shoulder. I step over fallen street signs and mounds of sand that's blown in and make my way towards the abandoned building. Behind me, Frypan helps Minho up and they follow me. I cringe when I step on shards of broken glass, but enter the small shop seconds later.

I ignore the metal shelving and scattered cans of soda as I go to the musty storage room. The thicker walls might muffle Louisa's screams when she feels her leg being sawed off.

My stomach drops as I set her down. I'm making myself sick. How could I even think like that?

I shake my head. Jorge said it would save her life. This is a risk I'm willing to take.

Or at least, that's what I tell myself as everyone else files in here and Jorge kneels next to Louisa's injured leg.

" Hold her down. She might wake up and start thrashing. "

As if on cue, Louisa's eyes flutter open as I'm trying to settle in next to her, my hand on her shoulder. She winces and brings a hand up to cover her face. She looks like she's been run ragged. A tear falls and she wipes it away, then her eyes focus on me.

" Newt? " She breathes out, a slow hand moving up to cup my face. I force myself to smile at her. " What's wrong? "

Then she looks at Jorge with his knife hovering just above her kneecap.

" What the hell? "

….

How did I let myself get in this situation?

I was too careless. I was distracted by Blake and possibilities of recovering a forgotten friendship and how likely it was that he would betray me. Now I'm suffering the consequences of letting myself feel something besides sorrow.

I'm staring into the faces of the people who kidnapped me.

They're snickering to themselves, obviously happy with how well they'd done. The one with auburn hair and freckles dotting his skin won't take his eyes off of me and the other is smoking. We stopped a while ago so they could relieve themselves—or at least that was what I thought. It's been nearly two hours since we stopped and they seem excited. Too excited for this to be a simple bathroom break.

" Where are you taking me? " I demand, wishing I hadn't let them take my knife. The rope around my wrists is chafing and I can feel the skin rubbing raw. They took the gag out a while ago, something I was thankful for.

The man with dark hair and a scruffy beard looks over at me and smirks, the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. " Somewhere you will get the best treatment you could ask for. "

" Oh yea? " I ask leaning towards them, " Why do I not believe you? "

The man barks out a laugh. " Because you're smart. "

The concrete stairs are hard on my butt. My tailbone is starting to ache. I turn my eyes to the sky, where the sun has started to go down causing it to look like a deep purple mixed with orange. Whatever is supposed to happen better happen soon. I feel exposed out here in the open like this. I don't like it. The night will only make it worse.

Then I hear the footsteps.

I try to shrink myself, but it doesn't work. Whatever is about to happen is going to scare the hell out of me, but I have to act rational. Nothing risky or danger-imposing.

So when someone puts a rough hand on my shoulder I jerk my elbow up and hit them in the nose.

The man stumbles away with a groan, holding his nose as I turn to face him. I don't give him time to dodge as I try to ram my hands into his face, but someone grabs my arm, yanking it back. I feel a pull in my shoulder and the ropes rub the raw spots on my wrist, causing me to wince.

" Stupid bitch! " The man I hit in the face hisses in a nasally voice. I smirk.

" You snuck up on me. " I ignore how fast my heart's beating. Stay strong. Some people like to make themselves seem small or weak so that they don't attract attention and thus get attacked. Me, well I like to let people know I'm there and that I will stab them if they test me.

But right now I really wish I wasn't getting the attention of three men.

The man I hurt smiles, his dark eyes glinting. " Oh, he'll like her. "

Shit.

" I'll shank his ass. " I say, fighting against the ropes and the man gripping my arms. He simply tightens his grip until I feel something snap and I grit my teeth. The man in front of me takes a step closer, his bloody hand coming up to cup my face. I flinch against it, pulling my head away but he doesn't stop. A sticky hand lands on my face, his fingers trailing on my jaw line.

The natural thing to do is bite him.

But who knows where he's been?

" You are perfect for him. " His hand leaves my face and he wipes it on my shirt. He wipes his blood on my shirt. With a snarl I bring my legs up, using the man gripping my arms for stability as I knee the guy in his stomach. He huddles over, the wind knocked out of him.

" Touch me again and I'll kill you, you sick son of a— "

" Now, now. " He wheezes out. " Is that anyway to speak to the man who's taking you to your father? "

That sets me back. My… Father?

" You're lying. My father is dead. " I say, though I doubt my own statement. My dad simply ran away. How could I know if he died?

A harsh laugh leaves the man's mouth. " He paid us to find you and get you to him in one piece. "

I shake my head. No. It's impossible….I think.

" You aren't doing a very good job, then. " I say, pain lacing through my elbow and trailing up to my shoulder and down through my fingertips. Knowing my luck, they probably crushed a tendon or something.

" He never said unharmed. " The man straightens and grabs my hurt arms, causing me to gasp. " Do as we say and you'll get there without anymore bruises. "

I spit at the man's feet. " Who the hell are you to think you have control over me? " I growl, " Let. Me. Go. "

" Do you not want to see your father? " He asks as I feel someone grab my hair and pull my head back. The man seems to revel in the pained gasp.

" Where are we going? " I ask, letting the anger from my voice dissolve into curiousness. He smiles, showing the blood in his teeth. The man behind me releases my hair, but they don't release my arms.

" The main building in the Scorch. " The wind blows, stirring up sand and causing his dark hair to leave his shoulders. The main building? That's barely even ten minutes from here. Why did we stop?

" What are we waiting for? " I ask, " Let's go. "

What is my father thinking? Wait, no. He's not even alive. This is a trap. And yet…

" Just a moment, girly. " The man grabs my wrist, pulling me out of his partner's grasp and forward, causing me to fall into him. My eyes go wide and struggle, but his grip is too strong. " He never said we couldn't have any fun. "

A shiver goes down my spine. My heart lurches to my throat and I push off with my feet, but they're tied together and I stumble and fall, landing on the ground. He laughs, watching as I try to scramble away. My ankles are burning and the sand is hot under my elbows. He strides forward, anger, amusement, and lust swirling in his eyes. I cringe and try to scoot back but he straddles me and starts unbuttoning my pants.

Do something, Nandini.

" Are you sure this is a good idea? " One of his friends say. He glances over his shoulder and narrows his eyes at them. I swallow my fear and use the slight distraction to reach for a rock about a foot away from me. My fingers brush it's warm surface and I stretch a bit further, causing the pain in my arm to flare. My hand wraps around it.

As the man turns back around to rape me, I bash the rock into his skull. He falls, limp on top of me. I shove him off with a groan and stand, wobbling on unbalanced feet. The other two are looking at me, bewildered. I smile at them and then I see something glint in the moonlight, flying straight towards one of their faces.

Then blood sprays from the man's eye and stains his freckled face. My eyes widen and his friend yells, his head whipping around to find the knife. I duck, leaning against the side of a car for cover. Is it the sniper from before? What the hell is going on?

The other man falls with a thud.

Now what do I do?

I can't move for fear of whatever killed them seeing me. I can't just stay here and wait him out—other Cranks will see me and attack. I'm stuck. Should I risk my life and run? But I can't even run. If I try I'll trip over the rope around my feet. I can't reach my knife to cut it. What am I going to—

" Nandini? " I hear someone ask as a pair of feet enter my vision. It's Blake. I release a breath and stand.

" Can you help me get these stupid ropes off? " He nods and uses a third knife to slice the rope off. How many knives does this guy have?

The grinding motion causes the rope to rub my wrists again and I hiss through gritted teeth. After one last motion the rope comes free and falls to the ground. I frown at the blisters on my wrists.

" Are you okay? " He asks, bending down to cut the ropes around my ankles. I flinch as he knife brushes my skin, but doesn't cut it.

" I'm fine. " I say, then I remember I should probably button my pants. I do it quickly while he's looking away, my fingers shaky from what just happened. My life was in danger. Not an uncommon thing, but surprisingly, no one has gone that far.

" Are you sure? " He asks, standing and sliding his knife in a sheath.

No. " Yea. "

His eyes linger on my face, then they go to my wrists. He opens his mouth to speak but I don't let him. I push past him and towards the two guys that have his knives sticking out of them, and mine somewhere on them. I don't want to touch these scumbags but I pull Blake's knives out of them and wipe them on my pants. I keep them in one hand while I search for my knife, finding it in the boot of the auburn haired boy.

" Here, " I say, turning around and handing Blake his knives. " We have to go. "

" You were kidnapped. We need to slow down and take a breather. " He says his hand moving towards mine but I busy myself, checking my knife for any nicks in the blade. He frowns but doesn't say anything else.

" I don't— " I take a deep breath and squeeze my eyes shut, " I've never been this close to finding my brother. I'd like to find him as soon as possible. "

I put my knife in the empty sheath that's on my hip and start to walk away. Then I feel a hand grab my forearm and I wince. It aches.

" I knew it. " He mumbles as he pulls me back. I don't hesitate, for fear of hurting my arm further. He sits me down on some stairs next to an old building and examines my arm. It's swollen but other than that I can't see anything wrong. But I can definitely feel something wrong. It hurts so much.

Then he presses on an area right below the inside of my elbow. I bite back a scream.

" Did that hurt? " He asks, his brows furrowed in concentration.

" No. " I say, " Let's go. "

" Liar. " He says, releasing my arm. " There's definitely some muscle damage. You probably tore something. There's nothing we can do. "

" How do you know? " I ask, trying not to look into his eyes. Just a body guard. If he hadn't been there just a second ago…. I would probably be on my way to my father. Which may sound like a good thing, but really, it isn't.

" My dad taught me some things about medicine. " He says, brushing his pants off as he stands. I do the same, frowning down at the blood on my pants and shirt. Gross.

" We need to head towards the direction of the explosions, but I don't remember where that is. " I say, looking up at the starry sky and slowly turning. Was it that way?

" I remember. " Blake says and I look down to see a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

" Well then, what are we waiting for? " I cross my arms over my chest. I hear a Crank's screams fill the night, distant, so I don't worry.

" I'll only take you if you let me hold your hand. " He holds his hand out, waiting for me to take it and knowing I won't refuse. I resist groaning. This—this is not what I signed up for when I let him come along. He can't just make my stomach erupt into a flurry of butterflies. He's not supposed to flirt with me. I'm supposed to be focused on my brother, not Blake and how he can make my heart speed up with a single sentence. I can't let myself get attached.

And yet, when I take his hand and see his smiling face, I can't help but smile too.

I'M VERY HAPPY I GOT THIS CHAPTER OUT AND I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT HOW UNDERSTANDING YOU ALL ARE. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU ALL A HUG.

Anyway, let's talk about the story. I'm hope you don't mind that a little over half of this was Nandini's POV. I've grown to like writing in her POV. Im sorry about the way I left Newt's POV and Louisa's.

Louisa is in a bit of a situation. She's about to get her leg chopped off. How will she react? How will everyone else react? I don't know. Just kidding I do know but I'm not going to tell you.

{ review responses }

fiercetiger333 ~ Sorry I didn't update sooner.

Swagmaster5000 ~ YAAAS THANK YOU

GabbyKeyes9 ~ I want Lewt to heal too. Also thanks for your understanding about my wrist.

Chipmunk1123 ~ Thanks! I'm glad Minho and Louisa made it out of there unscathed too. Blake was out there searching for his ' friend ' * cough cough * and he found her so yay! Newt really does care about them and it makes me want to hug him and tell him that everything will be okay. Also thanks for the ship names! They're all pretty good. And everything would feel forced if I pushed my characters to do something they wouldn't normally do. I'm glad you like the story.

The Tezzerax ~ I've got tendinitis in my right wrist, and I'm wearing a compression sleeve and occasionally a brace. It's not as inflamed but I'm still going to hold off on typing.

Something like me ~ I may have pushed myself writing this. It's just.. I hate making people wait for the next chapter of a fan fiction so I tend to write anywhere between 2000 - 10,000 words a day ( I have three fics going at the moment ) and now I'm only allowed to type 200 words a day. It makes me want to scream.

Becka21214 ~ Thank you. I'm praying my wrist gets better soon as well. I hope you liked this chapter.

{ end of review responses }

UGH! Writing this author's note has made my wrist hurt. I think I'm going to scream.

You all are lucky I had almost a complete chapter written. If I hadn't, this wouldn't be up and you would be without Louisa for a little while. I've also started another fanfic, called Running From My Past and Into Your Arms, which I will update before this one, ( no offense but I'm trying to alternate which one I update so they both get done ) and that should take me a couple of days, and then Chapter 24 on this story will take a couple of days.

I'm sorry if I don't update frequently. I have my first practice in four months this weekend, and I'd like to be ready for it. I just want to give you all cookies because you may be pissed about me not updating but you're supportive. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Have a nice day, morning, evening, afternoon, night, I'm going to go do some stretches and then read.