Thomas- We've done it! Vince, Newt and I exchanged hugs of relief and celebration as our Berg carried us and the train cart back to our base. "I can't believe we actually pulled this off!" Newt exclaimed, pulling me into his arms. "Hey, after six months of planning, of course we pulled it off, otherwise I would've failed as a leader," Vince joked. My heart twisted at that thought of how long this took. Months of planning, gathering whatever information we could, everything it took to get here, it hurt. But we did it, and we didn't lose anyone, so it was all worth it! A while later, we finally reached the base and landed, working on breaking the lock to the cart, so we could get the kids out. "Aris!" I was relieved to see him, despite the injuries on his face. "You guys okay?" I asked, seeing Sonya next to him. She nodded, and I started walking through, trying to find Minho. Oh no. I had reached the last row of kids, and my heart stopped. I turned to Newt. "He's not here." We looked at one another, disappointment clear on our faces. "Okay… okay, we'll talk about it later with Aris, see if he knows anything. At least we got them back," Newt said, trying to be positive. I smiled slightly and looked over at Harriet wrapping her arms around Sonya and Aris, leading them out of the train cart, so they could be taken care of. "Yes, yeah you're right," I said, taking Newt's hand and walking out. Newt looked out in the distance, sighing deeply. "I'll go tell her, then I'll meet you after." I nodded and walked off as Vince started talking to all the new kids, telling them our plan to leave and asking for volunteers.
I saw Julia walking my way, more like stomping, face hard with fists clenched at her sides. I reached out to stop her, gently pulling her arm. She nailed me with a hard look of disappointment, but at the corner of her mouth was a soft smile. "At least you guys came back." I smiled and pulled her into a hug. Over the past six months, she and I had gotten close, developing a real bond. I couldn't replace Minho in the dynamic they had, but we became family to each other. She's a great friend, and I learned to love her. It took two months to get Julia back to the person she used to be, and back on her feet. No more self-harm, thank God, she was fully nourished and rested, her sleep practically non-existent because of nightmares. Newt and I took turns staying with her through the night, coordinating with Fry or Brenda, even Jorge and Vince helped, so we could sleep and be together. Julia hated being weak and useless, feeling like a burden to Newt and me, and to everyone else, but we got through it.
I wrapped my arm around her and walked over to the rocks where Newt and Fry sat, waiting for us. No one said anything at first, just watching everyone work on the ship that would eventually take us all to Paradise. "We all wanted Minho to be on that train Tommy," Newt said. Fry leaned over and ruffled Julia's hair, telling her it would be okay. "I just can't believe we're talking about leaving without him," I said, tightening my hold on Julia. She sighed and laid in my arms, and I could see her eyes getting cloudy. "I think Minho would kick our assess if we don't, would make his sacrifice for nothing," Fry said. Julia snorted. "He wouldn't do shit, weak little bitch," she joked. We all laughed; even now, with the thought of never seeing our friend again, Julia still treated Minho the way she always did. I remember the story of how they became friends; their sass and sarcastic ways always put them against each other. Then one day, to prove a point, Julia challenged him to a race. When she won, she was given the right to have a trial as a Runner. Minho had praised her, but Julia said it wasn't for her, not that it would've mattered; Alby, Newt and Gally never would've let her become a Runner.
"You gonna miss him, love?" Newt asked. He didn't need to, he just wanted to hear her admit she cares for Minho. She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'll miss the useless shank." I snorted and butted my head against hers. "This how you talk about me, too?" I asked. She turned and glared at me but smiled all the same. "Shank, when have I ever not told you up front how dumb you are. Matter of fact, when have I ever hid how I feel about you?" Newt and Fry laughed, telling us to be nice and not start a fight, but they knew she was teasing. Newt leaned over and ruffled my hair, then told Julia to leave me alone. "Your man can stick up for himself, Newt. Don't baby him." I twisted my fingers into her sides, causing her to scream and swing at me. Newt grabbed at her and pulled her over to him, I flipped her off, she just smiled all pretty and tucked her head into Newt's neck.
"Hey! Aris is talking!" Harriet yelled behind us, then ran back into the med building. "I'll stay here," Julia said, getting out of Newt's arms. "See you, Princess," I told her, pushing her gently. She hissed and went to swipe at me, but I dodged her. When we saw Aris, he seemed a bit out of it, but otherwise okay. He and Sonya told us that Wicked had been moving them a lot, and they kept talking about a city. Brenda commented that there weren't any cities left standing. But I wasn't focused on that. I asked why Minho wasn't on the train, and Aris apologized, saying he was. Fuck. Aris told us what he could, and we left him and Sonya to rest. Maybe we can still save him.
**Skip**
"I'm not sacrificing all those kids for one man. I'm sorry Thomas, I really am," Vince said. I looked at him with despair, then felt Julia's hand on my shoulder. I went to say something, but then the radios started going off and we realized Wicked was close. We all rushed to kill the power and stay quiet. Vince and I went outside and watched as two Bergs flew out in the distance, near us but far enough that the searchlights wouldn't find us. "You're right. We can't stay here," I told Vince. I felt his hand on my shoulder, then heard him walk away, but I was focused on the Bergs. Sorry guys, looks like I'm on my own this time. I just hope Minho can keep holding out. But first… Julia. She would hunt me down if I left without saying anything. I know she won't go with me, but I have to tell her. I climbed up into the ship where we all slept, packed a bag, and waited for her to come up. Ten minutes later, there she was. She took one look at me and crossed her arms. "You're an idiot." I snorted. "Getting right into it, then?" she rolled her eyes. "I'm not asking anyone to come with me, and I know you won't leave Newt…" "But you will?" she asked, hissing. I paused and sighed. "It's not like it's easy, Princess. I love him, but if there's a chance to find Minho then why shouldn't I take it?"
She walked over and hit me on the back of my head. "Because you're just as useless as Minho is, dumbass. You'll get killed." I shrugged. "I owe it to him," I told her. She stared at me, then pulled me by the hand through the ship until we were back outside. She let go of my hand and walked off. I was about to question here until I heard Newt. "Going somewhere?" and there he was. He turned a lamp on and was standing there, a bag on his shoulder, another at his feet, which Julia picked up. I sighed, about to protest, but he stopped me. "Don't be a twat about it. I'm already in." I protested, telling them that there was no guarantee we'd make it back, even if we found Minho. "Well, you'll need all the help you can get," Newt said, opening the truck door and leaning against it. Fry was in the driver's seat, smirking at me. Julia had already climbed into the back and was leaning out of the window. "We started this together, we're going to end it that way, too." "I did say you'd die out there on your own, idiot," Julia said. I looked at my friends, all ready and willing to risk their lives to save one of our own. "Okay, let's get him back," I said. Newt walked up to me and grabbed my shirt, yanking me close, frowning. "You ever try to leave without me, I'll bloody kill you, Tommy," he growled. "Oh! Someone's in trouble!" Julia teased. I flipped her off. "I'm sorry, I just want to keep you all safe," I told Newt.
"None of us are safe until this is over, Tommy. And we're stronger together, you know that." I smiled at him, nodding. "I won't do it again, I promise." He smiled, kissing my forehead. "Good that. Now, let's go." We piled into the truck and slowly made our way out of the shipyard. I felt bad about leaving Brenda and Jorge behind, but I know they'll be okay. I looked behind me at Julia and Newt, whispering to one another. I heard my name and figured they were probably complaining about me trying to leave. I smiled, knowing I was probably going to get lectured later, but I didn't care. Secretly, I was happy they all decided to go with me, that we're all still together. And, hopefully, we'll be able to get Minho back, too. Then we can all be together. Stay safe, Minho. We'll find you; I swear it.
**Skip**
Julia- Morning came by the time we reached our destination. We stopped the truck in front of a tunnel entrance, and Newt pointed out that it seemed like the perfect place for Cranks to be. "I don't scare easily, but I am scared of those shanks. Newt has a point. Are we sure this is the only way through?" I asked. Thomas looked at the map, then said it was, that we didn't have a choice. Newt and I looked at each other, then at Thomas. "I get shotgun," Newt said, walking back to the truck. Fry got back in the driver's seat while Thomas and I took the back. "You good?" he asked as we entered the tunnel. "Yeah, just unnerved. I'm fine," I told him. We drove for a bit, looking around until a Crank stopped us. There was only one, and he wasn't moving, so Thomas told Fry to drive slowly and try to get around him. I looked over at Thomas, and I let out a yelp. Thomas looked behind him and jumped in his seat; a female Crank, though she looked mostly normal, was begging to let her in, pushing her face against the window. Then another Crank showed up, and we all started panicking, yelling at Fry to floor it. A third Crank came out of nowhere, jumping onto the hood of the truck, snarling and screeching, punching the glass. Fry was driving like crazy, trying to throw the Crank off, but it wasn't working.
He told us to hold on as he sharply turned the truck into a wall, knocking the Crank off, but then he swerved, hitting another wall and we flipped. Thomas asked if we were okay, then kicked the window out. He and I crawled through, and we tried opening the doors to let Fry and Newt out, but they were stuck. We ran to the other side and Newt rolled out of the truck. Thomas helped him up, but Newt swayed into me, clutching his arm. Fry got out, and we all whipped around, hearing the Cranks screeching, which sent us into panic mood as they ran towards us. Fry and I grabbed guns and started shooting, but we both ran out of ammo quickly, and a sea of Cranks were almost to us. "If we live through this, I'm going to strangle you, Thomas!" I yelled. I guess the universe wasn't ready to let us die, because another car flew straight through the Cranks, and out popped Brenda. She yelled at us to get in the car while she shot at the Cranks, then told Jorge to floor it. Once we were out and safe, I jumped up and hugged Brenda from behind. "I love you guys, oh my god!" I yelled in her ear, making her laugh. "I'm impressed; you guys lasted almost a whole day," Jorge said, but we could hear the annoyance in his voice. "You're supposed to be in charge of these boys, Princesa," he scolded me. Brenda smiled sympathetically and patted my hands.
"Don't get your hopes up though, that checkpoint was the cities last defense, so chances are the city is over-run too." Thomas and I exchanged disappointed looks, until Newt spoke, "Unless Wicked found another way to keep the Cranks out." We all looked out the window and Jorge stopped the car, all of us climbing out. Standing out in the distance was a huge city surrounded by walls. "Funny, spent years trying to break out from behind walls and now we want to break in." I choked, punching Newt in the arm. "Not funny!" I growled. "Yeah, it's hilarious," Fry said, sarcasm dripping from each word. Thomas asked Jorge how we get in, but Jorge said the walls were new, so now we're stuck until we think of a plan. We got back into the car and started driving down. I wrapped an arm around Newt, and he sighed, resting his head on my shoulder. Thomas hugged Newt from behind but looked at me, mouthing if I was okay. "Shank, I'm fine, stop asking. I'm not going to break every time something happens to us," I snapped. He looked hurt and Newt glanced up at me, squeezing my hand. I sighed. "I know, I know, you guys are just worried, but I've been great these past few months. I'm good, okay?"
Thomas pulled Newt and I into a hug, Fry reaching his arms around us as much as he could, and I laughed. "Remember when she wouldn't let you touch her?" Newt asked Thomas. He snorted. "Yeah, and I hugged her anyway. Shocked she didn't punch me to be honest." I snarled "I hate you." "Nah, you love me," Thomas teased, kissing my cheek. "Ew! It burns!" I shrieked. Fry and Newt laughed at us, and Thomas pulled me into his arms, yanking me backward. "Off! Get off! No touchy!" And I started curing at him in Spanish, making Jorge bust out laughing. "What did she say?" Newt asked him over my screaming at Thomas, who was laughing at me. "You don't want to know, hermano," Jorge laughed. "Newt! Get your man before I kill him!" I screamed at my supposed best friend. Thomas was still trying to get me to admit I love him while he tickled me until I couldn't breathe. "Tommy, leave our Princess alone. If you two want to fight, you can get out of the car and do it outside." "But babe, Jul won't admit she loves me!" Thomas whined. I cackled and Brenda and Fry were clutching their stomachs, laughing at us all. "And this is why she doesn't admit it, because you annoy her to death!" Newt scolded him. "Thomas, I have more ammo for my gun, don't make me use it!" Brenda yelled at Thomas. Oh my God! Yes Queen! I love this bitch! "Brenda, have I told you how much I love you recently?" I said, catching my breath after Thomas let go of me.
"Wow! You can say it to her and not me? I'm your bestie's boyfriend; by default, you're supposed to love me too!" I turned and hissed at Thomas, and Newt yanked me over to him. "No more bloody fighting! You're like over-grown children!" Newt snapped at us, but he was all smiles. "Greenie, I would sacrifice you for Newt in a heartbeat. Or for Fry, or Brenda. Literally anyone." Everyone started cackling while Thomas pretended to die, "fainting" onto the floor of the car. "Come on Julia! I love you," Thomas said, and I rolled my eyes. "Okay, how about this; I wouldn't take a bullet for you, but I would follow you off a cliff. That's all you're getting." Brenda and Fry were in tears by this point, and Jorge asked to explain the difference between the two scenarios. I saw Newt looking at me with an unreadable expression, and I grabbed his hand, squeezing it. "Oh, my God! I could cry! She cares!" Thomas yelled, fist-pumping the air. Ugh! He's so stupid! "Do you ever hear how dumb you are, or are you so stupid that you can't register it?" I asked. "Enough! I will throw you both out and make you walk the rest of the way!" Jorge snapped, trying to hold back laughter. "Do you ever hear how bitchy you are, or are you too high above everyone to know it?" Thomas snapped back at me, sticking his tongue out.
Suddenly, Jorge brought the car to a halt, and I was worried he was actually going to yell at us. "This is as far as we can go. We're on foot now," he told us, nodding his head at a ruined town in front of the car. "Thank God! Get me out of here so I can punch this shank to death and leave him here!" "Want help? Brenda offered. "Don't blood encourage her!" Newt whined. "I honestly think that they could just summon Minho if they keep going. No one out fights him and Princess; they're like cats and dogs when they get going," Fry joked, and I stuck my tongue out. We all climbed out of the car, glancing around at the ruined buildings and people. The place is a mess, and the citizens aren't that much better. They all seemed to drag themselves along, like they'd lost the will to live. We stood still for a moment, then we all glanced at Thomas. "Well, shank? Are we good?" I asked. He looked at the town, then at us, and nodded. "Let's go find Minho." We walked next to each other, and he grabbed my hand. I looked at him, confused. He didn't say anything, just squeezed my hand, looking at me. I sighed softly, but I smiled at him. "You're an idiot," I told him. He smiled back. "Yeah, but I'm your idiot." I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, lucky me."