Chapter 5
The city was desolate. They would have thought it was abandoned, were it not for the people milling in and out on the streets. But these people weren't people. They were almost like scavengers, living the best they could in the life that was given to them. Some were normal, while others were talking amongst themselves, walking around. There were carts open with cooking food, they could only assume rats or other creatures.
Then there were the people that weren't in their right mind. Acting as if everything was normal, grinning and laughing and not acting like they were surviving a man-made virus.
"Why so blue?" A female had walked over to the group of boys. She was taking swigs of something in a cup, another female following her. "Take a swig, take a load off. Lighten up." She slurred, looking over Newt and Minho and analyzing them like they were prey. One tried to wrap her arm around Newt, but Ava was fast, pulling the boy toward her with a tug. He didn't protest, just moved closer to her. Ava glared at the other girl.
Minho looked down at the cup before Jorge pulled Minho away. The woman huffed. "Killjoy."
"What was that?" Minho asked as they followed behind Jorge, taking another turn.
"It's called the Bliss. It's a concoction that is made by WCKD. It's supposed to stop the Flare virus altogether, but it doesn't work. Slows it down, and gives them the effect that it's working. But it doesn't." Jorge chuckled. "Whatever they were drinking was probably some bootleg type of Bliss. Doesn't work." He turned another corner. "Come on. I can hear the music. Marcus will be up here."
As they got closer, they noticed the change in the demeanor of the people. The music was loud, and people were dancing or swaying to the beat. There were couples kissing, huddled up in corners. Aris stopped for a moment before Ava pushed him forward, not wanting to know what was actually going on in that corner of the street. Down another alley there was a fight going on, screaming and chanting. Ava stopped, realizing there were two people on chains, pulling against them. But these people were screaming, snarling like wild animals.
What is this place? Ava thought to herself as she was pushed for a moment, two women passing her with those cups. They smirked, and Ava shook her head. Her eyes caught on a man who wasn't hiding that he was staring at her, eyeing her like a piece of prey.
Okay, time to go. Ava turned to get out of there, her eyes widening when she realized. She didn't see Newt. Or Frypan or even Jorge. She had stopped and they kept going. Ava cursed, turning back. The man was making his way toward her, pushing through the crowd. Ava turned quickly and began to push her way through. She had to get ahead. She had to find the others.
"How much further?" Frypan called up to Jorge as they made their way down the road. The crowds were getting thicker, and louder.
"Not much now. That building. Up ahead. Stay close." Jorge called, helping Teresa as she stumbled back onto the sidewalk. Newt sighed, turning to check on Ava. "Ava?" He searched behind him, through the crowd. "Ava!" He yelled, hoping she was close. But he didn't see her. His eyes widened and he cursed. "Minho. Have you seen Ava?"
"I thought she was with you?!" Minho asked, on high alert himself. Aris stopped Jorge and Teresa, noticing the frantic looks on the three Gladers' faces.
"We lost Ava." Frypan told them. "She can't have gone far, hermano." Jorge offered to relieve the stress. But Newt shook his head, moving back through the crowd and calling her name. Where did she go? And was she in trouble?
Ava cursed. She was lost, and worried. She lost the guy back in the crowd, but now she had no idea where she was going.
She turned down an alley that was quiet, taking a few shaky breaths. Okay, breathe Ava. You remember the building? Take a breath and head to the building. They have to be there. Her mind was clouded for a moment. Before an idea struck her. Quickly, she gave the runner's whistle, as loud as she could.
A low whistle that wasn't her own startled her. She turned to see the man who had been watching her walking up the hallway, chuckling to himself. "Where are you going, cutie?" He called. Ava swallowed thickly, turning away and ignoring him. She had to cut through. But as she moved, she noticed another step into the alley, blocking her path. "Come on sweetheart. Come take a load off." She heard behind her.
"Leave me alone." She threatened, her hand moving toward the small knife she had picked up back at the beginning of their journey.
"Relax cupcake. We're not going to hurt you. We just want someone to dance with. Have some fun. You look like you could use a break.." She realized two had turned to three. She turned back down the alley, looking down as they blocked her.
"Let me pass." She ignored their laughter, just wanting to get away.
"Awh, come on." He taunted.
"I said, let me pass." She growled.
"Oh. She's getting feisty." They chuckled. Ava had enough. She took a quick step to get around them, hand grabbing her knife. But they were quick. One knocked the knife from her hand, grabbed her wrists, and shoved her against the wall. She struggled and slipped out, just enough to whistle again, this time more frantic, before he grabbed at her again, pressing his weight into her to stop her struggling. She yelped when her back hit the wall. She just hoped they had heard it.
"Wait!" Minho stopped the group in their tracks for a moment, looking toward the sky.
"What are you doing?" Frypan asked as Minho grabbed Newt's arm.
Then there it was again. A whistle. This one is quick and louder. Frypan didn't even move but watched as Newt took off, Minho following hot on his heels.
"What are they doing?" Teresa asked as they followed. "That the runner's whistle. We used it when we were in trouble. She's only used it one other time." Frypan explained as they followed. He just hoped they weren't too late this time.
"Stop making such a fuss. It'll be quick. We'll make sure of it. I'll be gentle." His hand cupped her face, sliding down the scars. "Quite an ugly one huh?" Ava whimpered and moved her face away, eyes watering.
"Let's see what's hiding under all those layers." She could feel the heat of his breath on her ear, making her tremble. The man chuckled. And Ava prayed that they heard, or that it was over quickly.
The weight had suddenly disappeared as he was shoved off of her. "Get away from her!" Ava fell back into the wall as she saw Newt in front of her, practically snarling. The other moved toward him but Minho quickly jumped in, shoving him back so hard he fell.
"What the hell?! Listen…" the man growled, stepping toward them.
"I wouldn't do that muchachos." Jorge stepped in front of Minho and Newt. "Unless you want a hole through your head." His hand rested on the gun in his belt, eyeing the men. The others looked at him, before scoffing.
"Let's go. Ugly bitch isn't worth it." One growled before the three headed down the alley and disappeared. Ava broke the silence as she slid down the wall, chest heaving and eyes watery.
"Hey. Ava. Look at me. It's okay." Newt quickly kneeled in front of her, reaching for her hands until she pulled them back. "Ava, open your eyes, love." Ava whimpered before slowly opening her eyes and looking up at Newt. Minho kneeled beside him, concern evident. "Just breathe. You're safe."
"Is she alright?" Jorge whispered as Aris and Teresa both stood behind him. Frypan swallowed and looked at both of them. "This isn't the first time something like this has happened." He said it bluntly, hoping they'd get the picture. Teresa's eyes widened and Aris looked sick. "Bunch of cranks. We best get moving, once she's ready." Jorge spoke.
Ava took the time she had to try and calm her breathing, slowing it down. It could have been worse. But she was safe. She was back with them. "I didn't know if you would hear." She whispered.
"Yeah. We heard." Minho spoke, hand on her knee as Newt moved closer to her. She reached out, taking both their hands into hers and squeezing. She was safe. They were here. Her head rested on Newt's shoulder, as he pressed his face into her hair. "Just you and me." He whispered. She nodded, fully there, before letting the boys help her up.
"You okay, hermana?" Jorge asked, staring down at her with concern in his eyes. She smiled weakly and nodded. "I'll be okay."
"We need strong ones like you. Keep us going. You ready?" His hand touched her shoulder, smiling. Ava was beginning to like Jorge. Trust him. He was concerned for her. He had a fatherly protectiveness over Brenda, and she and Brenda were about the same age. She wasn't surprised to see it on him. She nodded, taking Newt's hand quickly, afraid to lose him again in the crowds. Newt looked down at her, lacing their fingers together. He was not losing her like this again.
The group continued through the city, toward a larger building that Jorge said was Marcus' hideaway. Newt could feel the tight squeeze on his hand where Ava was holding it, and frankly, it felt comfortable. He was able to keep a hold on her.
They slipped into a bigger building, the music loud and many people joined together. "Whatever happens, stick together. You hear?" Jorge warned them.
"What are you going to do?" Newt asked, pulling Ava closer with a tug as a group of men walked by them. Minho stepped closer to Teresa.
"I need to find Marcus. He's gotta be around here somewhere." Jorge explained as they walked around. Ava swallowed as they walked around, looking around, before stopping. "Thomas?"
Teresa looked toward her before into the crowd where Ava was looking. "Thomas!" Ava called, seeing the boy wobble through the crowd. She noticed he seemed out of it. Had he gotten ahold of the drink?
There was an older man near him, laughing, and suddenly Jorge was moving fast toward them. "Marcus!" He yelled, and the man looked up just as Thomas collapsed. Teresa rushed forward toward Thomas while Minho helped Jorge.
"Brenda!" Ava then saw the other girl, who was stumbling a bit. She pulled from Newt and pushed through the crowds, grabbing the girl by the shoulder. "Brenda! Brenda, it's me!" She shook the girl gently, seeing her eyes focus on her. "Ava?"
"Yeah, it's me. Come on, Jorge is with us. Newt!" Newt rushed forward to lend a shoulder for the girl to lean on. "They must have gotten some of that concoction. Come on. Jorge is dragging Marcus upstairs." He explained, before heading toward the others. "Ava. Take her. I gotta help Tommy." He said softly, rushing over to where Teresa was with Thomas. Ava nodded and helped Brenda upstairs.
As they finally met up with the others, Jorge and Minho were finishing tying Marcus up, already getting a few hits in. "Brenda?" Jorge spoke, walking over to them.
"I'm okay," Brenda mumbled, though she didn't look okay.
"I got her," Ava reassured the older man, who nodded and walked back over to Marcus. Aris moved to help bring Brenda over to the couch, depositing her on the seat. Ava looked her over, checking for any wounds. Brenda leaned against the couch, shaking her head. Ava raised an eyebrow. If they had the Bliss, Brenda would have been out of it. She was coherent, listening to the others, but she seemed to be tired, not wanting to do much. Ava frowned, before looking up when Newt made it up the stairs, dragging an unconscious Thomas with him. Minho moved to help deposit the boy on a mattress near the window. Teresa moved to sit beside Thomas.
"Alright, Marcus. Talk! Tell me everything I need to know!" Jorge yelled, punching the man. Ava winced and turned away, not wanting to see any of this. She didn't even like when the boys would get into brawls in the Glade.
She heard Teresa speak and Ava turned to see Thomas waking up. Ava bit her lip, looking toward Newt, who was watching Jorge and Marcus.
"Wait? This is Marcus?" Thomas asked after a moment, standing up. Marcus chuckled. "The kid catches on quick. Are you the brains of the operation?" He joked before his head moved sideways from another punch. Ava wasn't paying attention. She sunk into the chair she was in, trying to wash away any thoughts from what just happened. What they had been through.
"I'm talking about supply and demand!" Marcus chuckled, pulling Ava from her stupor. "WCKD wants all the immunes they can get. I help provide for them. So I lure the kids in, they get drunk, they have a good time. And then WCKD comes in and they separate the wheat from the chaff." He explained, then smirked at the others. Jorge looked furious, before smirking. "I changed my mind hermano. I do enjoy hurting you." He said, planting his foot in Marcus's chest and shoving the chair backward.
Ava winced as Newt and Minho stood up, looking at the scene in front of them. Frypan helped bring Marcus back up after he said he'd talk.
"These guys like to move around. They have an outpost in the mountains. But it's a long way. You got half of WCKD on your ass, you're never gonna make it." Marcus finally relented, glaring at Jorge. Jorge smirked, leaning over the man. "Not on foot. Where's Bertha?"
"Not Bertha."
Ava swallowed, standing up. Was this enough? Would they be able to get out of here? Were they going to escape?