Like Ashes We Fall

Chapter Ten

I knew we were moving. I could feel the swaying, the off-balance feeling of being in the air. Whatever sedatives they'd given me had worn off, leaving my brain foggy and a gross taste in my mouth. A dull pounding had taken up residence at the base of my skull, the headache unrelenting.

I was so tired but I had no desire to go to sleep. Not if it was going to bring more nightmarish hallucinations. Minho was silent above me. I didn't know what he was thinking. I'd never seen him like this and I shuddered to think what I'd gone through once had been done to him over and over for two months.

His grip tightened on mine and I opened my eyes. I could barely make out his face in the dark. "What is it?"

"We've got to get out of here."

"No shit." The words came out before I could stop them. But Minho didn't react to my harsh tone.

"We make a final stand. Just like at the Glade, that last day going through the Maze."

I pushed myself into a sitting position with a wince. "We don't even know where Thomas, Newt and Frypan are-"

"I don't care," he said suddenly, voice rising. "I can't-" He took a breath. "I won't let them take you again. Or me. Or anyone. We have to go."

I stared at his face in the dark. His tone was firm and I knew then that this was Minho at the end of his rope. He'd been through so much already. Anything else and he might snap. Not that I blamed him. I understood, the idea of going back for another everlasting torture stimulation made my mouth dry up.

I opened my mouth to answer him when our cell door suddenly swung inwards with a massive thud. A single figure stood backlight in the threshold. He took a stuttering step forward. Minho was suddenly on his feet, me scrambling behind him.

"Newt?"

The figure's shoulders sagged with clear relief. "Come on!" He gestured for us to follow him out of the cell. We both stumbled out into the light, blinking at the glare. I gaped at Newt's near-perfect timing. He immediately yanked Minho into a hug. "Holy shuck, am I glad to see you."

Minho gave a nod and I turned away looking down the hall. "Not to ruin the moment, but Newt, what the hell?"

He finally looked at me, skin paler than I remembered. "We're getting the hell out of here. Now." He turned on his heel, breaking into a stuttering run down the north hall. He tossed an explaination over his shoulder as we ran.

Apparently, Minho and I had been behind on our escape efforts because Thomas, Newt and Frypan had crafted a plan to get us all out. Once they'd escaped from their cell by luring the guards inside while Frypan feigned sickness, they had gone after Teresa, taking her captive. She'd supplied the information to find Minho and I. Frypan had gone to get other supplies for our escape- I didn't know what- and Newt came to get Minho and I. Thomas had kept Teresa using her as a way to guide us to the nearest exit.

We skidded around another corner, keeping close to the wall in case of any WCKD personnel or guards. But so far there were none. I glanced sideways at Minho but he was staring straight ahead, jaw clenched.

"Because of the smaller size and transportation method, a lot of the guards were left behind at the compound to deal with the Right Arm," Newt explained. "That's good for us. Less interference."

"Do you know what happened to them? The Right Arm?" My breath was shaky.

Newt shook his head as we reached the end of the hall. "No. Your guess is as good as mine. Through here." He pushed open a silver door and we stepped into a back hallway. The two figures there spun to face us. Thomas, his face lighting up with relief when he glimpsed Minho and I.

And to his left- Teresa.

My entire body went rigid with anger, vision honing into focus on only her. In an instant I recalled the satisfying feel of her throat beneath my hands. Minho made a noise, low in his throat. We both lunged for her at the same time.

"Whoa- whoa!" Newt stepped between us, hands up. Teresa had backed up, flattening herself against the wall. Thomas looked between Minho and I and her, face torn.

"Whoa! Hold on!" Newt appraised us both with a look.

"Get out of the way, Newt." Minho growled.

"We need her," Newt said. He looked at me helplessly, used to me being the one to rein in Minho's impulsive antics. But not this time. This time I was right at his shoulder, agreeing with every word.

"Why?" I spit out the word, voice low. I swear Teresa flinched at my voice.

"Becuase-"

"Guys! I got them!" Frypan burst through the door behind us, nearly careening into Minho. "Ari! Minho!"

Despite the circumstances, Frypan's infectious warmth brought a smile to my face. "Fry, good to see you, shank."

He tossed the oddly shaped back-packs to the ground and yanked us both in for a hug. Minho grunted and I winced at the sudden pressure on my wounds. He released us and stepped back.

"Guys, we've got to go." Thomas said, speaking up for the first time.

"Right, right," Frypan distributed the backpacks. Parachutes, I realized.

We were going to jump.

"This will never work," Teresa said, still flattened against the wall. "You'll die-"

"Slim it, Teresa." Newt told her. "Not another word from you."

She slammed her mouth shut. Newt looked satisfied. "All right boys and girl. Here goes nothing." He punched the button next to the massive sealed door next to the stars. There was a grinding motion and then it rolled upwards. Air rushed into the space, nearly knocking me from my feet. My eyes watered. Almost immediately overhead and alarm began to blare.

"Unathorized escape hatch open in Sector 2." The automated female voice began repeating.

Thomas gazed upwards. "We're on the clock now. We've got to go. Who's first?"

"I'll go." I shouldered to the front, stepping past Teresa by the wall. I gave her a harsh stare and she recoiled. Minho had followed me to the front and he squeezed my hand. "I'm right behind you." He shouted over the noise of the roaring wind.

I nodded. I stepped to the edge, peering into the darkness. I could see nothing, not even the stars. Sucking in a deep breath, I jumped out into the open air and started falling.