In The Maze

Chapter twenty (Y/N)

Two things before we begin:

1) Thank you so much to everyone who commented after my last post! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the love and support! Knowing that people enjoy this fic and can jump into the story as I'd intended is priceless. You all rock! Consider this chapter a Christmas gift to you all:)
2) Some major shit goes down in this chapter, so buckle up.

******

Strangers kept bustling about, some in white lab coats, others in business attire, and some in tactical gear. The soldiers paid me no mind and continued marching past, large weapons in their hands and black masks over their faces. The hair on the back of my neck was raised and I directed my gaze to the floor. I didn't want to see their faceless masks.

The kid I came in with, a thin, brown-haired boy with a timid yet curious disposition felt the same way. If his jittery movements and anxious face were anything to go by. Neither of us knew where we were going and I was finding it increasingly difficult to follow blindly.

"Thomas, this way." The nurse accompanying us said as she took Thomas' arm and began escorting him down the opposite direction I was going.

We both turned to watch the other, locking eyes momentarily before he was out of sight. He was the first kid I saw since being brought in and being separated from him sent a massive wave of fear through me. I didn't know him personally, but he was the only kid I saw all day. One who was just as confused and frightened as me. Both of us thrust into a life we didn't ask for.

He's slightly younger than me, that much I could tell, extremely kind, and highly intelligent. In our brief time together we offered each other silent support and a hand to hold when everything became too much. But I hadn't known his name until now and from the confused look on his face, he hadn't expected to be called that.

I dearly hoped I would see him again. We had a connection, and I could already tell we'd become good friends.

The hallway we traveled down resembled all of the others; painted in varying shades of white and gray, with snow-white tiles. The muted colors combined with the harsh fluorescent lights gave the whole facility a cold, sterile feel that made my stomach sick. Almost like a hospital. After being continuously poked and prodded by doctors all morning the last place I wanted to be was at a hospital.

They drew copious amounts of blood, conducted a physical exam, and asked about my family history which I knew next to nothing about. When I asked them what all of the tests were for, they ignored me, only speaking to give me instructions; their voices monotone and devoid of emotion.

Afterward, I was given a room and a new set of clothes; a pair of black sweatpants, sneakers, and a blue, long-sleeve shirt. My room was plain, boasting the same colors as the halls with a twin bed and a connected bathroom. I was instructed to stay put until someone came to get me.

I was afraid and confused. Until a tall woman with strawberry-blonde hair dressed in white came to retrieve me hours later. The woman - she introduced herself as Chancellor Paige, a doctor - kept a firm grip on my shoulder, leading me down a hallway through the swarm of people. She seemed nice; motherly almost.

Much nicer than the soldiers and other doctors. They looked at me as if I were an object instead of a little girl. 

"Why are soldiers here?" I dared to ask.

Chancellor Paige chuckled, her red lips curling into a smile. "They're here to protect us, (Y/N)."

"From the monsters?"

She sighed, a forlorn look on her face. "Yes, from the monsters."

The monsters used to be people. People that got sick with a virus and became walking corpses. I didn't know how the virus worked, except that it overtook your brain and turned you into something else. A creature that couldn't be reasoned with and wanted nothing more than to cannibalize other humans.