𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - 𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘏 𝘊𝘜𝘙𝘌

18 ~ the bargain

Lottie

It was late. Everyone else had already fallen asleep; I could hear several of them snoring around the stuffy spare room. One of the Right Arm spies had told us that regrettably, they did not have extra bedrooms for us to stay in. The next best thing was their largest storage closet which smelled like wet cardboard and mildew.

The seven of us spread out sleeping bags and blankets on the floor without a complaint. We had been sleeping on the forest floor for the past couple of days, and this room was better than what we hoped for.

Still, it was very hot in the room, especially with all of us packed so closely together. I was planning on sleeping with the blanket kicked down to my feet. To my left, I could feel the air around my arm become warmer and warmer by the second. I looked over to see that the heat was coming from Minho's body, which was quite close since he was sleeping spread-eagled on his back with his mouth hanging open. A bit of drool was even escaping from his lips. Minho's left arm had been thrown haphazardly across Thomas, who didn't seem to notice since he was out cold as well.

I sighed and rolled closer to the wall, which wasn't any less uncomfortable. There was condensation dripping down the slimy, mold-covered walls. I didn't think I could sleep after the plan created with Vince today.

Right away, after walking into Vince's office, I'd noticed that the spy leader was not what I expected. He was quite a large man, dressed in the kind of suit I'd seen at the clothing store we'd stolen from. He had looked at us with suspicion and only mild interest, but after we'd explained ourselves and told him the whole story, he looked practically elated.

"Oh, we could use you," he kept muttering. "Yes, you would work perfectly..." He had risen from behind his desk with some difficulty, and began circling us, like some vulture searching for roadkill. I'd exchanged an uncertain glance with Gally, who had settled himself in the corner to observe. He had nodded back, reassuring me.

Vince had explained how we could play a part in the upcoming WICKED raid, and we all listened politely as per Gally's instructions, regardless of the fact we already knew the plan, and that the reason we were here was for Newt, not the Right Arm.

"So? What do you say?" Vince finished explaining and stood in front of us with his sausage-sized fingers clasped behind his back. I had stepped forward before any of my friends, an idea forming in my mind. Jorge had looked at me in surprise. He thought he was going to be the one who would speak up.

"We'll help you," I began slowly, as if it was a difficult decision for me, even though we'd all decided months ago that we would be aiding the Right Arm. "As long as you help us with something."

A flicker of anger had appeared across Vince's face for a moment. He hadn't expected to be bargained with by a teenage girl. But he listened to what I wanted, and when I was finished, he was staring at me as if I was insane.

"You want to break a Crank out of the Crank Palace to take with us?"

"He's not a Crank," I replied angrily. "He's Newt. My... our friend."

"Who is turning into a Crank." Vince added. "With no cure."

"We don't know that," Thomas piped up. "Lottie thinks she knows someone trapped inside WICKED who can help with a cure. We were planning on getting her to help once we were inside."

"And that's it? You want to drag an Infected along with you because of a hunch that a cure might exist? And expect help from a person you don't even know is alive?" Vince was incredulous.

I glanced anxiously around the room. We were not able to get Newt out without this man's help. I needed to give him something that would assure him that this was a fine idea.

"We'll only keep him around Immunes until he is cured so nobody gets sick," I said. "And if he is not cured by the time we must leave for the Safe Haven... I give you permission to leave him behind."

Multiple of my friends gasped behind me. Minho hissed furiously in my ear. "Lottie, what are you doing?"

I didn't say anything, I just stared at Vince. I had a plan.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of Vince staring at my face, mentally picking me apart, searching for lies, he turned and sat heavily behind his desk.

"We'll send three of our spies with you. They will be armed; you will not be. The spies will be instructed to kill your Crank friend if he is past saving and seems threatening. Understood?"

I swallowed. "Understood," I replied softly. From that moment, I was on a mission. A mission to save Newt from both the Flare and the Right Arm spies, who didn't understand how important his life was.

The agreement had happened hours ago, and I could not stop thinking about it. How was I going to guarantee the cure for Newt? I knew Annabelle could help, but no matter what I wanted to believe, my friends were right. I wasn't even sure she was alive, and I also didn't know how she could help. All I had to go off of was a feeling.

Until I drifted off after staring at the ceiling and began to dream. 

A/N

Hey sorry about the really short chapter but if I combined it with the next one it would be too long. Plus this one is probably really poorly written and I sincerely apologize. I'm planning on this to be a double update, but I wrote these in advance so please don't be mad if I forget. Vote if you liked it!

- golden habit