𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 & 𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘-𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮

TWO

"After the Maze, I got picked up by a group headed to the city." Gally explained as he walked us through the building. We went up to the main floor and I realized that we were in an office building, long forgotten for its original purpose. Now it housed these refugees who stared at us from the second story balcony as we passed.

"They realized I was immune," He continued. "patched me up, and brought me here to Lawrence." We passed a small section that was designated for their weapons. "This group's been at war with WICKED ever since they took control of the city. But WICKED can't hide behind those walls forever." Gally stopped walking. "Listen, he doesn't get a lot of visitors. So let me do the talking. And try not to stare."

My friends and I looked at each other with confusion as Gally walked away. Did he have an extra head or something?

We walked into a room with stairs that led to a lower level. It looked like it was an office and had a sleeping area. It must be Lawrence's private space. In the back, where a man stood, was a couple of rose bushes. A broken window allowed direct sunlight on them.

I assumed the man was Lawrence until someone spoke and his lips didn't move.

"Gally, glad to see you made it back. Jasper told me what happened." So Jasper must be the man who stood there-the one who I had mistaken for Lawrence. The man who spoke was crouched in the bushes. He stood up straight.

"It was a slaughter. We can't do anything against those guns." Gally replied.

"No, but they can only poke the hornet's nest so long..." Lawrence picked a rose and brought it to his nose. But it looked odd and I couldn't tell why. "Before they get stung. Now who are these people? And why are they here?"

"We need to get into WICKED." Thomas stepped in front of Gally. I clenched my jaw. He could never listen. "Gally said you can help us."

"Gally shouldn't be making promises he can't keep." He banged something against the floor, a can hidden behind his leg. He grabbed a pole that was next to him, moving it so he can get closer to us. "Getting into WICKED is impossible."

"There might be a way now. But it doesn't work without Thomas." I furrowed my brows at Gally. What was his plan? Why couldn't he tell us?

"Is that so?" Lawrence's pole squealed as it moved against the floor, a bag-almost empty, filled with blue liquid-swung on a hook. It was attached to his arm. He walked forward and his face was revealed in the sunlight coming in through the broken windows. I had to hold back my gasp. "Do you know what I am Thomas?"

He was a crank. The right side of his face was being taken over by the virus. The skin turning blue and falling off. His nose was completely rotted off, leaving only the exposed bone, black with decay. He continued on like his appearance wasn't jarring. "I'm a businessman." He was close to Thomas's face and I had to give him credit for not flinching away. "Which means that I don't take unnecessary risks. Why should I trust you?"

"Because I can help you." Thomas answered instantly. "If you get me through those walls, I can get you what you need."

"And what is it that you think I need?"

"Time. And every last drop." Lawrence looked at the bag hanging on his pole. He scoffed. "Is that what I need?"

"WICKED is something we both want."

Lawrence didn't answer for a second, his eyes and face didn't betray any thought in his head. "I'll tell you what. Two can go for now. The rest stay down here with me. Just a little reassurance that you guys find your way back. We have a deal?" Lawrence reached out his hand and without thinking, Thomas took it. Lawrence laughed. "Gally, show them the way."