𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

11.. i'm so afraid i sealed my fate

The first night in the ship was cold and damp.

The Gladers all slept together, snuggling for warmth and comfort.

The girls' bodies were pressed up against each other, wrapped tightly in blankets and pillows. The boys also sat close, sharing their body heat to stay warm.

The rain patter-pattered on the glass and made the cabin feel humid and suffocating. They could see flashes of light and hear the thunder's low rumble.

At nights, the Gladers could almost see the stars outside, the moonlight filtering through the clouds, casting ghostly images on the ship's walls.

The forested coast was still shrouded in mist, but it was a comfort to know it was there, a promise of future adventure.

As the darkness of the night descended, Thèrèse could hardly sleep, her senses alert and her mind racing.

The rain danced against her window, the thunder's low rumble filling the air. The soft thuds of the dropping rain drops on the ship's glass were almost rhythmic, creating a calming background for her thoughts.

She lay curled up in a small, warm, fuzzy blanket, sharing it with Bea. Their bodies were pressed close, their arms wrapped around each other.

Thèrèse' beautiful cotton nightgown was printed with delicate flowers, the patterns flowing and moving in harmony. The fabric was soft against her skin, the patterns dancing in the dim, pale light.

She lay curled up in a tight ball, her fingers playing with the fabric, her mind reeling from the events of the past few days.

The breeze from the open window touched her hair, causing it to flutter slightly, and she could hear the sound of the soft waves crashing against the ship.

Thèrèse' thoughts were filled with her father, the man she was named after. She remembered his warnings, his insistence that she saved humanity and found the truth about WCKD.

She had been working tirelessly to fulfill his final wish. And now, she was finally on the right track.

Thèrèse' thoughts swirled around her past, her home, and her mother.

Bea and the Gladers had always been her family, her home. They were her people, a place of safety and comfort.

It all connected back to her mother, the one who had been her guiding light, her strength and the one who drove her to fight for the future.

Carter Jewels' words still haunted her, making her rethink everything she had believed in. She heard his voice constantly in her mind, filling her with doubt and regret.

She had always been so sure of what she was doing, she had believed in WCKD, in saving humanity.

But was it all a lie? Was she doing the right thing, following through on her father's final wish?

The doubt and confusion tore at her, making her feel like she was drowning.

Carter had warned her of a dire future, a bleak future where the Flare would take over the world.

It was an ominous warning of terrible horrors yet to come, a warning she couldn't brush aside.

Those were his last words, a final plea and warning. She had tried to ignore his warnings, thinking it was all just fear mongering. But now she was starting to believe him.

Thèrèse stood up, overwhelmed and unable to sleep. She wanted to find a place to calm herself down, to find peace.

There was a small library on the ship, she decided to go there.

Thèrèse entered the dark academy-themed library, letting the dim light fill her eyes and she clutched the lamp close to her, the smell of old books and papers filling her nose.

The walls were covered with bookshelves, with thick books filled with knowledge about the history of the flare virus and the world.

She started reading, hoping to find some answers.

"The Flare virus is a plague that is spreading unchecked. It will infect every human being on the planet if we don't find a cure."

They also described the symptoms of infection, how it affected the mind and body. The descriptions were terrifying, and only created more fear and confusion.

"The flare virus's symptoms included blindness, confusion, extreme anger, and violent behavior. People infected with the virus are immune to most other diseases, which is how they believe it was spreading so quickly."

The virus that had killed, her mother, and many millions non-immune others.

Vicky, Newt, Winston.

She felt anger and despair rising up in her stomach. She clenched her fists, and the lamp flew from her arms, shattering into pieces as it hit the ground.

She looked down at the broken lamp on the floor.

Her emotions immediately shifted from anger to guilt and shame. Her hands shot back up to cover her mouth, shocked.

Thèrèse felt the guilt and shame of betrayal creeping over her.

She had been so sure that she was doing the right thing by working for WCKD and finding a cure. She had even betrayed her friends.

She fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands and bursting into tears.

Outside, the thunder rumbled louder than ever, the rain pitter-patter-pattering against the glass.

The waves crashed violently against the ship, spraying it with water and rocking it back and forth.

She could hardly live with herself knowing she was working for WCKD, the organisation that had hurt so many people, harmed so much humanity.

She had become what her father had always warned her against, a pawn in someone else's game. She had taken away her free will and given it to them to control.

What a pathetic person she had become. Was this what her father had meant by saving the world?

Her throat closed up as more tears filled her eyes.

Thèrèse covered her tear-soaked eyes with her fingers, her fingernails digging into her skin.

She felt a cut on her knee, where the lamp piece had cut her. It stings, but she ignores it, her sadness and guilt too heavy for her to even give it a thought.

She was hunched over onto the ground, her arms wrapped around her knees.

★

"please i've been on my knees,
change the prophecy."