Solo //The Maze Runner Series//

Chapter 2

     The small emeralds of my freshly put out fire, still crackles and pops. I sigh, my breath visible in the semi-cold air. I turn onto my back and look up at the stars. I'm surprised they're still shining brightly after everything else in this world has lost its light. I closed my eyes and fell asleep on the desert floor.
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     Today was the day I went into town. It was a decent sized town filled with broken buildings, trash, and cranks. I call it Cranked.
     I wrapped myself from head to toe in torn up clothing and other fabrics to protect myself from the suns harsh heat. I pulled my backpack onto my back and started walking to town.
     It takes me roughly two hours to get into town, if I walk. If I run, it takes about an hour or so. I usually walk into town. Leaving town, I run like my life depends on it.
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     I quietly tiptoe into the alleyways, avoiding any cranks. They're usually in the heart of the city. I spot a dumpster and quietly and quickly look around for any signs of cranks. I keep my knife ready as I stealthy make my way to the dumpster. Once there, I open it up and smile at the cans of undescribable food, bottles of water and piles of clothing. Taking my backpack off, I open it up and started piling the food and other supplies into my bag, checking over my shoulder occasionally to make sure no cranks were headed my way.
     When I was finished I zipped my bag up and turned around. I was met with three cranks, each holding a weapon of their own. I grabbed the rusted knife, that my father had gave me, from my boot and held it out.
"What do you got there little one?" The one in the middle says in husky, dry voice.
"None of your business that's what." I said turning around and finding my way out of this city. I was yanked back and I fell down landing on my butt. I looked up and saw the three cranks smiling at me.
"You see little girl, that is our business because that is our dumpster and we don't like people stealing from it." The same man said, licking his very chapped lips.
"Actually it belongs to WICKED and the stuff inside it is first come first serve and I believe I was there first." I got up and brushed the sand off of me. The man gives a low growl and pushes me against the wall by the throat. I kicked at him, kicking him right in the groin. He snarled and squeezed my throat tighter. I was gasping for some oxygen but it was no use.
"You little sl-"
He was cut off by yet another crank flailing his arms and running up to us.
"Benny!" The mysterious crank called as he approached us. He stopped and panted.
"What is it Steve?" The man whom I am assuming is Benny asks.
"Makayla overhead Jorge and a couple people from WICKED talking about two groups of munies gonna be walkin' through here soon." Steve says. Benny let's go of my throat and I sink to the ground, getting oxygen back into my lungs.
"When they supposed to get here?" Benny asks.
Steve shrugs. "Sometime this week, one at a time though."
Benny just started to laugh then patted Steve's shoulder.
"Then what are we standing around for? We should be celebrating!" Benny cheered, "We'll throw a big one when they arrive but it's not too early to start!" I kept repeating what Steve said when he first got here. Jorge... Jorge is a worker for WICKED and he has a partner, Brenda I think her name is. WICKED is an organization that tries to find a cure for the Flare by taking innocent children and people and put them through horrible trials and other things. People say WICKED is good but in reality they're evil and manipulative.
"Are you ready to party kid?" Benny asked turning to me. I looked up at him and shook my head.
"No thanks I got better things to do then party." I politely declined.
"Too bad." He said and brought a rock to my head before I could react I was out.
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     When I gained consciousness again I sat up and looked around. I was in an empty room, a single rotting wooden door stood ajar. I got up, not even caring that my bag was gone and ran out the door. I felt the handle of my knife digging at my leg in my boot. I signed in relief and kept running, wondering how long I've been out for.
     This place was a giant maze of twists and turns. I knew I was getting closer because I heard the pounding, deafing music of the cranks.  I kept pushing my legs to the limit ad I ran on.
     Finally out of that disgusting building that I know are filled with cranks at the moment, I start to make my way back to what I call my little home somewhere on the outskirts of town. It was already dusk. I turn down an alleyway and stop. Something was different and I didn't like it. I turned to the wall and gasped. Carved into the building were five words.
Thomas you're the real leader.
     Who is Thomas? What does it mean he's the real leader? When did WICKED have the time to carve these into the buildings? I must have been out for days, which means the munie groups are already here. A loud bang interrupted my thoughts. I turned around to see a crank eating some sort of animal. I grabbed my knife and walked towards him, well I think it's a him. The crank looked up at me when I got close enough to see its face. Skin was slowly peeling off his face and his left eyeball was swollen and covered in puss.
"Have the two groups gone through the city yet?" I asked.
"The first one went around, smart kids they are but," he licked his dry lips with a disgusting black tongue, "the second one is about to reach the city, they're probably here." he laughed and continued eating his animal. I had to find that group. If they came in here they would be captured, tortured and finally killed. No one that is immune to the flare should even think about stepping foot into this town. No one that is immune should die in this city.
I need to find them.