𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

26.. there were sirens in the beat of your heart

Thèrèse sat in silence, her mind racing. Despite the gravity of the mission ahead, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation, a sort of dark curiosity about what she would find inside the WCKD facility.

It wasn't until Aris came to sit beside her that she was pulled from her thoughts.

Aris sat beside her on the worn couch, his presence a silent comfort in the tense atmosphere. He said nothing for a while, just sitting quietly, occasionally stealing glances at her.

"You okay?" he finally asked, breaking the silence softly.

Thèrèse looked up at him, her expression guarded but her eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability.

"As okay as I can be, in this situation," she replied, her voice low. "Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Understatement of the century," Aris said with a soft chuckle. "I can't imagine what you're going through, with everything that's happening. First the whole revelation about your dad, and now facing WCKD directly..."

"I can't do this again, Aris," Thèrèse said, her voice breaking slightly. "I just can't."

She felt the weight of her past, the memories of her time at WCKD, pressing down on her. "I thought I was done with all of this," she continued, her gaze fixed forward. "I thought I'd escaped that world, but here I am, right back where I started."

Aris put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "You're not alone this time," he reminded her. "None of us would have a hope in hell without you. We're all in this together."

Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice choking as she spoke. "I don't want to go back, Aris," she said, a tremble in her voice. The thought of returning to WCKD, to the very place where she had fought so hard to break free, was a terrifying prospect.

Aris held her tighter, his voice soft and soothing. "Hey, hey," he murmured, feeling the weight of her fear and vulnerability. "We won't let anything happen to you. You're not alone this time, remember? You have us - me, Teresa, and Bea. We'll be there with you, every step of the way."

Aris gently rubbed her arm, his touch a steadying presence. He looked into her eyes, his gaze unwavering. "You're not the girl from WCKD anymore," he said quietly yet firmly. "You're stronger than that, Thèrèse. You've survived, you've learned, and most importantly, you've found people who care about you. We're by your side for a reason."

Thèrèse closed her eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Aris' words were like a balm to her wounded heart, a reassurance that she couldn't find in herself.

"But what if I'm not strong enough?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What if I can't do this?"

Aris squeezed her shoulders gently, his eyes never leaving hers. "You are strong enough," he said firmly. "You've faced more than any person should ever have to. You've fought for your freedom, your identity, and for your friends. You've already been through hell and back. Don't sell yourself short, Thèrèse."

Thèrèse leaned into him, the weight of his words sinking in slowly. She knew he was right, in a way. She had survived so much already, things that would have broken others. But facing WCKD again... It felt like an insurmountable task.

The night was dark, rain falling in a steady drizzle, and the surroundings were steeped in shadows. They crouched in the shadows of an old building, its brick walls cool and damp to the touch. From their vantage point, they had a view of the WCKD facility. It loomed menacingly in the distance, its sterile exterior a stark contrast to the gloom around it.

Bea knelt beside them, her eyes fixed on the facility. "So, this is it, huh?" she remarked quietly. "Philadelphia."

Aris shifted next to her, his eyes narrowed. "Looks like it," he replied, his voice a low murmur. "Just a few steps to hell."