What if?

Chapter 3

Teresa and Newt stood at the edge of the crumbling facility, the morning sun casting long shadows over the desolate landscape. The air was cool, carrying the scent of earth and decay, and the city lay silent around them. They had spent the last few days gathering supplies, preparing for the journey ahead. The world outside the Safe Haven was a dangerous place, filled with Cranks and other threats. But they were determined to make it, to reunite with their friends and find a new future.

Newt adjusted his backpack, wincing slightly as he tested his still-recovering strength. "Are you sure we have everything?" he asked, glancing at Teresa.

Teresa nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon. "I've double-checked everything. We have enough food and water to last us a few days, plus medical supplies, maps, and weapons. We should be able to avoid most of the dangers if we're careful."

Newt gave her a determined smile. "Then let's get moving. The sooner we start, the sooner we can see them again."

They set off at a brisk pace, moving through the ruins of the city with practiced ease. The streets were eerily empty, the buildings crumbling and overgrown with weeds. Every now and then, they would catch a glimpse of movement in the shadows—stray animals, or perhaps a lone Crank wandering aimlessly. They kept to the less traveled paths, avoiding the main roads where danger was more likely to lurk.

As they walked, the silence between them was comfortable, filled with a shared understanding of their mission. They had been through so much together, and their bond had only grown stronger. Teresa led the way, her keen eyes constantly scanning for any signs of danger. Newt followed close behind, his senses alert and his thoughts focused on their destination.

Hours passed, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. They took a brief break to rest and eat, sitting in the shade of a collapsed building. Teresa handed Newt a bottle of water, and he accepted it gratefully.

"We've made good progress," she said, taking a sip from her own bottle. "If we keep this pace, we should reach the outskirts of the Safe Haven in a few days."

Newt nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's strange to think they all believe we're dead. I can't wait to see their faces when we sho-" His words were cut off abruptly by a massive thud that shook the ground beneath them.

"What was that?" Newt asked, his voice tense, as he pointed his flashlight towards the source of the sound.

"I don't know, I hope it's nothing. But be careful," Teresa said, her voice tinged with worry.

Before they could react further, a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. A figure emerged, its movements jerky and unnatural. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, fixed squarely on Newt and Teresa. The unmistakable silhouette of a Crank sent a chill down their spines.

"Uh... Newt?" Teresa's voice faltered as another Crank stepped into view.

"Newt??" Her concern deepened as more figures began to emerge from the darkness, their forms distorted and twisted by the Flare.

Newt's eyes widened in horror as the realization dawned on him. "Teresa, run!"

Without hesitation, Teresa turned and sprinted, her heart pounding in her chest. Newt followed close behind, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. The Cranks gave chase, their unearthly shrieks filling the abandoned corridors of the WICKED facility.

They dashed through the maze-like hallways, their footsteps echoing off the cold, concrete walls. Newt glanced behind him, his flashlight casting long shadows that seemed to reach out and grab at them. The Cranks were gaining ground, their unnerving speed fueled by primal hunger.

"Keep going!" Newt shouted, his voice echoing down the empty corridors.

Teresa veered left into a side passage, hoping to throw off their pursuers. Newt followed, his heart racing as they navigated the labyrinthine building. They took every turn they could, trying to lose the Cranks in the maze of abandoned labs and darkened rooms.

Suddenly, they burst into a large chamber filled with rows of rusted metal tables and broken equipment. The air was thick with dust, the silence broken only by their ragged breathing. Teresa scanned the room, searching for a way out, but the exits seemed to have disappeared in the darkness.

"We need to find a way out," Newt gasped, leaning against a table to catch his breath.

Teresa nodded, her eyes darting around the room. "There's a door at the far end," she said, pointing towards a dimly lit corridor.

They sprinted towards the exit, their footsteps echoing loudly in the empty space. Just as they reached the door, a horde of Cranks burst into the chamber behind them, their growls reverberating off the walls. Newt slammed the door shut and frantically searched for a way to lock it.

"There!" Teresa spotted a heavy metal bar lying on the floor nearby. She grabbed it and jammed it into the door handle, securing it with all her strength.

The Cranks pounded on the door, their cries growing more frenzied with each passing second. Newt and Teresa exchanged a panicked glance, knowing they couldn't stay in the room for long.

"We need to find another way out," Teresa said, her voice urgent.

They hurried down the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing down the narrow passage. The air was stale, carrying with it the lingering scent of old experiments and forgotten research. They passed by rooms filled with broken monitors and discarded equipment, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

Ahead, they spotted a staircase leading upwards. Without hesitation, they raced towards it, taking the steps two at a time. The sound of the Cranks grew fainter behind them, but they knew they couldn't let their guard down.

At the top of the staircase, they emerged into a long hallway lined with closed doors. Teresa tried the first one she came across, relief flooding her as it swung open to reveal a dusty office space. They hurried inside and barricaded the door with a heavy desk.

"We should be safe here for now," Newt said, leaning against the desk with a sigh of relief.

Teresa nodded, her heart still racing from the adrenaline-fueled chase. "We need to find a way to signal for help," she said, scanning the room for any means of communication.

Newt spotted an old radio transmitter on a shelf in the corner. He hurried over to it and began fiddling with the controls, hoping to reach someone at the Safe Haven.

"We made it," Newt said, his voice filled with disbelief and exhaustion. "I thought we were done for."

Teresa joined him at the radio, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're not out of danger yet," she said softly. "But we'll get through this. Together."

As they waited for a response from the Safe Haven, the echoes of their harrowing chase through the abandoned WICKED facility lingered in their minds. They knew the journey ahead would be fraught with peril, but as long as they faced it together, they believed they could overcome anything that stood in their way.

Well, that's it for this chapter i guess :) Hope you liked it!

See you in the next chapter! 

L'🥀