Someone Worth Lying For

15) The Only One

My feet are tired, the screaming is back, and everything sucks. I can not think of one bright side to this right now.

Thomas is definitely acting off so that's not helping anything. He just looks like he’s putting the pieces of a puzzle together, an expression that grew more profound the closer the screaming got. Almost as though he recognized it.

I don't plan on asking though. I just have to focus on running. My goal for right now is just survival. Nothing less and certainly nothing more. The world doesn't even seem to have more to offer.

I can't even hear myself think at this point. The yelling’s too loud, animalistic even.

“Guys, stop!”Thomas shouted over the person. Somehow.

With great reluctance, we listened to him, freezing in our tracks and staring at him, waiting for him to speak.

“Doesn't that screaming kind of sound familiar?”

“Yes. It sounds like the yelling we’ve heard for days on end,”I deadpanned.

“No. I mean actually familiar. If you listen-”
“We’ve been listening to it for days on end. Let's just keep going,”I sighed, running my way past him.

“But-”
“I said let's go before I leave your ass behind!”I threatened, throwing him a harsh glare. He huffed, letting out an exasperated sigh before starting to sprint again along with others. Doing the exact same, I turned on my heel and kept going.

We do not have time for any of this cryptic paranoia. I’m pretty sure this life threatening disease is already getting to me, and the heat and lack of resources are not helping. I’m trying to make sure as many of us survive as possible, and if that means being the bad guy I am past caring. I have been starved, trapped, seen my friend die, and forced to keep moving on very limited food and water despite my aching body. The last thing I care about is the damn screaming.

• • • • •

The shrieking had just stopped again, which was pretty irritating. Either it will be there or it won't, but I’m growing sick of this back and forth thing.

I’m also sick of this stupid hill. I just want to get to the top of it so all of this can be over with. I just want that stupid cure and supposed safety. Is that too much to ask for?

“Wait, wait-”
“What is it now, Thomas?”I sighed, looking at him through the corner of my eye.

“Up there, that might have been who's been screaming,”He suggested, pointing to the top of the hill.

Squinting my eyes, I covered them slightly with my hand to see through the sun, only to find that he was correct. There did seem to be someone just standing there.

“So that's who you think has been making this trip even worse?”I clarified. He nodded his head, still looking at them. “I’m gonna make sure they actually shut up,”I grumbled, back to moving as everyone was just staying put.

“Y/N, I don't think that's a good idea!”Aris immediately called, going after me.

“Why would it not be a good idea? They’ve made an already miserable trip even more unbearable,”I pointed out, still walking up the hill.

“They could be dangerous. You don't know if they have something.”

“What? Like the Flare?”I scoffed.

“No. Like a weapon,”He said firmer.

“I don't care if-”
“Well, I do,”He pushed, grabbing my hand.