Someone Worth Lying For

16) Questioning

"Thomas, you need to stop,"I said firmly, putting my arm out to prevent him from going any faster.

"I just-"
"No. You need to tell us what's going on. You can't just have us all start running without question."

"I-"
"Thomas, this is not even the way we're supposed to be going so you better stop and tell us what's happening."

Finally freezing in his tracks, he rested his hands on his knees, taking a much needed breath. Handing him my bottle, I silently told him to drink then explain.

Very reluctantly, he took it from my hands, taking a small sip before giving it back. I put it back on my belt before still looking at him, along with everyone else.

"It was Teresa,"He breathed out.

"You-you saw Teresa?"I whispered.

"I did,"He confirmed.

"Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

"I don't know. She was just acting off,"He trailed off.

"Off how?"Minho questioned.

"She was just trying to warn me about something. I don't really know. She was vague."

"Warn you how?"

"I don't know. She told me not to fight it."

"What exactly are you fighting?"Newt asked.

"She wouldn't explain. She just said to be prepared. That's-that's really it."

His tone said that that was probably not it. There's definitely more here, something that he's keeping.

Seeing as he's in genuine distress though, it's best not to interrogate him right now. Something tells me that wouldn't end well and would honestly probably cause a breakdown, something we'd rather avoid.

"It's getting late. We should all go to sleep,"I suggested, looking at the setting sky. No stars were out, but it was becoming too dark for comfort.

"She's right. Come on guys. Let's settle down for the night,"Newt agreed.

While they all started getting spots out in the open in a circle, I took my bag and walked further away from the group. With no hesitation, I plopped them in the ground before taking a seat, crossing my legs as I lost the empty sky.

Life is sad right now. Life is rough. I mean it's been rough but never like this. I don't think.

I don't remember at least.

I don't think I want to either.

Aris's P.O.V

My head tells me going up to her right now is a really bad idea.

My heart breaks at the distance we have now.

My head reminds me that it's my fault.

My heart reminds me I just wanted to do the right thing.

I don't know what I'm supposed to listen to. My heart, the way I feel, or my head, the logical part of myself.

° ° ° ° °

"I don't understand it."

"Understand what?"I asked, looking over at her. She was staring at my wall, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. Her hand was in mine, her thumb absentmindedly brushing over my knuckles as she kept thinking.

"The Flare. Diseases all start somewhere. Sometimes by humans even. How could one just show up? It doesn't make sense,"She clarified.

"We're not supposed to question it. We're just supposed to accept it's there and needs a cure."

"Why wouldn't you question it though? If you could find the source, isn't it possible that that would be the way to the cure?"

"Maybe, but I can't just ask that."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. You're just not supposed to,"I tried to explain.

"You don't think that's suspicious?"

"I just don't think about it,"I admitted.

"Maybe you should."

Shrugging again, I rested my head on her shoulder. She sighed as traced her fingertips up my arm, still deep in thought.

If she wasn't always questioning everything, she would definitely make the cut. And if she liked WICKED even a little bit. Seeing as we're meant to leave in a few years though, that is not happening.

I could ask more questions, but asking the wrong one could be taken the wrong way, something I don't want. Maybe that's not the best thing, but it's just my life right now.

That and her of course.

° ° ° ° °

Maybe I should have asked more questions, should have pushed for more information. Things could be different now.

Maybe I should stop torturing myself over what if's.

Maybe I should accept that my feet are already taking me over to her.

Maybe I should accept that she's looking up at me, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

Slowly, as though she would leave if I moved too quickly, I sat beside her. She just kept staring at me, the tears pouring faster from her eyes.

"It's going to be okay,"I promised, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. She didn't say anything, staring at me, then my hand, then me.

"Who are you really, Aris?"She whispered.

A few years ago, I believe I would know the answer.

I'm Aris Jones, Subject B1, Property of WICKED. I work with them to find a cure. A few nights out of the week, I'm nothing else but her lover. I'll be only that in a few years, hopefully after finding the cure.

"I don't know anymore."

She just nodded, seeming to understand that I meant it.

I have no idea who I actually am now.