Gladers choice | TMR | Thomas | Minho

Chapter Thirty Four

When Lyra awoke, her body was stiff, her muscles aching from exhaustion and tension. The bus rumbled beneath her, and for a moment, she didn't know where she was. Then it all came flooding back—the Maze, the Grievers, Chuck's death, and Minho's solid presence beside her. She shifted slightly, feeling Minho's arm still wrapped around her, and blinked groggily as the bus jolted forward again.

Her mind felt heavy, as if it hadn't fully processed everything yet. She turned her head slightly and saw Thomas, sitting a few seats ahead with Teresa. He was talking quietly with one of the guards—a woman with sharp, observant eyes who had been with the rescuers. Lyra could barely hear their conversation at first, but as she fully came to, she caught the important parts.

"The devastation started when extreme sun flares burned the earth, killing millions," the guard explained. Her voice was calm but carried a weight of grim finality. "That was followed by the Flare, a disease that spread uncontrollably, wiping out even more people. There's a rumor that a cure was found in the Andes, thousands of miles south. That's why you were tested—to see if you were strong enough, tenacious enough, to make the journey there and bring back the cure."

Lyra's stomach churned as she listened. The Flare? She exchanged a quick glance with Newt, who sat nearby. His face reflected the same confusion and unease she felt. This was all so surreal—an experiment to test if they could save the world? The Maze, the death, the blood, it all seemed so... absurd now.

The guard continued. "We believe experimenting on children like you is wrong. Immoral. That's why we're fighting back against WICKED. We're trying to save you from being used."

Lyra's mind raced. Used? She felt a shiver run down her spine as images of the people in white lab coats flashed before her eyes. The sterile rooms, the observation windows—it was as if they had all been animals in a cage, and it made her sick to think about it. Her body tensed, and she instinctively scooted closer to Minho, seeking comfort in his nearness. His arm tightened around her shoulders as if he knew what was running through her head.

"Freakin' shuckers," Minho muttered quietly, more to himself than to anyone else, though his grip on her was firm, reassuring.

Lyra nodded faintly, her eyes unfocused as she tried to make sense of it all. A cure. The Maze had been a test. She glanced at her friends, each of them processing the information in their own way. Thomas's brow was furrowed as he bombarded the guard with more questions. Teresa, sitting beside him, looked resolute, determined even. Newt's expression was a mix of disbelief and quiet anger, while Frypan sat further ahead, shaking his head as if none of this could be real.

Lyra tried to focus, but her thoughts kept slipping back to Chuck. His wide-eyed innocence, the way he had always tried to make everyone laugh. He was gone, and nothing would change that. She felt tears prick the corners of her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly. Grief sat heavy in her chest, but something else was settling in too—a dull sense of relief. They had escaped. Somehow, they had survived, even if it had cost them too much.

Before she could dwell too much longer, the bus pulled to a stop. Lyra blinked, realizing they had arrived at their destination.

The door opened with a soft hiss, and the guard gestured for them to get out. "Come on, let's get you inside."

Lyra glanced around at her friends, sharing uncertain looks as they slowly filed off the bus. The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the stuffy tension inside the vehicle. She inhaled deeply, feeling the crispness of it fill her lungs. For the first time in what felt like days, she wasn't running for her life.

They were led inside a building—a stark contrast to the cold, metallic world of the Maze. The room they entered was brightly lit and strangely welcoming. It was large, with an open area that resembled a dormitory, complete with a kitchen, living space, and several rooms that appeared to be individual sleeping quarters.