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The—unyielding sun loomed high in the sky, casting harsh shadows across the desolate landscape. Dust swirled in the air as the group of Gladers trudged onward, each step a reminder of the grueling trials they had endured. Thomas, Minho, Newt, and the rest of the crew were still processing the trauma of the Maze, but today they faced a new threat: the blistering heat and the unforgiving terrain of the Scorch.
Aris walked beside Ivy, their hands occasionally brushing together as they moved with the group. It had been a few days since their escape from the Maze, and although their bond had strengthened, the harsh reality of their new environment loomed constantly.
“Okay, Gladers, listen up!” Newt called, raising his hand to gather everyone’s attention. “We need to find shelter before the sun sets. There’s an old factory a couple of miles ahead. We can regroup there.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Thomas replied, glancing at the weary faces of his friends. “But let’s stay vigilant. We don’t know what’s lurking out here.”
As they resumed their march, Aris leaned closer to Ivy. “What do you think we’ll discover at the factory?”
“Hopefully food and water,” Ivy replied with a small smile. “But I was thinking we could scout ahead, maybe search for supplies before everyone else catches up.”
Aris’s heart raced at the thought. “You want to split off? I like the way you think.”
“Just a quick look, I promise. We can rendezvous with the others before they arrive,” Ivy said, her eyes glimmering with mischief.
“Okay, let’s do it,” Aris agreed, the excitement of the side task igniting a spark within him.
They quietly slipped away from the main group, heading toward the dilapidated factory that loomed on the horizon. The structure was immense, with crumbling walls and shattered windows. As they approached, the wind carried a faint scent of something sweet yet decayed—a smell that hinted at the factory’s forgotten past.
“Ready?” Ivy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Ready,” Aris replied, and together they ducked through the factory’s gaping entrance.
The interior was dark, shadows dancing across the walls as sunlight filtered through the broken windows. Dust motes hung in the air, giving the space an eerie, abandoned feel. Ivy pulled out her flashlight, illuminating the path ahead.
“Let’s check the offices first. They might hold something useful,” she suggested, her tone serious as they ventured deeper into the building.
As they entered a small room filled with overturned desks and scattered papers, Aris’s gaze landed on a rusted filing cabinet. “I’ll check here,” he said, moving toward it.
“Be careful; I don’t want you to end up needing a tetanus shot,” Ivy joked, attempting to lighten the mood.
Aris chuckled, running his fingers over the cabinet’s surface. “Yeah, because that’s the worst thing that could happen to me right now.”
