Thomas thought surviving the maze was the hardest thing he'd ever do-until he steps into the real world and finds it crawling with the undead. Now, he, Newt, Minho, and Gally are thrust into a brutal fight for survival in a world overtaken by zombie...
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The chill of the night air felt foreign against Thomas's skin as he stumbled out of the maze. The echoes of his friends' frantic footsteps reverberated in his mind, but the fresh pain of Chuck's sacrifice weighed heavily on his heart.
Thomas, Teresa, Newt, Minho, Frypan, and Winston emerged into a world that felt both vast and suffocating. They had escaped the maze, but the horrors they faced were far from over.
As they walked, a rustling noise suddenly broke the stillness. Thomas's heart raced, and instinct kicked in. They weren't armed. All they had was their speed.
"Run!" he shouted, adrenaline surging through him.
The group took off, the sounds of moaning growing louder behind them. They pushed themselves faster, dodging trees and underbrush, breaths coming in ragged gasps. Just as they thought they might escape, a horde of walkers staggered into view, their lifeless eyes hungry for flesh.
Before Thomas could think, a loud gunshot rang out, and the walkers fell, one by one, as if struck by invisible hands. Confusion washed over the group as they skidded to a halt, tension thick in the air.
In the clearing stood a girl with striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, holding a gun and looking fierce amidst the chaos. Thomas blinked, disbelief mingling with a flicker of hope.
"Who are you?" Minho gasped, eyes darting between her and the dead walkers.
"Just someone who knows how to deal with the dead," she replied, voice steady but urgent. "You need to move. More will come."
"What happened back there?" Frypan asked, still catching his breath.
"Long story. Right now, you need to trust me if you want to survive," Ava urged, glancing over her shoulder as more distant groans echoed through the trees.
"Lead the way," Teresa said, determination flickering in her eyes.
Without waiting for a response, Ava turned and sprinted into the trees. Thomas and the others exchanged nervous glances but followed closely behind. They had escaped something horrific, but this was a new kind of nightmare. Could they trust this girl?
As they weaved through the trees, Thomas's heart pounded with a mix of fear and hope. They soon arrived at a clearing where two people stood, both armed and looking ready for a fight.
"Jorge! Brenda!" Ava called out, relief flooding her voice.
Jorge, a tall man with a rugged demeanor, stepped forward, gripping his weapon tightly. His expression hardened as he assessed the newcomers. "What's going on? You bring more trouble?"
"No, just survivors," Ava replied, gesturing to Thomas and the others. "They need help."
Brenda, a fierce-looking woman with an air of authority, stepped up next to Jorge, her gaze sweeping over the newcomers. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"We just ran into a horde of... things," Newt said, trying to catch his breath. "We don't know what they are, but they're dangerous."
Jorge's distrustful gaze shifted back to Ava. "And you trust them?"
"They need help, Jorge," Brenda interjected, stepping between them. "You know what's out there."
"Yeah, and I know people can't be trusted," Jorge retorted, still keeping a close eye on Thomas and the others. "Except you two." His voice softened slightly as he glanced at Ava and Brenda, whom he regarded as daughters.
"We don't want any trouble," Thomas said, raising his hands slightly. "We just want to survive."
Jorge narrowed his eyes but seemed to relax a fraction. "You can stay for now, but understand this: I don't trust anyone easily. If you give me a reason to doubt you, I'll make sure you regret it."
As the group settled into the clearing, Thomas couldn't shake the feeling that their fight was just beginning. They had escaped the maze, but the real battle awaited them in this new, unforgiving world. With W.I.C.K.E.D. still looming in the background and the undead lurking just outside their sanctuary, they would have to be ready for whatever came next.
