Single-Blind ⇥ Newt (TMR)

Chapter 73 - Let the Flare In

"You're working late."

I focused on my breath, keeping it even and in control. Too quick or too long, I'd raise suspicion. I focused on their heads instead, and what I would do to them both if Teresa blew the plan up right now. If she told Janson we were directly behind him. I'd shoot them both before she finished the sentence. There's a small relief about running out of life; I did not have to face the guilt of murder. Thomas might hate me for making an abstract painting of his girlfriend's brains, but- once again- I wouldn't have to deal with it.

"See, that's what I like about you, Teresa. No matter how bleak things get, you just... Well, you never give up. Times like this, you need a friend that you can count on." Even Janson's friendly voice was eerie.

She is brainless if she thinks he wouldn't suck her dry of blood if it meant he would have a couple more hours. At least I'm simpler. I'd do it because her hands were stained with the blood of my brothers.

"I'll bear that in mind." Teresa kept her voice level despite my eyes burning a hole in the back of her skull.

"There is one thing you should know. One friend to another. Thomas is here. Surveillance picked him up outside the walls. Ava didn't want you to know," His manipulation was easy to decipher. "There is a chance that he may try to contact you, and if he does, I'd like to think that I'd be your first call."

I lied, a shitty thing to do in the final hours of life, I know, but I can assure you even death epiphanies have learning curves. Teresa doesn't own the last of my patience. I'm leaving the last of it in this elevator. Every lasting fiber told me not to turn this gun ninety degrees and remove Janson's use of his spinal cord.

"Are you going to kill him?"

But I would not be the one to face the consequences. I reminded myself of the pros and cons of that fact. Tommy would pay for my outburst soon after I passed. I like the idea of my patience saving Tommy more.

"Would that be a problem?" Janson questioned as the doors opened.

The bell rang, saving Teresa from answering. "This is me."

She stepped out of the elevator, keeping her head faced forward. Another smart decision. I couldn't help it, so I shoulder checked Janson on the way out the door. Call it a dying wish.

Our pace continued, maybe even faster now. Janson had shaken us up. There's nothing I'd like more than to get Minho and get out of this hell.

Teresa reached out for him, "Thomas, you have to listen to me. Getting that serum won't save Newt. It might buy him some time, but..."

"Ignore her," I begged, growing more annoyed by the sound of her voice. "She's trying to get inside your head."

"Thomas, listen. You know what's going on out there. People are dying. The world is dying." I couldn't stand her unwavering care for everyone in the world except for us. We would always be lab rats in WCKD's mind. "Fiona cured Brenda. However she did it, we can replicate it here. If you let me run some tests... I promise I can protect you."

"Yeah? Like you protected Minho?" He threw off his helmet to look her in the eyes.

I jumped forward, pulling him back. He was reckless and stupid by nature, but taking his helmet off in a city where facial recognition was built with his features in mind was a new level. I was holding onto every bit of my wits for this mission; the least he can do is keep his feelings bottled up. Bloody twat. "What are you doing?"

"How many people is it gonna take? How many more people do they have to round up, torture, and kill? Huh? When the hell does it stop?" He ignored me completely.

Teresa's eyes begged to control him. "It stops when we find a cure."

"There is no goddamn cure!" He shouted so much louder than he should have. He shouldn't be speaking at all. "Fiona said it herself. I trust her a hell of a lot more than you."

"We need to go!" I hissed.

"We both know Fiona will never give up, especially not while Newt's dying." Teresa's wide gaze jumped between us. I pushed her forward slightly, prompting her to keep moving. Teresa had many qualities, but being brainless was not one of them. Her lips parted, and her new discovery was evident.

"She doesn't..." Teresa's voice was shocked into a whisper. "She wasn't bluffing me. She really doesn't know."

It stung. It shouldn't have. I couldn't care less about Teresa the traitor's opinion of me. But I knew the shock wasn't regarding me at all; the fleck of fear in her eye was for my beloved. And her discomfort was a mere fraction of what Fiona's would be when she finally found out. Moreso when I couldn't explain my actions.

"Don't waste your breath, Teresa." Janson's voice came from beyond the pair. I grabbed Thomas harder now, urging us to run. We could still save Minho, but we couldn't do it with her. Not anymore. "He made his choice long ago."

"Drop it, kid!" A guard yelled to our left as a group closed in on us.

Thomas surprised me slightly, jostling Teresa into his chest. Holding his pistol right under her chin, "Back up. Tell them to back off. Tell them to back off!"

"Hey, Thomas, come on. It's me. I've known you longer than you can remember. You're not gonna shoot her." Janson scoffed, boasting in the truth we both knew.

Janson taunted him, "You don't think so?"

Not a chance.

"Okay. Go on then." He challenged. "Shoot her."

Ha!

"Prove me wrong."

He won't.

"Shoot her."

I'd love to see it.

I refuse to waste time psychoanalyzing Teresa's reasoning, but she pushed against the floor with all her strength. Forcing Thomas and I into the hall before pulling the fire alarm. A clear door smashed down in front of us, the showering of bullets following. The glass stopped each one, protecting both parties from damage to the other.

The doors were sealed but not soundproof. I could hear every word out of her mouth. "I just did you a favor. Doors are sealed. They can't get out. Janson, I need them alive. Fiona knows the cure, and she's just outside the city."

Then she ran, her footsteps now covered by the blaring of an intruder alarm. I didn't need any more incentives, taking off running. We would find Minho. I couldn't leave this building until he was free.

I threw the helmet off. No longer letting it restrict me.

"All R-16 personnel, report to their assigned stations." The announcer was clear.

Thomas and I had on two different uniforms. Our cover was blown to hell by Janson, but this level of the building didn't know us. We walked, helmetless, and stood out like a sore thumb. Not that it didn't give enough reason to question us.

Thomas's ADHD stopped him dead in his tracks, forcing me to turn around and see what was more important than Minho at the end of the hall. Ava stood there. A face I would never forget, a woman I once thought I watched die. The director of all things WCKD. She had full control over our fears for the last three years. Now the tables have turned.

--

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm working pretty steadily on this story at the moment. The next two chapters are nearly ready. Hopefully, I can get them out soon. I'll likely post again on New Year's Eve 

All of Newt's italicized words are the things that the flare has basically taken the wheel. Hence the chapter is named "Let the Flare In." Sorry, this wasn't a happier chapter for the holidays, but we are in the endgame now.