The Scorch Victims

Chapter Three

"Name it. Just know that I'll be asking for a favor in return. I can call it anywhere, anytime, with no expiration date."

Arris folded his hands in front of him as he waited for Jay's request. "Consider it done. Anything you need. As for my favor, do you know how to get into Rat-..Well, Janson's office through the vents?" Jay replied, occasionally glancing at the boys to make sure they were occupied.

"I know every nook and cranny in this place. Admittedly, I don't know some of the important labs or the big metal room but the rest, easy money." He nodded, flipping a coin he had pulled from his pocket.

"Can you get me inside? I think I know of a way to find out what's in there." Arris thought over Jay's question and looked up at her. "Your wish is my command. I'll meet you in the vents after lights out." Arris stood, rolling his shoulders back.

Jay nodded before walking away to where Thomas and the Gladers sat. "He doesn't much. Only what we saw." She lied smoothly, leaning her head against Thomas' shoulder.

"We'll have to get in somehow. A way that doesn't put any of us in danger." Thomas said and laid his hands flat on the table.

Jay's thoughts toiled against one another in her head. There is no other way!..Thomas is right..I have to do this..

She took a deep breath and sighed. "Everything alright, babe?" Thomas looked over at her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'll be fine Thomas." Jay whispered in return and kissed his cheek.

Hours later, it was time for them to head back to their dorms. It was time. Jay stood outside of her room with Thomas- after he insisted to walk her there like a gentleman -, leaning against the wall in his arms.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Greenie." She gave him a quick kiss and moved to go inside. He stopped her by grabbing onto her wrist and pulling her to his chest. "I'll sneak in through the vents tonight to be with you." He murmured in her ear, kissing under it softly.

"M-mhm..." Jay shivered, blushing. "Goodnight Thomas." "Goodnight, sweetheart." Before Thomas could walk away, she stopped him.

"I love you." She didn't know if it was the last time she would say this to him. His eyes softened and he murmured an 'I love you too' before pulling her close, sweeping her up in his arms and pressing his lips fiercely to hers.

The two were locked in a passionate embrace until they pulled away for air, lips red from their kisses. "See you tonight." Thomas winked before heading down the long hallway to his room.

She went inside her own room after watching his retreating back, sighing contentedly and closing the door.

But then, she realized something. Thomas was coming over. Tonight.

No, no, no! He'll notice I'm gone! But I can't say no to him...Or those lips of his...It'll have to be quick. In and out. No time for dallying.

Jay quickly laid in her bed and when the lights shut off, she put her pillows under her blanket. The compound had curfew so the lights were automatic, turning off whenever it was time for bed.

She snuck into the vent by her bed swiftly, using the shadows as a disguise from the cameras she knew were planted in the room and trying to not make too much noise as she crawled through the metal maze.

Arris met up with her inside and they crawled quickly. Time was of the essence. They had to get in the room and out before Janson returned, and Jay had to get to her room and into bed by the time Thomas arrived.

Oy vey.

Arris started unscrewing the vent over Janson's office. He had memorized every single route which made a shortcut to his office easy to find. Jay crawled up by him and took off the vent silently, placing it to the side. "Keep a look out." She whispered, lowering herself into the room. He nodded and looked over at a vent that showcased the hallway right by the office.

The office was a neat and proper place. But was bland and only had neutral colors. She rummaged through the drawers of the beige desk, looking for the one thing she needed that would be her ticket to the truth. Or her death. Whichever came first.

She found a clipboard and looked at the names to be called in the next day. There were roughly twelve of them. A lot for a simple smuggling trip...

Alexander James
Adelaide Dawn
Bryce Hardy
Damon Salvatore
Elena Gilbert
Finn Hudson
Marilyn Rose
Santana Lopez
Scarlett Everdeen
Stefan Salvatore
Tina Cohen-Chang
Theresa Williams
Thomas
Zeus Kontos

Wait. She read the list over again. THOMAS?!

She quickly found a pen and scribbled out Thomas' name, writing 'Due to complications, it shall be changed to Jay Veritas.'

Jay smiled in triumph and stowed away the clipboard and pen where she had found them. Not so bad.

Arris was starting to make a quiet ruckus, moving his hands desperately. She frowned until she heard heavy boots hit the ground and becoming louder and closer.

Jay jumped up and held onto the lip of the vent, trying to pull herself up with difficulty.

Then the door swung open and the lights came on.

~

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