The Trigger (A Newt fanfiction)

Chapter 17

The group doesn't move at first--we're too busy gawking in fear at the gigantic Crank City. It's not until Jorge says something that we actually move.

"This is where we split up," he says solemnly, his eyes darting over everyone. He then glances at Brenda. "Do you want to create the groups?"

She nods, then starts pointing at random people and giving them a number. Brenda points to me, and I'm a 2.

I glance at Lucy, hoping she will be in my group. I refocus on Brenda, and she is counting off the people that are behind Lucy and I. Then, her gaze meets Lucy.

"One," she points at her.

Lucy frowns at me, and I do the same.

"Now," Brenda yells. "Everyone go into your groups." She points to different areas around us, and labels them with a number. We break up and go into our groups.

Relief fills me when I see Harriet walk over to the area. "Hey groupie," she says and smiles.

Next, a boy that I don't know joins our group. Behind him, Minho. When everyone seems settled, I frown. Deep down, I'd hoped that Newt would be in my group. It seems like we're the only group with 4 people.

Jorge eyes all of the groups, then lands on ours. He steps up to us. "Huh. Why is it that your group only has 4 people?"

We shrug, but Minho speaks up. Of course.

"Some shucking baby probably wanted to be with their friend," he scoffs.

Jorge doesn't respond; just continues to eye all of the groups. He then points to Newt, who is in Group 4 I think. "You, hermano. Join this group, will you?"

My heart flutters as Newt doesn't hesitate to walk over to our group. His group had 6 people, so it makes sense as to why they'd send him over to our group.

"Problem fixed," Jorge says calmly.

"Listen," Brenda yells, attracting everyone's attention. "We'll all walk together until we reach the sewers. There, everyone takes a different path and we meet up at the base of the mountains. Stay away from Cranks at any cost, and if you encounter one, stab it in the heart or head."

Everyone is silent for a moment, absorbing the specific instructions. Then, one by one, we all nod.

"Good," Brenda says. "Jorge will be with Group 1 and I'll be with Group 2. Got it?"

We all nod again, and soon we're off. I walk beside Harriet, and Minho, Newt, and the other boy walk together behind us.

Brenda scurries over to our group and takes the lead. So far, we're all one compact group. But when we reach the sewers, then we split up. My heart pounds. What'll we encounter?

We break into a jog once we reach the first dilapidated building that is bordering the street. Cat-calls and whistles are echoing off the nearby buildings, and we know Cranks are close.

We then skid to an abrupt stop, bumping into the people in front of us. "What happened?" Minho asks, peeking over the heads of the people in front of us.

No one answers, and instead continues to face forward. Murmurs of conversation break out. Curiosity eating away my skin, I decide to push through the people in front of me to see what the interruption is.