Chapter 17 | The Scream King

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"One chance deal. Go back. You won't be sliced."

Right after I heard that, I have goosebumps all over my skin. Minho's grip tightens around my hand, I squeezed back.

All of the Gladers' reactions filled the tunnel. "Won't be sliced?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He said we can go back!"

Despite over the fact that I'm slightly scared, I spoke up, "Hey! Remember what I said back there? No matter what you hear, we should keep going!"

"Yeah, but the voice said this was a one chance deal. We have to at least think about it."

"Oh c'mon! Are you kidding me?" I said. "We can't trust a random shank whispering in the dark."

"Maybe we should go back." Someone added.

"Whatever. If you wanna go back, go back. Enjoy being executed in a most unpleasant manner." I said, Ratman's voice echoing in my head as I repeated his words about avoiding the Trials.

"Y/N is right. Remember Ratman told us. That we'd all die horrible deaths if we go back."

Frypan pushed. "How're we supposed to know who to listen to and who to ignore?"

"Wanna go back, Frypan? Go ahead. If you think it's better to go back, then go. Who knows, maybe there's a comfy sofa waiting for you and a bottle of orange juice."

"Oh and If I'm right, please send me a postcard." I added.

I heard some Gladers snickering, but I didn't. I kept moving.

"The voice is just a test, I bet. We need to keep going." Thomas said.

"He's right." Minho said, finally. "Come on, let's go."

We all started walking again, Minho's hands still locked with mine.

"You're all dead. You're going to be sliced. Dead and sliced."

Every hair on my neck stood up straight and a chill tickled my back. I thought the Gladers were going to argue again, but surprisingly no one said a thing.

"Hey, are you okay?" Minho asked.

"There's a mysterious voice whispering in the tunnel. We don't know where we're going and we're surrounded by darkness. Yeah, I guess I'm okay." I said.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Minho said.

"I'm not worried." I said.

"Why?" Minho asked.

"Because I'm with you." I said.

In the distance, I can hear Newt's groan in the back.

We made our way deeper into the darkness.

Forward.
Darkness.
Confusion.
Fear.

I don't know what to feel now. I just wanted to get out of this shuck place.

The silence made me think of all the people we've lost so far.

Alby.
Chuck.
Jeff.

What is WICKED up to? They want a cure for the Flare by killing innocent kids? By putting them in a harsh environment?

I'm still thinking whether should I believe that WICKED is good.

I can't help but suddenly feel depressed, how-

A boy screamed a few dozen feet in front of me.

The kid was screaming his throat raw, screeching and squealing like an animal at the old Blood House in the Glade.

I sense someone ran forward to the boy. Even in the darkness I can almost imagine what the kid looks like. Screaming and crying for help.

Minho stepped in front me protectively, his hands never leaving mine.

"Hey!" I heard Thomas yelled. "What's wrong with you?"

The boy keeps trashing and squirming. No one else said a thing.

What the hell is happening? I thought.

"Stop it!" Thomas yelled again. "What's wrong?"

The screams gurgled to a stop, like nothing happened.

"What is that?" I heard someone shouted.

Minho moved forward, gripping Thomas' shirt at the shoulder. "Thomas! What happened?"

I can hear Thomas' trying to catch his breath. "I ... don't know. Who was that? Who was down there screaming?"

Winston answered, "Frankie, I think. He was right next to me. Yeah it was definitely him."

"What happened!" Minho repeated.

"I ran up here to help. Find out what was wrong. Then I reached for his head, all I felt was . .  ." Thomas paused.

"His head wasn't a head. It was like .. a big .. metal ball." Thomas finally said.

A lot of people spoke at once. But Thomas didn't answer them.

"We need to run. We need to go. Now." Thomas said.

No one said a thing. Instead Minho pulled me with him and ran forward.
All the Gladers followed from behind. We didn't stop.

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sorry if there's any typos lol

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