The Scorch Victims

Chapter Six

Thomas clenched his jaw tightly as the blonde woman from the screen in the maze appeared on the hologram.

"Good evening, Doctor Paige. Everything is going as scheduled. But we do have setbacks. Groups have been attacking WCKD facilities all over the globe. Some have even perished." Ratman said in a smooth tone, ready for the probable rage that he was to face.

Thomas felt his breath hitch. WCKD. He knew it was too good to be true. He looked down at Jay, brushing a strand of her dark hair away from her face and absentmindedly running his thumb across her cheek. His heart swelled with worry.

Would she wake up? Would he ever see those green eyes that shone with strength, love, and-.... A sharp voice brought him back from his thoughts.

Doctor Paige looked up from the paper work at her desk and scowled. "I cannot afford any more set backs Janson. If you want this world to be cured, then we must get rid of every single one of the rebels. I will not let my work die in vain." The Doctor composed herself before returning to signing paperwork on her desk. "Subject A-14 and A-1 seem to be getting along fairly well."

Janson pursed his lips. "Subject A-14 has caused a bit of chaos. Caught her sneaking into an office at 0400 hours ago. As we brought her out, we checked her vitals. Was there any gene alteration or chemical process changed in her? They were very rare and looked as if they were tampered with."

Dr. Paige looked up again. "Yes. To compensate for her training. She was in the military based program before she was sent in to join the other subjects early. A general. She was our little..experiment for human soldiers. It was successful. We can manipulate her emotions consisting of anger and with enough power, we can control her brain to ultimately make her do our dirty work for us. She is a valuable project in our journey to the cure, Janson. She must not be harmed."

Thomas' gaze flickered up to Paige. Something was connecting to them. But he couldn't put his finger on it.

Janson stiffened when he heard the importance of the Subject whose identity was to be revealed. "I'm afraid there's already a problem here, Doctor. We had to contain her. Got too curious. She has enough juice to keep a cure for months. She'll do well down here."

At that comment, Paige rose in fury which caused her chair to fall back. "You what?! Not only have you risked our million dollar project but you endangered the entire Group A! Subject A-1 and A-14 have developed vital advancements! They're in the Beta Five Testing Stage! He will come for her! Check their dorm immediately and bring them to the proper compound containment sector!"

"Yes, Doctor." Janson wasted no time in hanging up the call with the quick confirmation of her orders and the act of bringing the walkie talkie to his mouth. "Locate the entire Subject A Squadron. I repeat, locate the entire Subject A Squadron." Thomas and Arris darted behind the pillars as Ratman walked out of the room.

"Guess that's our cue to go." Arris murmured and the pair snuck out of the room. After checking the hall was clear, they ventured out into it. Thomas continued to hold Jay securely in his arms as if she was going to slip right through his fingers at any given moment.

They all finally got into the overhead vent with some difficulty and luckily the vent was large enough for Thomas to carry Jay to his chest if we scooted on his knees and bent down slightly.

It took a while to finally return to the dorm where the rest of them waited, the vent being kicked open. The others were still pacing when Thomas finally emerged with Jay.

Newt let out a breath of relief but frowned when he saw her comatose-like state. "Thomas wha-" Thomas interrupted him swiftly. "No time to explain. They're bound to be here any minute now."

He placed Jay gingerly on his bunk and ran to the door, putting a large pole in the handle of the door and tying it in place with one of the bedsheets to try and keep the door closed. It wasn't much but it would be enough to buy them some extra seconds. And hopefully it would be sufficient.

"Who? What's going on! We deserve answers, Thomas! You've kept us in the dark for quite a while now so it's time to start talking, slint-head." Minho crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. "He's right, mate. Explain." Newt breathed after pulling his eyes away from Jay.

"Long story short, Ratman works with WCKD. I'll explain on the way. We need to get out of here now. There's no time to lose." He explained with rushed breath and focused on his task.

"That explanation better be thorough or I'll shank you." Minho huffed, starting to pack the few belongings they had since they arrived.

"It will be." Thomas promised as he picked up Jay once more. After giving her one last affectionate look, he looked back at the band of misfits in the room. The door started to shake slightly. "Time to move."

Janson scowled when he swiped the ID card across the panel to open the door again with no avail. He had a group of men armed to the teeth by his side. The Group A Subjects were clever. They must have found out about his little working title.

"Break it down." He spoke gruffly to the general who nodded and with a few swift kicks, brought the door off of its hinges.

"Sir, they're gone." The general reported in a monotone to Janson. The room was vacant, save for the vent cover exposing the vent they went into to make their grand escape out of the compound.

"What?! Find them now! Do not let these kids leave the facility! Place every system on lockdown! NOW!" Ratman roared. He was beyond furious. Doctor Paige would have his head if he didn't get them back.

Those precious subjects would not escape so easily. They were the new frontier. The new piece to unlock another mystery that brought them closer and closer to the cure that they so desperately would do anything to find. Their genetic makeup was too valuable to lose. And it could cost him everything. His life, his job, the fate of the world.

And those words are not put lightly.