The Scorch Victims

Chapter Eight

Hey y'all! I got a sprained ankle a week ago so replies are a bit slow. *le sigh*

Hehe. Enjoy the #Tay edit I made :3

AND UGH THIS CHAPTER KEPT UPLOADING WHEN I WASN'T DONE 😂

Well, on to the carnage❤️!

~

Thomas' head whipped in the direction of the hallway where Jay and Newt were searching, his eyes scanning the area worriedly. It seemed to be coming from there.

He was ready to run until he saw Jay round a corner with Newt, multitudes of cranks on their heels. "Go, go, go!" Minho yelled and pulled Thomas so he started to run the other way while Jay and Newt caught up.

The others bolted behind Thomas and Minho, Newt and Jay bringing up the rear.

Jay could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins as she ran. Realization hit her. She missed it. She missed the adrenaline. She missed fighting. She missed the thrill of imminent danger.

She panted slightly as they ran up the stairs, taking a sharp turn when cranks burst from inside the store windows. Glass flew everywhere, Newt grabbing her forearm to pull her from the wreckage.

"C'mon!" Newt cried out as they ran into a hallway, following right behind Thomas and Minho. Thomas slammed the door shut behind them and tried to block it shut with a nearby pole before running off with the others.

Winston, Jeff, and Frypan ran behind Newt as they all ran into a dead end. "Shuck!" Minho cursed, pulling at the chains that held the door shut. "Help me out over here!" Thomas ran over and started tugging at the rusted chains. The door that they went through was starting to shake as cranks rammed into the door, shrieking and roaring.

The chains were starting to give way when the door busted open, cranks starting to filter in. "Move!" Jay yelled and kicked the door. Luckily, it swung open to reveal sets of stairs spiraling down. She ushered everyone in; heart stopping when one of the cranks grabbed Winston. "Winston!"

Thomas back tracked to see Winston being dragged away by a few cranks and ran forward, grabbing his arms and starting to pull. Jay fought off any cranks that got close to Thomas with a nearby board of wood. It was flimsy, but it worked.

Winston cried out as the crank's claws dragged across his stomach but found a moment of relief when Jay beat down the cranks holding him. Thomas helped Winston up and put his arm around his shoulder as the trio ran down the stairs.

They eventually reached the end of the stairwell and ran out with the rest of the waiting Gladers. There was a huge hole in the side of the wall, probably from bombings or previous attacks, which they ran through to try to escape the herd. They climbed over rocks and debris from the hole and hid under an exceptionally large rock.

Shrieks and screeches echoed off the wall as the cranks emerged from the stairwell. Thomas held onto Jay tightly, keeping his breath low so they wouldn't be found. Jay let out a shaky sigh, fingers holding onto Thomas' shirt tightly.

Thankfully, the loud cries faded off into the dark night after a good half hour. They remained silent for another few minutes before Minho stood up silently. "I'm going to go make sure they're gone." He whispered, disappearing behind one of the rocks as he walked off.

It seemed like an eternity before he returned. "All clear." Minho assured, listening to the relieved sighs of the Gladers. They started to unpack the bags from the WCKD compound and a few things they had found inside the large mall.

Sleeping bags were rolled out, Arris being on first watch. Thomas and Jay laid in the same sleeping bag, looking up at the night sky and glowing stars. "Thomas...I heard boys in the cafeteria talk about a safe haven...Maybe we could see what they're talking about is true?.." She murmured and glanced up at him.

He nodded, running his fingers through her hair. "We'll set out tomorrow. Let's get some sleep. We'll need it for the journey." He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead.
"Goodnight Thomas."

"Goodnight Jay."

~

Jay woke the next morning, her head on Thomas' chest and his arm around her waist. "Good morning, beautiful." He murmured and kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning, Thomas."

The sound of choking and gasps filled the air, making them scramble to a sitting position. It was Winston.

Newt lifted up Winston's shirt to survey last night's damage and recoiled at the sight. Purple scratches swelled up and oozing pus were situated on his stomach.

"Holy shuck.." Jay gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. Thomas' mouth parted in surprise before his eyes set in determination. "We're going to help you Winston. There has to be a cure..Something along the-"

He was interrupted by Winston himself.

"Thomas...It's no use...I'm a goner...Just...Leave me here with a gun." He croaked, his eyes reddened and glazed over.

Thomas opened his mouth to object but before he could, Jay was taking out her gun. She removed all the bullets except for one and handed it to Winston.

"That's that...Everyone pack up..." Newt whispered and gulped.

Everyone gathered their things silently, mellowing in their grief. They all couldn't let Winston live like one of those ugly grotesque things. It was the right choice to make.

They said their goodbyes and started the trek away to civilization. They were walking on a sandy dune when they heard one singular shot.

Stopping in their tracks, the group turned in the direction of the noise and bowed their heads for a moment of silence for their fallen friend.

They would complete this journey for Winston. And all the fallen Gladers before him. Gally. Chuck. Aleks. Alby.

They would not rest until WCKD was defeated and they had reached the safe haven.

For the Gladers.

Turning around, they continued their somber walk.

To freedom.