THE AFTERMATH (after the death cure)

Perception

RACHEL POV

My legs ache and throb. I feel like there is not another breath in my lungs. Why couldn't have WICKED focused on improving my fitness rather than throwing me out into this habitat full of trees and hills again?

"I can't guys, can we have a break?" I wheeze.

"It's only a little longer I swear!" Teresa says while giving me a look. I can practically see what she's thinking.

Rachel the weak one. Rachel the one who can't handle it. Rachel who hasn't gone through half of what I have.

She probably wasn't thinking that, but I was. Why did I have to be so weak? When Newt had to wake me up while I screamed in my dreams it was humiliating.

I felt weak,  andI didn't want to be weak anymore.

We continue to trudge along the trail that Teresa was following. Her head buried in a map twisting and turning it to find the right side. I don't understand how she can't fall flat on her face? I know I've had plenty of falls from what I can remember.

She was determined and graceful all at the same time. It was fascinating to watch that I almost understand why WICKED analyzed her actions for years. But I knew better than to think she had everything together. She was broken and fragile inside but there was still a part of her that was fighting and strong.

It was her confidence; and that was enough for her.

I want to be like that. I want people to see me like that. I want to come back to my friends not weaker but stronger. I want to be strong. I don't want people to think of me as weak. Because I'm not.

I need to have faith, not in other people because that won't do me any good. I've had my hopes crushed time after time because of other people. They are unreliable, ruthless, and selfish. And I don't need that anymore.

I thought I couldn't trust anybody, but I can. I can trust myself.

TERESA POV

I can't figure it out. Why can't I figure it out?

Maybe if I do this.... Or what if I....

Just a bunch of dead ends. Why am I even still walking? I mean I have no idea where we're going-

"I can't guys, can we have a break?" Rachel breathes.

"It's only a little longer I swear!" I say unconvincingly, I look over my shoulder at Rachel who is looking hopefully at me. My face involuntarily makes a look.

Great, you've just given her hope. I glance over to Newt who is watching his feet while keeping a steady pace behind me.

I'm not used to this. I'm not usually the leader.

It's always Thomas. Or Alby. Or Newt. Not that I listened to them but I always had that security.

Stop that. Stop playing it safe. Stop letting the boys do the work. That's what got you killed Teresa. You're holding yourself back because you think you need to.

People are relying on you.

I take a deep breath. I put so much pressure on myself to pretend to be strong I haven't even bothered to actually try to be.

How do you deal with these situations Teresa? I ask myself.

Methodically and unemotionally. The only answer I can come up with.

Then do it.

So I look at the map a different way, with a stone face focusing only on the lines sprawled out on the page.

This is why you're not dead.

A/N **Please read it would mean a lot**

You probably didn't notice but both of Rachel's and Teresa's last words in their part were parallels between their last words in the first chapter (and I know I added a few teen wolf quotes, I couldn't help myself they just fit so perfectly!).

I wanted to make this chapter about the difference in thinking between people and what you think you're doing vs what you're actually doing. That's why for this story I wanted to do multiple perspectives. 

I'm sorry for not posting when I said I would, the meetings between everyone has been really hard to write because I just wanted to do it justice. I promise next chapter will be the one. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT <3 

Love you all- Hxx