Sacrifice

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Claire watched everything play out while hidden from view. The darkness made it easy for her to hide in the bushes from the WCKD soldiers. She was by no means a fighter, but she was good at sneaking around. As she watched everyone get rounded up and put in line, she understood why Newt and the others told her to hide, she had the best chance of getting away on her own. But that didn't mean she liked it. 

She's be lying if she said she wasn't tempted to just walk out into the open and just give herself up. It might be better than just helplessly watching from her hiding spot, safe while her friends were taken by WCKD. But that would have been an insult to Newt, he wanted her to escape and gave her the best chance he could. If their positions were switched, she would want him to do the same thing. 

But where would she go? The Right Arm was their one chance, she didn't know of anyone else who would help them. The only reason she'd made it this far was because she and her friends had all helped each other. Could she make it on her own? 

Wait...not everyone was there. Thomas wasn't in line, neither was Teresa. They hadn't been in the camp when WCKD attacked, maybe they were hiding somewhere too, maybe Claire could find them. She had no idea what they would do, but Thomas hadn't failed them yet. 

Just as hope began to build up in her, she saw Thomas walk into the crowed, giving himself up. 

What are you doing you stupid shank? 

Janson threw Thomas down in line after punching him in the stomach. 

Then Janson knelt down to talk to Newt. Newt glared back. A large aircraft then was coming toward the group of people. 

Things were increasingly getting worse. 

That's when Claire spotted Teresa standing a few paces from Claire's hiding spot, still out of view from the camp. 

"Pst." 

Teresa jumped and looked around for the source of the noise. 

"Teresa, down here," Claire whispered, peeking out of her hiding spot and waving her friend over. Teresa hesitated a moment and then joined her friend. 

By now the airship had landed. 

"What do we do now?" Claire asked. 

Teresa felt like her insides were twisting in knots as more guilt washed over her. Claire trusted her completely, she was a true friend and just a plain good person. Teresa wondered how long she would last out there on her own. Claire was too good for this harsh world, which was why Teresa had to do what she was about to do. 

"I have an idea." 

Claire followed Teresa as they snuck toward a bush that was even closer to the crowed of people. 

"What now?" Claire whispered. 

"I'm so sorry." 

Before Claire could process what Teresa was saying, she grabbed Claire by the wrist and pulled her to her feet. 

"Teresa!" Claire gasped. 

Not meeting her friend's eye, Teresa pulled Claire toward the WCKD soldiers. Claire didn't even think to fight her way free, she couldn't understand what was happening, or she at least didn't want to understand. She even tried telling herself this was part of Teresa's plan. 

Two soldiers turned around as they heard the girls approaching. Claire expected them to raise their weapons, but instead they nodded when they saw Teresa and let them pass. Teresa led Claire to the center of the crowed, where Janson and Ava Paige were. They were facing Thomas and the others at the front of the crowed. Immunes were being taken into the aircraft, starting from the back of the crowed. Dr. Paige turned and saw the two girls approaching.