Sticks and Stones

Chapter 11: Marcus

Jorge was an odd companion to have around. He could be incredibly sarcastic and extremely bossy, but when it came down to it he did as he promised. He led the group down the tunnel, working his way through the many different paths until they came out into a small shed, right by the mountains.

"Here." He called as they all climbed out of the hidden opening, Newt helping Rachel out.

"Take one each." Jorge instructed as he held out a backpack that Minho took warily. Jorge passed one to each of them, and Rachel opened hers curiously to see that it was packed with water, dried foods, a medical kit and a flashlight.

"It's got enough emergency supply for three days. We should reach the meeting point before then." Jorge explained and Newt repeated skeptically: "Should?"

Jorge sighed as he muttered: "You kids are difficult, you know that?"

Rachel smiled a little at that while Jorge just continued: "It shouldn't take more than a day really, but with WCKD tracing you lot, it might take longer."

Newt nodded at that, albeit reluctantly, and they all tugged on the packs as Jorge moved to check that the coast outside was clear. Rachel saw Newt glancing back wistfully and took his hand gently.

When he glanced down at her, she offered him a small smile as she said softly: "Hey, he'll be alright. He's smart, most of the time," Newt grinned a little at that, "and you said he was your best 'runner'. He'll have made it."

Newt sighed but he nodded. He gave her a small smile and she grinned back at him encouragingly, squeezing his hand gently. Minho ruined the moment as he joined them, teasing: "Aww, Thomas is the best runner? What about me, Newtie?"

Newt rolled his eyes and he threw a light punch at his friend. Minho pretended to clutch his arm in pain, pulling an exaggerated hurt face that made Rachel laugh.

"Cut it out, shank." Newt said but he grinned and Minho just laughed before he walked off to where Jorge had stepped outside.

"Come on!" Jorge called and the group all trudged out, Newt still holding Rachel's hand. Rachel colored a little as Frypan and Aris wiggled their brows at the pair, but she ignored them as she held on, not wanting to let go.

They left the shed carefully, slipping into the shadows cast by the mountains. When they'd all grouped again, Jorge led them quickly through a path, heading towards what looked like another abandoned city. He urged them to keep quiet and keep low.

"You never know when one of those Cranks might be around." He'd said darkly.

"Where're we going?" Minho asked, and Jorge replied: "I know a guy in the city - Marcus. He used to smuggle kids up into the mountains, and if what you kids say is true, it'll have been to the Right Arm."

They all shared glances and Newt finally asked: "And we can trust this Right Arm?"

Jorge looked at them in surprise as he asked: "You don't know?"

They shrugged and Jorge snorted.

"How'd you lot even manage to stay alive?" He wondered and Minho retorted: "Brains and good looks."

Rachel and Newt snorted at that, and Jorge looked at the girl in amusement as Rachel muttered: "More like fools' luck."

Jorge seemed to appreciate that answer, although Minho pulled a face at her. Newt grinned at her, while Jorge explained: "The Right Arm's supposedly been taking kids, immune kids, to Paradise."

When they looked at him blankly, he sighed: "It really must have been dumb luck."

"Oi." Newt said offended while Minho looked accusingly at Rachel for having made the initial suggestion.