WICKED is good

Chapter 20: Testing

A few weeks later, Thomas was laying in bed, bored because there were no dishes to wash and he wasn't allowed to be with Teresa. The only time he got to see her was when they did their chores.
He sighed just as someone walked into his room. It was the guard, Vince.
"Anderson requires an audience with you," Vince said.
"Did I do something wrong?" Thomas asked, standing up.
Vince sighed. "Just come with me."
They walked to Anderson's office in silence, Thomas' nerves bouncing. Had he messed up somehow? Had their cover been blown? Had somebody outed him?
   He tried to think of some other reason but nothing came to mind. It didn't help his thoughts when he saw Teresa in Anderson's office.
   "Thank you, Vince," Anderson said when they arrived.
Vince grunted in response and closed the door, leaving the two alone with Anderson.
   Teresa smiled at Thomas as he sat down. He forced a smiled back but was still feeling anxious.
   "Thank you for joining me," Anderson said, leaning forward.
Like we had a choice, Thomas told Teresa, earning him a kick in the shins.
"I have some important news concerning the both of you," He continued. "You both have been working hard these past few weeks."
   "At dishwashing," Thomas pointed out, earning another kick from Teresa.
Ow, he told her.
Shut up, she responded. Let him talk.
   "Yes. Dishwashing," Anderson said, his mouth twitching. "Your determination to help and your lack of complaints is what motivated me to call you in today." He clasped his hands together. "I believe you're ready to help us find the cure."
   "Really?" Teresa asked, her excitement sounding genuine. "Thank you sir! Does this mean I can work with the Psychs?"
   "And me with my, uh," Thomas stuttered. "I mean, the subjects?" He asked, not wanting to refer to them as his friends.
   Anderson chucked. "No, of course not. I told you, the cure. Come, I'll show you." He got up, leaving the two no choice but to follow.
They were led to a large room Thomas hadn't seen before. A lot of equipment—WICKED's equipment—was being used in the room. The only thing he hadn't seen before was a strange chair with wires hooked up to it.
   "What's this for?" Teresa asked curiously, running her finger along the chair.
   "Simulations," Anderson answered. "We are hoping to use it on the subjects. Inside, they will think it's real and will act accordingly. It's the most efficient way to study the killzone."
   "What are you going to put them through?" Thomas asked, not liking the idea.
   "That is where you two come in," Anderson explained. " I will have you work with my assistant, Janson, tomorrow. He will show you the basics of programming a simulation then you will work together to program the first test."
   "Excellent," Teresa immediately agreed.
   "But—" Thomas started to protest.
   "Don't worry," Anderson said, clapping Thomas on the shoulder. "I believe in you. You're both so smart, it'll be easy." With that, he turned around, leaving before Thomas has the chance to say more.
   "Alright," Teresa says, sitting in a chair and leaning forward. "I was thinking we should program cranks. You know, because that's a common fear nowadays. That'll get the most effective responses from the killzone."
   "You know our friends are going to be put in there, Teresa," Thomas reminded her spitefully.
   Teresa scowled. "Well, we can't program sunshine and rainbows, Tom."
   "But we can't be the ones putting them through torture! That's what we're trying to avoid, remember?"
   "Then what's your idea?" Teresa asked, crossing her arms.
   "Puzzles," he answered. "Dangerous puzzles if we have to. This is about the killzone. We have to make them use it."
   "It's about the emotions in the killzone," Teresa explained as if she were talking to a child. "We have to make them use it."
   "There are our friends, Teresa!"
   "We can't blow our cover, Tom!"
   "Fine!" Thomas exclaimed, standing up. "I'm not doing this! If you're going to torture our friends then fine. Don't come to me for help. I'm going to bed."
   "Tom, wait—"
   Thomas ignored her, leaving the room and slamming the door. He checked his watch and realized he only had half an hour until he was scheduled to go to his room. He decided to take a walk to calm down.
He couldn't believe Teresa was willing to hurt their friends like that. He thought they were on the same side.
Thomas sighed.
   He decided to visit Newt, he would know what to do about this. Hopefully he wouldn't be mad about Thomas stopping by.
   Thomas had just started in Newt's direction when he saw a familiar person slip around the corner. He followed and realized it was Minho, sneaking around.
   "Minho!" Thomas whispered loudly enough for him to hear.
   Minho flinched and turned around, a range of emotions showing on his face. Panic, recognition, calm, confusion, then joy. He broke out in a huge grin and ran forward, engulfing Thomas in a  bear hug.
   "If anybody asks I will deny," Minho said into the hug. "But I really missed you, shank."
   Thomas laughed. "I missed you too. What're you doing out here?"
   "Sneaking over to see Newt."
   "Shouldn't you wait till after lockup?"
   Minho shook his head. "That's when the guards come out. Nobody is in the halls during this time."
   Thomas shrugged. "I guess that makes sense. But I thought Newt didn't want anybody to visit him."
   "He didn't want you to visit him," Minho corrected. "Said he couldn't have your cover blown. Actually, he doesn't want me to visit either but." He shrugged with a grin. "He can get over it."
   Thomas snickered. "You know—" he was cut off by voices coming from around the corner.
   "In here," Minho said, throwing open a door and shoving Thomas inside before closing the door again.
   Thomas squinted in the dark, trying to figure out what room they were in. It looked like some sort of lounge or something. Based on the couches and snack machines.
   Thomas turned back to Minho, whispering harshly. "I thought you said no one was out at this time."
   "Apparently, I was wrong," Minho admitted.
   "Minho, I swear—" Somebody tried the door knob. "Hide!" Thomas whispered, tackling Minho behind the couch.
   Minho groaned on impact. He rubbed his head. "A little warning would've been nice."
   "Sorry," Thomas apologized, starting to sit up before Minho pulled him back down.
   "Don't sit up," Minho ordered. "We're more hidden this way,"
   Thomas nodded as the lock clicked and the door opened. The boys both held their breath.
   "Remind me what's wrong with being in charge of security," a familiar voice asked—Janson.
   "Nothing," said another man—Vince. "But you know I have more to contribute to the cure than just a guard."
   Janson sighed. "I don't know, Vince. Anderson seems to know what he's doing."
   "He's weak," Vince scoffed. "He's giving those kids important work now. Watch what happens when we try the simulations for the first time. He'll crumble."
   "Maybe," Janson mused. "But until then I won't participate in this plan of yours. As of now, Anderson is the leader and I will treat him as such."
   "But if he won't push those kids to acquire the cure?"
   "Then I'll get back to you."
   Vince hummed, satisfied. "Alright. But if you tell anyone of this . . ." He left his warning hanging in the air.
   Janson scoffed. "Please. I don't want you as my enemy. You have my word not to say anything."
   "Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some patrolling to do." Vince sounded so bitter Thomas almost felt bad.
   The door opened and closed, the sound of two pairs of footsteps leaving.
   Thomas looked at Minho to see worry etched on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked his friend.
   "He's patrolling," Minho answered, his voice shaking ever so slightly. "He always checks our rooms. If he finds me not there . . ."
   "What? You have to hurry then!" Thomas exclaimed, standing up and helping Minho to his feet. "We have to get you back, come on."
   He reached for the handle but Minho pulled him back, gripping him by the shoulders. "No. You have to go to your room. You can't be seen with me or they'll get suspicious. Newt was right, it's important that we don't blow your cover."
   "But—"
   Minho held up his hand cutting him off. "Don't argue with me or I'll beat you."
   Thomas huffed. "Fine."
   Minho grinned but without the usual humor in his eyes. "Good. Now, whatever you do, don't mess this up. I don't care what they do to me. You have to hold this act for the other Immunes. Got it?"
   Thomas sighed. "Yeah."
   He slapped him on the shoulder. "See ya around." He turned around and walked out the door.
   "See ya," Thomas said to the now empty room.