Just like the Griever's Hole, the dead men hung by hooks, the Rat Man, the Cranks and the brick walls, Minho had hopes that Frankie's death was just another illusion. As much as he tried to distance himself from disappointment, this was one thing he...
ARIS EXCUSED HIMSELF the next day, sometime in the afternoon, when it was time to sleep and rest.
They decided that the girls were probably heading towards the safe haven as well, and they could not afford losing another day, wishing for Thomas to return. Splitting up to scour more grounds wasn't a preferred choice either.
So they continued on until they had only a couple kilometers and a day left. Everyone was way too tired to push themselves to reach the finish line at once. The terrain had turned from flat dessert, to rock cliffs and mountains, then downhill to another set of sandy land.
What Aris didn't know was the WICKED duo never rested. Even when everyone was resting, they still had to keep watch.
Jorge didn't tell them to do it anymore. It was already kind of programmed into their skins.
They were the protectors anyway.
Frankie pretended to be asleep when Aris tiptoed by her watching nest (again, just a random spot where she thought she could see everything best) and internally thanked the Heavens that it was her turn to be up. Reggie might be honest and true to his words, but regarding an emotional issue like this, she didn't know if he could stop himself from leaving her behind.
When Aris broke into a run, Frankie did too and shook Reggie awake.
"What?"
"Aris is gone. Come on."
She thought about telling Minho, but she needed to tell someone who would stay. Who would break the news to the others when they woke and kept them on their path.
Minho would flip and insisted to follow. Then he would wake Newt up and Newt would tag along as well.
So she shook Brenda.
"Mm... Frances?" Brenda rolled on her sleep.
"We're after Aris. He left."
"What?" Brenda raised her upperbody and leaned against her arms.
"If we haven't return by sunset, go on North without us. We'll catch up."
"Wait, aren't you gonna tell— Frances!"
Frankie was too far to hear her whispered call.
She dashed quickly to where Reggie was standing, and the two of them set off into the woods, afraid that Aris was already too far ahead.
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THERE WERE A few close calls.
Aris looked like he was chased by a ghost of tardiness, so both Reggie and Frankie had quite a difficult time trying to catch up. Especially since he was running between thick trees where broken branches laid everywhere on the ground, screaming out alerts whenever the teenagers stepped on them.
