The Death Cure - Gally oc

Something Different

Gally's POV.

It felt so strange being out of the glade, as much as I didn't want to admit it I wasn't surprised by how terrible the world was.

Just as Finley had said the group was packing up the following morning. I'd been very briefly introduced to the majority of the small group noticing a handful who seemed just a little less with it than the rest.

The truck was a large grey box with no back to it and two seats in the front for the driver and a passenger. I went to follow the few people already climbing in the back but Finley stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"You're with me 'munie." She says with small nod towards the front.

"Why?" I ask, following her.

"Someone's gotta keep me company while I drive, and I'd prefer someone I can be confident has control of their entire brain in case shit hits the fan."

I climb up into the passenger seat and watch Finley slip into the back to check if everyone was there.

I quickly notice how winded am from the small action of getting into the truck, accompanied by a dull ache in my chest. I decide in the same moment I'm not mad at Minho, if anything I was thankful the shank took me down when he did. I'll never forget pulling that trigger.

"Y'alright?" Finley asks, snapping me back to the present.

"Yeah." I say, coughing slightly afterwards.

"Good." She plunk herself down behind the steering wheel, starts up the truck and we start rolling over the sand, and I realize that all I can see for miles ahead of us — is more sand. "Listen, not many people have met an immune before, and some people can get a bit... I guess jealous."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying tread lightly," she looks sideways at me. "especially around the people starting to go."

I observe her blasé composure as she drives, "Are you immune?"

"No."

"If you spend so much time with infected people why aren't you infected yet?"

"Most people get it over time from exposure, for some it just takes longer than others." She answers simply.

I think for a second. "If you're not infected yet how do you know you're not immune? There could still be a chance right?" I don't know I why I was pushing the subject.

She clenches her jaw. "WCKD," She clears her throat. "they tested me when I was little, didn't want me. Which I guess I should be thankful for to some degree." She adds quickly looking at me, "But they did take my baby brother."

"Oh, sorry." I say a bit awkwardly, "That's why you're with these guys fighting WCKD?"

"The day they took him I promised I'd never stop looking, though he's probably dead by now." She says, her voice void of emotion. "This group's been fighting WCKD since they took over the city a few years ago. I'm with'em cause WCKD's done too much damage not to be taken down, and the only strength we have out here is strength in numbers."

I don't know what to say, so I don't answer.

"What's your deal?" She asks suddenly, her tone amused.

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno, for an immune you sure are cranky." I can see her trying to suppress a grin, failing miserably.

"Was that supposed to be a joke?" I ask.

"Ok I tried something new, it didn't work." She's fully smiling now, shaking her head at me. "Lighten up man."

"Ok well what's your deal then?" I ask back, feeling weirdly agitated.

"I lived in a giant maze for 3 years with no memories." She says in a monotone voice and a stupid smirk on her face. "What does it matter?"

"Hey!" I protest.

"What? Too soon?" She smirks again.

"A bit." I answer, and to my own surprise I can't help but laugh a little.

The next few hours of driving passed surprisingly fast with Finley growingly curious about my time in the maze and in turn answering all my questions about the outside world. As bland as the topic could've been I don't know if I've ever laughed so much.

Finley squeezes her eyes completely shut when she really laughs, at first I made a snide comment on it being a bad thing since she was driving, now I just laughed with her.

I had a feeling if anyone from the glade could see me now they'd check me for stings. But for the first time I didn't really care. For the first time I can remember, I let myself relax.