𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐃| 𝐓.𝐌.𝐑. (𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐭)

26: A way in

"After the maze, I got picked up by a group headed to the city. They realized I was immune, patched me up, and they brought me here to Lawrence." Gally informs us as we keep walking. "This group's been at war with WICKED ever since they took control of the city. But WICKED can't hide behind those walls forever. Day's gonna come, and they're gonna pay for what they've done." Gally adds.

"You read my mind." I mutter and I walk beside him once again, but he stops in his tracks anyway.

"Listen, uh, he doesn't get a lot of visitors. So, let me do the talking. Alright? And try not to stare." Gally says and I nod at everyone to follow him.

We all start walking down the steps as we get closer to a man standing by some flowers.

"Gally, glad to see you made it back. Jasper told me what happened." Lawrence says to him.

"It was a slaughter. There's nothing we could do against those guns." Gally tells the other man, gripping his chest padding with both of his hands.

"No, but they can only poke the hornet's nest so long before they get stung." The other man responds as he sniffs a red rose. "Now, who are these people? Why are they here?" He asks Gally.

"We need to get into WICKED." I speak up, standing beside Gally and we share a quick glance. "He said you can get us through the walls." I say and Lawrence looks up at him.

"Gally should know better than to make promises that he can't keep." The man tells me. "Besides, that wall is only half your problem. Getting inside WICKED is impossible." He says as he grabs his pole with an IV bag to face us.

"There might be a way now." Gally says. "But it doesn't work without Alana or Thomas." He tells Lawrence.

"Is that so? Do you know what I am...Alana? Thomas?" The man he's as he walks closer to me.

"No, sir." I sternly say as I get a better look at his burned face.

"I am a businessman." He whispers in my ear and I look back up at him. "Which means that I don't take unnecessary risks. Why should I trust you?" He asks me.

"Cause I can help you." I tell him. "You see, if you can get me through those walls...I can get you what you need." I nod at him.

"What is it that you think I need?" He asks me.

"Time. Every last drop." I say, looking him in the eyes.

"Is that what I need?" He says, looking over at Gally with a hardened face.

"WICKED has something we both want." I finally say and he looks back at me.

"I'll tell you what. Three can go for now. The rest stay down here with me. Just a little insurance to make sure you find your way back." He says. "We have a deal?" Lawrence asks me and I look at everyone, then back down at his hand.

"Yes." I say, gently grabbing his hand and shake it firmly.

"Gally, show her the way." Lawrence tells him and I feel him slip something in my palm.

I pull my hand away from him and I look to see the red rose placed in the middle of my palm.

"It's pretty, but broken. Like you." Lawerence tells me and I send him a tiny grin.

       ||

Gally takes off the opening and then slips a long ladder down the hole and I look at Jorge.

"Be careful, Alana." Jorge tells me, rubbing my shoulder.

"I will." I say, then giving Brenda a quick hug and Gally gets down on the ground, ready to climb down.