The Priceless Variable

Fresh Start to a New Beginning

The helicopter ride was very long. Almost like it was never ending. But, it landed eventually. It was night time. Guards were telling the kids to run towards a big building with lights.

When they got inside, a big door closed and locked. The Gladers were looking at their new surroundings. It was nothing like they've seen before. Then, they were brought into another room where they ate real food, laid out on real furniture, and played the waiting game.

                              ~~~~~~~~~~

The door opened after what seemed like forever. The Gladers got up to see a man standing in the doorway.

"You kids doing alright? Sorry about all the fuss. We had ourselves a bit of a swarm." he said.

"Who are you?" Thomas asked.

"I'm the reason you're all still alive. It's my intention to keep you that way. Now, come with me. We'll get you kids squared away." the man said.

He guided the Gladers out of the room and walked through the middle of a work zone.

"You can call me Mr. Janson. I run this place. For us, it is a sanctuary, safe from the horrors of the outside world. You all should think of it as a way station. Kind of a home between homes. Watch yourselves." Janson explained, while pointing out sparks.

"That mean you're taking us home?" Thomas asked.

Janson turned his head back to look at the group of kids.

"A home of sorts. Sadly, there wouldn't be left of wherever you came from. But, we do have a place for you. A refuge, outside the Scorch, where WICKED will never find you again. How does that sound?" he explained.

Minho looked over at Newt and Mallory. All three of them looked confused by what this man was telling them.

"Why are you helping us?" Minho asked.

"Let's just say the world out there is in rather a precarious situation. We're all hanging on by a very thin thread. The fact that you kids can survive the Flare virus makes you the best chance of humanity's continued survival. Unfortunately, it also makes you a target, as doubt by now you've noticed." Janson said.

He led the kids to another door.

"Beyond this door lies the beginning of your new lives." Janson said. He swiped a card and it opened, revealing a long hallway.

"First things first. Let's do something about that smell."

Janson led the boys into one room, and Teresa and Mallory into another.

It was a tiled room with showers, sinks, towels, and private bathrooms. They got undressed and stepped in. The warm water and soap felt so good after what they all just went through. It was well deserved.

When they got out, there was a new set of clothes ready for them. Mallory noticed that her bag was gone! She was upset about it because it had stuff in it that she cherished. Luckily, she still has her Priceless necklace.

Teresa got dressed in jeans, a gray shirt, and black shoes. Mallory put on a purple knit sweater, jeans, and brown boots. She topped it off with her Priceless necklace.

Teresa was in the middle of brushing her hair when she saw Mallory staring at herself in the mirror.

"You doing okay?" she asked.

Mallory exhaled and set her hands down on the sink.

"Yeah. I'm just bummed that my bag got taken and I don't know what to do with my hair." she explained.