To his astonishment, there were more cave-like structures, which they passed through. He gripped Sonya's hand, squeezing it lightly as they ran. The sand was thrust into their faces by the wind, but they pulled the scarves over their mouths. Aris coughed again, gasping for air.
Everyone looked exhausted. Aris concentrated on sprinting, then circling back to the band of friends to encourage them. His shoe caught on a stubby rock, then pulled himself up again. Everyone was continuing through the sand, whimpering, and Sonya seized his hand.
"You okay?"
Aris mumbled an incoherent reply, and she blew out a breath. "The Right Arm's camp should be very near," she said. She continued along, and he hurried after her. Jorge was waving at everyone, yelling at them. He turned on another block, and a few blocks later, he noticed soldiers striding towards them.
"Don't worry," Sonya said, tossing him a gun that was marked as WICKED. He seized it and fired it. Evidently, there were no Trials, just another Variable. They continued swerving around and away from incoming WICKED's approaching helicopters. Aris fired a gun, and then, a bullet hovered over his head.
Everyone was bolting as fast and speedy as they could. Helicopters sailed over their heads; the inhuman Cranks barged into rooms they stepped into. Aris hurled a spear and a few knives Teresa had provided for them when they were tricking Thomas into stepping into the gas chamber.
Aris felt adrenaline coursing through him, tugging Sonya behind him, shouting encouragement to the others. Feeling exhausted, he nearly passed out, but continued on, anyway. They stuttered along, trudging after Minho and his friends, who shoved them along.
Aris? Thomas said.
Aris took an intake of a sharp breath. What?
Teresa is....sorry for what she did to me, he responded. Aris sucked in a sharp breath, pulling his teeth onto his bottom lip, knowing exactly what was about to be mentioned and spoken. He paused for a split second, then continued, Are you? I just wanted to know.
Yeah, he whispered, an edge of truth creeping into his tone. He did feel pretty remorseful of it, but he had no control of it. His brain and instinct just told him that was to keep Thomas alive. I truly am. But it's...what I had to do, to keep you alive. I never wanted you to die, because we used to be...very close.
Thomas seemed to be hesitating to say something but responded, anyway. I had some memory-dreams. You and Teresa were both there. I've seen you, too, Aris, we were all part of WICKED, but we were only pawns, being used and then casted aside when they didn't need us.
I know. And now we are passing the Trials, and maybe they'll get their little "cure" and we'll be free. Aris bolted away, clenching his fists together. Remorse threatened to weigh him down as he closed his eyes. How can I part of it? he thought, then prayed Thomas didn't hear his voice. I never wanted anyone to endure all the agony, the short of breathlessness in that chamber. Tears poured out and down his face, as he sneaked a glance at Thomas, trudging along with his shoulders slumped, his back leaned over. So dispirited. But at least, he was here with them.
He felt exhausted and fatigued. They decided on a break again, and this time, he just plopped down on the floor and rested his head on very rough, jagged rock, almost suitable as his pillow. When he drifted off, he noticed everyone was already up, dining on canned food.
He stared up at the sky. The rain was beginning to pour down again, drenching his garments. The Gladers on the ground squirmed, as if feeling the rain as well, then noticed Thomas just pulled his hood over his face to shield himself. He waited for a few minutes.
He shook his head, and then when everyone was rising, he sat down to eat with them. Sonya told them they were almost there, just a half-hour to go. Everyone eagerly began to bound towards the direction of the north, just like Janson had told them to.
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