A broken breath escapes Newt's lips, his body sagging against the ruined pavement beneath him, his fingers twitch against mine before his grip weakens, as if he's already slipping away, but I won't let him "no" I whisper, shaking my head as I squeeze his hand tighter "you're not done yet, Newt" my voice wavers, but I force determination into my tone "you're not leaving us", Newt raises a weak hand towards his neck, yanking off the necklace that is wrapped around his neck, extending it towards Thomas, he takes it without protest, stuffing into one of the pockets in his pants. Once he's finished, Thomas clenches his jaw and doesn't hesitate, he leans down and wraps one of Newt's arms over his shoulders, grunting as he takes on his weight "help me" he orders, his voice strained but firm, I move on instinct, ignoring the way my arms burn with exhaustion, the way my body screams for rest, I slide under Newt's other side, supporting him as well as I'm able, he lets out a weak, pained groan, but he doesn't fight us this time, either because he's too exhausted to resist or he understands it's pointless, either way, we move. The air's thick with suffocating smoke and the distant echoes of war, but all I can focus on is the weight of Newt between us, the unsteady rise and fall of his chest, the way his head lolls slightly with each step, his breathing is shallow, uneven, it causes my heart to ache terribly "we just need to get a little farther" Thomas mutters, his voice strained with exertion, his grip on Newt is steady, but I notice the exhaustion lining his youthful features, the weight of everything pressing down on him just as it is on me. I nod, even though I can feel my legs trembling beneath me, the streets are littered with debris, the remnants of destruction all around us, every step feels like a battle against the very world itself, then, an unexpected crack splits through the air, pain explodes in my leg, white-hot and searing, tearing a strangled cry from my throat, my grip on Newt falters, my knees buckling as I collapse to the ground "Rose!" Thomas shouts, barely managing to keep Newt upright as he stumbles forward, struggling to maintain balance from the sudden shift in weight, I clutch at my thigh. My fingers pressing against the wound as blood seeps through my fingers, my breaths come in sharp, uneven gasps, the pain clawing through me like fire, my vision swims, but I force myself to focus, to stay upright, too stubborn to let myself be despaired "stray bullet" Thomas growls, ducking lower as another bullet narrowly misses his head "we need to move as far away, now!", "I can still-" My voice is shaky, my attempt to stand ending in another sharp jolt of pain and a steady stream of blood to gush out from my wounded leg, Newt stirs weakly against Thomas "Rose" he breathes heavily, his voice hoarse "you have to go, you won't be able to carry me with that leg, Love", "no" I snap, my voice raw with desperation as I shake my head "we're all getting out of this, together", Thomas's expression is tight with determination, his grip on Newt shifting as he moves toward me "come on" he urges, crouching down and looping his arm under my shoulders "I've got you", I bite back a whimper as he hauls me up, the pain making my vision blur, my leg screaming in protest, but I grit my teeth. Leaning against Thomas for stability as we stagger forward, Newt's limp form still secured between us, the gunfire has ceased momentarily, but we can't afford to delay, each step is agony, but I push forward, clutching onto Newt with everything I have left, the world around us blurs into a haze of smoke, blood, war and desperation, every step is a battle against the searing pain in my leg, but I don't dare falter, not with Newt barely clinging to consciousness, Thomas breathes heavily beside me, his grip firm but his movements strained, revealing he's reached his limit. But he doesn't complain, doesn't hesitate, he just keeps moving "almost there" he mutters, though I'm not certain if he's saying it to reassure me or himself, Newt makes a sound-something between a groan and a sigh, his head rolls slightly, his fevered eyes barely slits "you're... Both idiots" he breathes, his lips twitching weakly, as if he attempting to smile but doesn't have the strength, I swallow the lump in my throat and squeeze his arm "and you're the most stubborn idiot of all, so hold on", he doesn't respond this time, and that terrifies me more than the pain. More than the gunshots that could possibly find a home in either one of our heads, more than anything else, Thomas tightens his hold "we have to get off this street", I nod, blinking past the tears threatening to blur my vision, there's an opening ahead-partially collapsed, leading to an open courtyard, it's our best chance, our only chance, we push forward, my leg screaming with every agonizing step, Thomas manuevers us through a half-broken door, panting heavily as he cautiously waits for me to get through the threshold, now no longer worried about the chaos behind us. Though we don't get far, Newt collapses onto the ground, causing me to cry out in alarm and pain as Newt crumples to the ground "no! No! No!" Thomas exclaims frustratedly, his hand shielding Newt's head before it can slam down on the hard ground beneath us, I hiss through clenched teeth, the sudden fall has the fabric around my leg soaked with my own blood, my entire leg appears numb from the bleeding wound, my body alarmingly cold as I press my fingers against the wound to prevent further blood loss "Thomas" I whimper softly.
Author's info- Hello, reader. Long time no see. Yes, I am alive. Thank you for asking. I always have an excuse but truthfully live has been so busy and I always feel guilty for not publishing anything in a while. Especially when I have plans for other works I have been dreaming of one day making public. I really don't want to start on another story and forget entirely about this one. I am a terrible multitasker. So I really want to finish this book so I can give you guys something fresh and new to read. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Things are gonna get real sad from here so grab your tissues and prepare yourself. We will not speak of chapter 97. In this book. But I promise all that I do is for a reason and those will be revealed soon enough. I will see you guys next chapter. Later, reader.
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The Extirpated
FanfictionWICKED promised it was the end. No more tests. No more lies. But SHE knows well the statement could never be true. The Scorch was only the beginning. The group will witness horrors that will dominate over the towering Maze Walls. They will endure so...
