In my Blood

CHAPTER 28 - Road Trip

"Bertha... is a car?" Minho asks incredulously.

Jorge begins to load supplies into the boot of an old, sturdy Jeep, its faded blue paint peeling away at the sides and its headlights flickering.

Jorge flashes Minho a quick smile. "You bet, hermano. She's taken me all the way across the Scorch and back. We'll be safe with Bertha."

"I'll take your word for it," Newt says, grinning as he clambers into the front passenger seat.

"And you know where to find the Right Arm?" Thomas says to Jorge.

"Yes..." Jorge replies distractedly. "I'll know." 

***

We travel for miles along the sandy lanes in the desert. The weather is calm, the steady sun glares down on us as we journey across the Scorch. At least two hours pass before we reach the foot of the mountains, the roads perched precariously on the steep cliff edges. Bertha begins to climb up the roads, spluttering her way along the mountain face, weaving in and out as the roads begin to narrow. 

"Pit stop, maybe?" Brenda asks quietly. I frown when I look at her unusually pale skin, her weakened expression. Her dark brown hair glistens with sweat and his breaths are shallow, raspy. Thomas notices it too, looking at me and shaking his head slightly. Oh, no. Brenda's Infected.

Jorge stops the car. We all step out onto the mountain road, taking large gulps of water and stretching our arms. I see Brenda walk further down the road and sit at the edge of the cliff, distancing herself away from everyone. 

"Thomas? Can I talk to you, alone?" I ask. Thomas nods and grabs my arm, leading me a little further away from the others, who watch us curiously. Thomas faces me and grabs me by the shoulders.

"You can't tell them," he says. "Not yet."

My breath shudders as my fear is confirmed. I close my eyes, swallowing a lump in my throat and steadying my voice. "When...?"

"In the tunnels," he explains. "She got bit by a Crank. But, she'll be fine; I know she'll be fine." 

"Thomas..." I sigh. "I don't think Brenda's immune. She's not like the rest of us."

"She'll be fine," Thomas repeats, his eyes darting from the ground to my face. "She will. We just need to wait a little longer, then the Right Arm can help us."

I hope so.

"(y/n), Thomas! Come on, we're heading off now," Newt calls. As I'm walking back to Bertha, I see Minho hop into the front passenger seat, snickering as Newt snaps at him. 

"Bloody shank," Newt mumbles. 

"Guess you'll just have to sit next to (y/n)," Minho sighs innocently. I scowl at him as he smirks at the two of us, my face reddening. I climb into the car, hiding my face with my hair as Newt follows, closing the door behind him as the engine groans to life.  

***

I'm in a city. The icy wind is whistling through the air and the vast ships lay idle in the docks. The dull whine of the traffic rumbles distantly behind me as I stand overlooking the pier, seafoam lapping against the stone, forming in clusters then swallowed by the water seconds later.

I remember when the water used to be cold. Until the sun flares hit, and the water turned to bubbles, and the bubbles turned your skin to blood. 

"What are you doing?! Get inside!" I hear a voice whisper loudly. I spin around, to see a tall, slim woman with long dark hair and wide eyes. She's holding the door open, a yellow door which has a striking appearance against the grey stone walls of the house. It seems so out of place.