They Don't Own Me

Chapter 28

"Hello," a female voice suddenly said. The group turned to see an older looking woman on a screen. Behind her, people in white were rushing around. "My name is Doctor Ava Paige. I'm Director of Operations of the World Catastrophe Killzone Department. If you're watching this, that means you have successfully completed the Maze Trials. I wish I could be there in person to congratulate you, but circumstances seem to have prevented it. I'm sure by now, you must all be very confused, angry, frightened. I can only assure you, that everything that's happened to you. Everything we've done to you, it was all done for a reason. You won't remember, but the sun has scorched our world."

The image on the screen changed to the sun, then fires burning nearly everything.

"Billions of lives lost to fire, famine, suffering on a global scale," Ava continued. "The fallout was unimaginable." The scene changed to show many bodies, lying on the ground, burned beyond recognition. "What came after was worse. We called it the Flare. A deadly virus that attacks the brain. It is violent, unpredictable, incurable. Or so we thought."

They were suddenly shown a video of a person with black veins being examined by two people in white coats. The person was thrashing against their bonds, reacting violently, just as Ava had said.

"In time, a new generation emerged that could survive the virus. Suddenly, there was a reason to hope for a cure. But finding it would not be easy. The young would have to be tested, even sacrificed inside harsh environments where their brain activity could be studied. All in an effort to understand. what makes them different, what makes you different. You may not realize it, but you're very important. Unfortunately, your trials have only just begun. As you will no doubt soon discover, not everyone agrees with our methods. Progress is slow, people are scared. It may be too late for us, for me, but not for you." In the background, people burst into the room and began to shoot the people in white. "The outside world awaits. Remember." Ava lifted her arm, placing a gun against the side of her head. "WCKD is good."

With those last words, she pulled the trigger, ending her life. Thomas walked away from them when he saw something on the ground. Looking closely, they could all see that it was the lifeless body of Doctor Paige. Suddenly, a door beside them opened, causing them to jump slightly.

"Is it over?" Chuck questioned, all of their gazes directed at the door.

"She said we were important," Newt said. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"I don't know," Thomas admitted. He took a deep breath. "Let's get out of here."

"No."

The Gladers spun around, eyes wide in surprise when they saw a familiar face standing by the door they had originally come through.

"Gally?" Thomas said. He was about to step forward when Ivy put her hand on Thomas's arm, recognizing his behavior.

"Don't," she warned. "He's been stung."

Gally dropped the key he had gotten from the Grievers when he was stung. His entire body was shaking and he was trying to hold back his tears. In his other hand was a gun.

"We can't leave," he told them, swallowing thickly.

"We did," Thomas responded. "Gally, we're out. We're free."

"Free?" He swallowed to control his tears before continuing. "You think we're free out there? No. No, there's no escape from this place."

The group shuffled back a little when he raised his gun and pointed it at Thomas. Newt pulled Ivy closer to him, almost putting himself in front of Ivy to protect her. On her other side, Minho stepped closer as well. What she didn't notice though was him reaching for the spear that Winston was holding.