They Don't Own Me

Chapter 42

WCKD guards approached and dragged them to their feet. With little resistance, the Gladers and Right Arm members were forced into groups on their knees. The Gladers had been placed in front while Michelle was shoved down beside Vince and Mary. She hung her head, her heart pounding in her chest as thoughts of what could happen rushed through her mind. To the side, she could faintly hear a guard announcing numbers for the Gladers.

"How many did we get?" a man with grey hair asked.

"All of them, give or take," someone replied.

"Give or take what?"

"Well, they lost a few."

The first man looked around, as if searching for someone.

"Where's Thomas?"

"Right here."

Michelle turned her head to see Thomas walking toward them, his hands up. A guard grabbed him roughly, shoving him toward the man.

"Thomas," the man greeted before suddenly punching the boy in the stomach. Both Michelle and Vince tried to move forward but they were held back by guards. "Get him in line." Thomas was shoved to the ground beside Minho. The man in charge glanced around once more before saying something to one of the other men.

"Why didn't you run?" Minho asked Thomas, loud enough so that Michelle was able to hear.

"I'm tired of running," Thomas replied.

Michelle couldn't help the smirk that came to her face. However, it was wiped away when the sound of an approaching Berg was heard overhead. Everyone looked up and watched in silent fear as a Berg landed not thirty feet away from where they were kneeling. The door opened and several more guards emerged, followed by an older woman in white.

"Is this all of them?" she asked the man.

"Most of them," he replied. "It'll be enough."

"Start loading them in."

"Yes, ma'am. Okay, you heard. Let's go! Get them on!"

The guards began to lift people up and shove them toward the Berg, guns pointed at them in case they tried to escape. The woman, whom Michelle recognized as Ava Paige, motioned for Thomas to be brought to her.

"Hello, Thomas," she said. She turned to welcome Teresa, who seemed ever so slightly nervous. "I'm glad you're safe."

"What the h*ll?" Frypan muttered. "Teresa."

"Wait, what's going on?" New questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Michelle said to them.

"She's with them," Thomas finished.

"Since when?" Minho asked, looking at Thomas.

"Oh, Teresa's always had an evolved appreciation of the greater good," the man from before said. "Once we restored her memories, it was only a matter of time."

"I'm sorry," Teresa said. "I had no choice. This is the only way. We have to find a cure."

"She's right," Ava said. "This is all just a means to an end. You used to understand that, Thomas. No matter what you think of me, I am not a monster. I'm a doctor. I swore an oath to find a cure! No matter the cost. I just need more time."

"More blood." Michelle looked at Mary, who had spoken up. The woman had stepped forward. Michelle exchanged looked with Vince, worried about what was going to happen.

"Hello, Mary," Ava said. "I hoped we'd meet again. I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances."

"I'm sorry about a lot of things, too. But not this. At least my conscience is clear."