Somewhere in the scorch, were multiple burgs, their propellers kicking up dust and flinging it onto the air, causing those that were present to squint. Janson and his team had managed to track down what was left of the train, his chest was flamed with anger, though, he didn't show it. He rolled his eyes as he heard the dirt crunch loudly, already knowing his assistant was skipping steps just to inform him of the latest updates.

"We've got forty -- maybe fifty kids," The assistant corrected himself, "We're still compiling an official count, but the pilot thinks it was them," He clasped his hands together behind his back and glanced over at Janson as they continued to walk.

Janson was irritated. Nothing seemed to be going right. Well, almost nothing.

"Of course it was them," He deadpanned, "What about the burg?"

The assistant sighed and pursed his lips with a light shake of his head, "We tracked it a few miles, but someone must've known about the locator. They're totally off the grid."

The pair came to a stop when they reached the next compartment, lifting their heads as they watched their Soldiers scan the experiments on their neck, before shoving them down the steps and lining them up.

"Forty two. . . forty nine . . ." A voice said.

"We're searching the area, but, uh, they're prolly' long gone by now," The assistant said.

Janson shook his head in disagreement as he looked down at the teen boy who was kneeling in front of him, "Oh no, they're not goin' anywhere," The evil man wore a sickly grin on his lips as he watched the boy glare up at him through his lashes, "They didn't get what they really wanted."

And Janson was right. They didn't get what they wanted, but they will, soon enough. Back at the safe sight, Thomas had slammed an old map down on a table as he pointed to a destination, "There, thats it. It's a few hundred miles, based on the railways, everything that Aris told us, thats gonna be where they're headed." The freckled boy assured, wetting his chapped lips as he glanced up.

"Thats where they're taking Minho,"

Aife looked at Thomas from where she sat, her eyes narrowed and an undetectable expression on her face. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"We take everyone who can fight," Thomas glanced over at her, "We can make it back within a week."

Vince looked appalled as he looked at the teenaged boy, "A week?" He asked incredulously, jutting his chin forward as he tapped his index finger on the table, "It took us six month to get here. I mean, we've got over a hundred kids now. We can't just hang out here forever, after what we just pulled! You wanna wonder off to some random point in the map -- You don't even know what's there!"

Before anyone could get another word in, a familiar voice came from the door way, "I do."

It was Jorge

"Its been a few years, but I been there. The Last City. Thats what WCKED called it. It was their whole base of operations."

Thomas looked at the man, his mouth agape as he leaned forward on the table with his elbows.

"If that city is still standing, thats the last place you wanna go. Thats the lions den." Jorge warned as he slowly made his way over to the table.

"Its nothing we haven't don't before," Thomas countered. He had begun to wonder why Aife was sitting in silence, shouldn't she have something to say by now? He'd thought she would have.

"Yeah, with months of planning," Axel spoke up for the first time in a while, his tone unsure as he felt eyes make his way onto him, "And reliable information, The element of surprise. None of which we have now,"

"Guys, I've thought this through, would you jus-"

Vincent went and cut off Thomas, raising his voice and silencing the room, "No, Axel is right, because the last time we went off half cocked, I lost everything! You remember that?" He shouted. There was a beat of silence.

"Look, I know its Minho, alright? But you can't ask me to put those kids on the line for One man. I won't do it. " He waved his hand around. No one said anything, they sat in silence for a moment until they glanced at the table over. The cable they had set up had begun to crackle, a muffled voice spoke with authority. Though, they couldn't hear who it was over the static.

No. No. No.

WCKED was getting close, their berg was in the area.

"God, hit the lights." Aife ordered as they all scrambled away from the table. Axel grabbed a shotgun that sat on the old, worn down couch and held it firmly as Jorge ran to the control panel. He yanked on a red lever, which shut down all of the electricity. Leaving everybody in the dark.

Aife, Thomas and Vince ran outside, and they could make out everyones shouts of fear as they ran for shelter. They could hear the propellers of the vehicle, meaning they were nearing. They turned around to see the shining lights of the WCKED berg, showing that they were trying to get a glance at anyone they could.

"Geez, They're gettin' close." Vincent stated the obvious.

"You were right," Aife spoke, her eyes distant as she let her mouth fall slightly agape. She was fidgeting with her fingers down by her side as she spoke, "We can't stay here." The girl felt their eyes travel to her, and she said nothing as Vincent gave her a light pat on the shoulder before walking away.

Everything was so hectic. They had gotten the wrong compartment, and now they had over a hundred kids who they had to look out for. Not to forget the fact that Minho was still in the hands of WCKED, and they were doing. . . God knows what to him. Aife could feel her heart racing. If they couldn't save Minho, she wouldn't know what to do. Her best friend, who had been by her side for as long as she can remember, would be dead. Thats it.

No longer breathing. No longer on this earth.

All because of WCKED.

It wasn't long before Thomas had suggested that they headed to bed, along with everyone else. They had gotten to the sleeping area, setting g up their hammocks and laying there in silence.

"Aife," Thomas croaked, his voice low and raspy as he looked up at the raggedy ceiling, his body unmoving.

"Yeah?"

"I need help. You agree with me right? That we need to get Minho back?"

Aife nearly scoffed at his question, she was almost offended.

"Of course I do, Thomas." There was a pregnant pause in their conversation, before she added, "Why?"

He said nothing else besides, "Come on." He grabbed the backpack that he had placed underneath his bed and moved to stand up. He watched as Aife slowly sat up, moving to her feet with a questioning look.

"Thomas, what are you doing?"

At that, Thomas moved to stand in front of her, lightly placing his hands on her shoulders, "Look, I know this Is selfish of me. Okay? Taking you away from this shelter that we've found and asking you to come with me after everything that you've been through. I know that you deserve a break, alright? But I really need your help with this, I can't do it alone. So please, come With me." The freckled boy ranted, his eyebrows pulled together as Aife looked up at him.

She could feel his breath fanning over her face, causing her to slightly lean back.

"I need you, Aife"

Aife raised an eyebrow, "What about the others," Newt, "We can't just leave them,"

"I'll make sure you make it back safely, alright? It won't take long. I just need a bit of backup. Im willing to do whatever it takes."

Backup.

No, he needed a distraction. 

"You'll make sure ' I'll make it back' ?" She questioned, "What about you?"

"Don't worry 'bout me,"

Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, and it was like she wasn't even speaking for herself, "Fine,"

Whatever it takes.

She wanted to bring Newt, but she couldn't risk putting the boy in anymore danger than she already had, so she didn't say anything. And Frypan, God, if this didn't work, she would be betraying them all, by not saying anything. Axel. . . she didn't even wanna think about her brother right now.

The boy let out a sigh of relief, standing in place for a moment to see if she would change her mind. Which she didn't.

He said nothing more, moving his hands from her shoulders, bringing them down and slipping his hand into hers before leading her away from the others that were sleeping. They turned a sharp corner and she watched as Thomas began to climb up raggedy stairs, that were surely going to fall apart any day now.

She followed him up the steps. 

"Now, where do you think your goin' then," She heard a familiar accent echo as she nearly reached the top step. She eventually made her way to the top, and was met with Newt facing Thomas, who's shoulders had slumped as he released a sigh.

"Newt-"

The British boy had begun to step forward slowly, "Don't be a twat about it. I'm already in," He stalked forward, grabbing the backpack from Thomas' hand and glancing over his shoulder as he saw Aife begin to move forward.

"Oh no," He groaned lowly and teasingly, "Not you too,"

"Please," She rolled her eyes as a grin grew on her lips. The boy said nothing more as he grabbed the back of her head, bringing her forward and placing a light kiss on her forehead.

Oh?

"Come on," He said, turning around to walk toward the old and janky car they had been driving around.

Thomas was quick to stop the boy, swiftly following after him, "No, no not this time. Look, even if we find Minho, there's no guarantee I'll make it back from this." Newt turned around and blinked at the boy.

Aife thought of his words from before. He really didn't think that he would make it back. But he was so sure that she would. Why?

"well, you'll need all the help you can get then, huh?" Newt shrugged carelessly before turning back to the car and pulling on the handle, letting the door swing open to reveal Frypan, who sat in the drivers seat. The dark skinned boy peeked his head and allowed a grin to fall on his face.

Aife couldn't help but let out a laugh, the same one that they hadn't heard in what felt like forever. She moved to stand next to Newt, allowing the boy to swing his arm around her shoulders and pull her into his side.

"Well, we started this together, may as well end it that way too."

Aife could feel Newt's gaze on her.

Thomas hesitated before releasing yet another sigh, "Okay, let's go get him back."

Guys who do you want the love interest to be ? Im taking suggestions because I feel like im in the perfect part of the story to build the bridge between the characters. I was going to make it Thomas, but then im like ' Newt.......' Sooooooo let me know what you think.