Chapter Six
"lake"

❣︎

A few hours later, we're all settled in the same room, ready to hear the trios Vince formed.

He said he would base the trios off skills, trying to vary them. It means there might be a chance Gally and I end up in the same team, though everything always seems to be against me, so I doubt it'll happen.

"Aris Jones, Declan, and Sable," Vince calls out. "A perfect mix of medical and fighting knowledge. Next: Gally, Sonya Isaacs, and Brenda Lopez."

He pauses shortly. With a small sigh, Gally shrugs at me before turning back to our leader.

"Minho and his ridiculous last name, Adelaide Griffin, and Astra Monroe."

I don't dare to look at whatever hateful expression Minho is wearing. I have no idea who Astra Monroe is, so I just stare straight ahead.

"Frypan Siggy, Jorge Lopez, and Emory Tate. Lastly, Harriet, Colin Frost, and I." He pauses again. "I want you to go sit with your team and properly introduce yourself. I expect good behavior and professional interactions. No messing around. Share your backstory, skills, and plans."

Someone raises a hand. "And what exactly are we going to do? Will we try to kill the Grayshades or what?"

"I was about to explain that," Vince says calmly. "Each of you will receive a card with tasks on it. Everything is connected, so you should eventually unite with other teams if it goes well–which I assume it will. Now go find your team."

Gally hands me a paper and pen before he leaves to sit with Sonya and Brenda. I walk over to Minho, my lips pressed together. An older woman–about the age of thirty–sits down as well. She reveals a pair of perfect white teeth. Her hair is blonde and curly. Freckles are dotted on her nose, which is curvy. Overall, she looks quite approachable.

"Hi. You must be Adelaide and Minho. I'm Astra." She holds out her hand. I shake it, nodding. Minho pretends to look away. "Nice to meet you. I think we'll make a great team."

'Sorry, I'm mute,' I write down. I hate that it's the first impression people get from me, but there is no way to change that.

"Oh, that's fine." She tilts her head. "Not a big deal. Better to stay silent around those creatures anyway. Should we share a few things about ourselves? Who starts?"

I shrug, lazily motioning at her.

"Okay, well, as I said, I'm Astra Monroe. I'm thirty-five. Don't hate me, but I'm a former WCKD employee. I was one of the nurses. I'd treat the injured and feed them, along with captured people. Glad I got out of that hellhole. Now I have abandoned the medical world and deal with architectury."

I spent at least a year at WCKD in the Last City, but never saw this woman. 'I was one of the injured.'

"A heavy case?" She asks.

I nod.

"They had multiple wings. I treated injured employees and captured people, not kids from trials. That's probably it."

I nod again.

Astra looks at Minho, expecting him to introduce himself.

"Shouldn't you know," he snarls.

Hatred in his eyes. Sharp jaw. Surprise in Astra's face. She must've come across him while he was captured.

"Oh," her voice fills with guilt. "Look, kid–"

"Leave it." He takes a breath. "I'm Minho, survived the trials, was the Keeper of the Runners, and I guess I'm about eighteen years old."

They look at me in sync.

'Adelaide, seventeen, Gardener and Skater, now trying to become a doctor.'

"Scary physic skills," Minho adds.

"Interesting." Astra nods. "Once we get along, everything will be fine. Let's see what Vince has in store for us." She takes the note that says 'TEAM THREE' off the table and turns it around.

Search for the Grayshade Nest: Investigate any locations that may be linked to the grayshades.

Locate Hidden WCKD Facilities: Investigate old WCKD facilities or other possible scientific locations that might be involved in the creation of the Grayshades.

Scout for Supplies: While on the move, gather useful resources.

Track Grayshade Movement: Observe how the Grayshades are moving and behaving. Understanding their patterns could help predict future attacks or lead to their nest.

"Hm." Astra hums. "We're capable of that. I will write down a plan tonight."

Minho doesn't look approving of her business-like approach. "We should work together on one."

"That's fine, too. Right now?"

"Yes."

❣︎

At least an hour later, we're done. My back aches from sitting in the same position for such a long time. The room wasn't isolated well, so sweat drenches my clothes due to the sun constantly shining onto the ceiling.

I sprint into the woods, aware of the new dangers now–but the spot is too magical and peaceful to ignore. Nothing happened the previous times I went here.

The lake is surrounded by flowers and plants, water streaming with a pleasing sound. It's not exactly clear, but that's just because of the muddy bottom. The lake is down a short hill that's full with stones–I'd call it a nature-made pier.

Delighted, I undress until nothing but boyshorts are left on me, then I run down to the biggest stone of all. I take a deep breath, diving in the water.

It's lukewarm, perfect against my skin, cool against the heat of the sun. I can't help but close my eyes. The gentle ripples of the lake against me bring a sense of peace.

I swim further out. The lake is the perfect spot for peace compared to the Safe Haven. I think I'm one of the few, or maybe the only one, who has discovered it. No one else is ever–

A splash, distant but there.

My eyes snap open. Someone–or something just jumped in.

I turn my head, scanning the area aroud me, but I don't see anything. There's too many stones and other natural obstacles to have a full view of the lake, which flows very curvy. It zigzags through the woods.

My heart starts to beat a little faster. The last thing I want is to get caught by someone, or worse, a Grayshade.

Then, from the other side of the lake, I see a shadow move—almost fluidly, gliding along the water's surface. A figure, tall, dark-haired.

I squint my eyes. It's the boy named Aris.

His head pokes above the water as he emerges from the depths. A gasp leaves his mouth when he notices me, and yet he seems to force himself to remain calm.

"You don't mind sharing the lake, do you?" he calls out.

I blink, startled, and instinctively hide behind the nearest stone.

A small chuckle erupts from him. The water ripples again, swaying towards my body. He appears back in front of me. I sink down until my shoulders are below the water and wrap my arms around my torso even though it's impossible to see now that it's underwater.

Eventually, I shake my head. The same soft smile grows on his face. "Don't you think WCKD should've invented waterproof paper instead of Grayshades? We would've been able to communicate."

I manage a smile back at him, but remain feeling exposed. His gaze flickers over me before he quickly looks away.

"Wait." He swims over to a stone, alone in the middle of the water. His shoulder blades move along as he dives underwater, and comes back with a handful of mud. He splashes it onto the stone before spreading it around. "Maybe you can write on here."

I swim closer, breaths heavy from keeping myself up the whole time.

"Do you want me to leave?" He asks.

'No,' I write. It lingers for a moment, then vanishes. The mud is too watery. 'But I need to leave.'

"Oh. Why?"

Heat rises to my cheeks. 'No top.'

He is unable to hide his shock: his eyes wide slightly, face reaching a reddish color. "I didn't– eh, didn't realize that." He coughs. "Sorry. I'll... turn around."

Embrassed, I nod, and get out of the water as fast as I can, sprinting away with my shirt half-on.