She showers quickly. It doesn't matter that it's the first hot shower she's taking in a year and a half. She just needs to rinse the dirt off fast, tuck her weapons back in her clothes, and then rush to the other to make sure they're still kept safe.

She sees them sitting in the cafeteria Janson mentioned. Unlike all the other rooms she's been in, this one actually seems similar to what a normal school cafeteria would look like, except there's windows everywhere, showing the hallways around the cafeteria.

"Hey." She sits down next to her friends. "What's up?"

They all share a glance, and it immediately worries her. Her eyes glare around. Thomas, Minho, Newt, Fry, Jeff, Chuck— "Where's Gally?"

Chuck lowers his head. "They called names, and he got called, too. We tried to stop them, but they were too strong." And he points at a door. A guard stands in front of it. "They went in there."

Gally? She tries. Can you hear me?

Yes, he replies, lifting weight off her shoulders.

Alright. Whatever they're doing, I'll help you. It's still WCKD. Don't trust them. What're they doing at the moment?

Taking me into some kind of operation room. Don't get yourself into trouble for me. What did that Janson tell you?

Things. Doesn't matter. Just don't let them do anything to you. I'll try to convince this guard.

They tried. It doesn't work, trust me. He ain't gonna move.

My plans don't fail.

Joan—

Just try to stay safe. She cuts their connection off and looks down at the table. Cherries in a bowl, perfect.

"What're you doing?" Minho hisses when she dips her finger in the red liquid. "You're like half his height. We'll try something once it's less crowded."

She ignores him as she runs her red finger over her lips. "You think I need to add blush?"

"What—"

"Never mind." The girl unbuttons all three buttons that sit at the top of the green shirt they gave her. Pushes her sports bra up a bit, then removes her ponytail.

"You're crazy," Thomas says. "Let's not."

"Let's do it."

"If seducing that guard doesn't work, I'll tease you with that embarrassment for the rest of your life," Minho adds.

"Oh, come on, Minho. I could seduce anyone." A roll of her eyes—she's really not this confident about her looks—and she looks back at the others. "What else?"

"Panties above the pants."

"Chuck!" Newt gasps. "Don't—"

"Good idea, bud. Hopefully this guard has a thing for navy blue, too. See ya!"

She walks over to the guard without thinking. If she does, she'll worry and won't seem as confident about this, because Minho is right. If this doesn't work, it'll be very embarrassing.

"Hi." Once in front of the guards, she puts on a confused look. "I was wondering if y'all have other types of bread. I'm allergic to this type, but I feel like I'm gonna die from hunger."

Okay, this is not gonna be successful.

"There's other things than bread to eat."

"Yeah, I know but... I'd really, really like some bread," she says slowly. For a few seconds, she blinks, and a frown starts to appear on her face. "Oh, no."

He lifts an eyebrow.

"I think I accidentally got a crumb of it in my system," she whispers, hands reaching towards her neck as she quickens her breaths. "I have an epipen. It's in my bag. Wait— where's my bag?"

With a look that's barely worried, he looks around. "It seems to lie on your seat. Fine, I'll get it for you. Red marks are already forming on your skin."

That's the cherry that was left on her fingers. Lipstick and fake allergic reaction at once? Damn.

"Thank you," she says.

The guard steps forward. When he does, she holds out her foot. He trips. Before he has even reached the ground, she slips his card out of his pocket and runs her way through the door.

The allergic thing wasn't originally in her plan, but alright. It worked even better.

Quickly, she runs through the hallways. What ways did they take you?

There's no reply.

Gally? She repeats his name a few times. Asks for him to reply, but there's nothing. Did he cut their connection off? No. He must be ignoring her or something.

But when she tries to call for him for the millionth time, it feels like she's not even sending it to anyone. Like she's just thinking his name, not asking him.

She curses under her breath. How is she supposed to find him now?

"Hey!" Someone pushes her away from a random door with such force that she nearly falls over.

Her jaw clenches as she looks up. "What's behind that door?"

The guard crosses his arms. "That's none of your business. What're you doing here anyways? Get back to the cafeteria. Right. Now."

"I have a deal with Janson," she starts. "He keeps my friends safe as long as I don't tell them you're WCKD. Because yes, I know who you are. And you're also wicked. So tell me where my boyfriend went. His name is Gally. Subject A nine."

"I would have no idea," he says. By the look in his eyes, she can tell that he's not taking her seriously. And that he's lying.

The girl pulls her knife out. Points it at him. "Dare to even touch that taser, and I'll kill you," she threatens.

Honestly, she's not sure if that's the truth. Would she kill him?

For Gally, yes.

He holds his hands up, but doesn't give in. "I wouldn't know where your boyfriend is," he spits out.

She moves close enough for the knife to touch his throat. Damnit, she should some heels or something, though. "What's behind that door? Tell me."

"I have been told not to."

"And now I'm telling you to tell me." The sharp point buries deeper into his skin, yet not enough to draw blood. "What's there?"

"Nothing for you to interfere with."

Slash.

She steps away before his limp body falls on top of her. He chokes a few times, then remains still.

A gasp leaves her mouth. She did really just slide his throat. On impulse. She killed someone. Actually did it with her own hands.

She stares at the bloody knife. Watches the blood fall onto the floor and her clothes. It drips slowly, unlike the pool of blood that's forming around the dead man's body. Her fingers run over the blade. Her already red skin from the cherries turns even redder.

It feels kind of good.

She takes a deep breath. Shakes her head at that thought. She's not a murderer.

Chuck showing her the information about herself comes back into her mind. The fact that murder activated her brain patterns.