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G A M E O F
S U R V I V A L

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𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰
'𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧
𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧
𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧
𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦

𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮

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chapter fourteen
and the lightning struck

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TIME PASSED AS the boys watched Rosie think about the idea of Samadhi pulling the trigger on Teresa. They were shocked to even think that Rosie was contemplating it. Shouts to get her attention weren't doing anything as Rosie was in tunnel vision staring Teresa down.

Samadhi kept the gun pointed and her finger loosely on the trigger ready to pull it. Teresa swallowed hard with her hands up in the air trying to apologize for her statement. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." The girl pleaded as Samadhi walked up closer to her.

       Teresa could feel the warm metal on her forehead as she shut her eyes in fear. "Now you're sorry?" Samadhi questioned.

        "Thomas—"

        "Sam, c'mon—"

       "No." Samadhi cut both of them off taking a notice of Thomas taking a step closer to them. "Take another step and I'll shoot her. Right here, right now."

       Thomas stopped moving fearing the girl's actions. Tears welled up in Teresa's eyes as she could feel them roll down her cheeks. Her bottom lip trembled and her hands started to shake from the possibility of not existing anymore. Teresa could feel a finger run down her face as Samadhi dragged her pointer finger down to her chin. A little chuckle left Sam's lips taking a notice of her trembling lips and the wetness of her cheeks.

       "You scared?" Samadhi asked waiting for the girl's response as she pulled her finger away. Teresa nodded with her eyes still shut fearing that if she opened them her life wouldn't exist anymore. "Ever gotten shot before, Teresa?"

       "No." Teresa mumbled quietly.

       "Do you know who has?" Samadhi inquired watching the scared girl shake her head again. "Jess."

      Guilt rose in Teresa's stomach as she didn't know about Jessie's condition. How hard it was for her to keep going. "I, I didn't know. I'm sorry." Teresa apologized.

        Samadhi turned her head to look over at Rosie and made eye-contact with her. "Rosie?"

        Everyone waited for her decision as Rosie spoke two simple words, "not yet."

        "You got lucky," Samadhi whispered to Teresa before lowering her gun, "this time."

       Teresa took a breath of relief taking several steps back trying to process what had happened. Samadhi locked her gun and stashed it in the back of her pants were it had been originally. The frightened girl wiped her tears away and tried to control her breathing. Thomas came to her holding her in his arms and tried to sooth her.

      Newt watched the pair embrace each other for comfort. The boy could feel his heart ache in sadness because for a good few seconds he wished it was him in Thomas' arms. Newt shook his head trying to get that image out of his head focusing on what needed his attention.

       "You should've said yes." Samadhi spoke to Rosie who had shrugged her shoulders. "Why are we still with them?"

       Thomas turned around snapping, "why don't you leave? If you're so annoyed and entitled, just leave!"

       "Oh my god," Samadhi dragged her words in annoyance, "you shouldn't even try to talk. I'll pull the gun on you too."

        "Can you guys just stop arguing?" Jess blurted out as she sat on the ground before sighing, "I can stay behind."

        "Are you out of your goddamn mind!?"

       "Hell no."

        "No, we'll figure something out—"

         The curly headed girl shook her head, "I don't want more arguments okay? I get it that you guys don't want us with you but we're not going anywhere without Rosie. And she wants to stick with you guys, so that's what we're doing."

      Teresa responded, "we should keep moving then. We need to try and find shelter before it gets dark."

      "She can't walk." Rosie reminded the girl.

       "Yes, I can." Jess stated trying to show that she could. The girl noticeably struggled to get up before her weak legs gave out falling to her knees.

         "No, you can't." Rosie stated adding to the others, "we need to stay here for a little longer."

       Teresa shook her head motioning to the distance they still had to cover. "We can't afford that Rosie. We have no more water left and no food."

       Minho shook his head walking over to Frypan before handing him his backpack. "Carry this, please." The boy walked over to the girl on the floor before crouching down to be at eye level with her. "I'll carry you."

      Jessie shook her head waving her hand to shoo him away as she looked down to the ground. "No it's fine. I can stay back—"

      "Hey, look at me." Minho demanded using his finger to lift up her chin to look into her eyes. "I don't care what the rest say, I'm not leaving you behind. Ever. Do you understand?"

      Her eyes were locked in with his as he tried to get any confirmation from her. Her heart was beating at a million miles per second. She could feel his lingering finger resting lightly on her chin and for the first time in a very long time, Jessie didn't negatively react to a male's touch. No, because this one, this one made her feel safe. This boy was telling her his truth, he was about to do anything to help her.

Minho searched for any confirmation feeling relieved when Jessie nodded her head and let out a quiet reply, "yeah."

       "Good." The sides of Minho's lips curved up as he dropped his finger, "now, come on, we're wasting precious time."

       Jessie took a deep breath accepting Minho's hand as he helped her up on her feet not letting go until Mara switched with him. The boy crouched down as Mara and Samadhi helped Jessie up on his back. Her hands loosely wrapped themselves around his shoulders as his hands came down holding her by the back of her legs after she wrapped them around his torso.

       He was hot and quite sweaty. Jessie could feel the heat radiating off him and parts of his shirt soaked from his sweat. Her intrusive thoughts started to form as she wondered if she was too heavy and if he regretted his decision. But Minho didn't show any struggle and walked as if he wasn't carrying another human on his back.

       "Satisfied?" Minho asked with sass dripping down his tongue directing the question towards Teresa as he passed her.

        Thomas clapped his hands one time as he didn't like the way everyone was treating Teresa. The boy wanted to come to her defense but he knew he'd lose against the other girls. "Let's keep moving." Thomas stated as everyone started walking.

       The beginning of the walk was silent as no one really talked to each other. Everyone were in their own thoughts sharing similar ones about this life. The majority asked themselves if it really was worth it to keep going? Was there such thing as a safe haven? Where they going to be truly ever in peace when their past was full of blood and mistrust?  

     "You didn't have to do this," Jessie said trying to change his mind, "I just need a few more minutes and I swear I'll be okay—"

      Minho shook his head cutting her off, "you should've asked me to help you earlier."

       "I swear, I'm fine."

       The boy scoffed nodding his head, "you're fine? That's great. I'll write that on your tombstone." Minho stated lifting up his finger to pretend to write, "she said she was fine. She was wrong."

"Shut up." Jessie mumbled letting out a giggle before softly pushing the boy's head earning a grin from him. Minho dropped his finger hooking back his arm around her leg to keep supporting her.

       Mara and Samadhi looked at one another in slight disapproval once the pair were the ones ahead of everyone. They were somewhat hesitant of the bond that Jessie and Minho were creating.

      Hours pass by as everyone struggled to keep waking. No one had an ounce of energy anymore. The majority had no more water in their canteens. No food either. It looked like the desert was endless. At times Rosie thought they were going in circles. It seemed like they were getting nowhere.

The sun was burning their skins off and Rosie could feel parts of her arms peeling from her sunburn. The girl was accustom to the sun giving her a nice glowy tan not a sunburn. Her throat was too dry she didn't bother trying to speak. None did. They all walked in silence.

The sun was entirely gone and the moon was clear and ready to shine down on the group of escapees. "We should get some rest here." Thomas cleared his throat as everyone silently agreed dropping their backpacks on the ground.

     Rosie sat down on the ground clearing her dried throat. Her feet ached from the pain and she could feel her own body betray her. Everyone had sat down trying to rest before they all focused on Rosie. The girl stood up trying to balance herself before falling to her knees.

       "Rosie—" Newt stopped mid-sentence trying to walk but was stopped once Aris put his arm in front of him.

      Rosie coughed feeling it crawl up her throat. Her shaky hands on the ground hovering over a spot. The group of gladers grimace as Rosie throws up whatever water and any source of food she had the last few days leave her system.

      Mara stands up heading to the ill girl who's tears ran down her cheeks. Mara made sure to take a look at the vomit and inspect the colors that came out. The girl hides her expressions but is nervous when she sees black blotches. She turns to Rosie who didn't dare look up. Her eyes were focused on the colors that were scaring her.

       "Rosie—" Mara reached for the girl's shoulder before feeling her back hit the hard ground. The entire group stood up quickly trying to figure out what was happening. "Samadhi!" Mara yells for help as Rosie was already on top of her, her hands reaching for her throat.

       Mara gripped on Rosie's hands as tightly as she could not letting her reach her neck. Mara could have easily gotten out of the position but she didn't want to do any harm to her. "Rosie!" Samadhi yelled before glancing back at the boys and pointing at the girl, "grab her!"

       The five boys get up on their feet rushing to get Rosie off Mara who she was trying to strangle. Rosie pushed and pulled once the guys had a grip on her. She did her best to try and get out of their grips but was overpowered by the boys.

       Samadhi twirled her knife in her fingers before ripping the cloth that covered Rosie's wound. All the guys flinch once noticing the infection starting to grow again. Samadhi reached for Rosie's chin exposing her neck and seeing the blue and green veins getting brighter.

      "No," Frypan's voice broke as he started shaking his head, "not Rosie too."

        "Get off me!" Rosie yelled trying to pull away. No one did any movement before Rosie added, "Gally! Help me!"

       The gladers looked at one another in shock knowing the boy was left behind in the maze. "She's hallucinating." Samadhi explained checking Rosie's pulse and realizing it was beating at an increasing rate before motioning to Jessie to grab the backpack, "has she done this before?"

       All of the boys shook their heads not remembering any acts like these. "Why she calling out for Gally? Who's that?" Samadhi questioned before looking through her backpack.

       "The guy on the bracelet, Sam." Mara responded and added, "he's one of the 9's."

         The girl pulled out a syringe with green liquid in it. The boys watched her add the thin needle. "What the hell are you doing?" Thomas questioned worried about what Samadhi was going to do to Rosie.

       Samadhi glanced to the boy replying, "you might not have let me help Winston but I'm not letting Rosie turn into a crank on my watch."

      The worried boys watched Sam insert the needle directly into the infection. The visible veins started to decrease and start to disappear. "What did you do? Did you have a cure for it this whole time?" Minho asked in disbelief.

       The girl got off Rosie who closed her eyes falling asleep. The boys let their hands go starting to argue with Samadhi. "Why didn't you give it to Winston?" Frypan argued.

       Samadhi took a step back putting away the syringe that had half of the serum still intact. "They didn't let me." Her words sounded like poison when she directed her attention to Thomas and Teresa.

       "Oh, man." Frypan spoke in desperation and sadness. Thomas could feel the guilt start to form in his body as he watched Frypan storm over to him. The boy gripped his arms on the boy's jacket, "she could have saved him! Winston could have been alive right now!"

       Frypan used a bit of force to push Thomas. "I'm sorry." Thomas apologized running his hands through his hair, "I'm sorry! Fuck!"

       "We only have one serum." Samadhi spoke out loud, "it's designed to help Rosie. And it doesn't cure it. It helps Rosie get her control back and her immune system stronger to fight back the infection."

       "But it could have helped Winston." Mara stated on purpose to keep the guilt consume Thomas. "You know, since they were related."

        "Mara!" Samadhi yelled at the girl.

       "What?!" Mara spit back in annoyance.

        Samadhi furrowed her eyebrows in anger. "That's enough coming from you." Sam pulled out clean bandages. "If you're not going to say something positive then shut up."

       Mara scoffed at the girl, "what the hell is your problem?"

       "You're my problem." Samadhi replied with no hesitation. "You're always looking to start a fight. Just stop it. I've had it with you."

       "I'm not the one pulling out a gun and threatening peoples lives." Mara argued back.

       "Guys!" Jessie yelled at the two girls. "We're suppose to be on the same team. Stop it. Both of you."

       Mara and Samadhi look at each other in annoyance before muttering apologizes to one another. Jessie rolled her eyes at the two stubborn girls before walking to Samadhi and snatching away the bandages.

       Jessie kneeled down cleaning the infection and bandaging up the wound. Her fingers touched her wrist trying to feel how strong her pulse was. The girl relaxed as Rosie's pulse was at a normal rate. "She'll be fine in a few hours." Jessie stated. "Let's just try and get some sleep."

     "I SEE SOMETHING!" Thomas yelled waking everyone up from the uncomfortable slumber. Rosie groaned as she could feel everyone starting to get up. Her bicep ached and noticed it was a new bandage that covered it. Her eyes scanned the entire group wondering what happened.

"What? What is it?" Newt asked half awake

"You see that?!" Thomas asked pointing at a city with lights on. "It's lights!"

"We made it—" the sound of thunder grabbed everyone's attention as Rosie got up on her feet to look back at the lightning striking not so far from where they were.

Samadhi's hands flew up to cover her own ears trying to silence the intrusive thoughts that were forming in her head. Jessie turned towards her before looking into her backpack for ear plugs. Malakai had given them necessary items like ear plugs for Samadhi. The girl shut her eyes closed ignoring everyone's shouts as they started to grab their stuff.

Before Jessie could find the packet of them, Samadhi uncovered one of her hands after feeling wetness coming out. Mara's eyes widen spotting a trail of blood coming out of Samadhi's ears. "You're bleeding! Jess!" Mara exclaims as Jessie hands her the ear plugs. "Put them on."

Samadhi does as she is told putting on earplugs to ignore the sound of lightning that brought her back to her traumatic past. Rosie grabs her items taking a notice of Newt's actions. The two boys reach for each other's hands without giving much thought to it. Rosie's head tilted to the side as she watched Newt grab his backpack.

"Let's go! We gotta go! Come on! Let's go!" Thomas yells rushing everyone as Newt didn't look behind him to check if Rosie was ready or not. He left running with Thomas.

Frypan glanced over the girl making sure she was prepared. "Come on, let's go!" He ushered pulling the girl who felt her feet were glued to the ground. Rosie felt Frypan's hand wrap around her arm and yank her with him as the lightning was getting closer. Everyone ran as their lives depended on it.

The group ran miles ignoring the pain in their feet as the lightning kept getting closer and closer. Teresa could feel her breath get caught in her throat as her left foot caused her to trip. Being behind her, Rosie was able to grab the girl's elbow stopping her fall. Teresa glanced back wanting to say thank you before Rosie pushed her from the back.

"Keep going!" Rosie yelled

"We're almost there!" Aris exclaims pointing to the building getting closer to them.

Rosie is now at the front close to reaching the building's entrance. "Come on, Teresa! Go! Go! Go!" Thomas shouts.

The sound of a close strike of lightning caused Jessie to turn her head to spot Thomas and Minho sprawled on the ground. Her attention flew towards Minho once she sees Thomas getting up.

"Minho!" Jessie yells ignoring the protests from Mara and Samadhi. The girl rushes towards Minho trying to help him herself.

Mara looked up at the sky knowing there was going to be another strike of lightning very soon. "Jessie! No!" Mara protests as Samadhi sprints to stop Jessie. "Sam!"

The sound of lightning scared Mara as she watched the scene go down. Samadhi was able to grab ahold of Jessie from her elbow pulling her away. Sam pushed the girl behind her almost throwing her body with her adrenaline running through her veins.

"Samadhi!" Jessie screams on the ground as the strike of lightning hit the young girl throwing her body farther away.

The boys had already rushed to help Minho as Mara and Rosie were on their feet sprinting towards Samadhi. "Sam wake up!" Mara screams grabbing a hold of one of her arms. Rosie reaching her other arm helping her to pull her up.

Samadhi gasps for air opening her eyes feeling her body getting pulled up by the two girls. Her earplugs no longer in her ears. "Come on!" Newt exclaims as the group enter the guiding. "Go! Go! Go!"

       The group enter into a pitch black building. The girls let go of Samadhi who thanks them. "Somebody turn on a light!" Thomas demands as Newt turns on his flashlight. "Minho!"

       "Come on now!" Newt exclaims before Jess pushes her way through the group.

       The girl kneels down pressing her fingers on the side of his neck. "What are you doing?" Thomas asks watching her ear get close to his mouth.

        "Checking for a pulse." Jessie listened to his pulse and could hear his breath. "He's still breathing."

       The sudden groan coming out of Minho's lips made everyone sigh of relief. "You're okay?"

       "What happened?" Minho asks blinking a few times to adjust his eyes to the light from the flashlight.

       Thomas glanced to Newt for whatever reason before explaining, "you got struck by lightning."

        Minho raised his left eyebrow in curiosity, "oh."

        The group laughs before Jessie comments, "you scared me."

        Minho glanced to his right side noticing the curly headed girl on his side, her hand softly placed on his chest. His eyes glance down to her hand before going back up to her face. "Yeah?"

       Jessie could feel her cheeks getting warm just by the tone of his voice. She nodded slowly replying with a quieter, "yeah."

       The boys look at one another watching Jessie and Minho gaze at each other for a few seconds. "Okay, come on," Thomas stated as him and Newt and Frypan helped the boy up on his feet.

       Samadhi furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she turned around smelling something off. Teresa was already in front of her wondering what that smell was. "What's that smell?"

       The blue eyed girl walked up in curiosity before feeling her body getting pulled back the moment she turned her flashlight on. "Teresa!" Samadhi yells pulling her behind her before Teresa screamed in fear.

      A crank was spotted with Teresa's flashlight scaring the entire group. Samadhi grabbed the weapon stashed in the back of her pants. The girl pulled out the gun ready to kill the crank before the guys scream once again. Her eyes widen realizing there were multiple tied up in chains.

       Rosie grabs a hold of Samadhi pulling her back to the group as she feared any one could get scratched by the cranks that were surrounding them. Samadhi stayed silent as she wondered why she hadn't sensed them before they entered the building. Her heightened senses had given her that capability but somehow, maybe after the strike of lightning it interfered.

      "I SEE YOU'VE MET OUT GUARDS DOGS."