❝ 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 ❞
▬▬ Chapter 07
• . ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳₊·͟͟͟͟͟͟͞͞͞͞͞͞➳💧

The hum of the compound's security systems buzzed through the hallways as Thomas, Madison, and Teresa moved quietly through the building. Their footsteps were muffled by the guard uniforms they wore, blending them into the fabric of the place. Teresa, ahead of them in her usual clothes, was leading the way with a sense of quiet urgency. Thomas kept his voice low but firm as they neared a security checkpoint.

"Don't stop," Thomas urged, gently pushing Teresa forward. "We need to move faster."

Teresa nodded, her pace quickening. They approached a security detector, its green light flashing as it scanned them, allowing them to pass.

With a subtle nod, Newt appeared from around a corner, stepping into their path in his own guard uniform. He offered them a silent acknowledgment before joining their group, falling into step beside Thomas. They moved in sync down a narrow hallway, where two more figures, Beth and Gally, joined them.

Beth gave a quiet nod, her eyes sharp and watchful as always. Gally, on the other hand, had a brief smirk that faded the moment he assessed the seriousness of the mission.

"We need to get to the stairs," Teresa muttered, her hand already reaching for the scanner to grant access to a secured stairwell.

"Go, go!" Thomas urged, his tone tense as they approached the next obstacle.

Before they could ascend, however, Gally paused. He scanned the area, his eyes landing on a junction box along the wall. He quickly removed his mask, revealing the determination in his eyes.

"I can get us in here," Gally said, his fingers already working at the panel.

"Stay put. Throw me the walkie," Thomas instructed, darting down the stairs ahead of the others. He disappeared from view, leaving the rest to continue their work.

As they waited for Gally, a sudden cough interrupted the moment. Newt, who had been walking with them, doubled over, hacking violently. His face was pale, sweat glistening on his brow.

"Newt!" Madison gasped, immediately moving to support him. She guided him to the side, urging him to sit against the wall. His breathing was labored, and his eyes were glazed with exhaustion.

Beth and Gally, now finished with the junction box, moved to inspect the wiring, but the situation had clearly shifted.

"Frypan, we're in," Thomas's voice crackled from the walkie-talkie as he rejoined the group. "How's it looking on your end?"

Frypan's response came through, his tone somewhat distracted. "Yeah, I'm getting there. Tell Minho hi for me."

"Hang tight," Thomas said, pushing back any trace of frustration.

Gally stood up, wiping his hands on his uniform. "This might work," he said, clearly pleased with his handiwork.

"Brenda, what's your status?" Thomas called into the walkie.

"I'm working on it," came Brenda's tired response.

"Copy. Be ready," Thomas instructed, motioning for everyone to stay alert.

They moved quickly as Teresa scanned her thumb again, granting them access to the next room. The space was eerily quiet, the hum of electricity in the air as they moved deeper into the facility. Once inside, the team incapacitated two guards with quick, efficient electric bolts. Madison was quick to act, opening a door and ushering the children inside, her voice calm yet urgent.

"You're safe now. Come on out."

"We're almost there," Beth muttered, her eyes darting around, scanning for threats.

Madison's heart dropped when she saw what awaited them.

"They're not here," she muttered under her breath, a flare of frustration and panic coursing through her.

"What's wrong?" Thomas demanded, approaching her with a furrowed brow.

Madison shook her head, trying to keep her composure. "Evie's not here. They moved her." She turned to Teresa, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern. "Where is she?"

Teresa's fingers flew over a nearby computer screen. "Minho's been moved to the medical wing," she confirmed, her voice tight with concern. "Evie's still in holding, but they're moving her to WCKD headquarters for testing. They're in different parts of the building."

Madison's mind was already racing with options. "Okay, you guys go for Minho. I'll get Evie."

"No, you can't go alone," Thomas said sharply, the concern in his eyes deepening.

"Why not? I'm perfectly capable of getting her out," Madison snapped, her voice edged with frustration. She knew the risks but couldn't stand the thought of Evie being taken away without a fight.

Beth stepped forward, her expression concerned. "Madison, seriously, going in there alone is insane."

Madison's resolve hardened. "Watch me."

Thomas sighed heavily, his shoulders tense as he considered her words. Finally, he exhaled, clearly understanding that arguing with Madison was futile. "Are you sure about this?" he asked reluctantly, his voice softening.

Madison nodded firmly, her gaze unwavering. "I have to find Evie. She's counting on us."

There was a long pause before Thomas finally relented, handing her a gun. "Be careful. I don't need to remind you how dangerous this is."

Madison took the weapon with a nod, slipping it into the waistband of her uniform. Teresa quickly scribbled coordinates on a piece of paper. "Evie's in Block C, Section 12," she said, her voice low but urgent. "It's heavily guarded."

"Got it," Madison affirmed. She barely looked at Thomas, her thoughts already on the mission ahead.

Thomas caught her by the arm before she could move. "Madison..." His voice softened, and he gave her a pleading look. "Be safe."

She flashed him a quick smile, her heart pounding in her chest. "I will. Trust me."

With that, she turned and moved toward the exit, her footsteps echoing in the hallway as she disappeared into the shadows.

[Expanded Scene]

Madison moved swiftly, blending into the shadows of the dimly lit hallways. Every step was calculated as she navigated the labyrinthine corridors, her mind focused solely on getting to Block C, Section 12. Her pulse quickened with each corner she rounded, every sound heightened in her awareness.

The security was tighter here, the walls more imposing, but Madison had done this before. She knew how to avoid detection, how to stay out of sight when the cameras were too close or the guards too vigilant. She pulled her mask lower over her face, allowing the darkness to conceal her movements.

When she reached the side entrance, she keyed in the code with precise care, the lock clicking open with a soft but satisfying sound. The moment the door swung open, Madison slipped inside. Her heart pounded in her chest as she moved down the narrow hallway, her eyes scanning for any signs of life.

When she reached Evie's cell, Madison's breath caught in her throat. The door was locked, but it didn't take long to break the security code. Inside, the dim light revealed a huddled form in the corner. Evie looked up at the sound of the door opening, her face lighting up with a mixture of relief and concern.

"Madison!" Evie exclaimed, rushing toward her with open arms.

Madison smiled, but the smile was strained, filled with the weight of everything that had led to this moment. She wrapped Evie in a tight embrace, feeling the flood of relief wash over her.

"I missed you so much," Madison whispered, the words almost lost in the haze of exhaustion and pain.

Evie pulled back slightly, noticing the blood staining Madison's shirt. "Madison, you're hurt!" she cried out, her voice trembling with panic.

"I'm fine," Madison lied through clenched teeth. "We need to get out of here, now."

Evie hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. "Okay. Let's go."

Together, they made their way down the dark corridors, moving quickly but cautiously. The sound of their footsteps was drowned out by the distant hum of machinery and the occasional shout of a guard. Madison gritted her teeth, ignoring the searing pain in her side. She focused only on Evie, on getting her to safety.

As they neared the exit, alarms blared through the facility. The sound was deafening, filling the air with a sense of urgency that pushed them both forward.

"We have to get outside," Madison urged, her voice barely above a whisper.

Evie was clearly distressed. "Madison, you're seriously hurt."

"I'll be fine," Madison said, though her words were strained. "We just need to get out of here."

They reached a staircase, and Evie helped Madison descend, her own anxiety mounting with every passing moment. The weight of the escape was beginning to take its toll on Madison, her vision blurring, but she kept pushing forward.

As they reached the ground floor, chaos erupted around them. Guards swarmed the halls, shouting orders and scrambling to secure the building. Evie's grip on Madison tightened, her face pale with fear.

"Madison, we have to hurry!" Evie urged, her voice trembling.

"I know," Madison said, determination in her eyes. "Just a little further."

But as they turned the corner toward the final exit, something unexpected happened. A large object crashed from above, sending a shockwave through the ground beneath them. Madison stumbled, grabbing Evie for support. The air around them seemed to freeze as they both looked up in shock, realizing they were no longer alone. The mission had just become much more dangerous.

AUTHORS NOTE;

Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the twists and turns of this chapter. Madison's determination to get to Evie, despite the dangers and her injuries, really shows how far she's willing to go for the people she cares about. I wanted to build the tension as they move through the facility, balancing their sense of urgency with the constant threat of being discovered.

Evie's rescue is only the beginning, and we're heading toward an even more intense confrontation. There's still a lot to uncover about the motives of the people in power, the sacrifices that each character is making, and how far they'll go to protect each other.

Thank you so much for reading! I love hearing your thoughts and feedback, so feel free to drop a comment or message me with any thoughts you have. I appreciate all the support, and I can't wait for you to see where the story goes next!

As always, stay tuned for the next chapter—things are about to get even crazier!

gracie !