❝ 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 ❞
▬▬ Chapter 10
• . ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳₊·͟͟͟͟͟͟͞͞͞͞͞͞➳💧

Madison let go of Evie, her heart pounding as she stared at the horizon. Smoke curled against the stark blue sky, dark and ominous. The distant hum that had unsettled her moments before grew louder, vibrating through the air like a warning bell. She squinted against the harsh sunlight, her expression shifting to one of alarm.

"What the hell is that?" Madison asked, her voice trembling, a mix of fear and disbelief choking her words.

Evie turned, her head snapping toward the commotion. Her eyes widened, her breath hitching.

"It's WICKED," Madison whispered, the name tasting bitter on her tongue. Disbelief etched across her face, she grabbed Evie's arm, pulling her away.

In the distance, dark silhouettes of helicopters cut through the sky, their engines roaring louder by the second. The sound grew deafening, the steady thrum of the blades now accompanied by distant explosions. Then came the bombs, streaking down like falling stars.

The first explosion hit the ground with a thunderous crack, sending fire and debris spewing into the air. Madison shielded her face instinctively, her body taut with fear. Screams erupted around them, piercing through the chaos. What had been a fragile moment of peace now descended into absolute mayhem.

"Run!" Madison screamed, dragging Evie behind her as fire raged around them. The helicopters hovered menacingly overhead, and dark-clad WICKED guards began descending from ropes, their tasers sparking like electric vipers. The guards moved with precision, knocking people to the ground, their expressions devoid of mercy.

"Come on, Evie! Move!" Madison urged, glancing over her shoulder. Through the smoke and flames, she spotted familiar figures sprinting toward them.

"Madison! Evie! Over here!" Minho's voice cut through the chaos, desperate and strained. Frypan and Newt flanked him, their faces etched with worry.

"Are you okay?" Minho demanded when they reached each other, his chest heaving.

"For now," Madison replied breathlessly, her eyes darting around. "Where's Thomas?"

Frypan shook his head, scanning the chaos. "We thought he was with you!"

"He's not—" Madison began, panic surging.

"We lost him in the chaos," Minho admitted, his jaw tightening.

A voice broke through the clamor: "Harriet, ammo!" It was Vince, his tone commanding.

"Vince! Harriet!" Minho shouted, gesturing toward the truck where the group was forming a defensive line. Madison and Evie sprinted alongside him, ducking as a taser bolt zipped past, sizzling against the ground.

"Here!" Vince shoved a weapon into Madison's hands. "You know how to use this?"

Madison hesitated, her hands trembling. "Guess I'm about to find out."

The group fanned out, taking cover as best they could. Madison's finger hovered over the trigger as she peeked around the edge of the truck. Her breath caught when she saw a bomb drop perilously close.

"Get down!" she screamed, but the explosion sent her flying. The impact knocked the air out of her lungs, her vision going white with pain.

When she came to, a guard was already hauling her to her feet. She struggled, shouting, "Let me go!" But her limbs were sluggish, her body weak from the shock.

The guard tightened his grip, pulling her closer. "B2," he muttered, scanning a tag on her neck. He moved on, leaving her dazed.

Before Madison could process what was happening, Janson emerged from the smoke, flanked by guards. His cruel eyes scanned the prisoners, lingering on Madison with a look of mock pity.

"Where's Thomas?" Janson demanded.

A familiar voice rang out, steady despite the chaos. "Right here."

Thomas stepped forward, his hands raised in surrender. His face was smudged with dirt and sweat, but his eyes burned with defiance. The guards seized him, shoving him toward Janson.

"Thomas," Janson said, his lips curling into a sinister smile. Without warning, he punched Thomas in the gut, the force doubling him over.

"Hey!" Madison yelled, struggling against her captor. A guard forced her to the ground, pressing her face into the dirt.

"Get him in line," Janson ordered.

Thomas was dragged beside Minho, his expression grim but unwavering.

The roar of another engine signaled the arrival of a massive berg, its imposing shadow falling over the battlefield. A ramp descended, and from it emerged Ava Paige. Her pristine white coat was a stark contrast to the destruction around her.

"Is this all of them?" Ava asked, her voice as cold and clinical as her expression.

"It's enough," Janson replied.

Behind Ava, Teresa appeared, her presence eliciting gasps from the group. But it was the sight of Jade—alive, standing beside Ava—that stole the breath from Madison's lungs.

"Jade?" Madison whispered, her voice trembling. "No... no. I saw you die."

Jade's gaze was icy, devoid of the warmth Madison once knew. "You don't understand," Jade said sharply. "This is for the greater good."

"The greater good?" Madison's voice cracked with fury. "You betrayed us! Both of you!"

Janson silenced her with a gesture. "Enough. Load them up."

As the guards moved to comply, Thomas's voice rang out, fierce and unyielding. "Let them go!"

He had a bomb in hand, its blinking light a stark warning. The guards froze. Even Janson hesitated.

"Stand down!" Janson barked.

But Thomas was resolute. "I'm done running. This ends now."

Madison's heart pounded as she watched him. Around her, the group began to rally, their fear giving way to determination. Then chaos erupted anew. Explosions rocked the ground as a vehicle smashed into the helicopter, scattering the guards.

"Go! Go!" Jorge's voice called, and Madison saw him leap from the truck with Brenda and Asher.

"Evie, come on!" Madison cried, pulling her friend toward safety. But as they ran, a taser bolt struck Evie in the back. She crumpled to the ground with a cry.

"No!" Madison screamed, her voice raw. She tried to go back, but Vince grabbed her. "We can't save her now. We have to move!"

Madison's world fractured as she was dragged away, leaving Evie and Minho behind. Tears streaked her face, her grief mixing with fury as the vehicle roared away from the carnage.

When they finally stopped, Madison's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto a rock. The others gathered around her, their faces etched with exhaustion and despair.

"What do we do now?" Newt asked quietly.

"We fight," Madison said, her voice hoarse but resolute. "We go back, and we end this."

Thomas met her gaze, nodding. "For Minho. For Evie. For everyone WICKED's taken."

And with that, they began to plan, their shared determination burning brighter than ever amidst the ashes of their loss.

AUTHORS NOTE;

Hey readers! 🌟

Buckle up because The Death Cure is officially starting. The stakes are higher, the betrayals cut deeper, and the fight for survival is more intense than ever. As the group hurtles toward their final stand against WICKED, friendships will be tested, alliances will shift, and sacrifices will be made.

This is the beginning of the end—where courage and heartbreak collide. Let's see who will rise, who will fall, and if there's any hope of a cure.

Thank you all for sticking with this journey. Let's dive into the chaos together. 💥

—GRACIEEE <22222222