| chapter - three |

\ hollowed ground /

Okay, so, Thomas has purple particles, Minho is pink, Teresa is beige, Frypan is orange, and Newt is blue... Just remember that... Alright, that shouldn't be too hard, right? Surely.

Avery kept to her mind, as she discovered that her memory wasn't as resourceful as she thought it was. Or what it used to be, anyway. After those questions from Brittany and Alfred, it got her second guessing everything she thought to be true.

"You can call me Mr. Janson, I run this place-" He began, as Group A followed. Along with Avery and her two best-friends. "-For us it is a sanctuary, safe from the horror's of the outside world. You all should think of it as a wait station, kind of uh-" He balanced both his of hands, thinking between his words carefully. "-Home between homes."

He then adds, "Watch yourselves." As he points up slightly. They all walk underneath the construction around, hot yellow sparks flying everywhere.

As they pondered through the basement, heading into the rest of the headquarters. In which the remaining survivors of Group A were manipulated into thinking it was a safe haven of sorts, not knowing that they are just in yet, another trap.

Avery sensed the boy a foot behind her, limping with almost a somber motion. And just by that, she knew he was in a sad mood. She guessed it was because he had said a name that was unfamiliar to her, expecting it to be her, only for to react a way that he didn't understand.

Maybe I look like someone he once knew? That could be the case, I suppose.

"That means you're taking us home?" The boy with purple particles asked.

That voice... the lightbulb inside her head flickered only halfway, and she thought long and hard about it. Only for the flickering light to fade away instantly before she could grasp any sort of memory, that could have been there.

Oh well...

Janson turns around to face the boy, "A home of sorts," He then turns back to facing forward. "Sadly there wouldn't be anything left of wherever you came from, but we do have a place for you. A refuge, outside the Scorch."

He continues on, "Where Wicked will never find you again." He turns back to them for a second time with a smirk. "How does that sound?" And for a third time, he turns back forward.

Lies, lies, lies... should I be feeling bad for all of it?

Avery wasn't sure. She only partly knew the reason on why they always lied, but at the same time, she felt horrible about it. Everyone deserved to know the truth, but she knew that would only stir a great panic. Depending on which emotions were stronger in each 'subject'.

So, for now, she kept her mouth shut.

"Why are you helping us?" The one with the pink particles wondered, suspiciously.

Avery remembered their names, naming them by their particles just felt smoother to her. A little bit easier.

"Let's just say the world out there is in a rather precarious situation, and we're all hanging on by a very thin thread." Janson explained, as smooth as butter.

 Wow... he's very good at this... not a single hesitation, its kind of scary....

"-The fact that you kids can survive the Flare Virus, makes you the best chance of humans continued survival." He continues.

And then, "Unfortunately, it also makes you a target. There's no doubt by now, you've noticed."

Janson then strides next to a large yellow door, Avery and her two friends huddled next to him, waiting patiently.

"Beyond this door, lies the beginning of your new lives." With an ID card, he swiped it and the door rises up. Opening, full functioning.

He then turns around one last time, "First things first - let's do something about that smell."

***

After their well deserved shower, Thomas got his blood drawn, Minho ran on a treadmill, Teresa got checked by a female doctor, and Newt got mysterious blue liquid shot into his veins, even Avery was confused about that one.

And that was one of the many important secrets that she didn't know, and her mother wouldn't allow her to find out.

"Thomas?" A tall man stood in front of his station.

"... Yeah?"

"Come with me, please." The man gave his best smile.

Thomas stood up cautiously, and followed slowly. Avery could sense his suspicion, and though her eyes had no sight, her and Thomas made long eye-contact.

And just from that few second glance, Thomas knew there was something more to Avery than her memory being swiped, again. And made a promise to himself, that he would find out sooner or later.

Avery sat at an unoccupied station with Brittany and Alfred, she held a clipboard, with papers holding braille words, for only her fingers to see. The paper wasn't anything too special, it mainly just had the amount of Groups and 'Subjects', who they were and what they were known for. Stuff revolving around those topics.

Aris, Brittany, Alfred, Thomas, Frypan, Minho, Rachel, Newt, David... There were just so many, and I haven't seen Rachel in quite awhile. Sadly, I know why. Wait... David?

Avery scrunched her brows, she tried to think back to what her two friends had asked her. And she tried to remember what happened to David, whether he actually did go into the Maze or he was by her side the entire time and she was just going crazy...

But, no that can't be it. David did go into the Maze, I remember mother saying so once. So what else could it be?

Maybe he was among Group A, and Avery just didn't notice because she wasn't paying full attention? She supposed that could be it. She will have to be more focused next time.

"Nova?" An accented voice spoke out, suddenly.

Avery looked forward, away from her clipboard. Seeing blue particles, which from earlier she swore to herself that she'd remember. Newt? Yes, Newt. She smiled, proud that she remembered.

"Its Avery," She smiled kindly, correcting him. Seeing as he was stuck on the name that she claim wasn't her own.

"Right... Avery-" The name was like poison on his tongue, he felt weird saying it. "-S-Sorry."

Newt then added, "Can I talk to you, alone, really quick?"

Avery could sense both Brittany and Alfred cross their arms, almost skeptical. "Its fine, guys." She assured them.

She then turned back to the boy with blue particles, "Yeah, sure. Follow me."

She walked to a place where they could speak privately, as Newt followed behind.

Avery still couldn't shake off the feeling that; she could've sworn, she's seen particles of blue before in her life at some point. She just didn't know where or when. It was all still a spotty blur.

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Here's chapter three! :)

What was your favorite part of this chapter?

Xoxo <3