|chapter - six |

\ snap out of it /

After lunch in the cafeteria, though Avery hardly had anything, she merely just picked at her food. She normally didn't waste food, considering the world had collapsed onto its knees and was severely ill. But these past few days have been different than normal ones. Was it days, weeks, or months? She couldn't tell anymore. The Wicked Guards had Group A escorted into their room, in which would be their new home until further notice.

Avery knew that was going to happen, Thomas did just make a scene. Janson only did what he knew was best for the time being. So that way, the boy with purple particles didn't stir a panic in the other 'subjects'. Because, that would be chaotic. Which was the opposite of what they wanted.

Avery was bringing her plastic platter back to the cleaning station, as she was finished for the day. She had eaten what she could, despite her stomach's resistance to food at this time.

When she suddenly heard a voice come from behind her, "Avery, a word?"

She turned around, empty handed. Seeing Janson's peach particles headed her way. Brittany and Alfred both paused, not knowing what to do or say.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Avery smiled, kindly. Her friends gave her a nod, telling her the same. As they headed to their own rooms.

Before the tall man could notice, Avery quickly shot her spine right back up to being straight. To seem like one of the many professionals that lurk around her, to get more of the respect that she knew she deserved.

"I've come to ask a favor of you." Janson offered.

"Yes?" She tilted her head slightly, all ears to what he has to say. "A favor?"

Janson grinned, knowing he could trust her. "I need you to head into Group A's room, to make sure they aren't up to anything stupid. Nothing that'd get them in turmoil, that is."

"On it," Avery accepted the offer. Janson's grin grew tighter, knowing she'd listen.

She began to walk. Only to pause. "Oh, and Avery."

She turned her head ever so slightly, to listen carefully.

"Make sure they never do that again, tell them serious action causes serious consequences." Janson finished.

Avery carefully nodded with a small gulp, "Will do."

And off she went, to Group A's room.

Janson's fake grin faded into nothing but a stern and solid face, as he was left behind with Avery's footsteps echoing through the halls.

***

It wasn't long until Avery opened the door of Group A's room, as she stepped in and then kept the door popped open, to make sure it didn't lock behind her. Facing all of the teens, who were the only ones left of their Maze.

She saw all of the particles of boys. Even a few new ones that she hadn't seen back in the Scorch Banks and the cafeteria. She must've missed them.

If she remembered, Frypan had the set of orange particles. And Winston had the set of brown particles.

And she couldn't help but think, David would've been in this room if his name wasn't called on, back in the cafeteria. But she blinked her dead-eyes at the thought, staying concentrated as much as possible.

"Nova?" Newt looked down at her from the top of his bed. "I thought you forgot everything, what're you doing here?"

Avery scrunched her brows, still confused by that name. "Um, I'm sorry but, its still Avery." She suddenly senses Newt lower his head slightly, as she just knew his face dropped sadly.

"Yup," Frypan groaned as he got himself comfortable. "The shank's still brainwashed."

Winston then tossed his pillow to the top, in which shoved into Frypan's face. Frypan grunted at the act, and threw the pillow back down to the boy with brown particles. Both boys began to laugh at their own weirdness.

The light-bulb in her brain flickered once again, at the same word 'shank'. The headache was back for a split second, as her second-half began to bang the sides of her fists against the invisible barrier that kept her from those valuable memories.

And the moment there was the tiniest of cracks on that invisible wall, Nova smiled big with a heavy breath of exhaustion. She had made a new discovery; it was breakable. But yet, it wasn't enough to shatter. Not yet, at least.

Sooner rather than later, the headache ceased to exist once again. "What do you want?" Minho asked.

Avery held onto her own hands, to look more proper and not a mess, "I've come to ask of your friend here, Thomas."

"Well, I'm here, now what is it?" Thomas questioned.

"What you did back there was very stupid, you're going to get both you and your friends here, in some big trouble." Avery explained. "And I want to make sure you don't try something so dangerous, ever again."

"Dangerous?" Frypan's voice cracked, in almost what seemed like silent laughter. "Why is it so dangerous?"

Avery realized that she was saying a bit too much, "That's classified." was all she knew what to say, in a desperate way of making sure secrets weren't spilled.

"Now that you're here, perhaps you can tell me what's wrong with Teresa." Thomas spoke up, feeling brave.

Avery looked at his purple particles, sternly. With sealed lips. She wasn't allowed to speak of such things, so she didn't know how to answer that remark.

Thomas got even braver, and walked his way closer to Avery. "What's wrong with Teresa?" He repeated, in question this time.

Avery shook her head slowly, which let him know that she couldn't say anything. But that only made her even more suspicious.

Thomas got even closer to her, "It was a question, you're supposed to answer them." He pushed further.

Avery grew nervous at the boy's actions, he was much taller than her by a few inches to a foot or two, maybe even three.

She backed up, as he walked towards her. And soon enough, her back rested against the wall, right next to their bedroom door. And Thomas hovered over her, not too close to where it'd be creepy. But close enough, to burst her bubble, unable to escape.

He knew he was bigger than her, and it was almost as though he was taking advantage of that. "Again, what's wrong with Teresa?"

Avery's fists tightened, having a sense of wanting to punch him square in the face. Especially for thinking she couldn't out-tough him, just because she was blind. Or at least give him a good slap. It annoyed her how some people thought just because she was blind, she couldn't keep up a fight.

Suddenly, Avery grew even more confused. She knew how to fight, she could feel it in her bones. But where did she learn it? She had not a clue. She didn't remember, as per-usual. All she knew was; she had a sense of stamina and resilience in her body, and the strength of it was almost overpowering.

She knew, if Thomas decided to proceed with this action. She could kick serious a*s. And she could do it well, even though she didn't know where she learned it from.

That was until Newt intervened, he put a hand on Thomas' chest and carefully pushed him away from Avery. Almost in a protective way, but she didn't understand why.

I know why, Nova gleamed, practically blushing.

Avery mentally groaned at her second-half, for continuing to not be quiet.

Nova grinned, you may as well give up. You can't silence me, and you won't. I have my own voice, and I will not give in. So you can go back to kissing Janson's a*s.

"Thomas, calm down." Newt breathed, pushing the boy away from Avery. "She may not remember, but that's still her. Don't do anything that you'll regret, this is a warning."

Thomas sighed, listening. And walked a few feet away from her, as she could finally breathe carefully. Her bubble rebuilding once again.

"But I do have my own question though," Newt started. "When we talked, you mentioned the word 'subjects', but then it was as if you made a mistake and changed your mind into another word. What was that all about?"

Nova giggled inside Avery's head. Here we go.

Avery shook her head, "It's just like you just said, a mistake."

Newt wasn't sure about that answer. But Avery continued with a shrug, "I was on edge earlier, and a random word poured out of my mouth without my knowledge. I knew it was wrong, so I quickly caught myself. And then, I found the right sentence. A true sentence."

That makes no sense, Nova sneered. I can see you're beginning to lose your way. Which is a good thing, keep it up.

If death glares could actually kill, mentally or physically, Nova would've been dead right then and there.

Avery snapped out of it, "I just need to know that Thomas won't continue on causing trouble. Because, that catches attention and there are serious consequences for that."

"What do you mean by that?" Minho asked.

Avery looked at his pink particles, "Just trust me on this one, please." She tried to be as sincere and gentle as possible.

Newt gave her a look of intrigue. And for a moment, he thought it was Nova deep within that mind of hers, trying to tell them something, secretively. Then and there, he knew something was up, but he didn't know what.

Newt nodded, "Alright." He held his hips. "We'll try to keep Thomas in line." He rubbed his elbow over Thomas' abdomen as solemnly as possible, so Avery wouldn't notice. In a sort of, signal kind of way.

Avery nodded calmly, "Good tha-" She paused, realizing what was about to come out of her mouth. Those two small words, a language that belonged to Group A, it tasted weird on the edge of her tongue.

Once again, so familiar yet so foreign.

She breathed, "-Good." She corrected herself.

Shuck, Nova cursed mildly. I was so close.

Avery grinned wickedly. Not close enough.

"I wish you all some good night's sleep, then." Avery faked a kind smile.

She stopped the door from being propped open, and closed it carefully so it wouldn't bang against the frame. As she took out a card, and locked it.

It got rather dark by the time she got to her own bedroom. That was one of the perks of working with Wicked, you got your very own room. And it was so much more peaceful, rather than sharing one. Quiet and calm. Brittany and Alfred were in their group's rooms.

Since Alfred was the only one to survive his Maze, he was put into a whole other group's room. Even though, he wasn't apart of their group letter.

On the other hand, Brittany was with her own group. In which consisted of two boys, and two girls. So she'd be the third female in that room. But obviously they all had their own beds, it was the least Wicked could do, it was more appropriate and for the best.

Avery laid there, in her small bed. Just because she was apart of Wicked, didn't mean she had the better bed. She shared the same, just like everyone else there. So at least it was fair.

Laying on her side, she gripped her arm, where the Crank bite resided on. When the outbreak started. She was almost scared to fall asleep, worried the nightmare would be triggered the moment she closes her eyes.

Just go to sleep, Nova breathed. It'll be okay, the past was the past and there are none of those Cranks around, as far as the eye could see. Just sleep.

Why are you being so nice all of a sudden when I've been nothing but mean to you? Avery wondered.

Because, it's called being a decent human-being. Nova answered. And plus, I'm exhausted. You probably are as well. Now sleep.

Avery turned onto her right side, and got as cozy as she could within her small blankets. If it wasn't such a weird occurrence to her, that she had another personality in her mind. She would've thought this was normal.

But, no. Nova and Avery both liked sleeping on the same side, which was strange to her. They both had that in common.

Avery then closed her eyes, taking in the peaceful silence while it lasted.

But the moment she heard cracks in the vents of the ceiling, she opened her eyes. Those cracks almost sounded like sloppy footsteps, or something or someone crawling on all fours.

Though she could not see, she pushed herself onto her back, and stared at the ceiling. In both wonder, curiosity and intrigue.

--------
Here's chapter six! :)

What was your favorite part of this chapter?

Xoxo <3