"Everyone okay?" I call out as we scramble over a mound of rubble. A few tired voices answer back, but no one slows.

The moment our boots hit the sand, the heat smacks me full force. We start up the first dune, our shadows long and crooked in the afternoon sun.

"Almost there, guys" Thomas says from the front.

We crest the hill, and for the first time, the mountains rise in full view- a jagged spine of stone against the sky.

"Those mountains. That's gotta be it. That's where we're going" Thomas says, breathless.

"That's a long way off" newt mutters

"We don't have another choice. Let's get moving" I tell them, forcing my voice to stay steady.

Then Winston's legs gave out.
"Winston, hey!" I yell

He's on the ground, gasping, eyes glossy.

"He's hurt pretty bad" Thomas says as we all knell beside him.

"What do we do?" Teresa asks

"Shit" Thomas mumbles, standing, scanning the horizon.

I look at Winston, then at the mountains. My stomach knots. Think, Reyna.

"I have an idea" I tell them

The contraption we rig together creaks under Winston's weight. We take turns carrying him, shoulder burning as we haul him up and down dunes. The sun climbs, the sand shimmering like glass.

Then the sky turns dark. A sandstorm builds on the horizon, rolling toward us like a living wall.

"We need to find shelter!" I yell, arm over my face as the wind lashes.

We stumble into a hollow under a crumbling stone outcrop, dropping Winston carefully. Everyone slumps, coughing grit.

After the storm passes, and the sun rose again. I walk up the nearest hill, just far enough to see the mountains again. They look like they're drifting further away, like a mirage. My head pounds.

"Hey, you okay?" Thomas's voice comes from behind.

"Yeah" I nod, but it's quiet. He sits next to me, knees drawn up.

"Can I ask you something?" His tone is hesitant.

I give a small laugh.
"Yes?" I ask

"When we were escaping...Janson said something 'not with my daughter'" Thomas glances at me.
"What did he mean?" He asks

I stare at the sand, throat tight.
"Thomas, when they took after lunch- Janson and the doctor- they injected me with something. All my memories, before and during the maze- came back. And in those memories I saw my parents." I swallow.
"Janson is my father." I say

Thomas exhales sharply.
"Re...what did they do to you?" he asks

I meet his eyes.
"I was apart of Project Titan. The first trail at WICKED. They tested everything- strength, speed, mental, emotional. They broke us down, over and over, until nothing was left. I guess I was the only one who passed all of them." My voice cracks

"When they took me back, they were going to drain me. Janson sent guards in. It was beating after beating. I don't know if it was for fun, or to tear me down so I wouldn't fight back. After that, they tied me to a table, tubes ready. Then the alarms went off. I was going to die. And Janson- my wonderful father- gave the order" I finish

A tear slips from my eye.

"You deserve so much better" Thomas says, his voice raw.

"Thomas, don't-" I start shaking my head.

"I mean it, Rey. You were a child. We're still kids. You don't deserve any of it" he says

"But what if I do?" I whisper

"What?" He asks

"Those tests...I've killed people, Thomas. I'm a murderer. A monster. Maybe I do deserve it" I say

He leans forward, eyes fierce.
"Reyna. Everything we did before the maze- hell even in the maze- isn't who we are. You were forced to survive. You didn't ask for the tests. You didn't ask to be there. Everything you did to stay alive- that's not you. That's the person you had to be." He says

The words hit me harder than I expect. Tears blur my vision. I turn to leave, because I can't- can't get attached.

But Thomas grabs my hand, firm.
"You told me not to let you push us away. To push me away. I'm not letting you. You deserve so much better." He says

He pulls me into a hug, and I break. Tears spilling my face, soaking his shirt.

"Damn it, why do you make me so emotional, jackass" I mumble

"I guess it's my specialty" he laughs, and I pull back, wiping my face.

"That's better." He says, seeing me smile.

We sit in silence. Comfortable. My heart races, a strange flutter rising in my chest. I almost dorm recognize it.

"I'm going to head back to the shade. You coming?" Thomas asks, standing.

"I'll stay here for a little longer. But Thomas- thank you" I say

He smiles and walks back.

"Shit, Thomas." I mutter to myself.

"Now I'm really fucking attached. Damn it" I finally admit it. I like him.

Later, Teresa climbs up beside me, watching the mountains.

"It looks like it's getting further away" Teresa says

"We just gotta keep moving. We can make it" I reply

"How's it looking?" Minho calls from behind.

"Almost there" I say, giving a thumbs up.

But Teresa's fingers brush the back of her neck.

"Hey, what's going on?" I ask. She pulls her hair back, revealing a symbol burned into her skin.

"They did something to me. First it felt like I was waking up from a dream or something, then they all started coming back" she says

"Your memories?" I ask

She nods.

"What do you remember?" I ask

"I remember the first time we met. I was faster than you then. We were like sisters from the start. i remember why we were there- We thought we could fix all this..... I think we should go back" she said

"What?" I ask, almost freezing.

"Just listen to me" she starts

"What are you talking about go back? After everything they've done to us?" I press

"No, it's not that simple" she says

"Yeah, I think it is." I snap

"You don't understand" she said, shaking her head.

"What don't i understand?" I ask

"Everything was fine until you-" she cuts herself off.

"Until I what?" I ask

"Nothing." She says

"Teresa, what the hell aren't you telling me?" I press

Before she can answer, a gunshot cracks the air.