Chapter Text
Today's the day.
The first thing that occurred in Bella's mind , a dread of pool filling her stomach .
Today's the day that she was scheduled to sent to the maze. That awful maze .
Her mind began flashing the images of long , hairly limbs , crawling with their slimy bodies and jerky limbs . She bit her lips as bile threatened to rise through her throat.
Bella dropped down her elbows , flopping back on her bed . She desperately tried to shut down the images swarming in her head , her eyes screwed shut .
So much for having a good night's sleep.
Bella sighed , pressing her face against the pillow as she tried to stash the gwawing fear forming inside her. Bella honestly never felt more helpless than she did now , desperately for someone to calm her worries down .
What if she couldn't - what if she could not save everyone , could not save newt ?
It was known knowledge , her and newt never got along with each other atleast at first . There was simply too many things to worry - too many fresh wounds to grieve, too many - confusion, exhaustion anger about WICKED and about everything .
It wasn't until one day bella remembered when WICKED started putting everyone in lessons together . They all did everything together lessons , practice , eating , daily medical tests .
Then before she even knew , bella had a group , she had friends - Minho , gally , Thomas , Theresa , chuck , newt - she had newt .
Bella honestly didn't knew what was the thing she noticed first thing with him , was it the messy blonde hair or that piercing brown eyes or was it that thick British accent which welcomed them with the familiar strings of bloody hell .
Maybe he was just different . Whatever the reason was they grew closer they became good friends to close friends - and then - one day it was time for them to go .
It was like any normal day they had , everything was same until Dr paige came into the lunchroom, her assistant in her tow. she was holding a clipboard .
Please stand up when your names are called!
She called out in her in stern voice.
Everyone around them kept standing up until it was just just her , Tommy , teresha , few others from another group.
Some threw them strange questioning glances as bella stared at Dr. Paige her gaze unblinking only breaking it to share worried glances with newt while still waiting for her name to be called
Congratulations you all have been selected for the maze trials . I must remind you all it's a n incredible honour and matter to proud to be selected -
Back in her bedroom , tears welled up in bella eyes , she huffed out short breaths trying not to break down in tears
It wasn't a big deal really she tried to tell herself, the same words everyone at wicked fed her up .
Why -just why? .' bella thought, clutching her blanket , feeling miserable.
A while passed as Bella opened her eyes again, realizing she had fallen asleep back crying herself to sheer exhaustion. She craned her head to her bedside clock
7: 14, It displayed.
Bella peeled the covers away before getting out of her bed , switching the light on and she padded her way through bathroom , Squinting at herself in the mirror as she untangled her tousled hair .
Finally getting everything done, Bella put the things back in its place before stripping off her sweaty clothes as she stepped into the shower realeshing in relief as it eased her aching bones , turning off the knob
She hurriedly got dressed just as a knock sounded on her door
" Miss Adams? " A heavy voice called
" Yeah " Bella hurriedly pushed her sweatshirt past her head "Just a second " she called her voice muffled .
"All right. Hurry up, please " The person replied
Checking she got everything she need Bella took one last look at her supposedly room before opening her door. A man in the heavy black security uniform stood there.
" Are you ready? " he asked.
" Yeah, just a sec," she said stumbling to fit her shoes.
Every time a different guard came to escort in the large bleak building . It was hard to be alone most of the time it was how things were when most of the people went away .
Bella looked around usual large glass windows , it was snowing outside , lost in thought bella glanced at the security guy escorting her today , the guy definitely looked familiar, maybe he escorted her before though the security guys were never the same once .
Maybe it was tousled dark hair that strangly reminded her of her dad's .
The guy was a tall man probably around his thirties with deep smile lines around his eyes though his face held no trace of any smile whatsoever and looked like lack for the better word - blank .
Maybe he used to be a happy person, it wouldn't be a new news that WICKED managed to destroy another good thing in someone's life
Bella though noticed that this guy had a much kinder tone than others ,sure it wasn't that much of a difference but after spending handful of years with almost monotonously speaking doctors and staff ?
It definitely made a difference.
Bella realized she liked this guy. Everyone was always so rude and professional in WICKED, it made her sick to her stomach , it was almost as if they didn't had any feelings-
" Whatcha looking at kid ? " The security guard asked , looking amused.
" Nothing" she replied quickly deeply embarrassed, she didn't even realise she was staring , turning to look elsewhere.
She watched the beautiful scenario outside from the long glass pane windows as they walked in the hall in rhythmic silence, only sound was their footsteps ecoing loudly around the halla with the occasional low murmur of staffs .
Bella suddenly felt a pang in her chest thinking about going to the maze , how her new life would be, would she ever be able to talk to newt ?
Bella always just wondered how people could willingly do things they were ordered here to but soon realised nobody else had a say . Who the heck even operated all of this ? This so called WICKED ?
So, just like everyone else after months of struggling to accept the reality bella just swallowed the hard pill and accepted her faith .
" You alright there ? " The man suddenly asked.
"Huh? Yeah I m good " bella replied letting out nervous laugh " just you know - thinking " she finished lamely .
The guy nodded raising his eyebrows before turning back out as they kept on walking.
Bella turned her attention back of her thoughts as she tried to convince herself to be happy .
Hey atleast we get to meet everyone right? Even if with no memories - or anything
Maybe the hardest fact was not the part of going to maze with creatures that could potentially kill you maybe it was losing their memories
It an important process for finding a cure for the world bella . You all are merely contributing to greater good .
Not everyone gets a chance to sacrifice their life to save the world , it's for the greater good
For the greater good , my ass . The WICKED lied to them enough times that she hardly knew what to even believe anymore , feeling a little dead inside , bella forced herself to keep walking.
" You've got quite the glare, kid one might think your going to kill someone with that " The security guard remarked ,casting an amused glance her way as they made their way.
" Oh I wish" Bella muttered darkly
" You know ornaments aren't allowed "
" what ? " She replied confused.
" I said " The guy repeated, more slowly this time " they don't allow any kind of ornaments out at the final checking "
" What ? " Bella repeated again .
The security guy raised his eyebrows again , staring at her .
" No I mean " bella spoke , puzzled " its not like I am wearing anything -"
" Oh ." The ring , she hasn't even realized she was wearing it .
" I forgot about it " bella replied sheepishly staring at it , a lump forming in her throat
" Yeah ." was all he replied as their footsteps halted as they almost reached the room .
Bella stared ahead , feeling little regretful .It was nice talking to someone despite sharing only few words, better than most people here.
" Hey " The guy spoke as they turned the final corner stopping halfway as he looked around checking before focusing on her .
" listen carefully and I won't repeat it again " the man wispered. Bella froze in her place , alarmed "The other kids that I escorted, they tie the stuff they have—small things in clothes. You look like that thing right there means something to ya, so take it if you want, hide it—visibly."
" It's not going to work-"
" It will , tell them if they ask , you already got checked in the control room "
" How do you know they won't check on me again ? " Bella half wispered , her heart pounding " they are going to find out and why are you even helping me ?"
" They won't . " The man answered ignoring her last question.
" But - "
" Listen kid I can only tell ya what I know , I have seen it last week , and before " the man interrupted . " I m only saying so you can take it if ya want, I know having something even as small as this matter here alright?"
Bella pressed her lips in thin line , thinking sure something as little as a ring shouldn't matter that much but she hated to admit that it did here , bella also didn't want to get in trouble.
" Listen if they ask who checked you in control room , tell them- " the guy hesitated
" Tell them what? " Bella asked .
" Tell them Dr paige's order " the guy finished , his eyes flicking with determination" they won't question it "
" You better be going , your friends are waiting for ya " He told her gently ,gesturing his head towards her friends at the distance who were waiting outside the room for bella , huddled together in conversation .
They started walking again .
" Oh shut it tom , stop being ridiculous " bella heard theresa voice as they came near .
"But theresa - "
" Tom you and I both know we can't do anything, if I could do something I would for god's sake -"
" Still fighting over that ? " Bella joined rolling her eyes as both looked up suprised .
" Can you ever just not fight for once ? "
" Bella ! " They both chorused , coming to hug her in turn.
" We weren't fighting" Tommy started after a beat of silence
" Yeah we were just - "
" Talking? " Bella finished , amused as silence fell around them again. The three simply stared at each other. Before Theresa made a noise that sounded strangely like someone choking , bella snapped her head towards her , worried just as Tommy almost tackled her knocking her off balance .
Bella soon realised was the he was hugging her " Tommy I -"
" Don't go bella " Tommy wispered " First newt , then you- everyone's gone every morning I wake up I just - " his voice broke"its like I realise there no Minho to make those awful jokes anymore, or newt to scoff at our bickering or siggy to laugh, heck even Gally "
" I can't do this bella , don't leave us " Tommy wispered brokenly before pulling away .
"Hey hey listen - Tommy listen to me " bella started , holding tommy shoulders as he tried to turn away " it's not forever Tommy , it's not" she desperately spoke , her heart breaking every second
" You and us both know it's not true bella "Theresa spoke , her eyes filled with tears .
" Come here , you both " bella said , hugging both of them tightly.
" I will find a way I promise " bella wispered fiercely " they can take our memories but- "
Maybe this was how things were meant to be , her mind supplied maybe they were really doomed .
'No , we are not ' a voice in her mind rang , making her remember the time when newt and her was having the exact same argument .
'No we are not doomed bella " newt told her again when she insisted .
"They can take our memories " bella repeated again " and as cheesy as it sounds they can't take our hearts, they can't ."
' Don't lose hope ' he would say
" Don't loss hope ."