25

                                    

                                          
The first grenades fell before the Airstation and the helicopter landed at their camp. When the W.I.C.K.E.D. soldiers marched out in their black uniforms, shots came from all sides. Harriet and Sonya had now also armed themselves and handed shotguns to the gladers and Aris. But they were completely taken by surprise and there was no time to organize themselves. So it didn't take long until W.I.C.K.E.D. got the upper hand and disarmed them. They were then forced to kneel on the ground in rows.
"I would love to punch him into his ugly face," Minho's blazing gaze rested on Janson, who was watching the action with a satisfied expression. Their necks were scanned one after the other. Just like Brenda had done with Thomas back then. 
"I'd like to see the rat's nose flattened and bleeding too," Newt agreed with his friend. 
"Shut up, you two, before he shoots you," J hissed. She felt the same way as they did, she was also angry and would have liked to attack Janson directly. But in this situation they hardly had a chance. 
"Forget it. We need to get our asses up very soon and if we attack a few heads will roll, I promise," Newt spoke so energetically that it was hard for J not to let it get to her. 
"Someone is missing," Janson now raised his voice. "Where is Thomas?"
True. Thomas had run to Teresa on this hill. He hadn't appeared since then. J turned her head searchingly. She finally heard him, just before she spotted him. "Here, I'm here." 
With his hands raised, Thomas came towards them. When he came to a stop just in front of Janson, the man swung his fist out without warning and gave Thomas a violent blow. The boy stumbled, then a W.I.C.K.E.D. member forced him to his knees and also scanned him. 
"Why are you still here?", Minho hissed at Thomas. J looked with pity at the redness on his cheekbone, that Janson's fist had left there. But Thomas shook his head. "I'm sick of running away." 
Minho let out a laugh, although of course there was nothing funny about their situation. In fact, things were about to get worse. Because now she stepped into the light. W.I.C.K.E.D.s top leadership. Eva Page, dressed all in white. She looked out of place.
As she looked at those kneeling, someone suddenly spoke up. Eva Page looked around searchingly. Then she spotted the other woman. "Mary, it's been a long time." 
"Not long enough to make everything right," Mary replied, now standing in front of Eva. 
"You've lost sight of the goal." But Mary shook her head. "I've never seen more clearly. Since I left you, a lot of things have become clear to me..."
She didn't get any further. Janson intervened and ended the conversation. Mary collapsed lifelessly on the ground, dark blood seeping from the bullet wound in her chest. They heard Vince scream in agony, but there was nothing anyone could have done. 
"I guess we're done here now," Janson smiled unaffectedly and J had to do well to hold back an insult. But she didn't get around to saying anything at all. Because as if on cue, one by one they were lifted up and led to the Airstation.
Sonya and Aris were among the first to be loaded in. But shortly before they reached the loading dock, Thomas broke away. J, Minho, Newt and Pan took advantage of the guards' surprise and did the same. 
But they didn't get far. Eva Page stood in their way. And next to her stood a face they knew well. 
"Teresa?", Newt sounded more than disappointed. J could tell that the dark-haired girl was having a hard time looking her friends in the eyes.
"Yes Teresa. She's on their side, she's been on their side the whole time," Thomas sounded hurt at first, then more and more angry. Suddenly he pulled something out of the pocket of his jacket that made Eva and her people jump. A grenade that he held up threateningly.