"I think she's dead."

XIV ~ Aris

Disclaimer: all characters apart from Peyton and Alex belong to James Dashner.

Just like they did on past days, Aris sat with Harriet eating dinner away from the Gladers. Neither had seen Alex since she ran into the Deadheads or Sonya since the Greenie - who claimed his name was Thomas - began talking to Alby. Dinner started late that day, and Aris hoped Alex and Sonya would show up soon.

Then a redhead and a blonde came running in from the woods. Both were smiling a genuine smile; Aris knew this from past experiences with the two.

Alex and Sonya got food, came over to Aris and Harriet's table, and sat down, acting as if everything was normal, like they were back in the Spring.

"What's up, guys?" Alex asked. Aris and Harriet exchanged looks.

"Um," he said, "nothing. New guy came."

"I heard." Alex looked around to try and find him without luck. Most of the tables were empty. "Where is he?"

"Alby told Chuck to set up a hammock for him," Harriet said. "According to Alby, Chuck's gonna be his... guide, I guess. I don't really know."

"His name's Thomas," Aris added, "by the way."

"Thomas..." Alex repeated with a slight nod. "Just as boring as Sonya says he looks."

"Might wanna rethink that," said a new voice with an accent. Newt sat down next to Sonya at the end of the table.

"What d'you mean?" Harriet asked.

"Compared to other Greenies, this one's different," the Glader explained. "He's much more... curious."

"What does that mean?"

"When most of the Greenies come, we explain everything to them and they quickly accept it, no questions asked. But Thomas, he's been doing nothing but asking questions."

"So he's not just boring," Alex said while chewing, "but he's also annoying. Got it. I'll be keeping away from him."

"All of his questions have been making me wonder..." Newt began, but stopped talking with a faraway look on his face. The Icers looked at him expectantly.

"Making you wonder what?" Aris asked. Newt's gaze snapped back to them.

"I've been here for three years, and I haven't questioned life here that much. But Tommy's questions are making me realise how weird it is here," he explained.

"Well, if my three years in the Spring have taught me anything, it's that nothing makes sense." Harriet wiped her mouth with a napkin, set it down next to her plate, and stretched. "Don't think about it too much, Newt, or your brain'll turn into... what do you guys call it? Oh yeah, klunk."

Newt laughed and stood up with a sigh and a yawn. "Sometimes, I can't stand Greenies. Goodnight." He went to the Homestead.

"So any updates on our escape plan?" Alex asked.

"I don't know, I'm kinda starting to like it here..." Harriet said jokingly as she leaned back. Alex glared at her.

"I swear, Harriet-"

They went off bickering good-naturally, Sonya joining in occasionally. Bu Aris didn't say anything. He just sat there watching the only people left in his family grinning like they used to in the Spring. He had to admit, he missed being in the snowy environment that he'd called home for a shorter amount of time than he wished for. Now the Glade was his home, and he felt more out of place than he did being the only boy in the Spring.

At least he wasn't the only boy there...