~|Charge|~ Thomas

Chapter 36: Thomas Never Listens

A quick chill is quick to meet Linnea and Thomas as they hear Winston's words. The doors weren't closing. It wasn't possible. After over three years in the maze, every night the doors would close and every morning they would open. But now, just now, when everything starts going to chaos, that was when they wouldn't close. Of course that was when they wouldn't close. But that is not what they need to think about right then. Linnea and Thomas exchange a glance, both knowing what the real problem was. The Grievers. The Griever could be coming.

They look off to the gladers, many of them running towards the doors, torches grasped in their hands. Thomas looked over at Linnea. It's clear she's still processing the news as her forehead scrunches. Thomas takes her hand in his and quickly and softly squeezes it, but Linnea could see past his calm, comforting leadership that he wanted to be shone off of him. She saw the fear in his eye as he stared out at the doors, not closing, not even moving a bit. His chest constricts as she squeezes it back, but they are pulled out of it as Linnea starts moving forward, along with Minho, Newt, and Frypan who followed closely behind.

They approach the open doors. Suddenly, as if the silence was too much for the maze, a mechanical sound erupted out of it, causing the gladers to cover their ears because of the loud noise. But the sound did not come from in front of them. No. It came from behind. Linnea, along with all the others, looked over to the other side of the glade, and there, was what seemed like a door, identical to the ones facing their backs, opening. Another set of doors opening. Allowing another entrance for Grievers to enter their home. The place that Linnea and the others had spent years working to build a good community for all of the boys that were sent there. It would all be destroyed.

Linnea's face contorts into a mash of fear. Her knees buckle but she ultimately remains in place. Suddenly, doors from the other side, to the right of them start opening, sending that same sound to their ears, surely to be somewhat damaged after this. Next came the other side, to their left. It was all opening. They were surely going to die. This was the end of the glade. 

But Linnea knew some things, and surely Thomas did too. They both had a plan, and sure enough, it seemed to be about the same. Thomas turned over to Chuck, his voice hushed, but still noticeable. "Hey, Chuck," he started. "I want you to go over to the council hall, okay? Find something to barricade the doors."

"Winston, you go with him," Linnea announced.

The two headed over to the hall, and as usual, at the worst time possible, Gally tried to take control. "Get the others," he proclaimed. "Tell them to go to the deadheads. Tell them to hide, now!"

"Minho," Linnea turned to her best friend. "I want you to grab every weapon you can find. Get to council hall." Minho nodded and headed over to get weapons.

"Okay, Linnea," Thomas turned to her, gazing into her eyes, the fear that was enveloped in them being hidden well, but Thomas could easily see past that. "You and Teresa need to go get Alby."

"What? No!" Linnea announced, firstly not wanting to be alone with the other female, but secondly, and most importantly, wanting to be with Thomas, and make sure that he stays safe. "I'm not leaving you!"

"I know," he said, taking her hands. "I'm coming with you, just-"

He was interrupted by the screams of gladers, announcing the thing that they all dreaded. Grievers. The Grievers were coming. And they were coming to kill. Their heads were turned at the rattling and screaming sound of the Grievers behind them, telling all of them that the deadly creatures were coming through that door. 

"Alright! Everybody hide!!" Linnea screamed, not even caring if the Grievers heard her, but she knew that she should, knowing that they could come after her, but not even caring, as long as Thomas was safe.