Returning Home

FOUR - nosy wolves

3rd POV

Newt. Flare. Stabbed in the chest.

"No", Thomas said to himself, shaking his head. He couldn't think like that now. She wasn't there to help.

Chuck. Gunshot wound. Jumped in the way and took a bullet for you.

Thomas parked the jeep near his house and jumped out quickly. 

Alby. Greivers. Creators wanted to challenge and push us to escape. Last words were for you to get the Gladers out.

He started at a jog and quickly sped up. He was sprinting through the woods and the years in the neighborhood and his time at WCKD led to a visual map of the place basically imprinted into his mind. He couldn't get lost.

Teresa. Collapsed Building. Pushed you and Lia into the berg only to have it collapse below her.

"Almost there", he told himself as he ran. He was nearly there, just a little further.

All those deaths but there are so many more alive because of them, a voice spoke directly into his mind. Thomas immediately stopped running. 

Lia? he asked in disbelief.

I'm here Tom. Thomas couldn't stop the grin plastered onto his face but realization dawned on him.

Why are so early? You should be working and I don't want you to overwork or get sidetracked because of m-

Thomas, she interrupted quickly. Minho left as the last one a few days ago and I'm on my way to you now. You don't know how much I missed you.

I missed you too, Thomas said with a soft smile. He began jogging again. I missed you so much, it's like a piece is missing and when you get here I don't plan on letting you go again, not even for shucking second.

Tom. You don't know how cheesy that sounded but I agree with you 100%. I'll be arriving later today and I was planning on dropping by the school to register and all that. I was also given a lot of money as a thanks from the FBI so we can do whatever we want after school. 

You don't know how happy I am. Thomas reached the school and walked in. He walked to his locker, ignoring everything around him. He thought for a second before telling her to find him at the field during his gym period. I can introduce you to Coach. I also found Chuck's family.

Far away, in a car headed directly towards Beacon Hills high school, Amelia froze. Her eyes glassed over. She couldn't believe it. She had a scar from trying to save Chuck. She blamed herself for not trying more even if she shouldn't. Chuck was... he was Chuck. An innocent boy with floppy brown hair and a smile that lit up an entire room. How couldn't she blame herself?

I... I really want to meet them, she declared through the mind link. Even if she couldn't save him, she wanted to make him proud and tell his family what an incredible boy he had been. Brave and kind even in the worst scenarios possible.

You will, Thomas responded. Lia, I'll see you soon but the pack was calling me earlier. 

Okay, see you soon Tommy. 

Amelia shut down the link excited and exhausted at the same time. She looked out the window, watching the trees pass. I can't wait Tom.

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Thomas froze. He reached for the necklace he wore as a bracelet. I'm sorry.

Just as Amelia blames herself for Chuck's death, he blames himself for Newt's. He should've waited or held him off for just a minute. Brenda had been so close.