My Light In The Dark

Part 3

(Thomas's POV)

A sudden jolt of fear went through Thomas's chest, different from the others he'd experienced in the past night. This felt more... like a child's.
But... Why would he be feeling a child's fear? Pain seared in his right arm and hand like all his weight was being held by it. Splinters stabbed at his fingers as he ran through the Maze, Minho on his tail. What was this pain? This fear?
Why was he feeling it?

Urgency overtook Thomas. As if he weren't already desperate to escape, something else had begun to fuel him in his desire to get out. There was something in the Glade he had to return for- and he had to return soon. He couldn't afford to wait.

Thomas picked up his speed, forcing Minho to as well. He would explain the intense change in pace later, but for now he just had to go. Before it was too late.

A sharp turn sent him into clear view of the Glade.
Thomas's pace only quickened.
He just kept chanting in his head: Almost there, almost there..

What he came to see couldn't have surprised him more. Standing around the treehouse was every glader he knew, and they were all staring upwards like their life depends on it. As he observed further, he realized why: because in a way it did.

Hanging from the top of the treehouse was a little girl. No older than six years old, she clung to the floorboard of the treehouse for dear life, holding what seemed like a stuffed bear with the other.

"Let go of the bear!" Thomas heard.

He felt in his arm, the gentle plink , plink of fingers letting go.. The distance was shrinking, but was it going to be enough?
Each moment she fell seemed to be in slow motion but at the same time faster than he could even contemplate.

What if he couldn't make it in time?

His entire focus was on (Y/n). Y/n!

Somewhere along the way Thomas had closed his eyes. He was too afraid to open them.

What would lay before him if he did?
Putting guilt and terror aside, Thomas forced his eyes to open.

He couldn't believe what he saw.