The Sinister Scorch (The Girl Glader Part 2)

Chapter 4

I wake up to somebody shaking my shoulder. I groan, rolling over and shielding my eyes from the bright light.

"What?" I ask, slightly more harshly than I meant to.

"Come on shank, we gotta go." It's Minho and he is starting to pull on my arm. I heave myself off the ground and wrap my arm around Minho's shoulder, using him for support. He looks to me. "You good there? I can put you on my shoulders if that's easier."

"No, I'm fine. I just," I pause, fixing my stance. "Need a moment." I take my arm from his shoulders before he places it back on. "Is this okay for you?" He nods. "Okay, let's go."

We walk for hours, up and down sand dunes, exhausted, the heat searing into our skin, even though we have resorted to covering ourselves with the sheets we brought. The light kills my head and I feel a little lightheaded. We stop each time we find a new shelter to rest under. The further we travel, the harder and more unbearable walking becomes and the further apart shelter becomes. My ankle burns, almost like it has been lit on fire. The boys have been taking turns helping to support my weight since the crutches were left back with Winston. I walk with tears in my eyes the entire time, but they never fall. At the moment, Aris is helping to support me.

"So, we never got to finish the conversation we were having." He states after walking in silence for a while. I welcomed the distraction; it was nice to have something to do other than being trapped in my own mind.

"No, we didn't," I reply. "So, what makes you think I don't like asking for help?"

"You just," he pauses, thinking for a second. "You seem like the type who doesn't. You haven't physically asked anyone for help this entire time." He explains. "Even when you gave your crutches for Winston, you wouldn't let the others help you. And all the stories I've heard about you from the other guys seem to suggest the same thing."

"I'm perfectly fine asking for help," I reply. "Look, I'm taking help right now."

"You never asked for it. It kind of worked out that way." He points out. "Look, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to not reach out for help. It can be a sign of strength. But sometimes, even the strongest people need to reach out to others when they need it."

"I reach out when I need to. But these boys we are surrounded by? They've been through a lot. They have their own problems. It wouldn't be fair for me to unload mine on them too."

"I know. I know, okay? I, of all people understand that. But these boys, they love you. And if they can help you, they will. In any way possible. So will I. And Teresa. We're all here for you." I let his words sink in as we walk.

"How well do you know Teresa?" I ask a little while later.

"Well, I came up into the Maze a few days before we got out. And before you guys showed up, she was all I had."

"But, do you know her? Like, everything about her?"

"Why are you asking?" he questions.

"I don't know. There's just something about her. She seemed like she didn't want us to leave the W.I.C.K.E.D. compound." I explain. "I don't know. Maybe everything that has happened makes me a little less trusting. Maybe I'm just overthinking."

"I think it's made us all a little less trusting. But if there is anything I have learned, it's to trust your gut. I know that I should be defending her and saying 'she's my friend and you can trust her' but honestly, I'm with you. There is something about her. So, just be careful, okay?" I nod.

We continue walking and after a bit, Teresa relieves Aris and takes to helping me. I try speaking to her but she doesn't respond. The dust blows into our eyes and mouths. If we don't stop soon, we won't be able to see where we are going. It's getting harder to breathe and I know I won't be able to go much further. Luckily, night is falling so we can find a place to rest. As if he could hear my thoughts, Minho stops at the top of the dune and looks to find a place. I let my arm drop from Teresa's shoulder and sit down, waiting to hear the verdict. Eventually, he turns to us.

"We'll rest at the bottom of this dune for the night. The dune should block the wind and provide some protection." he declares, making his way down the dune. Teresa goes to help me up but I decline. I roll down the hill, which proves to be much easier than climbing up. At the bottom, I choke on some sand and collapse onto my back, blowing air out of my cheeks. The first thing Newt does is run to check on me.

"Y/n? Y/n, are you alright? Please answer me." I can hear him silently begging for me to be alright and I chuckle, eyes still closed. I move my hand until I find his and give it a squeeze.

"Newt," I laugh. "It's okay. I'm okay."

"Oh, thank shuck!" he exclaims, pulling me up for a hug. I slowly shift my body so I'm sitting next to him and he offers me some water, which I take graciously.I grab his bag and dig through it, searching for some medical supplies, not finding any. Thomas comes up to us and hands me some.

"Aris had them in his bag." he explains. "Do you," he gestures to my leg. "Want some help?"

"I'm okay. I think I've got it. Thanks though." I reply.

"Yeah, no problem." he replies, disappointment forming on his face as he turns to walk away.

"Thomas," I call softly, making his turn to face me. "Come sit with us." I smile as he sits down next to me, a smile forming on his face as well. Newt hands us each a small amount of food. I dig into it quickly. Thomas eats his a little slower.

"So," he asks, his voice muffled by the food. "How are you doing?"

"Well, it's bloody annoying having to walk so much." Newt replies. I agree.

"I'm fine," I reply, finishing my food. I start to unwrap my leg, only to reveal a cut on my leg. It looks more like a scar, so it is healing up nicely.

"Your leg looks a lot better than the last time I seen it." Thomas comments and Newt agrees.

"Yeah, Aris has been helping a lot with it." I explain. I look up at Thomas as I continue working on my leg. "How are you doing?" Newt excuses himself, stating that he needed to talk to Minho about something.

"I'm doing fine. It's mostly you I'm worried about."

"Well, like I said. I'm doing fine. No need to worry."

"I'm your brother. I'm supposed to worry about you. It's my job."

"You did a great job of that when you put me in that hell hole." I mutter. I sigh. "I'm sorry. That wasn't cool of me."

"No, no, You're right. It is my fault. I'm sorry." he pauses. "If I could remember I would probably give you an excuse as to why I did it. But I don't and there is no plausible excuse. There is no good reason for me to have done that to you. I really am sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry." I apologize again. "And I do forgive you." I smile, before going back to rewrapping my foot. I wrap it tightly to give it more support. Spotting Teresa and Aris talking to one another by the fire somebody started, surrounded by the sleeping forms of the others, I gesture towards them with my chin towards them. "What do you make of them?"

"I don't know about Aris but Teresa seems cool. I was walking with her earlier and we were able to talk a bit. Turns out, a lot of the same things happened to them in their maze."he replies, looking over at her. She makes eye contact with him and they both smile. Thomas' cheeks start to flush and I chuckle.

"You like her." I tease, making him flush even more. "That's cute. We didn't talk much while we were walking but Aris and I have spoken quite a bit. He seems great."

"Do you trust him?" he asks me.

"Yeah, I do. Teresa though, she gives me an odd feeling. Aris too. I would be careful if I were you." I reply.

"You should be more careful around Aris." he retorts, scowling.

"Thomas!" I whisper-shout, able to tell that he is getting defensive. "I'm not trying to pick a fight. I just want you to be careful, just like you want for me."

"You're right. I'm sorry." he apologizes.

"It's okay." I yawn.

"I'm keeping you awake. Get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow; we've got a long day ahead of us."

"Good night, Thomas."

"Good night, y/n."