The Sinister Scorch (The Girl Glader Part 2)

Chapter 10

We follow the girls to the Right Arm, thankfully. We group together in front of a man, whom I presume is the leader. He asks a few questions and Thomas answers them, until Brenda collapses, that is. We jump back in surprise as she falls, convulsing. Amid the chaos, another woman joins the group, telling us she knows me and Thomas, that I never met her but she knew exactly who I was. Turns out, Thomas betrayed W.I.C.K.E.D. and is the whole reason the Right Arm exists. The woman, Mary, offers to take Brenda and help her get better, with the help of Thomas and I. She then looks at me and says she can help me too. The others look at me and that's when they finally realize the blood on my arm. I nervously chuckle as I follow Mary through the camp to a tent, the others yelling after me, mostly because I never told them.

Mary takes some of my blood and some of Thomas' and mixes it into some kind of solution. She puts it into a needle and injects it into Brenda, who immediately stops convulsing. I breathe a sigh of relief, realizing that this whole time, I've cared about her, despite barely knowing her. Mary comes up to me and unwraps my badly wrapped arm. I bite back a hiss as she does, the air stinging a bit.

"What happened here?" The woman asks.

"It's just a graze from a bullet." I pause for a moment. "From when your people ambushed us."

"Sorry about that. We were just taking precautions."

"I totally understand." I look over at Thomas sitting on the bed next to Brenda. Mary follows my gaze with a small smile.

"You know, the two of you used to be really close." She pauses, lost in thought. "I remember him sneaking out to see you and the two of you would play for hours. I used to help cover for you. That's why he betrayed W.I.C.K.E.D. He wanted to protect you. He loves you." I smile.

"Thank you for that." She smiles, pouring some alcohol on my arm. I hiss slightly and she apologizes. She rewraps my arm and leaves me and Thomas, who approaches me as soon as she leaves.

"Why didn't you tell us you got shot?" he asks.

"Didn't think it mattered. We had more important things to worry about. You know, like not upsetting the people with guns at our head and oh, I don't know! Surviving!" I shoot back.

"Hey, hey. You don't need to get all worked up. I'm just worried about you." I sigh, calming myself down.

"I'm sorry. I just hate that everyone treats me like I'm fragile. I'm strong and can take care of myself."

"We don't think you're fragile, y/n. We just think that you take on too much and we want to help you. We know you can handle it but you shouldn't have to do it alone. That's the difference." he hugs me and I feel tears form.

"I'm sorry." I apologize, tears freely running down my cheeks. Thomas pulls back, concern evident in his eyes.

"Hey, hey. Talk to me." He pulls me back in a hug. "What's wrong." We sink to the floor as I sob even harder.

"I miss them. I miss them so much." I sob quietly. "Chuck, Alby, Clint and Jeff."

"I miss them too." he mutters, silence filling the room. For a while, the only sound heard is my sobs.

"I have someone I miss too." Brenda suddenly says behind us. We pull apart and I quickly wipe my tears. "My brother," she continues. "His name was George. They took him and put him in the Maze too."

"I'm so sorry." I say.

"So am I." She smiles sadly. "And don't worry," she adds as I wipe more tears. "I won't tell anyone I saw you crying. Your secret is safe with me." I get up and hug her.

"Thank you." She stiffens as my arms wrap around her. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried."

"Thank you." she whispers softly. Thomas joins in the hug.