Glader Girl

15

Thomas- Reaching the mountains was easy until we had to go on foot and ended up getting shot at. Currently, Julia, Jorge and I were hiding behind one rusted car, while everyone else took cover elsewhere. Jorge gave me a bomb, why does he even have this, and told me to wait for his count. Julia yelled that we're going to die because I'm going to end up blowing us up, and I told her that now was not the time. Then guns were pointed at us before we had the chance to detonate the bomb, and I flung my arms in front of Julia, blocking her. There were two girls standing in front of us, half of their faces covered, until they saw Aris, then they took off the coverings and flung their arms around him. Apparently, they were in the Maze together. "Never thought we'd have another reason to be grateful for this shank, but I like not having guns pointed at us," Julia said. The girls: Harriet, and Sonya, led us to another car to take us to the Right Arm, which they were also a part of.

Their leader, Vince, met us and inquired who we are, and it seemed like the world wanted to keep making our lives more difficult, because after Harriet announced we are Immunes, Brenda collapsed, and Vince was ready to shoot her because she got infected. Panicking, I tried reasoning with him, asking if there was anything we could do for her. I noticed Julia stand in front of Brenda, a face like thunder, daring Vince to pull the trigger. My heart stopped momentarily, but I stayed focused. Then a woman came over, Mary, and she said that I could help Brenda. Somehow, this woman knew me, and when she hit us with the truth, I froze; I betrayed Wicked; I helped the Right Arm; I was their source, hence my being sent to a Maze. And then Mary looked over at Julia, and she almost dropped to the ground. Vince caught her and asked what was wrong, but Mary shook her head, saying she needed to focus on helping Brenda first, but said she needed to talk to us when she was done, including Julia.

I looked over at her and her face was a mix of shock and confusion, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips as she looked at me. I followed Mary as they carried Brenda into a tent, and it wasn't until she admitted she worked for Wicked that I remembered the random memory I had; Ava and Mary had been friends, the picture on Ava's desk. Ava telling someone that Mary died of the virus. I guess she lied to the person because Mary left and betrayed Wicked. Mary explained the reason they haven't found a cure, and that the serum she was giving Brenda could only give her a few months of life. "We can't take her with us," she said, solemnly. Then she and Jorge left so Brenda and I could rest. "Come find me when you wake up." I nodded and laid down, sleep hitting me instantly.

**Skip after Thomas & Brenda Talk**

I let Jorge go inside to be with Brenda, while I made my way over to the guys. Julia and Mary were sitting with them too. I sat down on Julia's right and we waited for Mary to speak. "What I'm about to say might shock you all but..." she paused to look at Julia, smiling sadly at her, but her eyes were bright with emotion. My breath caught in my throat as I remembered the memory once more. No, that's impossible... "It's been a long time since I last saw you, Princess," Mary said softly. Julia stiffened next to me, and Newt placed a hand on her shoulder. "You know her?" Mary nodded. "I've known her most of her life until I left Wicked. I didn't want to leave you behind, I should've taken you with me, but being on the run with a child isn't the smartest thing to do." Julia looked at Mary with disbelief, but she also looked angry. "How do you..." "I was another mother to you, once. You called me Aunt Mary, and you, our beautiful Princess." Julia inhaled sharply, grabbing her necklace. Mary smiled. "We, your parents and I, gave you that on your 5th birthday." Mary sighed and hung her head. I took the moment to really look at Julia, and I was scared, because if what I was thinking is right... God only knows what she'll do.

"Did her parents..." I couldn't even get the words out. Mary smiled sadly, then looked back at Julia. "Your parents worked for Wicked." Five simple words, it's incredible how much damage a few words can do if you use them right. Julia was shaking, her eyes were wide with fear and pain, and she tried getting up but fell. I reached for her while everyone else jumped to grab her, and I sat her back down. "When we were in the Scorch, this guy, Janson, said she couldn't be touched, he was scared of her. Do you know why?" I asked. Mary looked like she wanted to remain silent, like what she had to say would make it all worse. But I had to know, and Julia deserves to know the truth if what I think is right. "Your father was a Pilot, but your mother, she's a doctor... she runs Wicked; Ava Paige." And just like that, I wished desperately that I were wrong. Slowly, as if Julia would break into pieces, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me, as if I could protect her from the awful truth. The guys watched, shock and horror on their faces, as Julia hyperventilated, tears pooled down her face despite how hard she kept her eyes shut. She started coughing and choking, like she was about to be sick, so I dropped her to her knees and rubbed her back, focusing on Newt while she threw up.