𝕬𝖓𝖙𝖎-𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖔

𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖎𝖙 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖉

Thomas was on the edge of the beach just thinking. Minho, Brenda and Sonya were talking about him and how much he changed since The Last City.

"You should go talk to him." Sonya told Minho.

"I know." The runner responded. "Then why don't you?" Brenda asked.

"Because he changed. I don't know how to talk with him. Ever since Newt, he has been distant, quiet, broken." Minho runs a hand through his face.

"Maybe his always been broken. Maybe we just never noticed. He is always okay, He has to be. He is our leader, he can't afford to not be okay. Because he always saves everyone, even if no one saves him." Brenda says, Minho has his head hung low, not in shame but in guilt that he never noticed how his brother was so deeply broken.

Minho walks towards Thomas, he sees something that catches his eye. On the side of Thomas's neck, there is a scar, one that looks like lightning. Minho scolds himself 'how did I never see that?'

Minho is behind Thomas, not daring to go forward. "What's up, Minho?" Thomas asked not turning around, his voice is raspy and broken and hoarse.

"How did you know it was me?" Minho asks. "Just a hunch."

Minho sits on the log that Thomas is also sitting on and asks "What happened? With Newt? At the last city?"

Thomas sighs, knowing he had to answer. "I tried Minho." "What are you taking about Tom?" Minho asked "I really tried, I just wasn't fast enough. They caught us, Newt was dead, yet I was carrying him. He couldn't be dead Min. He couldn't, not when I had a chance to save him, but I was too late, he was past the gone, I tried Minho, remember that please." Thomas says ignoring Minho's question.

"Don't talk like that Tom." Minho said wiping the tears from his face. "Like what?" Thomas turned to Minho, Thomas's eyes were unfocused, foggy and glazed over. "Like you are dying."

"Minho..." Thomas voice trails off. Minho stands up and faces Thomas. "No! You are not leaving me!" "I never said that Minho." Thomas runs a hand through his hair. "Then why are you saying that, why are you talking like that?"

"Because you are going to hate me." Thomas says. "Why? Why on earth would I hate you?" Minho asked. "Because it's my fault he's dead. I know  it's my fault, I should have tried harder. I'm sorry Minho. He's dead, and it's my fault. I'm sorry." Minho hugs Thomas, and whispers "it's not your fault." Into his ear.

"Don't." Thomas shrugs off Minho's touch. Minho grabs Thomas and shakes him. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault, Tom." Minho hugs him and this time, Thomas hugs him back.

They stay right there a few minutes and Minho sits down on the log. They don't say anything, they just appreciate each other's company.

Gunshots start. Everyone runs.

(A/N: Hope everyone likes the book.)