𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 & 𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘-𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮

TWENTY

At breakfast I asked Thomas if he got his head checked out. He shook his head.

"Well, you woke up this morning, so I guess it's nothing serious. Does it hurt?"

"It's a small ache, but it doesn't bother me too much."

I nodded. "Okay. If it hurts more than pay a visit to the Med-hut. We'll get you situated."

Thomas smiled. "Thank you Florence."

"It's my job." I smiled back.

I made my way to the Med-hut, getting ready for the boring day ahead of me. Clint and Jeff made it more bearable and I was grateful for them.

It was close to lunch time when we heard screaming. I ran out and saw two people running out from the Deadheads. It took me a second to realize that it was Thomas and Ben. Ben grabbed Thomas and they both fell to the floor. "Oh my god." I ran to them, the others having the same idea.

Ben held Thomas down while the boy screamed at him, though most of it was incoherent and I couldn't really hear from this far. Newt got to them before anyone could and swung the metal part of a shovel at Ben's head. The boy fell off Thomas and Chuck was there to help him up.

Gally held Ben down and I immediately searched him. He was breathing hard and his skin was pale and sweaty. His veins showed through his skin as if it was made of paper. I traced the veins down to his stomach and pulled up his shirt. A gasp rippled through the crowd as we all took in the wound.

"He's been stung." Gally pointed out for the ones who couldn't see. "In the middle of the day."

"Take him to the pit." Alby said harshly. Ben protested but he was nothing against the group of boys that carried him. I started to follow, but Clint told me to stay back. He and Jeff can handle it.

"Florence, Thomas still needs help." Chuck said. I turned to take in the Greenie. He was still in shock from the whole ordeal. He was pale and looked close to tears. But he held it back.

"Right." I nodded, patting myself. I forgot my satchel full of supplies. "Come on, then."

Alby stopped with a hand on my shoulder. "Come find me by the sleeping area when you're done. Bring the Greenie."

"Yeah." I walked towards the Med-hut, Thomas and Chuck following me. I had so many questions, but I figured Alby would ask them so I held back.

He had crescent shapes on his wrist and his throat had slight bruising. I cleaned and wrapped his wrist but there was nothing to do with his throat. Chuck was trying to get answers from him, but Thomas stayed quickly, staring at an empty spot on the floor.

When I was done I grabbed my satchel and put it on. I couldn't trust these boys anymore. We walked to the sleeping area where Alby was waiting. He scanned the Glade with a stern look.

"Alby." I called out to him.

He looked at us and cocked his head to point at a pile of logs. Thomas sat on top of it. "What happened to him?"

"It's called the Changing. It happens when you get stung. You're never the same after. What did he say to you?"

"He just kept saying that he saw me. What does that even mean?" Alby stayed quiet and sighed. He began to walk away, but Thomas stopped him. "What's going to happen to him?" A dark look took over Alby's already dark eyes. He didn't answer.

Everyone stood at the West Wall five minutes before it was due to close. A heavy feeling hung over the group, it was suffocating. The Keepers stood in a line with wooden poles that came to a T at the top. They all had the same expression as Alby, dark and unanswering. We all knew what was going to happen. It only made sense why we were standing here at this specific time.