FORGE OF OAK, Thomas ✓

012

Thalia doesn't know how long it's been since it happened. Obviously not long. She's been caring for Thomas since he stung himself.

They ended up using the second syringe, Thomas was cured.

Thalia waited for him to wake up. Chuck was waiting in the med-hut with her. Alby had been lost to a Griever. That meant Newt was in charge, yet again. Thalia didn't know if she should, cheer, cry, or punch someone. She wishes she could punch Thomas.

    Suddenly, she gasped. "Teresa, where is Teresa?" She asked, forgetting the girl.

    "locked up." Newt said and Thalia sighed. "Right, right."

    Thomas started shaking, breathing, even. Thalia ran over to the medical table, shaking him so he would open his eyes.

    "Thomas."

    "Thomas, can you hear me?" She asked.

    "Thomas, it's Thalia. Are you okay? Please don't die, Tom." Thalia begged.

    Groaning, Thomas opened his eyes, squinting at first. Thalias face was above him, staring with frightened eyes. But then they lit up and a smile spread across her face. Despite it all, despite the terrible crappiness of it all, Thalia smiled.

   "Hes awake!" She yelled to no one in particular. "Thomas is awake!"

    The booming sound of her voice made Thomas since; he shut his eyes again. "Lia, do you have to scream? I don't feel so good."

    "Sorry—I'm just glad you're alive. You're lucky Chuck doesn't give you a big kiss."

    "Please don't do that, Chuck." Thomas opened his eyes again and sat up in the bed in which he lay, pushing his back against the wall and stretching out his legs. "How long did it take?" He asked.

    "Three days." Thalia answered.

    "We put you in the slammer at night to keep you safe — brought you back here during the days. Thought you were dead for sure about thirty times since you started. But check you out — you look brand-new!" Chuck said.

     "Did the Grievers come?" He asked.

     Thalias jubilation visibly crashed to the ground as her eyes sank down toward the floor. "Yeah—they got Zart and a couple others. Minho and the runners have scoured the Maze, trying to find an exit or some use for that stupid code you guys came up with. But nothing."

     "Get Newt and Alby," he finally said in answer. "Tell them we need to have a gathering. Soon as possible."

    Chuck and Thalia looked at eachother, "what?" Thomas asked.

    "Tom.." she muttered. "Alby was killed, when you got stung."

    "What?" He breathed out. "Who else is gone?"

    "Jeff."

    "Who?" He asked.

    "My best friend Jeff, he was a med jack with me." Thalia said, looking to the floor. "We took care of Teresa together."

    Thomas stuttered, "how did he die?"

    "Oh, he was killed by a Griever when you stung yourself." She said, and silence covered the room.

    Thomas let out a sigh, "Chuck, please go tell them." Without a word, Chuck jumped up and ran out of the room, his calls for Newt fading the farther he went.

    Thomas closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall.

    Teresa?

    She didn't answer at first, but then her voice popped into their thoughts as clearly as if she were sitting next to them.

    That was really stupid, Tom. Really, really stupid.

    Had to do it, he answered.

    Me and Teresa pretty much hated you the last couple days. You should've seen yourself. Your skin, your veins..

    You hated me?

     Thalia paused. That's just my way of saying we would've killed you if you'd died.

     Well.. thanks. I guess.

     So, how much do you remember? Teresa asked.

    He paused. Enough. What you said about the three of us and what we did to them..

    It was true?

    We did some bad things, guys. Thalia had a million questions, and no idea where to start.

   Did you learn anything to help us get out of here? Thalia asked, as if she didn't want to know what part she had in all of this. A purpose for the code?

   Maybe, he finally said, but it won't be easy. We need a gathering. I'll ask for you to be there—I don't have the energy to say it all twice.

    About that.. the Gladers want us exiled. Thalia replied.

    What? Why.

     Because we did this, Tom. They don't want us here. Thalia sighed.

     Then we'll convince them. He replied.

     Silence.

     Guys? Thomas asked sadly.

     Yeah? They both said.

     The maze can't be solved.

    Yeah, I think we all know that now. Thalia replied sadly.