girl in the maze // {the maze runner, thomas}

chapter 6

 I leave Clint with Ben so I can attend the meeting. On the way down, Newt briefs me on everything that's happened so far.

"That's when she told us, 'Everything is going to change,'" Newt informs me. "And there was a buggin' paper in her hands, all balled up and everything. It said that she's the last one. They ain't sendin' up any more shanks."

I shake my head. "That can't be good," I mutter, picking at my nails as we enter the Gathering room on the first floor of the Homestead. Ben's screams are still faintly echoing through the building, and I can't help but worry that those screams will haunt me for the rest of my life.

I sit on the edge of my seat, ready to leave immediately when this is over so I can get back to Ben.

"As you all know," Alby begins, "we've gotten two Greenies in two days. That ain't never happened before, and far as I'm concerned, it doesn't mean anything but trouble."

"What do you suppose it means?" Gally inquires, and before anyone can answer him he continues. "Personally, I think that boy Thomas is nothing but bad news. I don't think we should trust him."

Thomas. That must be the name of the first Greenie, the one who came up yesterday.

"He hasn't given us any reason to suspect him of anything," Alby declares. "He's just as confused as the rest of us."

"And what about the girl?" I pipe up. "And the message? I think we should focus on that."

I'm annoyed that Gally always jumps to conclusions, causing unrest amongst the other Gladers. If there's anyone we shouldn't trust, it's him.

"We think she's in some type of coma," Alby answers. "She woke up to give us that klunk warning and then rolled her eyes up into her bugging head and passed out again."

I shoot up.

"You're telling me," I start, my nails digging into my palms, "the only person who might have intel on this whole mess is in a coma, and you didn't bother telling the Keeper of the Med-Jacks? How am I supposed to help her if I'm in a bloody meeting?"

"Calm down, Elizabeth," Alby instructs, giving me a pointed look. "We'll keep it short. She's fine."

I shake my head, begrudgingly sitting back down.

"We'll keep them both on a tight watch," Alby resumes, breaking eye contact with me to look at every one. "Don't make it obvious, but just be aware. Either shank could be a wild card, and I don't want anything ruining what we've got going here. Good that?"

"Good that," everyone answers.

"Meeting adjourned," Alby says, standing up and walking away from his chair.

I bolt up from my seat and out of the room, narrowly avoiding a run-in with Minho as I make my way up the stairs and into the hallway. Clint is walking out of Ben's room, and I screech to a halt so I don't slam into him.

"Is Ben okay?" I ask. "Why aren't you staying in there with him?"

"Everything is fine, Lizzie," Clint reassures me. "Calm down. I was just going to check on the girl."

I take a deep breath. I'm too on edge, and it's starting to show.

"I'm going to go grab some food now that you're back," Clint explains, "and then I'm taking watch tonight. You need sleep."

I nod, and let out a long sigh. "You're right," I reply. "Thanks, Clint."

He gives me a small smile and heads down the stairs. I watch him leave, and once he's out of sight, I turn towards the girl's room.