Me vs My Mind

A Prank and Blood

They ended up near the back of the Homestead—that was what Chuck called the leaning structure of wood and windows—in a dark shadow between the building and the stone wall behind it. 

"Where are we going?" Thomas asked, still feeling the weight of seeing those walls close, thinking about the maze, the confusion, the fear. He told himself to stop or he'd drive himself crazy. Trying to grasp a sense of normalcy, he made a weak attempt at a joke. "If you're looking for a goodnight kiss, forget it." 

Chuck didn't miss a beat. "Just shut up and stay close." 

Grace on the other hand looked at him innocently. "Does that mean I can't look for one too?" 

Those that knew Grace from before the Maze looked at her with wide, shocked and amused eyes. They never thought in a million years that they would ever hear Grace of all people flirt. 

"Lucky shank." People muttered with a shake of their heads. 

"I-" Before Thomas could say anything else Chuck shushed them again. 

Thomas let out a big breath and shrugged before following the younger boy along the back of the building. They tiptoed until they came upon a small, dusty window, a soft beam of light shining through onto the stone and ivy. Grace and Thomas heard someone moving around inside. 

"The bathroom," Chuck whispered. 

"So?" A thread of unease stitched along Thomas's skin. 

"I love doing this to people. Gives me great pleasure before bedtime." 

"Doing what?" Something told Thomas Chuck was up to no good. "Maybe we should—" 

"Just shut your mouth and watch." Chuck quietly stepped up onto a big wooden box that sat right under the window. He crouched so that his head was positioned just below where the person on the inside would be able to see him. Then he reached up with his hand and lightly tapped on the glass. 

Everyone watched closely, interested in what they were about to do, while those who Chuck has done this to in the past just grumbled to themselves in annoyance. 

"This is stupid," Thomas whispered. There couldn't possibly be a worse time to play a joke—Newt or Alby could be in there. "I don't wanna get in trouble—I just got here!" 

"I like trouble." Grace whispered, a gleam of excited mischief in her eyes. 

Chuck suppressed a laugh by putting his hand over his mouth. Ignoring Thomas, he reached up and tapped the window again. 

A shadow crossed the light; then the window slid open. Grace grabbed Thomas and jumped to hide, pressing themselves against the back of the building as hard as they could. Thomas just couldn't believe he'd been suckered into playing a practical joke on somebody. The angle of vision from the window protected them for the moment, but he knew he, Grace and Chuck would be seen if whoever was in there pushed his head outside to get a better look. 

"Who's that!" yelled the boy from the bathroom, his voice scratchy and laced with anger. Thomas had to hold in a gasp when he realized it was Gally—he knew that voice already. Grace looked at him with a hand over her mouth to stop her from laughing at their luck. 

Without warning, Chuck suddenly popped his head up toward the window and screamed at the top of his lungs. A loud crash from inside revealed that the trick had worked—and the litany of swearwords following it let them know Gally was none too happy about it. Thomas was struck with an odd mix of horror and embarrassment. Grace however was filled with glee and excitement as she started full on laughing.