𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝝠𝗧𝗛𝗪𝝠𝗬𝗦-𝗠𝝠𝗭𝗘 𝝝𝗙 𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 ➳ TMR

Chapter 16- Questions

"And why do they have shampoo, conditioner, and hygiene products?" Thomas asked me for the millionth time since we sat on the edge of the Deadheads.

I groan, "Thomas, did you just help me so I can answer your questions?"

"No, of course not! Well... maybe a little bit, but I really wanted to help you."

"I didn't need your help." I shake my head.

Savouring the brief seconds of silence until he broke it again.

"How do they even get water here?"

I throw my hands up in frustration. "I give up. Fine, you get two minutes to ask any questions. But after that, silence."

"Are you serious? Yes, yes! Uh, where do I begin...?"

"They can get things from the box, for example, hygiene products. If they write a note about what they want and send it back with the weekly box, they have a chance of getting what they asked for. Hygiene products are 100%. We didn't get pads and tampons at first, but after Ximena wrote in frustration in our first ever note, we got so much you could provide a 100-girl army for a week. But I asked once for knee warmers, and guess what? They thought cold legs while skating wasn't that important. But Cally gets her clay! Not the point... what I'm saying is not every wish will be fulfilled. And water is just always there. I guess it's what the Makers built before we even arrived. Though we had to build our own heater for the water. That's when I was actually happy that Beth arrived. Next question."

"It's colder for you, right? I mean, if you're ice skating, it must be below freezing, and you need warm water."

"Correct, Smartstick."

"What are those 'Grievers'? The ones Minho and you saw dead, what are those things?"

"Robot plus massive spider. Covered in green, snood slime. We have a different kind of monster in our Spring."

"What kind is yours?"

"Also a robot, but plus a giant bat. So they can fly. A disadvantage that we have there. Sexism even exists when we don't remember anything. We call them Shades."

"Sick... I mean—sorry. Why is no one allowed to go out there except the runners?"

"Mappers, please call them Mappers. At least when I'm around. Non-Mappers either aren't physically capable, mentally adept, or most importantly, can't make decisions quickly enough. For example, the easy ones: left, right, or middle; faster, slower, or same speed; go back, or is there enough time to check one last corridor. That's where most people struggle. Blondie, you don't want to be a Mapper."

"You're right, I want to be a Runner."

He deserved that neck clap."You don't."

"Aren't you hungry? I mean, you did run for however long you did. But from how you and Minho looked, it must've been demanding, at least."

"No Klank, Sherlock."

"Who's Sherlock?"

"Uhh," who is Sherlock? "It's a way of saying."

"That sounded more like a question."

"Oh sorry, you're right. That's your thing."

"Touché." He laughs.

"Any more questions? No? Great!" I stood up, but a little guy ran towards us. Isn't that the goldfish?

"Hey, Thomas, they're doing a Gathering because of Ben's punishment at the moment! Hi, Diana!" He reached us.

"Who are you?"

Thomas cleared his throat. "That's Chuck. What you got there?"

"Dinner! I think I've got enough for all three of us." Chuck holds up three sandwiches.

"Not interested." The pit in my stomach tells me the exact opposite.

I'm sorry, Sonya.

"Wow," Chuck mumbles. "The other girl's a lot nicer."

"Thanks, wouldn't it all be for the best if we just hugged it out and are all happy rainbow? And her name is Mari."

"Sarcasm on point." Thomas joked. "At least have a bite."

He took one of the sandwiches Chuck was still holding and threw one to me.

Luckily it was in cling film, so I caught it.

"You need a harder throw if you want to be a Mapper. But if you want to be a lame Stick Runner, your throwing skills are even better than they have to be."

"Well, maybe you could put in a good word for me with Minho?"

"Are you that stupid? Minho would want to make you even less a Runner and I will never ever in my life ask a favor to that Shadeface."

"And Alby? He'll probably-"

"No, he wouldn't. Find someone else to do this, Thomas. And I'll tell you this for the last time, you don't want to be one."

"I've told him that already too many times to count." Chuck stated, very annoyed.

"Slim... it, Chuck."

"You still can't use the Slang, Greenie."

"You're not really better at it."

"Both of you, dry up. You're both not good at it." I sat back down and opened the package of the sandwich, ham and cheese. The numbers ran through my head.

Great, at least 350 calories.

But I haven't eaten since the few bites of toast this morning and it's getting to me.

————

I did eat the sandwich and I didn't feel bad about it, I was already burning calories today.

Right now I'm heading to the Medhut to see Mari, the girl and Ben.

I'm scared on what I'll see of Ben. I've seen many people getting Bitten, but it was never nice. Even if they did get the Shot or Serum, whatever it's called that the Makers send us up, he has to go through the Morphing too.

I did hear a few screams already, screams of pain.

As I set foot in the Medhut, I get lead out straight away by Clint.

"Sorry, you're not allowed to be in here." Before I could debate about anything he went inside again.

Guess not then, nice talking to you too.

I still have my pack from the day, maybe I should bring it back. Frypan's probably already missing his lunch box.

I drop it off by the kitchen, Fry is no where to be seen. Probably at the Gathering.

I keep my knifes, training is better than sitting in an empty hut. I found a tree with a good trunk and started training new combats, new hits until my fingers were cramped of holding the knife for too long.

I climbed the tree, the one I practiced on, and chose the steadiest branch, it felt good to rest, but not good enough to close my eyes.

I don't trust my dreams anymore... or whatever they are. I know they're waiting for me as soon as I let my guard down.

Suddenly my ankle felt droopy. I didn't even register the fall before my arms automatically gripped themselves to the branch.

"Finch!" I pulled myself up once again this time not sitting but almost half laying down, definitely not using that ankle.

A/N: Suffering severe writers block, but I'll try to publish again every two-three days. Though I still hoped you enjoyed this small filler chapter. Plus this isn't edited so I'm very sorry for any mistakes I made.

Stay safe <3
X Lizzy