What if?

Chapter 9

Thomas found himself in a place that felt strangely familiar yet completely different. The maze walls were gone, replaced by a vast, open field filled with vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. The sky above was a brilliant blue, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

As he walked through the field, he saw Newt standing by a large oak tree, his blond hair catching the sunlight. Newt turned and waved, a wide smile spreading across his face. Thomas felt a rush of warmth and happiness as he ran over to him.

"Tommy! You made it!" Newt called out, his voice filled with joy.

Thomas laughed, reaching Newt and pulling him into a tight hug. "I didn't think I'd find you here," he said, pulling back to look into Newt's eyes.

Newt chuckled. "Of course you did. You always do."

They sat down under the oak tree, leaning against the sturdy trunk. The leaves rustled above them, creating a soothing melody. Newt leaned his head on Thomas's shoulder, and Thomas felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time.

"Remember when we used to talk about what we'd do once we got out of the maze?" Newt asked, his voice soft and nostalgic.

Thomas nodded. "Yeah. You always said you wanted to find a place like this, where we could just be free."

Newt smiled. "Looks like we found it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. Thomas felt a contentment he couldn't quite explain, as if all the worries and fears of the past had melted away.

"I wish we could stay here forever," Thomas murmured.

Newt lifted his head and looked at Thomas, his eyes shining with a mix of affection and sadness. "Me too, Tommy. Me too."

Suddenly, the scene began to blur, the vibrant colors fading into a soft haze. Thomas reached out, trying to hold onto the moment, but it slipped through his fingers.

"Don't go," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Newt's figure began to fade, but his smile remained. "I'm always with you, Tommy. Always."

Thomas woke up screaming and sweaty, his heart pounding in his chest. The remnants of the dream still clung to his mind, leaving him disoriented and terrified.

Before he could fully comprehend where he was, Minho bursted in his tent, his face etched with concern.

"Thomas! What's going on?" Minho shouted, dropping to his knees beside Thomas's bed. He shook Thomas's shoulders gently but firmly, trying to bring him back to reality.

Thomas gasped for breath, his hands clutching the blanket tightly. "It... it was a dream," he stammered, his voice shaking. "A really bad dream."

Minho softened his voice. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe now. Just breathe, alright?"

Thomas took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. The images of Newt, the field of flowers, and the oak tree slowly faded, leaving behind a lingering sadness.

Minho sat on the edge of the bed, still holding Thomas's shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Thomas shook his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It was just... it felt so real. Newt was there, and everything was perfect. But then I knew it wasn't real, and I couldn't wake up. I felt... trapped."

Minho's expression softened further, a mix of sympathy and understanding in his eyes. "I get it. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us, especially with everything we've been through."

Thomas nodded, feeling a bit more grounded with Minho's presence. "Thanks, Minho. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Minho gave him a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry about that. We're in this together, remember? Always."

Thomas managed a weak smile in return. "Always."

Minho stood up, still keeping a watchful eye on Thomas. "Try to get some more sleep, okay? We need you sharp tomorrow."

Thomas lay back down, the blanket now feeling a bit more comforting. "I'll try."

As Minho turned to leave, he paused at the entrance. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me up. No matter what time it is."

"Thanks, Minho," Thomas said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Minho nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Thomas lay there in the darkness, the echoes of his dream still whispering in his mind. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, holding onto the promise of his friends and the hope that together, they could face whatever challenges awaited them.

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Thomas and Minho finished their breakfast and prepared for the day's tasks. As the sun rose higher, casting a warm glow over the Safe Haven, Thomas joined a group of Gladers working on fortifying the perimeter. While he worked, Thomas couldn't shake the lingering unease from his dream, but he forced himself to focus on the task at hand.

Jorge and Minho were organizing the day's patrols and making sure everyone knew their assignments. Minho approached Thomas, clipboard in hand, his usual confident demeanor on display.

"Thomas, you and Brenda are on supply run duty today. We need more medical supplies and food rations," Minho said, handing Thomas a list of items.

Thomas nodded, taking the list. "Got it. We'll be back by evening."

Brenda joined Thomas, giving him a quick smile. "Ready to go, partner?"

Thomas smiled back, appreciating her steady presence. "Let's do this."

They headed out of the Safe Haven, following a well-trodden path that led to nearby abandoned buildings where they often scavenged for supplies. As they walked, Brenda noticed Thomas's silence and nudged him gently.

"Something on your mind, Thomas?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Thomas sighed, glancing at her. "Just a rough night. Had a bad dream about Newt. Felt too real."

Brenda nodded sympathetically. "Dreams can mess with your head. You really liked Newt didn't you?" she smirked.

Thomas blushed shyly at Brenda's remark, grateful for her ability to lighten the mood. He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I guess it showed, huh?"

Brenda chuckled softly. "A bit. It's okay, Thomas. We all miss him."

Thomas looked ahead, his gaze fixed on the path before them. "He meant a lot to me. Losing him... it's still hard to believe sometimes."

"I know," Brenda said quietly. "But he's left a mark on all of us. His courage, his spirit... we carry that with us."

Thomas nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over him. "Thanks, Brenda. I appreciate you listening."

Brenda gave him a reassuring smile. "Anytime, partner."

Well i don't really know what to  think of this chapter :/ 

I guess that's it tho. Hope you enjoyed!

See you on the next chapter!

L'🥀