Solo //The Maze Runner Series//

Chapter 9

Everyone was ready to go in the morning. I told Newt the safest route to go, and if they see Jorge and Brenda to tell them to go away. Newt asked me if I was going to be ok and I told them I would be, I have been for years now.

"Well, thank you again for everything Echo. And I promise if we make it out alive I will come back and find you." He smiled.

"Thanks Newt. You guys better go. Good luck." I smiled. He gave me a half smile and pulled me in a hug.

"Thank you." He whispered. I smiled and we let go. I waved as he walked back with his group. I watched as they left. As soon as they turned the corner my smile grew bigger. It was a weird feeling I felt when Newt and I hugged. It was like electricity zapped through me as we touched. I shook my head and turned around, starting my journey back to my "home."

My thoughts were filled with thoughts of the munie groups as I walked. It's been hours since I last saw them, and actually I kind of missed them, well Newt actually. It was interesting finding out where they came from and how they got here and slowly regaining their memories back, but not fully. I wanted to know more, I wanted to know if they were going to get their memories back and get revenge on WICKED. I would love to see that one. WICKED has done so much to them and myself and my family and I'm tired of it. It would be the best day of my life if WICKED falls.

The sun was just touching the horizon now and I knew the cranks would come out of the buildings, drunk on the alcohol they made themselves and hungry. I turned into a building just on the edge of town. I could walk to my little home but I decided to stay here for one more night. I laid down on the hard ground of the roof. I looked up at the stars and sighed. I just couldn't get them out of my head. What if something bad happened to them? I won't be there to help them. I sat up and turned towards the way they left. I have to help them. I got up and started descending down the stairs, going as fast as I could. Just as I was about to leave the building two figures stepped in front of me.

"You're coming with us." One of them demanded. I couldn't see them, they were wearing all black. I turned around to run away but they caught my arms and I felt something penetrate my arm. I turned around and saw a needle leave my skin. Dark spots clouded my vision but before everything went out I saw two familiar faces.

My eyes snapped open then snapped shut as soon as a bright light blinded me. I slowly let my eyes open and get used to the bright light. This was not natural sunlight, this was from a light bulb. After I was used the light I sat up. My body was sore and my head was throbbing. I looked around and saw white. That's it. I was in a white room and it smelled like cleaning chemicals. I got up but was restrained by handcuffs around my left ankle the other one locked around a steel pipe that went up to the ceiling. I tugged at them, trying to break them and get myself free but it was no use.

"Where am I?" I screamed, banging the cuffs around the steel pipe, making as much noise as possible. Suddenly apart of the wall in front of me slid open and stepped in a man that resembles a rat with his balding head, longish nose and tall frail figure. He held on to a clipboard and looked at me. I stood up just to see if I was taller or as tall as him.

"Echo Tiller." He said, his teeth yellow.

"How do you know me? Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Mr. Jenkins. And of course I know you. Everyone here at WICKED knows everyone and everything." He smiled.

My eyes widened. "I'm... This.... WICKED headquarters?" I stuttered.

"Yes it is. You're very observant." He said sarcastically with an eye roll.

"Let me out. Put me back in the scorch please." I begged. I couldn't do this.

He chuckled. "Why would you like to go back there?"

"It's where I belong! I'm a crank! What do you want to do with me?" I asked.

"You're not a crank Ms. Tiller. You're immune, just like our friends out there." He said. I just looked at him and laughed.

"No, I'm a crank. I can feel it." I said.

"You're not a crank. We ran some tests while you were unconscious and our tests show you are immune."

"I can't be." I said.

"But you are." He said. "And we would like to run some tests on you."

I shook my head and back up against the wall. "No, I don't want you guys poking and prodding at my brain."

"No, you won't be in any harm I promise. We're just going to see how you undergo certain situations." He said.

"Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you guys?" I asked.

"You interrupted one of our tests and you seemed to catch the attention of one of our members here. She requested to have you tested and put through the trials but with different arrangements." He said.

"What do you mean?" I asked, gulping. My heart was pounding. What was going to happen to me. Were they going to feed me to man eating monsters? Make me run until I can't run anymore?

"I believe you discussed this with one of our subjects. Subject A5." He said.

I was confused. Subject?

"What?" I asked, breaking the silence that filled the air.

"I believe his name was Newt." He said, a wicked smile forming on his wrinkled face.