W.I.C.K.E.D's Girl [Book One]

Chapter Sixteen

Light streams through the gaps in the walls of my room. I stir but keep my eyes shut tight. Wait my room? How the shuck did I get here? Quickly I jump out of my hammock and run out of my room. I definitely fell asleep outside. I get out of the Homestead to see my two best friends talking to Fry. At the sound of my footsteps Minho turns to face me and a smirk etches onto his face. "Good morning sleeping beauty! At least I didn't have to send in prince charming here-" he jabs his thumb at Newt "-to wake you!" and winks. Newt rolls his eyes and offers me a smile whilst I try to hide the blush that creeps onto my face. Wait why am I blushing?! I don't like Newt, well I like him but not like him... Oh but you do! Says a voice inside my head.

The boys seem to notice to battling in my mind as the both look at each other, confusion evident on their faces. Quick change the subject! "So-uh-what's for... breakfast Fry?!" I ask the cook. He smiles and says "The shucking usual! Don't try and change the subject Jo." I scowl at him and he laughs. "I wasn't! Just trying to keep conversation alive seeming that someone killed it!" "Yeah yeah whatever you say Jo." I look at the two Runners and realise, "Hey you two aren't even running today! What are you doing ?" They look at each other and shrug simultaneously. "What can't we see our favourite she-bean off for her day's run?" Minho says. "One, I'm the only she-bean and two, there has to be some reason other than that!" I reply matter-of-factually. "No seriously we want to, seeming that you do for us. So we are, good that?" Newt says sternly, emphasising the point by crossing his arms over his chest. After a beat of silence we burst out laughing. In a way I'm glad that the creators sent us here because well I have my best friends and I highly doubt that we would never have become friends in the outside world.

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The monitors focus on the trio walking towards the east door of the maze. Thomas watches on, unaware of the plans that the adults have for Subject A13. In hushed whispers the scientists discuss how they are to execute the plan, creating the next variable. As Jo leaves the boys and runs off into the maze, W.I.C.K.E.D's plan sets in. Silently they mess with controls which are paired to a small device in the subjects' brains. They create hallucinations for Jo to experience as she runs. Thomas leans in closer to the screen to see Jo's panic stricken face, she runs harder whilst looking behind her every now and then. He tries to find a better angle to see what's causing her to behave abnormally. Why isn't focused like normal? He thought. "It's working, subject A13 is following then route." One of the scientists whispers to another. This goes on for another couple of hours, Jo's panic increasing rapidly to the point where she is fearfully running from nothing. "Time to execute the variable."

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"Where is she? She should have been back an hour ago! The doors close in two minutes!" Newt says, his voice laced with worry. "She'll be back shank. She's probably holding back around the corner and waiting just to scare us. She knows what she's doing." Minho tries to comfort his friend and convince himself that she is just playing a trick on them. The boys draw a crowd around the door, others waiting to see the only girl return. They don't want to admit it but deep down they know that something isn't right, Jo is one of if not the best runner. Though they wouldn't say that to Minho's face. Rumbling shakes the boys as the doors start to close. A new sense of dread strikes right through Newt, Minho, Riley even Gally.

Suddenly movement at the end of the corridor catches their eyes. A battered and torn Jo limps down the corridor. Only an few feet left in the gap. The boys shout at her to hurry and she pushes herself more so than she ever has done in her life. But it's not enough. An agonising screech and thump signals the close of the door. Jo still separated from the boys. Deathly silence lingers over the Gladers. No one knowing what to do. Just stare at the door, willing it to open. On the other side of the door Jo is pounding her fists against the concrete, sobbing her heart out. This is it she thought this is how I die.

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Back in W.I.C.K.E.D's nerve centre the workersstart to prepare for the next phase. The one which will ensure the best resultsfor this variable. Thomas watches his old friend sob, fearing the worst forher. He knows what happens to those who get stuck out in the maze. A hand restson his shoulder. "Don't worry Thomas, this is for the best. Remember thatW.I.C.K.E.D is good." A man, A.D.Janson says as he proudly watches the variable unfold. In twelve more hoursthey will get the results that they hope will help in unlocking what theystrive for.