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

Chapter Seventeen

A solemn night proceeded for the Gladers. Many had slight hope that their first female would also be the first person to survive a night in the maze. Despite the following day being one in the maze for Newt and Minho, they both slept restlessly or not at all. They had just lost their best friend, they wanted to believe that she could survive but they both knew that they would be lying to themselves. No one survives a night in the maze.

The following morning, the Runners prepare themselves for the day. Newt and Minho stand by the east door waiting for it to open. The other Gladers slowly approach the door, waiting for Jo to bound in with a smile on her face, even if she was covered in her own blood and dirt. Minho looks at his watch, much like he did the day before. "Ready shank?" He asks the blond next to him. Newt just mumbles a response, his eyes locked on the concrete in front of him. The heavy doors rumble and grate as the open. Nothing prepares the Gladers for the sight which is about to unveil before them. A bloody, dirt covered, mutilated body is sprawled right by the entrance. Laying on her back, her head turned towards the maze and limbs haphazardly strewn in different directions. Gasps and shocked murmurs erupt from the boys as Minho and Newt slowly approach the body.

Alby pushes by the boys to see what the commotion is about, he too slowly approaches once he sees his second in command and the Keeper crouching, a tuft of brown, lifeless hair glimpsing in his peripheral vision. No one speaks as Newt carefully picks up the limp body and carries her off to the Homestead. With a curt nod Alby and Minho follow, the other boys dispersing.

Newt's face is set blank and emotionless as he sets her down onto one of the cots in the Med-Jack room. He brushes some lose hair from her face. Alby and Minho walk in, closing the door behind them. Without turning to face them Newt stiffly says "It was one thing sending us here, another setting creatures like those bloody Grievers on us, taking our memories. But this-" he points to Jo "- having the Grievers get to Jo and taunt us by showing exactly what happens when you mess with them." Alby steps forward and places a hand on his shoulder. "Newt-" "-save it Alby! Don't you see that this is their sick and twisted way of bloody well telling us that there is no way out!" Alby looks towards Minho who looks just as taken aback as him. Suddenly Alby switches from being a friend to the leader figure. "No I don't. This is not how Jo would have-" "DON'T YOU BLOODY DARE SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT... w-what she would have thought or wouldn't want us to think!" The walls that Newt created suddenly crumble. Tears silently fall as he collapses onto a stool next to the cot. As if they were thinking the same thing, Alby and Minho both leave Newt in peace to mourn for his friend.

c[]xxx[]::::::::::::::::::::>

Data from the variable had been collected and now scientists at W.I.C.K.E.D are analysing it. Thomas watches on, unsure about his previous views on the corporation. W.I.C.K.E.D is good? He thought. He had seen the devastation that Jo's death caused to the other subj- boys. If being good means to be wicked then why does he have doubts about his true allegiance. All the while Chancellor Paige has been elusive. Workers have only been permitted to seek her if they find what they are looking for or if some drastic measures need to be taken. Presently she sits in a recovery room with a teenage girl with mousey brown hair and vibrant green eyes. The girl lays unconscious, peacefully unaware of her surroundings and presence of the Chancellor. A small smile tugs at the corners of the Chancellor's mouth. How she doesn't know how important she is. She thought. Soon she will. Subject A13, The Martyr- Joan Paige. W.I.C.K.E.D's girl.