Free (Maze Runner fanfic Newtmas Newt x Thomas)

Chapter 16

 "So my parents...were shot? WICKED killed them?" Newt never knew them, but now that he knew their faces, it felt even worse. "And.. everything else. Jeez, Tommy, what you've just said is enough to send anybody completely loco."

"Yeah well.. it hurts to think about. Literally, they gave me tablets to take for it, but I can't see myself having them for much longer."

"That's good, right?"

"Not. One. Bit. I'll explain later, as much as I can."

"Why not tell me now?"

Thomas bit his lip and glanced around them, then waved Newt closer and pulled him into the cubicle, pulling the curtain shut. "Where we're going, WICKED won't be able to control my every move. Right now, they hear and see everything we do. They could be listening right now. Like the maze, they'll be watching, but I know they won't stop me. They can't stop me, because they know they can't kill me. They won't let it happen."

"Tommy, you're beginning to make me worry."

"Good, be on your toes. Things will only be going south."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

~*~

When they arrived only a couple days ago and tumbled out the slide, Newt remembered Thomas looking quite lost as they looked around the stadium, not as knowledgeable as Newt had once thought. Now, with all his memories, Thomas just seemed worried all the time, and was 'unable' to tell him why.

Bright and early the next morning, Newt watched Thomas take one of his tablets with one of the most sickened expressions he'd ever seen. He asked if they really tasted that terrible, but Thomas said it was more about what they were doing soon.

All the remaining gladers were taken to an empty room and split into groups of four. Thomas knew who his group was already, but he let Newt have his giddy moment to discover they were together and with Minho, and some guy named Caelan. Minho was catching on though, because to have the three of them together out of a random luck of the draw would have been highly coincidental.

Each group was separated in the hallway, going into yet another room where there was three chairs, four bags, and a man dressed in a white lab coat. "You're group four of six." He said to the trio (and Caelan), gesturing for them to sit down.

They exchanged a glance, trying to decide who would have to stay standing. Thomas sat down and tugged on Newt's hand, telling him to sit in his lap, so other two took the remaining seats. The man at the front grinned at their decision, though subtle, and Thomas wondered if he should have done something else. "One bag for each of you. Each group has a different task, and yours is to collect a very specific flower." He pulled a picture out his pocket and held it up for them to look at. "Genetically modified to cure cancer, as I'm certain all of you used to know." He looked at Thomas. "Find a flower? Sure, it's a simple task, it seems tedious; but everyone's task is tedious.

"You have limitations. Newton limps, Caelan is still weak from the Mourner attack, and Thomas?" He stood up, putting Newt in the seat. "You know what to do. Show me your tablets."

Thomas reached into his back pocket and pulled out the tablet packet, five left in it. The man took them and popped out three, dropping them on the floor and then crushing them under his foot. He gave the packet back and Thomas turned to take a seat, when the mad raised his arm and whacked him over the head, pushing Thomas to the ground. "Then there's Thomas' head injury."

Minho looked gleeful when he realised he was the only one not listed with a weakness, but then he saw Thomas' state as he clutched to his head in pain and started to feel bad. "It's a long trek, and Thomas can only go three more days. Those tablets are only for a day each! So I suggest you hurry, he looks like he's already in a lot of pain." He laughed, then cleared his throat. "Simply reach the flower, take it, and return. Survive, please." Now he smiled. "Good luck."