Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 36

Everyone stared between Thomas and I with blank faces, no one saying a word.

Newt's jaw dropped as he turned to me, giving me a questioning look. I shrugged, the guilt starting to hit me hard core. Newt turned back to Thomas, a baffled look on his face. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, first there's something I have to share. About me, Teresa and Emma. There's a reason Gally accused me of so much stuff, and why everyone who's gone through the Changing recognizes me."

Everyone stared at Thomas, not saying a word, the anticipation in the air rising dramatically.

"Teresa and I, we're different," he continued. "We were part of the Maze Trials from the very beginning—but against our will, I swear it. As for Emma...I don't remember all that much about her decision to do the trials."

I scrunched up my nose, suddenly finding my shoelaces very interesting. Everyone in the room glanced at me, but said nothing.

Minho was the first one to speak up, and annoyed and confused look on his face. "Thomas, what the shuck are you on about?"

"Teresa and I were used by the Creators. If you had your full memories back, you'd probably want to kill us. But I had to tell you this myself to show you we can be trusted now. So you'll believe me when I tell you the only way we can get out of here."

Thomas looked around at all the keepers before taking a deep breath. "Emma, Teresa and I helped design the Maze. We helped create the whole thing."

Everyone was too stunned to respond. An eerie silence filled the room.

Newt crossed his arms and gave me a questioning look, as if he didn't believe a word that Thomas just said. "What's that supposed to mean?" He finally asked. "You guys are bloody sixteen-year-olds. How could you have created the Maze?"

I couldn't help but think that myself, but I knew deep down that I was true. When referring to my memories, I could already tell that back then I was smarter than I looked. Losing my memories dumbed me down a bit I think.

"It's true, and I'm sorry," Thomas continued. "But I can tell you this—I'm in the same boat with you now. Teresa and I were sent here just like anyone else, and we can die just as easily. But the Creators have seen enough—it's time for the final test. I guess I needed the Changing to add the final pieces of the puzzle. Anyway, I wanted you to know the truth, to know there's a chance we can do this."

"And what about Emma?" Frypan asked, raising his eyebrows. Everyone mumbled in agreement.

"What about her?" Newt asked defensively. I smiled slightly, but a frown overtook it in a second.

"It's okay, Newt. They're okay to be suspicious. Like Thomas and Teresa, I'm just as clueless as you guys. I don't have my full memory, only parts. And let me tell you, I'm not proud of any of it. For some reason, I'm important, and I got sent up here for a reason. I think I did it on purpose. I felt guilty that I helped send you guys to the Glade. I needed to help you escape. I guess when I lost my memory I also lost sight of my original goal; to help my friends." I explained, taking a shaky breath. "I'm not telling you guys to trust me, because right now, I don't even trust myself. I'm just asking you guys to let me try to help you. I swear on my life that I'd never willingly do anything to hurt you guys. Not after what we've all been through together."

The boys glanced at each other, none of them saying a word for a long time. That is, until Minho groaned.

"You guys are all shuck faces. Obviously she's telling the truth, I mean, It's Emma for God's sake!" He exclaimed, gesturing to me using his right hand. His left hand was positioned on his hip, which meant that he was going into full sass mode. "She couldn't hurt a damned fly!"