Daughter Of The Glade (A TMR Fanfiction)

Chapter 4: Death

Thomas stood up suddenly, scaring Madeline out of her thoughts. She expected herself to be more upset about the fatal situation that was going on. It was true, Madeline was in pure shock... but she didn't cry, she didn't scream, she didn't start yelling things in protest.

She just sat there. She felt like cattle being led to the slaughter. Hopeless. Like she had already known she was dying.

"What are you saying?" Thomas yelled. Janson leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"Well... she's dying." He said putting his hands on his knees. Thomas yelled out and kicked the bed that Madeline was sitting on, causing her to yelp suddenly.

"Aren't you going to do something about it? Don't you guys have killer technology? Just take the shucking chip out!" Thomas was irate. His face was red as hell and Madeline didn't know if she wanted to calm him, or just let him blow a fuse. She eventually made the decision to sit there and let him rant. Janson shook his head.

"If we take the chip out, she'll die."

"I'm dying anyway?" Madeline spoke up for the second time in the whole conversation. Her voice was quiet and weak, but when she spoke, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared. Janson rubbed his chin.

"Yes... but if we take the chip out... you'll die instantly. If we leave it... we estimated you have about a week or less to live."

"WHAT?!" Thomas screamed.

Madeline blinked in shock. She has less than a week to be alive. A Week. Seven days. Not enough time in her opinion. She took a shaky breath, trying to stay calm.

"Why can't you do something?! You have to save her!!" Madeline grabbed Thomas' arm suddenly and pulled him back when he began to strut towards Janson. He turned to look at Madeline and they shared a look of sadness.

"Thomas... he said there is nothing we can do." As soon as she said it, she saw something in Thomas' eyes that made her heart break.

Love.

For the first time, Madeline could read his face and he didn't even have to speak. His eyes were proclaiming, "But I love you."

Tears filled his eyes and Madeline gripped his arm harder. Janson stood up and cleared his throat for the one millionth time.

"I am... truly sorry about this. I really am. I know this may seem rough... and un-compassionate, but we will do everything we can... to make sure you don't feel any pain." With that he got up and walked out of the room, the door sealing shut with a loud hiss.

Madeline felt Thomas' sad eyes and heard his shaky breaths as she stared at the door. She let go of Thomas' arm and looked down at the ground. The other boys got down off of their beds and gathered around Madeline. She was still sitting on her bunk, unmoved. She forced herself to look up at them, and noticed that each Glader had tears threatening their eyes.

Madeline was surprised, honestly. To see the boys so close to tears all at once. She couldn't help but sniffle and look down at the ground again. She shook her head and everyone stared at her, as if waiting for a final death speech.

"Look..." She began, her voice cracking under the weight of sadness she felt in her heart. "I'm not insane yet... Okay? So we might as well cherish every shucking second we have together..." She paused for a second and took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing.

"And just like Newt said earlier, I've only known you all for a few weeks.. but each and everyone of you are my brothers. Listen to me..." She raised her voice when the boys began to shift in their place as they stood in front of her. "Listen to me... Whatever happens...I love you guys."

That did it. She broke out into uncontrollable sobs that sounded ugly and painful as she doubled over, pushing her hand-covered face into her knees. She immediately felt hands on her but it didn't comfort her at all.

I'm going to die.
I have been dying.
For years.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Every inch of me has been replaced with a psycho.
All because of a tiny chip of data.

"I HATE WICKED!" She suddenly sat up and screamed, tears streaming down her red face. "I hate them! They aren't good! I don't care what anyone says!" She yelled and the boys tried to comfort her.

"Madeline.. We are safe from them now! They can't hurt you!" Minho grabbed her arm.

"How do you know that? And what does it matter? I'm still going to die!" Madeline's words came out in a slur and she could barely see the Gladers through the tears in her eyes. "Why am I upset!?" She yelled, throwing her hands up into the air. "Life is hardly worth living!"

"No!" Thomas suddenly interrupted. He still had a flash of anger in his eyes. He knelt down next to Minho and grabbed both of Madeline's hands. He sighed and looked down at his hands which were shaking in Madeline's, their fingers intertwined in a strong grasp.

"Okay... Listen. I'm not going to hold this back anymore. I know you see it in me. I know you do..." He said, his voice cracking. Madeline was whimpering as she stared into Thomas' eyes.

"See what?" She whispered, even though she knew what he was talking about. Thomas gave a deep breath and shook his head. He squeezed Madeline's hands so tight that they began to turn to a hue of white and blue.

"Oh God... look.... I love you." A few of the Gladers smiled and a few choked-up laughs were heard. Madeline's heart dropped in her chest. She knew he loved her. She felt it.

But now.... he actually said it. She didn't know what to think or how to reply. Thomas stared into her eyes, waiting for a reply that Madeline didn't think she could give.

"I..."

Suddenly Janson busted into the room, still carrying his clipboard.

"I need all of you guys to follow me." He eyed Madeline for a second. "I need you to meet someone."