THE HEARTS » TMR [1]

08. Till Sundown

"I'm thinking of a number," Chuck said, "between one and ten. Guess that number."

    After Thomas and the other Keepers entered the Maze, Chuck and Margaret were left standing guard. They sat up against the concrete walls and decided to entertain themselves by playing a game while they waited. Margaret tapped her finger lightly against her chin, pondering which number Chuck was referring to. "Ten?"

    Chuck frowned. "Wrong. Again." Margaret could tell he was bored by the sound of his voice.

    She groaned. "Was I even close?"

    He shook his head. "It was one."

    "Oh," Margaret mumbled.

    Then there was silence between them. The only sounds they'd heard were the wind blowing through the trees, distant Glader conversation, and faint echoes of bleating sheep and snorting pigs accompanied by loud clicks from the walls behind their backs. Newt and Gally were nowhere to be found, much to Margaret's relief. The boys would have been in big trouble if they were.

    Especially Thomas.

     Everything went downhill when the other girl entered the Glade. Adding Thomas' name to the mix made matters worse. Thomas clarified that he did not know her, but the boys were extremely sceptical. It was even more unbelievable that the girl appeared so soon after Margaret in the Deadheads and Thomas inside the Box.

     And then there was that dream she had of him. . .

     Margaret began to play with her hair, twisting and curling a few strands. It couldn't be a dream. It looked too real. . . Margaret was certain that her dream was a memory from before she was placed inside the Glade, inside the Maze.

     "Margaret, are you okay?" Chuck asked.

     She jumped. "Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Just. . . thinking, I guess."

     "About what?"

     Margaret shrugged. "Memories. Nothing new, really." She sighed. "Chuck, do you remember anything from your life before all of this happened?"

     He shook his head. "No. Not even my. . ." A sad look appeared on his face.

     Margaret didn't need to hear it. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and gently squeezed him. "Hey, it's gonna be okay."

     "How do you know?" He whispered.

     "Because I know someone who can help us get out of here and back home. He'll bring everyone home, Chuck. Even you. Thomas will take you home to your parents, where you belong."

     "Hey!"

     When Margaret turned around, she saw Gally stomping his large boots in their direction.

     "Oh, no." Her and Chuck jumped to their feet and wiped the dirt off their clothes. "Just act natural."

     Chuck gulped in response.

     "Hey, Gally!" Margaret said cheerfully.

     "What the hell is going on here?" He yelled.

     "Yeah, me and Chuck were just enjoying the fresh air. You know, nature, it's beautiful. With the grass and—"

     "Cut the shuck, shank. Where are the Keepers?" His arms were folded, and his jaw was clenched.

     "Um," she stuttered, "who?"

     "They're in the Maze, aren't they? Along with Thomas?"