The Glader

Wax Paper

As Minho and Thomas left to the Homestead, and I went to the Kitchens. Frypan was working on something that involved flour today. The entire kitchen was coated in a film of white.

"What're ya makin'?" I asked, running my finger over one of the counters, leaving a trail in the soft powder.

"Cookies," Frypan said, then he held out a spoon covered in dough and... where on earth had he gotten chocolate chips? "Here, Newt, sample this," the Keeper of the Cooks said.

I pushed the spoon out of my face and said, "Actually, I was wonderin' if I could borrow some wax paper.

Frypan raised his eyebrows. "How much?"

"Uh..." I thought for a second, "A roll or two."

"A whole roll?!? Do you know how much I could bake with that much? Sorry, Newt, but no. Not with the supplies cut. What do ya even need it for?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to get his hopes up, in case the plan didn't work, and I also didn't want to let anyone know that the Maps still existed. Even though I doubted Frypan was the Map Room arsonist, you could never be too careful. "Oh, this and that," I finally said, "Glade stuff."

"Sorry, Newt, but I need the wax paper."

"Not even one bloody box?"

"You won't even tell me what ya need it for! I'm just supposed to hand over a valuable cooking tool for that? I only have two boxes."

"So you can part with one, right?" I wheedled.

"And one of them is half empty. There's normal paper in the Homestead, and I can give you paper napkins, but no Wax paper," the cook said, looking annoyed. He stirred the cookie batter furiously.

"I need see-through paper, Frypan."

"For what?"

I sighed. "Okay, Frypan, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone, okay?"

He put down his bowl, looking interested. I couldn't help but notice that he had batter on his nose.

"I promise."

"We're going to try to solve the Maze," I dropped my voice. "We think the Maze is a code, and we need the ever lovin' wax paper to solve it. Okay?"

Frypan wordlessly plopped a long, skinny box into my hand.

Inside, there was wax paper! Score!

Nodding my thanks, I left the Kitchens.