The Fighter 》 The Maze Runner

Twenty-Six

I knelt down next to Thomas' hammock and started shaking him.  His eyes fluttered open, but I placed my hand over his mouth so he couldn't yell.

"Shh.  Wouldn't want to wake up Chucky now, do we?"  I whispered as I pointed to the unconscious Chuck, who is snoring very loudly.

I nodded my head towards the fields.  Thomas let out a groggy sigh as he got up and followed me.  None of us talked.  I mean, he probably isn't because it's barely dawn.  Me?  Well, what can I say?  Hey, Thomas.  You might not remember me or anything, but thank you for saving my life - multiple times.  No.

I led him towards the wall.  "What exactly are we doing here?"  Thomas asked.

"Well, Thomas, I did say I was going to give you the Tour.  Which will happen after..."  I trailed off, taking the small knife our of my pocket.

Thomas eyes bulged out as he held his hands up, "Woah, woah, woah.  I didn't think I was going to be killed."

I gave him a confused look before looking at the knife in my hand.  I chuckled in realization as I flipped the knife so the grip side could face him, "That's not what this is for."  He kept gazing back at the knife then at me.  "Come on, I'm not a killer.  I actually like you."

He grabbed the knife, "What's this for?"

I smiled as I gestured to the wall, "Tradition in the Glade.  The moment you remember your name, you carve it."

He kept glancing at the wall, "What are the names crossed out?"

I followed his point of view and swallowed the lump in my throat.  Liam.  I crossed my arms, "Gladers...that didn't make it."

All I could hear is an 'oh' from him.  He was looking for a place before taking the spot below mine and next to Chuck's.

"The day I came out of the Box, why were you staring at me?"  Thomas asked as he began carving.

Shuck, make something up.

"Everyone was staring at you."  I replied.

"No, I mean, you were staring at me like...you know me."

I shrugged my shoulders, "And how would that be possible?  I just met you yesterday.  You know, yesterday, when everyone is staring at the newest Greenie in this shuck Glade."

"I haven't seen any other girls in the Glade."

"That's because I'm the only one."

He made a sharp turn, "Doesn't that scare you?  You're the only girl out of, what, twenty guys?"

I laughed as I pat him on the shoulder, "Trust me, Tom Tom, I can take care of myself."

"What was it like?  Your first day here."

"What's with the twenty questions?"

"I just - just wanted to get to know you better."

I sighed as I took the knife from him and gestured him to follow, "The moment the Gladers looked at me, some of them were already calling dibs."  I chuckled at the look on Thomas' face.  "I know.  Some even tried to flirt with me until the bonfire.  And like you, Gally challenged me."

"He actually hit you?"  Thomas asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah, but got him back.  He couldn't beat me until the second time."

"Second time?  You mean, you actually beat that shank?"

"That I did.  It was weird, I didn't know how to fight.  But, somewhere inside me knew what I needed to do."