The Maze Within {Book 1}

Chapter 24

I watched in horror as the 2 boys threw Thomas to the floor and everybody started making jokes and snide comments about him.

"Look at him."

"Let's hope he's more useful than the last one."

"I could use some help in the Kitchen."

All the boys started laughing at what was being said while I just stood there feeling sorry for the poor guy. Even Newt was smirking at some of the comments.

Thomas suddenly got to his feet, clearly overwhelmed by all the attention and pushed past the boys before bolting across the Glade.

The boys started cheering and screaming as he left.

"We got a Runner!" Zart suddenly cheered.

I went to scoff, but it quickly turned into a gasp when Thomas tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground in a heap.

The Glade erupted into laughter as the boy laid flat on the ground. I looked over at my brother and saw him laughing with the rest of the Glade.

What the hell has gotten into him?

I looked back over at Thomas and saw him stumbling to his feet before having a look around as the others started to clap and cheer again.

"Someone throw him in the Slammer until Alby gets here."

Before I could protest, 2 boys rushed forward at lightning speed and grabbed Thomas, dragging him off somewhere.

I felt anger start getting the better of me. I stormed away from the group and towards the forest where I was earlier.

I can't believe the boys just treated Thomas like he was a doll or one of the crates from the Box, just tossing him around like that.

When I got to the forest I climbed the nearest tree, bending and stretching my way through the branches. I ignored the jarring pain coming from my stomach and just continued to make my way up the tree.

I got near the top and sat down on the sturdiest branch I could find.

From where I was I could see the entire Glade going about their daily business as if nothing ever happened.

My eyes scanned over the field until they came to the so called 'Slammer' where I saw Thomas trying to get a better look at his new home from inside his 'Cell.'

I could see my brother over in the Gardens talking to Zart about something. I felt my chest tighten with anger when I remembered him laughing at Thomas as he fell.

Why was he acting so much like Gally and the rest of the boys in the Glade all of a sudden?

I sighed to myself, trying to shake it off before looking up at the sun and saw it beginning to set. Minho and the rest of the Runners would be back at any minute.

I decided it would be best to clear my head a bit and go spend some time with someone who would make me laugh.

I then saw Alby kneel down in front of Thomas' cell and exchange a few words with him. Probably trying to get him to remember something.

I began to climb down from my place in the tree as Alby pulled Thomas out of the Slammer and started giving him the tour.

I walked across the Glade, saying 'Hi' to a few of the boys here and there until I came to Alby.

"Hey Alby," I called out as I got to them.

"Hey, Greenbean, this is Elizabeth. She is the only girl in the Glade," Alby introduced me and I shook Thomas' hand.