The Glader

The Bloody Point

"Somehow they wiped our memories," Tommy said, "Not just our childhood. but all the stuff leading up to entering the Maze. They put us in the Box and sent us up here- a big group to start and then one a month over the last two years."

All the deaths, all the pain... what could it possibly be for? I had seen my friends die. I wanted to know why. What lunatic could possibly think that it was a good idea to put a group of teenagers in a Maze?

"But why? What's the bloody point?"

Thomas held up his hand. "I'm getting there."

My impatience threatening to spill over, I shifted on my seat and pressed my lips together. Couldn't Tommy talk faster? 

"Like I said, they wanted to test us, see how we'd react to what they call the Variables, and to a problem that has no solution. See if we could work together- build a community, even. Everything was provided for us, and the problem was laid out as one of the most common puzzles known to civilization- a maze. All this added up to making us think there had to be a solution, just encouraging us to work all the harder while at the same time magnifying our discouragement at not finding one. What I'm saying is," Tommy said, "there is no solution."

My heart felt like it shattered, right then and there. I would be stuck in the Maze forever now. I tried to swallow, but the lump in my throat hurt too much.

The other Gladers all started talking at once, asking questions, crying, swearing.

Tommy shushed them all, then said, "See? Your reaction proves my point. Most people would've given up by now. But I think we're different. We couldn't accept that a problem can't be solved- especially when it's something as simple as a Maze. And we kept fighting no matter how hopeless it's gotten."

I crossed my arms and turned slightly away. Maybe they hadn't given up, but I knew the truth. I was okay to encourage, to protect, to lead the other gladers, but I had lost hope.

Maybe that's what made me different from them.

I could keep people together, but I could feel myself falling apart.

And I couldn't do a shuck thing to prevent it.

Thomas called out again. "Whatever the reason, it makes me sick! All of this- the Grievers, the walls moving, the Cliff- they're just elements of a stupid test. We're being used and manipulated. The Creators wanted to keep our minds working toward a solution that was never there. Same thing goes for Teresa being sent her, her being used to trigger the Ending- whatever that means- the place being shut down, grey skies, on and on and on. They're throwing crazy things at us to see our response, test our will. See if we'll turn on each other. In the end, they want the survivors for something important."

Frypan stood up. "And killing people? That's a nice little part of their plan?"

I hated the Creators even more. It was their fault Nick was gone, Stephan, Dave, Adam, Zart, the list went on and on.

"Yes, Frypan, killing people," Tommy said quietly, "The only reason the Grievers are doing it one by one is so we don't all die before it ends the way it's supposed to. Survival of the fittest. Only the best of us will escape."

Frypan kicked at his chair, and yelled, "Well, you better start talking about this magical escape, then!"

Thomas's eyes went wide, and he drew back.

"He will," I said, feeling my voice breaking with painful emotions, "Shut up and listen."

Then Minho spoke, leaning forwards with his chin on his hands. "Something tells me I'm not gonna like what I'm about to hear."

"Probably not," Thomas agreed, "The Creators what the best of us for whatever it is they have planned. But we have to earn it. The code."

"The code?" Frypan called out again, apparently taking Gally's place as the one fond of speaking out of turn, "What about it?"

Tommy's face was pale, and he waited a second before speaking, his eyes closing for a second. 

I suddenly dreaded what I was about to hear.

"It was hidden in the wall movements of the Maze for a reason," he said slowly, his voice soft, "I should know," he swallowed, then said, "I was there when the Creators did it."