The Maze Within {Book 1}

Chapter 36

I followed Newt, Minho and Thomas through the Homestead and into the med-Jack's room.

As we passed one of the other bed I looked over to see Alby tied down to his bed, sweating and panting as he went through the Changing.

"Jeff, what's going on? Come on, what's the matter with her? Why won't she wake up?" Newt asked as they walked into the room where Teresa was being held.

I followed their lead and walked into the room and stood next to Thomas. "Hey man, I got my job the same way you did."

I looked over at Thomas and saw his staring at Tersa as if she were about to disappear.

"Do you recognize her?" Newt asked from behind us.

Thomas shook his head. "No."

"Really? Because she seemed to recognize you," Newt crossed his arms.

Was he accusing Thomas?

"What about the note?" Thomas asked.

"We'll worry about the note later," Newt replied, looking down at Teresa.

Thomas turned towards my brother. "I think you should worry about it now."

"We've got enough to deal with at the moment," Newt argued back.

"He's right Newt. The Box isn't coming back up. How long do you think we can last?" Jeff spoke up.

"No one said that," My brother replied.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions. We'll just wait until she wakes up and see what she knows. Somebody's gotta have some answers around here," He explained.

I turned my head towards Thomas and could tell by the look in his eye, he was thinking the same thing I was. I nodded at him. We had to go back into the Maze.

"Okay," I heard him mumble before the two of us started making our way out of the Homestead.

"Where are you going?" Newt asked us.

"Back into the Maze," We responded in unison.

I followed Thomas out of the Homestead and turned to face him.

"Hey!" A voice called out to us.

"Hey, Thomas, Liz," Minho appeared in front of us, stopping us in our path.

"What is it with you huh? A death wish?" He asked.

"You just got back out and now you want back in?" He looked at Thomas.

He then turned to me. "And Liz, you've been inside the Maze twice and almost lost your life both times. Are you trying to give Newt a heart attack?"

"Newt said that no one has ever seen a Griever and lived to tell about it right?" Thomas asked.

"Minho now we have one. You're telling me you're not even a little bit curious?" He continued.

Minho shook his head. "Not really no."

"Well, we are," I told him before starting to make my way towards the Doors again, only to be stopped.

"So, what's the plan? You're going to go out and dissect that thing all by yourself?" He asked us.

Thomas sighed. "We will if we have to."

"Have the other Runners left yet?" He added.

I watched as Minho turned to a group of boys standing in the middle of the Glade. "The other Runners quit this morning."

I then saw Gally amongst them. "After Alby got stung they're not in a hurry to get back out there."

"Why are you?" He turned to us.

"I think it's time that we know what we are really up against," Thomas answered.

Minho paused to think before finally responding. "Fine, but you're not going out there alone. Meet me in the woods in half an hour."

Both Thomas and I nodded before Thomas wandered away. I started to follow him, but Minho grabbed my arm.

"Just so we are clear. This was never my idea. Newt would feed me to the Grievers if he found out I let you go out there again," He told me.

I nodded. "Relax, I'll deal with Newt."

He nodded before realising my arm and walking away.

We were so close to finding answers. There was no way I was backing out now.

Word count: 666

Edited: 23/6/2017