The Boat On The Beach

Chapter Twenty-seven: Maze Immunes

"Come out with your hands up!" A man at the front ordered. He had short dirty blond hair, shaven close to his head. He had a long scar going down one cheek, stopping at his green eyes. He was probably a few years older than the gladers, but the scars and weary marks on his skin made him look older. The way he stood showed them he was the leader of the large group before them. 

The gladers turned to look at Thomas, who chewed on his lip in thought. However, his curiosity got the better of him and he opened the trunk.

"You guys stay here. There's any trouble, you drive. Got it? Don't wait for me if things go south." He knew his friends would never leave him behind, but he hoped they'd at least consider it. He jumped out of the car, followed by Newt. He raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Where do you think your going?" Newt just rolled his eyes at him.

"Don't be a twat about it." he smirked softly at Thomas, who just rolled his eyes back at him and went round to the side of the car, followed by the blond. He knew Newt would always come with him to do something like this, and there was no deterring him. As the two came round the front of the car, they put their hands up.

"Who are you?" The man asked. Thomas decided to try to be as vague as he could.

"Just a small group, we're just passing. Heading back to the shore, we don't want any trouble."

"What are you doing inland?" The man demanded.

"Looking for supplies." Thomas answered. The man frowned.

"How have you survived?" Thomas blinked at the odd question.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you immunes?" The man asked bluntly. The whole group seemed to be staring into the two boys souls. He glanced at Newt, who furrowed his brow.

"Yeah." Thomas answered back, deciding it would be easier to be honest. 

"Are you the maze immunes?" A small kid, about Chuck's age asked from the middle of the group.

"Are we what?" Newt asked.

"The maze immunes." He repeated.

"Could someone explain?" Newt asked sharply. The leader chewed on his lip, before deciding to tell them.

"We're immunes. Had a small camp way out past the mountains. We formed a group when WCKD was looking for immunes. We managed to escape, and live in the scorch. We had a few friends in the Right Arm, and they used to talk about the immunes from WCKD. All the amazing things they did. All the stories took off in our group, and they became like celebrities. Then one day, any word of the maze immunes and the Right Arm disappear. Never found out where they went." 

"Are you them?" The boy piped up again. Thomas glanced at his friend before nodding. The large group burst into murmurs and excited whispers.

"Well, I must say, I have a lot of respect for ya'll" the man spoke with a slight southern drawl as he nodded at the two boys. "What are you doing here? Where did you go?"

Thomas opened his mouth but Newt kicked him. "Thomas don't be stupid. Don't tell them. They could be lying for all we know." He whispered.

"As long as were vague, it can't be that bad, right?" He whispered back. Newt just sighed and nodded in defeat. "We found a safe place with the Right Arm, went there after WCKD was defeated. We've been there for about a  year. We came back here looking for supplies. But then a lot went down and we ended up here, with no supplies. We're just trying to get back to where we came from at this point." The man nodded back at him. He was vaguely aware that his friends were stood behind him, having got out of the car to listen to the conversation.

"We've been looking for a safe place ever since the outbreak." The man said. "What if we made a deal? You take us to your safe place in return for supplies?" He sounded genuinely exasperated and hopeful. Thomas glanced at Newt. The boy gave him a 'if you tell me you're even considering that I will throttle you' look.

"Well, we don't know you." Thomas said carefully. Newt seemed satisfied with his reply.

"Oh of course. Here, our camp isn't that far. Come back with us tonight, let us make you comfortable,it's the least we can do. Morale's been running low lately, but if you guys were there, everyone would be so excited." The man stepped towards them. Thomas turned to his friends. They shrugged back at him. Thomas knew that they were aware of how shit of an idea it really was, but all of Thomas's ideas were idiotic and they knew they always ended up ok at the end of the day. 

"Ok" Thomas shrugged.

"Great! Well, follow us, and we'll see if we can get you some food and a good night sleep." The man held his hand out, which Thomas took and shook.

"Thomas."

"Jack." Another man appeared behind Jack. He had mousey tousled hair, a strong build and a mature face. He was scarless, and physically perfect. Thomas blinked at him. "Thomas, this is my second, Louis." Thomas nodded at Louis and pulled a stony faced blond next to him.

"My second, Newt." Newt shook their hands hesitantly, before glaring at Thomas and storming off. "Who seems to be pissed off at me." Thomas sighed. Jack laughed softly.

"Hopefully he'll look a little happier after a good meal." He headed back towards his troop of cars, followed by Louis. Thomas caught Newts hans before he got back into the four by four.

"Newt whats wrong?" The blond glowered at him.

"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that you didn't consult any of us before lending us over to some strangers we've never met." He snapped snakily.

"Newt you worry too much, it always ends up alright doesn't it?"Thomas sighed.

"Everyones luck runs out eventually Tommy." he grumbled and pulled his wrist out of Thomas's grip, "Mine did. Even yours will."