Born Again

Chapter fourteen

Thomas was hiding. Hiding from the Grievers. He was there with all of his friends. They were all scared.

That's when the roof collapsed, allowing the monsters to take some of his friends. Chuck was one of them.

But no.

Thomas grabbed hold of his young friend as more people helped. They pulled and pulled but it was no use. They couldn't get him free.

That's when Alby came in, whacking away at the claw until he got Chuck feee.

They had a few seconds to relish their victory when another claw broke through the roof, grabbing Alby. He was barely able to stop himself from being taken immediately.

Thomas ran forward, jumping as he tried to reach him but it was no use.

Alby looked at Thomas, speaking his final words.

"Get them out."

~~~

Thomas woke to somebody shaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes to see Minho hovering over him.

   "You didn't text me," he said.

   Thomas pulled the blanket over his head. He didn't want to talk to anybody right then. Not after his dream. "Sorry," he muttered groggily.

   Minho grunted, pulling the blanket back down. "It's fine. Just get up."

"But it's the weekend," Thomas whined. "Also, why do you keep coming into my house?"

He smirked. "Because your mom likes me. Anyway, we're going over to Alby's"

Thomas sat up, yawning as he stretched. "For what?"

"You'll see," his friend responded through a yawn. Then he cut it off quickly. "Don't do that! I'm not tired."

Thomas made a point of yawning exaggeratedly, making Minho yawn again.

"I hate you," He said through the yawn.

Thomas snickered. "You love me."

Minho gave him a shove too hard to be friendly. "Slim it, shuckface. Now, hurry up and change so we can go."

Thomas rolled his eyes, a small grin playing on his lips. "Yeah yeah sure. Whatever you say."

~~~

They left his house a few minutes later, walking towards Alby's house, a few blocks away.

"So," Thomas started, trying to grasp a conversational start. "You won the race yesterday."

Minho beamed. "Yup," he tried to speak nonchalantly but Thomas could sense the pride in his voice.

"And you didn't forget anything."

"Yup."

"And you didn't trip."

"Yup," Minho snorted. "Why are you mentioning this?"

"Just trying to come up with a conversation."

Minho laughed. "Homeschoolers suck."

Thomas was taken aback. "Take that back! Homeschooling is amazing."

"I didn't say homeschooling sucked," Minho corrected. "I just said homeschoolers do, with all that awkward and antisocial-ness."

"Not all are like that."

"Oh." Minho grinned in his direction. "Then I guess it's just you that sucks."

Thomas tried to hit him but he sprinted out of reach. Thomas didn't even try to catch him.

"Come here and let me whack you," He said instead.

Minho ran back, though not close enough to get hit, just enough to poke Thomas on the shoulder. "You're it." He sprinted out of reach again.

Thomas rolled his eyes.

Minho frowned sarcastically. "What? Are homeschoolers too 'cool'." He made air quotations. "To play tag?"

Thomas answered by leaning forward and punching him in the chest. "You're it," he teased before sprinting ahead.

Minho laughed. "You aren't seriously trying to outrun me, are you?"

Thomas glanced back at the rapidly approaching Minho with a grin. "Maybe."

Minho caught him within seconds, poking him hard in the ribs before passing him again, dashing across the street.

He looked back, laughing. That's when everything slowed down and Thomas realized what was about to happen.

He saw Minho, not paying attention as he crossed the road. He saw a speeding car only seconds away from passing. It was going to hit Minho.

"Minho!" Thomas screamed, sprinting forward as fast as his legs could carry him.

He reached his friend, shoving him to the side right before the car passed. They both fell to the ground.

Minho's eyes widen when he realized what had happened. "Thomas, you—I almost—because of . . ." He stuttered, shaking his head.

Thomas helped him to his feet. "Are you okay?"

Minho looked down at his hands, which were badly scraped from the fall, then back up. He smiled so wide Thomas thought his face might split.

"Dude, that was incredible," Minho exclaimed.

"What?" Thomas asked, confused. "Saving your life?"

"No, not that," he answered. "I mean, yes, but no."

Thomas was very confused. "What?"

"You were incredible!" He said again. "Do you know how fast you ran to save me?"

"I don't know," he answered, sitting on the curb. "Fast enough?"

"Faster," Minho laughed. "Where have you been all this time? You should've been on the track team yesterday."

"Me?" Thomas asked, dubious. "You want me on the team? But I'm not experienced or—"

Minho whacked his head, cutting him off. "You're fast. That's all that matters. And I'm making you a Runner."