LIMERENCE ﹐ the maze runner.

39

Clara did not leave Thomas's side once. Newt decided that it was best to keep Thomas in the Slammer at nights to keep him safe from the Grievers, and kept him in the Med-House during the days.

On the third day of Thomas's unconsciousness, Clara was particularly tired. She hadn't slept much since Thomas had been stung, and when sleep did come - it came in restless fits.

"Clara, you still in here?"Archie asked her as he came to check up on how Thomas was doing.

"Yeah,"Clara replied, rubbing her eyes.

"God, when last have you actually gotten some sleep?"Archie asked, but he already knew the answer - Clara had not gotten any sleep for three days straight. "Clara, you really should get some sleep - we don't know when Thomas is going to wake up again, and you can't stay awake the whole time."

"You're probably right -"

"Probably?"Archie mimicked Clara. "I am right. Now, get some sleep, shuckface."

Clara laughed slightly. "Now you're just acting like Newt."

Archie rolled his eyes, and walked out of the room. Clara figured that Archie was right, and so she slipped off the old shoes she was wearing, and lay down on the huge bed next to Thomas. "Please wake up soon, Tom. I don't know how much longer I can take this for."

When Thomas lay completely still, giving no sign of even the slightest of replies, Clara closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

It wasn't even 15 minutes before she woke up again. But this time, it was because she heard Thomas speak - actually speak.

"Clara?"he coughed out the words. Clara groggily sat up, but when she realized Thomas was awake, she moved closer to him and put her hand on his forehead, checking his temperature. "Thomas, oh my God!"she smiled, and asked him,"Are you okay? How are you feeling? Do you need anything? What can I get you?"

"It- it hurts,"Thomas managed to mutter. Everything was coming crashing into his mind from the Changing - the Glade, the Grievers, the stinging needle, the Changing, memories. The Maze couldn't be solved, he knew now. Their only way out was something they'd never expected. Something terrifying. He suddenly felt crushed with despair.

"It's okay, it won't hurt for long,"Clara tried to reassure him, running her fingers through his dark hair. "Guys, he's awake!"Clara turned to face the door, shouting for the other Gladers to get over there.

Thomas managed to laugh slightly. "Do you have to shout?"

"Oh my God, I'm so so sorry,"Clara apologized, then added,"I'm just happy you're awake, I was so worried-"

"You look really tired,"Thomas interrupted her. "Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm find, but it doesn't matter. You were out for three days. We put you in the Slammer at night to keep you safe, and brought you back here in the days. You looked dead, Thomas."

"Yeah, well, I'm not,"Thomas said. "Did the Grievers come again?"

Clara sighed. "Uh, yeah, they did. I, um, they got Zart, and a few others. One a night, as usual. Minho and the other Runners were busy running the Maze, but Minho told me I could stay with you instead. I guess he should see I was a little worried."

Thomas didn't doubt that. He could see the heavy bags under Clara's eyes, and her nails had been chewed down to stubs. "I'm sorry if I made you worried, but we need to go get Newt and Alby. Tell them we need to have a Gathering. ASAP."

"Um, okay. I'll be right back. I'll call Archie to come check up on you, too."

"Thanks, Clara,"Thomas tried his best to smile.