𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒, maze runner

[11] Drawing Attention

"I wanna know what's through that door." Thomas thinks out loud.

"Now, we've been over this. You said they were covered up, so you don't know what you saw. It could've been anything under there." Newt opposes.

The pit in Newt's stomach was already growing when Emerson got taken away. It only grew larger when he learned about the new information.

"I have a bad feeling about this place, too. I'm on Tommy's side." Emerson says.

"Newt, your younger sister, is agreeing with me. I know exactly what I saw." Thomas defends. "They were bodies. Aris and Becca said they bring in a new batch every night."

"Who the hell is Aris and Becca?" Minho questions, unaware of their presence a few tables down.

He gestures with his head over to the pair.

"Well, I'm sold." Minho deadpans.

"-And last but not least, David. Thank you for your attention. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Janson says, after he finishes his announcements for the night.

"Okay, until we know anything for certain, we should just keep our heads down... and try not to draw any attention to ourselves, all right?" Newt cautions, remembering

"What is he doing?" Newt asks, even though he knew perfectly well what Thomas was about to do.

"I think he's drawing attention to himself." Emerson deadpans.

The Gladers watch the scene unravel.

"Hang on. You weren't called." The guard realizes, holding Thomas back from the doorway.

"I know, I'm just gonna be a second." He responds.

"This is a restricted area, kid."

"I just wanna see my friend. Can you let me through?"

"Get your ass back in that chair. Just remember, you are always being monitored. Breaking the rules-" Thomas attempts to push back the guards.

"What's your problem, man? What the hell, huh?" Thomas lunges forwards again. Just when they thought the rumble was over, he tries once more.

They group ran from their seats, trying to pry Thomas away from the exit.

"Back off!"

"Why won't you let me see her?"

"Control your friend!" The guard yells.

"What's happening here?" Janson asks the crowd. "Thomas? I thought we could trust each other. You know we're all on the same team here."

"Are we?" He questions.

"Get them to their bunks."

"Get your asses in there! All of you!"

The guard escortes them out of the cafeteria.

"What the hell was that about?" Minho immediately questions Thomas as soon as the door was shut.

"You didn't really think they were just gonna let you through?" Newt asks, angered.

"Nah, of course I didn't." He pulls out a security badge out which he must've grabbed in the commotion scene in the cafeteria. "I'm gonna find out what's on the other side of that door."

"Right." Newt rolls his eyes shaking his head.

"Newt, they're hiding something. Okay? These people are not who they say they are."

"No, Thomas, you don't know that! The only thing that we do know is that they helped rescue us from WICKED. They gave us new clothes. They gave us food. They gave us a proper bed. Some of us haven't had that in a long time."

"Yeah, but..."

"Some of us a lot longer than others."

Thomas lowered the volume in his voice. "Why hasn't Emmy come back yet, huh? How come they were so eager to take her away?"

Newt glares daggers at Thomas. His jaw clenched. "Don't bring my sister into this."

"Hey, Thomas." Aris greets, startling the group.

"What the..." Minho mumbles.

"You got it, didn't you?"

Thomas holds up the badge.

"Yeah. Let's go."

Aris slides back into the vents. Thomas turns to the group before he joined him.

"All right, look, maybe you guys are right. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But I got to find out for sure. Just cover for me. I'll be back as soon as I can."

~~~

"What the hell?"

"You sure this can't wait?"

"She was very specific, sir. She wanted to speak with you personally."

"As if I don't have enough to deal with."

The man taps a few times on his tablet.

"Just bear with me. I'm getting some interference from the storm."

"Come on. It's good enough. Make the connection." Janson orders.

"Good evening, Doctor Paige." He greets. "Lovely to see you again. Although I admit...I wasn't expecting to hear from you quite so soon."

"Change of plans, Janson. I'll be arriving a little sooner than expected. First thing tomorrow."

"We'll be delighted to have you. I think you'll be pleased with the progress we've made. As you can see, early results have been extremely promising."

"Whatever it is you've been doing to them in there, it's working."

"Not well enough. I just received board approval. I want all the remaining subjects sedated and prepped for harvest by the time I arrive."

"Doctor Paige, we are going as fast as we can. We are still running tests-"

"Try something faster. Until I can guarantee their security, this is the best plan."

"Ma'am, security is my job. We're on 24 hour lockdown here. I am assuring you...the assets are secure."

"Have you found the Right Arm?"

"Not yet." Janson admits. "We tracked them as far as the mountains."

"So they're still out there. And they've already hit two of our installations. They want these kids as badly as we do. And I cannot...I cannot afford another loss. Not now, when I am so close to a cure. If you are not up to the task, I will find someone who is."

"That won't be necessary. Might I suggest we start with the most recent arrivals."

"Just get it done, Janson. I don't want them to feel any pain."

"They won't feel a thing."