What If | tmr, newt ✓

Chapter 25

The day after Thomas arrived, our world started to go up in flames. We didn't know it yet, but a series of disasters would eventually lead to an unforeseeable end.

There was still the matter of Ben. Nearly all day I had been in charge of monitoring him, and his ghostly complexion, bulging veins, and occasional screaming didn't aid my worry for my friend. I shuddered to think what I had looked like during the Changing.

We were visited by Alby and Newt a few times during the day, and I took shifts with the other Med-jacks over lunch to take time out. I still didn't understand how Ben had managed to get himself stung, but certainly didn't blame him for it; I just wanted him to recover.

It's mid-afternoon when I am knocked back to my senses by the piercing, relentless sound of an alarm. But not just any: that was the Greenie alarm.

I nearly trip over, overcome with shock. What? This made no sense. Perhaps it would if it had been a month since the newest arrival... but Thomas arrived yesterday. I pull open the door with considerable force and speed, startling the two Med-jacks who had hurried over to Ben's room.

"I thought that alarm only sounded once a month for the Greenies?"

Clint and Jeff frown, glancing at each other. "It does," Jeff says, scratching the back of his head.

"I'll go," I say, nervous yet eager to discover the source of - and reasoning for - the ringing. They both shrug, not stopping me as I race downstairs and fling open the door to the Homestead, not slowing to bother closing it behind me. I run towards the middle of the Glade, noticing a few boys starting to gather around the Box. After all, that would make sense; if it really was a Greenie alarm, the arrival would be through that horrible lift.

I work my way around the outside of the group, pushing through to find Newt and making him jump as I grab him by the hand. Unsurprisingly, Thomas is by his side, looking utterly bewildered. He wasn't alone in feeling that.

"What's happening?" I say, breathless.

"I only bloody know as much as you do, darling," Newt says, more of a crowd gathering around us.

"If it really is a newbie alarm, won't we have to wait half an hour?"

He frowns, rubbing the side of his face with his free hand. "Probably. But something tells me this isn't going to be a normal Greenie alarm."

And he'd have been completely right. Thirty minutes later, we hear the Box cranking to a stop. Every Glader who sat down simultaneously stands up, expectant and waiting for the roof to open. It doesn't fail. As soon as the two panels have fully drawn apart, Newt climbs down along with Alby. He takes one look down... and his eyes shoot back up. He stares right at me, concern covering his expression like a mask, then at Alby, then back at me before looking around and answering the questions of everyone else.

"Tell us what's down there, Alby," Gally demands.

"What'd'ya see?"

"Newt, what is it?"

He looked down one more time before answering. "It's a girl."

There was a sea of questions as I wavered on my feet. I quickly held on to Thomas' arm to steady myself, desperate to lean forwards and see.

Newt managed to quieten the Gladers before speaking again. "That's not the bloody half of it. I think she's dead."

As if saying that triggered her to wake up, the girl instantly shot up from where she was lying, into a sitting position, eyes flying open and scaring the two gladers into stepping back. She spoke one sentence, her voice clear but hollow, almost haunting.

"Everything is going to change."

And then I watch in horror as she collapses back to the metal floor of the Box, clenching her fist tighter until her knuckles turn ghostly white - the same colour as her complexion - gripping on to the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. But she was awake long enough for me to see her properly, dark hair splayed over her back and blue eyes bright, contrasting her porcelain skin.

Overcome with a wave of nausea, I only just push my way to the back of the group of Gladers before I throw up, not needing to worry about anyone watching since they were all focused on the girl.

Because if I was right, that girl was the one from my memories.

If I was right, that girl was Teresa. And she was my sister.

***

Hours later, after downing copious cups of water to try and make myself feel better, I find myself standing on one side of the girl's bed. I cross my arms and continue to look down at her, not wanting to make eye contact with Alby, Newt or the two Med-jacks across the room. Her chest rises and falls evenly in her comatose state, the last rays of sunlight painting her face with a golden hue.

"You're certain she's the same one?" Alby says, and I look up at the four of them. Alby stares straight at me, disbelief written plainly on his face, and Newt mirrors my actions, surveying the girl with folded arms and a frown on his face.

I nod slowly. "I'm pretty sure. She's not exactly hard to recognise," I say, avoiding mentioning how we could be related.

The girl's mouth opens a fraction, taking a breath and muttering, "Thomas."

Alby groans. "The only thing she's doing is saying a load of klunk and that shank's name. I'm gonna go find him," he says, storming past me and out of the door, leaving the rest of us in an uncomfortable silence.

I glance up and my eyes lock with Newt's for a second before flitting back down to the girl on the bed. Teresa. Was it really her? There was no mistaking she looked identical to the girl from my memories, both in the initial ones in my dreams and then from the Changing.

"Let's go check on Ben," Clint says, leaving with Jeff to the neighbouring room.

I sit gently on the edge of the bed next to the girl's limp, peaceful body.

"Cassia," she mumbles after a few moments. Confused, I look up at Newt, but he's none the wiser, confusion and worry clouding his face.

At once we hear two sets of footsteps charging to the door. "Adalyn! Newt!" Jeff shouts, bursting into the room. "It's Ben. He's not in his room!"

"Have you checked the rest of the homestead? Maybe he woke up," I say, panic rising in my chest.

"I checked," Clint says, breathless, coming in behind his friend. "Not here. He's woken up, if one thing's for certain."

I rush to my feet, shoving past the two Med-jacks with Newt right on my heels. A quick glance in the rooms along that corridor as well as the ones downstairs confirms Ben's absence. I swear under my breath, rushing out of the front door. I need to find Alby. Maybe he knows where the Runner is, and even if he didn't, he would want to find him. I can only pray that Ben woke up, forgetting his situation, and was now somewhere safe in the Glade.

We were just half-way to the centre of the Glade when we heard the scream, like something emerging from the depths of a nightmare.