The Cost of the Cure

Chapter 23

Your eyes snap open as someone shakes your shoulder. You bolt up, your heart pounding. Your forehead knocks into something.

"Shuck Greenie, time to get up," Minho whispers, rubbing his nose. "And next time, try not to mess up my handsome face."

Your crack an apologetic smile before a yawn takes over. Why do you have to get up so early? It's still dark. The only other time you had ever had to get up before the crack of dawn was when you were trying out for the Cooks and had to scramble to make breakfast. Groaning, you force yourself to your feet.

"Why so early?" you ask, your voice rough and slurred from sleep as you follow him across the Glade. You rub the sleep from your eyes, hoping to get rid of the gummy film over them.

"Have to get you suited up, pack our lunches, and get back before the doors close," Minho answers.

Before long, you find yourself in the weapons room, trying to pick between different Runner harnesses. You try one on that looks similar to Newt's and insert a long dagger into the back sheath.

"What do you think?" you ask, turning to Minho.

"Great," he says, raising a single eyebrow as he looks you over. "If you get a man bag, you can twin with Newt."

Heat flushes your cheeks as you look down at your clothes, realizing for the first time they are almost exactly like Newt's, except altered for a girl. A loose white tunic lays atop the brown tank top clinging to your skin and below are slightly ripped brown jeans.

"Good point," you say, turning back to the bin of harnesses. You finally settle on two that fit similarly to the one yourtried before and strap one over each shoulder, creating an 'x' on your front and back where they cross. You sheath two long twin daggers on your back, one in each strap.

"How 'bout this?" you ask.

He turns and his eyes widen as they land on you. "Shuck Greenie. You look like you could kill a Griever."