The Cost of the Cure

Chapter 80

You wrack your brain, trying to think of where Thomas might be. Judging by the time, he might be done running. The only place you know he likes is in the Deadheads by the West Wall.

You sense someone behind you, running to catch up to you. Looking over your shoulder, you see Newt limping in a hobbled run after you with several Gladers behind him. It must hurt worse than usual. You slow, allowing him to catch up and walk beside you.

"You know where she is?" he asks.

"I think so," you say. "If she was anywhere near where others could see her, we'd know about it. And my best bet is that she's with Thomas. That narrows it down to just a few places."

Minutes later, you burst through the woods and into the small clearing along the West Wall. Two figures sit talking: Thomas and Teresa. At least, that's what Newt had said her name was.

"How in the..." Newt starts as he sees them. He looks at the girl. "How'd you get here? Med-Jacks said you were there one second and buggin' gone the next."

Teresa stands, a smirk on her face. "Guess he forgot to tell the little part about me kicking him in the groin and climbing out the window."

You stifle a laugh, cupping a hand over your mouth. It doesn't surprise you, though. You knew something had been up back there.

Alby steps up, pointing at Thomas' chest. I'm sick of this. I wanna know who you are, who this shank girl is, and how you guys know each other."

Thomas shrinks back. "Alby, I swear--"

"She came straight to you after waking up, shuck face!"

You're eyes widen, but you keep your mouth shut. You're not about to tel him about Thomas hearing her in his head. They were connected, but if anything, Thomas had seemed terrified of it.

"So what? I know her, she knows me-- or at least, she used to," Thomas says, taking a step towards Alby and glaring up at him. "That doesn't mean anything! I can't remember anything. Neither can she."

Alby pushes away Thomas to look directly at Teresa. "What did you do?"

You glance between the two of them. What does he even mean?

"What did you do!" Alby screams. "First the sky, now this."

"I triggered something," she says, staring him in the eye. "Not on purpose, I swear. The Ending. I don't know what it means."

"What's wrong, Newt?" Thomas asks, turning to him. "What happened?"

Alby grabs Thomas by the shirt, yanking him forwards until he's only inches from Alby's face. "What happened? I'll tell you what happened, shank. Too busy makin' lovey eyes to bother lookin' around? To bother noticing what freakin' time it is!"

Thomas looks at his watch even as the awful truth hits you, too. You'd been too busy. It can't be...

"The walls, you shuck. the Doors. They didn't close tonight."