Trenda

Chapter 1 - New Life

Thomas and Brenda sat at the top of the cliff. The sun had gone down over the water and the moon was rising behind them. Brenda was still in a close embrace with Thomas, they were snuggling together, trying to keep away the oncoming cold, with their legs dangling off the edge. They felt complete in their silence and just glad to be alone in each others company. Thomas remembered that the last time they'd been like this was in the Scorch, huddled in the car. He then started to wonder how much of what Brenda had told him was true. As if she was reading his mind she started talking"You know, I've said this a million times, but back in the Scorch I was told to be your friend, be close with you," she paused for a second, as if waiting for Thomas to interrupt her but he didn't so she carried on, "well I never thought I'd actually like you. At first I was acting, but then in the Underneath, I dunno I just kinda wanted you. It was like I'd just woken up and realized that you were real and I dunno it's hard to explain." Thomas understood though. He knew exactly how it felt, ever since he'd first seen her after talking to Jorge he felt an undeniable longing to just be with her, he'd tried to stop it at first but it was hard to contain his feelings for her. He realized that he'd met her only a month ago and he felt closer to her then he had been to Teresa for his whole life.Teresa, she'd died only today, it felt like a year ago.

Brenda placed her hand on his and a cold tingle shot up his arm. He realized that he should feel guilty being so close to her but he didn't feel anything just an urge to be closer. Brenda had noticed that Thomas had been silent for a long time and looked at him. He also looked at her, into her beautiful eyes which were so close to him and sparkling in the moonlight. "What are you thinking about?" she questioned, rapping her arms slowly around his neck. Thomas felt that strange tingle again and now whilst looking deeply into her eyes he noticed just how beautiful she was. I was thinking about you he thought, and was just about to say it until suddenly Brenda's soft lips were touching his and they were kissing. His heart felt like it had exploded with passion, he reached for the back and sides of her head to pull her closer, feel her more. "Thomas!" Minho shouted from the beach below. But Thomas didn't hear him,  he was to distracted by Brenda. Her smell, her taste, her everything. "Thomas you slint-head!" Minho shouted again. This time Thomas pulled away looking slightly embarrassed but Brenda just laughed at her friend's awkward timing. Thomas stood up with a goofy grin and brushed himself down before helping up Brenda and taking her hand as they walked to the beach to join his friends.

 Minho was down with Frypan, Gally and a couple of Group Bs trying to get a fire going. "Thanks for burning down the shack Brenda." he huffed pulling a long bit of log across the sand. Brenda let go of Thomas's hand, looking slightly hurt but Minho was right. Now that Brenda had burned down the shack there was no shelter for the night and about 200 people to look after. It was going to take a long time to get a fire going. He started worrying about how everything was going to work but he heard Newt saying 'order' and smiled sadly at his memory. Minho still didn't know what had happened to his best friend but for now he was fine as he was.

After an hour of helping Minho lift the logs into a make-shift fire pit, his hands were sore from carrying all the wood and he wouldn't be surprised if he had a few splinters. The whole group of immunes were huddling round the fire. Some were singing songs, others laughing and joking and some just looking happy to be alive. Thomas was with Brenda, Jorge, Minho, Gally and Aris. They were all talking but Thomas coudn't make out what they were saying. He was full of fatigue and he was exhausted from the day's dramatic events. He looked at his watch which he still had on, it was 10.02 pm which was still fairly early at night for his friends. However Thomas was very tired and he sighed as he gave into the sleep enveloping his mind, he lay back on the sand staring at the stars. There were so many of them, all sparkling beautifully and lighting up the sky like diamonds. They're brilliant shine reminded him of Brenda's eyes just before their kiss. Whilst thinking of her he drifted off into sleep.

Thomas woke up. He looked towards a large gathering of trees and felt a desperate urge to go there. He got up slowly, avoiding stepping on Jorge, Gally and Minho and started wandering through the forest barefoot. He liked the feel of the foliage on his feet and could smell the salty sea air. His surroundings looked beautiful. The early morning sun was shining through the thin, green trees, casting intricate shadows on the floor. It was already warm but there was a gentle breeze which rippled through his clothes and hair. He felt refreshed and clean. There wasn't an ache in his body and he was walking effortlessly. He felt good like it was a dream and nothing could go wrong. Suddenly there was a scream. An ear piercing, high pitched scream. It's sound seemed to flood through the forest, ripping away it's beauty. Casting an eerie feel instead. The hair on the back of Thomas's neck stuck up. Terror seemed to squeeze his body, making it stop dead. The scream sounded close, very close. Thomas started running to where he heard it. Trying desperately to find them. Hoping to help. Thomas ran as fast as he could. Twisting and turning sprinting to get closer to the 'screamer'. What if they were dying? What if it's a trap? Thomas' mind filled with problems. Turning a corner he found the source. A girl the same age as him was lying on the floor. She looked dead. Her body was limp and lifeless. He bent down to move the matted black hair that was covering her face. Thomas stopped dead. He was in shock. He couldn't believe it. It was Teresa.