Soldier Of The Glade

Going Up?

The box starting moving as soon as I woke up. I was so excited to finally, finally see Alby and Thomas and Minho- oh Minho. My best friend. We were inseparable until two years ago, when he went to the maze. As soon as the box opened, there was a collective gasp, then silence. I shielded my eyes, then smiled up at the boys. "Hello, Minho, Alby, Thomas. I would enjoy some help out of this box. " Minho looked the same as he always did, well slightly darker. Ally, the same, and Thomas was just a little dirtier than when we last talked a week ago. But there was a guy standing by Alby that I'd never seen before. The boys gaped at me for a minute.

"How-how do you know our names?" Alby asked. I looked at Minho. There was no recognition in his eyes. A knife seemed to be driven through my chest at that moment.

"You-you don't remember?" I asked.

"No. We don't remember anything other than our names. Not since we came to the maze. Do you remember?" But I didn't respond.

"They didn't tell me that. They didn't tell me they would erase... He doesn't know me." I muttered to myself. Then I looked up at him. "I remember bits and pieces, Minho. Bits and pieces." Then a voice echoed through my head. Be strong. Be courageous and everything will work out. I wiped all sad emotions from my face. " That's okay. We'll figure this out later. For now, I want out of this dang box."

The Gladers all gawked at me as Minho and Alby  grabbed my arms and hauled me out. "You need to follow me- " Alby started to say.

"How do you remember me and what's your name?" Minho interrupted/demanded.

"My name is Diana. We were inseparable.  For seven years." Minho looked like he regretted asking. "But why does that matter? You don't remember me. The memories we created don't matter now. It's not your fault, Minho. Don't feel guilty." He shifted his weight then awkwardly hugged me. I held on to him for a few seconds before his grip relaxed. We both let go.

"You feel so familiar. And I want to remember, I really do. " He lead me to a building called the Homestead.

"I've always wanted to see inside the Homestead. " I said happily as Minho opened the door for me. The boys just stared at me and shook their heads.

"So, what all do you remember?" Straight to the point.

"Straight to the point. I like that. I remember climbing into the elevator. And before that, someone telling me I was going to be into a short coma, while they prepared me for the Maze. " I took a breath. "I remember some of the facility of WICKED. And I remember my dad telling me to go with the big scary people because they'd keep me safe from him. " The gunshot that followed as I entered the unmarked vehicle. I said it with no emotion. The memory felt like someone else's, from the countless times I've pushed it out and away from my happy memories.
"Why were they preparing you for the maze?" Alby asked.
"I was injured, and it was my last surgery to speed the healing process. " As I mentioned that, my shoulder and rib age started hurting.