"You shanks alive in there?"
At the sound of his voice, I couldn't help but gawk up at the built man. My eyes flickered across his neutral face, searching for any signs of that deranged boy that tried to harm himself. Many emotions flooded through me at the sight of him; confusion, relief, fear, joy, nervous, and all those other emotions that keep you up at night.
"Shuck it, woman, what're you starin' at?" Alby asked me, looking at my anxious expression.
My eyes shifted off from his figure and searched around the room for who he was talking to, not fully realizing that he was talking to yours truly. Finding nobody behind me, I turned back to Alby with a curious look before being hit with realization, "Oh! Sorry! I was just- you just.... Just you...you seemed to heal pretty quickly. You feelin' okay?"
I got to my feet and moved towards the window where Alby's large frame filled. I cautiously raised my hand and held one of the bars, looking at Alby like he was a ticking, time-bomb.
"Ain't never been better." Alby flexed his muscles while he smirked widely. He dropped his arms to the lock outside the Slammer's entry before the door began to creak open.
I stepped out from the Slammer, giving Alby a pointed look to tell me the truth. His expression looked calm and collected, but his eyes held the pain he was truly feeling inside. His demeanor might be able to fool the Gladers, but not me. I knew pain when I saw it.
Seeing that I knew he was bullshitting me, his smirk fell as his body sunk forward, "That's a big, fat lie. I feel like I was klunked on by a shucking griever."
"And the truth comes out." I smirked lightly, as kept my eyes trained on his expression. Alby awkwardly tried to avoid my gaze as his eyes went to his feet. I was trying to get him to talk. We both knew we needed to discuss whatever the hell went on yesterday. If Thomas wasn't there to interrupt my questioning, Alby would've been bombarded with question after question of what's outside the Maze. Though the look on his face when he mentioned "outside", had me a little anxious.
"Where's Thomas?" Alby suddenly changed the subject before I could ask any questions.
My eyes instantly went bored and narrowed at the mention of Thomas' name. A unamused glower tugged on my lips as I turned and looked inside the Slammer, seeing a big ball of blue, black, and brown curled up in the corner of the cell.
"Big dope's asleep." I said simply, nodding towards Thomas.
It was silent for a solid minute as the two of us continued to spare glances at each other and the sleeping Thomas. The silence was awkward, creating a heavy tension in my chest. I wanted to ask him questions, but I was waiting for him to begin the conversation first.
"This is so dumb," Alby spoke up finally, an eager feeling taking over me, "We both know y'have thousands of questions in that noggin of yours. And as much as I want to give ya those answers, I can't. It's like someone is controllin' me, as bizarre as that sounds. Whenever I try 'nd say somethin' that I remember, it's like someone takes over me 'nd makes me hurt myself."
I was disappointed, to say the least. But I had to get something out of him. He's the closest thing I have to remembering my life. I barely even care if that sounds selfish.
"I-is there anything you can tell me?" I stuttered, feeling as though my breath was taken away.
Alby pursed his lips shut staring down at me while he dug deep inside those awful memories of his, looking for vague explanations. Finally, Alby sighed, "It's kinda fadin', but I ain't never gonna forget. I saw you and Tommy-boy. You...you were helping the Creators. But that ain't even what got me shook up."
I felt like someone dropped the Maze's walls on my shoulders. I helped the people who sent all these kids to their deaths. I helped erase the only memories that could comfort a person in a time of need. I helped take these kids away from their families. I helped send Newt down here. I helped send Chuck. It felt like someone was squeezing my chest until I couldn't talk anymore. I don't deserve to talk anymore. I heaved out a painful breath of air as all the questions I had before became nonexistent.
"I hope the Changing doesn't give us real memories -only plants fake ones. A few suspect it - I can only hope. If the world's how I saw it...." He trailed off leaving me more anxious to know what the world really was since we've been placed here...by me.
Suddenly, it felt like someone was inside my head. Questions started popping up into my head before I could even think of them. "Can you tell me what you saw? What you saw about me...a-and Thomas?" I asked the question that first popped into my head.
"No way. Not happenin'. Does it look like I want to strangle myself again? Don't answer that. It's like they placed something in our heads to control us." Alby answered quickly.
I shook my head, blinking my eyes. The news hung on my heart, feeling like it was about to go straight to my feet. I looked back up at Alby, trying my hardest to keep from making eye contact with him. I was about to say something, when a comment popped into my head. It felt like someone else said it. Like it wasn't my idea. But I said it anyway, "Well...if I'm evil, maybe you should leave me locked up."
"Woman, you ain't evil. Trust me. You might be a shuck-face, slinthead...oh shuck it. You can be a downright pain in the ass on your good days," The corner of Alby's lips curled up while I chuckled slightly, "but you ain't evil. What you and Thomas did - risked your butts to save Minho and I - that sure as hell not like any evil I've ever heard of. For your sake and mine, I hope the Changing planted fake memories in our minds."
Relief washed over me, faster than rain could fall. I was over-the-hill knowing that Alby didn't think Thomas and I were bad. I just hoped it stayed that way.
"How bad was...y'know...the memories?" The question popped up into my mind, demanding to be said.
"I remember my life...barely. But...if I was given a one-way ticket out of here...I don't know if I'd actually take it. If what I saw was real, I might as well pull a you and Thomas and throw myself out into the Maze." Alby said with wide eyes.
I gnawed on the inside of my cheek, staring up at the older boy with wide eyes. Surprise was an understatement. Shocked is more reasonable. Suddenly it felt like my mind was empty. No more random questions plagued my mind and I was finally able to think of my thoughts first. "No. No don't do that. T and I didn't risk our lives for nothing." I smirked jokingly, punching Alby in the arm, playfully.
Alby scoffed with a small smile, nodding his head. "Way to lighten up the mood, shank."
"It's a gift," I smirked before growing serious as a thought occurred, "We still have to escape this place, y'know. Even if the outside world isn't what we expect."
"I know, I know. I'm just...just hoping that whatever's out there...isn't what I saw." Alby nodded his head, looking down at his feet.
"Hey, Alby. Have you seen Jeff?" A boy -William, I think - asked Alby with a pant.
"Where he always is, shank. Use that thick skull of yours." Alby scowled, making the boy quickly jog away before he got into anymore shit.
Alby turned back to me swiftly, his scowl slowly dropping into a soft look. My eyebrow instantly quirked up at Alby's peculiar behavior. Usually he would be like that to me. Yet he was being kind.
It could be the fact that you also saved his ass from being eaten by a griever. I thought to myself.
"You're actin' a little weird, man. Y'sure you're okay?" I asked, a little weary of the boy's mental state.
"I'm fine," Alby shrugged nonchalantly, "Why?"
"You're being...nice.... I mean, I know we saved your life and all but...Minho wasn't even this nice to us after that night." I said, crossing my arms and looking at Alby suspiciously.
"Well...I owe you." Alby shrugged once again.
"I think you mean; you owe Thomas and me." I smile nervously at Alby's odd behavior.
"Well, yeah. But you tried to save me." Alby smiled as if I should know what he was talking about.
"Alby, we did save you. I'm not sure if you noticed but we're out of the Maze." I took a step towards Alby, looking him with an incredulous smile.
"Ame, no. From outside the Maze. You tried to stop them." Alby looked at me with wide eyes, speaking to me as if I should know exactly what he was talking about.
"Alby...I...-" I shook my head before getting interrupted.
"You knocked out the guards and told me to run. But I didn't." Alby continued.
"Alby-"
"More guards came and took me away. Th-then you-" He suddenly stopped. He made the same sound you would make if their was a tickle in your throat and you needed to cough. He started coughing dramatically, throwing his hands up to his chest.
My eyes flashed side to side, seeing if anyone was around and would know what to do it this situation. But, of course, no one was around. Not knowing what to do, I started patting his back. I watch as Alby continued to cough, trying to hack out whatever was in his throat. I didn't know what to say or how to comfort him so I just patted his back while he coughed up a cat. Not literally.
"I...I'm...m...," Alby coughed before breathing roughly, "I'm fine." He coughed a few more times after that, allowing the air back into his lungs.
I stared at Alby, the feeling of dread creeping into every vein of my body. It felt like ice was held up against my heart as I watched as Alby bent over and tried to regain his breath.
Punishment.
The word flashed across my mind faster than my heart could beat. Alby told me something that he shouldn't have. He told me something about our life before the Maze. He told me something that I wouldn't have been able to figure out on my own. And because of that, Alby was punished.
He was punished by the Creators. He's being controlled by the Creators.
We all are.
"Ame, go grab some dinner. I'll wake up, Thomas." Alby ordered, standing up straight and raising his chin.
I didn't even argue. I just turned around and headed toward Homestead, only soaring a quick glance at the mad-boy behind me. I repeated the last couple of minutes in my head, pinching myself to make sure that today wasn't just one big nightmare. I remembered Alby's words about me before the Maze. I didn't know what any of that means or if what he said was true of not. Like Alby said, the Changing could've implanted fake memories instead of real ones.
Once I entered Homestead, spotting the handsome, tall, blonde boy wasn't an issue. He was speaking with two MedJacks that I didn't care to remember the names of. Once Newt heard the doors open, his eyes instantly found mind. He gazed back at the two MedJacks before excusing himself and moving towards me with a soft smile. His skin glowed, as his glimmering brown eyes stayed trained on me. His hands were held in his pockets lazily as he strolled toward my tense figure.
I walked straight towards him, keeping myself calm. My face remained stone as my eyes watched the emotion in Newt's eyes. I kept a steady pace, doing my absolute best not to break down after the long day.
"Hey, what's-" Newt began before stopping when I walked right into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I laid my head on his chest, feeling myself start to calm at the sound of Newt's beating heart.
I felt Newt looking down at me, suspiciously, but quickly pushed it aside and held me back. I felt him start to rock me side to side while Newt placed his chin on top of my head, his right hand placed gently on the back of my skull.
"Are you okay?" Newt asked after a full minute of rocking me back and forth.
"Yeah," I lied, "Just a long day."
Newt pulled back with a reassuring smile that warmed my heart before saying quietly, "Maybe something t'eat will help."
I smiled up at Newt, softly, hiding my shaking hands and nervous eyes. Newt kissed my temple before grabbing my hand and leading me towards the kitchen.
Frypan had already kept aside two plates of food for Thomas and I, knowing we spent a rough day in the Slammer. He was on our side and thought the enter Slammer deal was completely stupid. I couldn't agree more.
Thomas came in later, grabbing his dinner and sitting down beside Newt. I couldn't help but send cautious glances toward him, thinking maybe Alby said something to him to. But by his expression, he was more weary of me than of himself and Alby.
"Alright, listen up. I know you've both had a pretty klunk day but Alby wants me t'see if either of you recognize lady shank number two upstairs." Newt suddenly speaks up.
I turned and looked at him with furrowed brows, wondering why we're doing this now.
"We both said we don't recognize the girl." Thomas spoke up, still chewing on the potato in his mouth.
"I know, but think 'bout it. Gally said he recognized ya, Ben said he recognized ya, Alby said he recognized ya, even the bloody girl recognized ya. Alby said it might help you remind. Even if it's the smallest of memories, it could help. Now, c'mon! We don't have all day." Newt said, standing up.
"Oh-oh we're going right now?" I asked, looking up at Newt with wide eyes, pointing at the table with my plastic fork.
"Yes. Now c'mon, slowpokes. We only have thirty minutes until curfew." Newt eagerly grabbed the back of Thomas' shirt, pulling him out from his makeshift-chair.
I groaned loudly, showing how unenthusiastic I was about the whole idea. Though inwardly I felt panicked and anxious. I didn't know what to expect when being in a closed room with Thomas, the girl, and I. Not to mention, Newt will be there as well.
As we walked back into Homestead and up the creaky stairs, I continued to feel Thomas glance my way. We both were nervous to see what would happen with the girl. We were afraid that the girl would wake up and make Thomas and I look even more suspicious than we already look now.
We passed the room Alby went through the Changing in, and the rooms Thomas and I stayed in after that night out in the Maze. At the end of the hallway, the only door closed signified that the girl slept in that room. The idea of being in the same room with the two people I recognize from outside the Maze, terrifies me to no end. Something always happened.
Newt stopped in front of the door with his hand on the makeshift knob. He turned to us with a serious expression before speaking to us in a clear tone, "I need you two to open your mind. Be honest if anything - anything at all - seems familiar."
Without waiting for a response, he opens the door and walks in.
It wasn't hard to spot the girl. She laid peacefully in her mattress, her raven hair framing her pale, freckled face. Her chest rose and fell evenly, never missing a beat. She looked more alive than when I first saw her.
"Pull up a chair." Newt says quietly, already sitting in a stool on her left. Thomas and I carefully maneuvered over to the girl's right side, pulling up two stools of our own. I stole a quick glance toward Thomas, noticing how firm his face remained. He was hiding his fear and panic behind a mask of stone. Like everyone else in this place.
I looked down at the girl's face, watching shadows fill the empty creases beside her nose and under her eyelids. Her eyebrows were surprisingly shaped nicely, making it hard for me not to slightly admire them. Freckles dotted her nose and cheeks bringing colour to her pale complexion. She had a small button nose with a tiny crease on the end. Her lips were red and I could spot two scabs on her bottom lip where her teeth would bite down on. I looked at her eyelids which remained shut peacefully. I remembered her grey-blue eyes. I remembered the frantic and urgent glimmer in her orbs as she spotted my form in the crowd of teenage boys. I remembered her quick but yet warm voice like she knew me. Which she probably did.
Before my studying could proceed, Thomas grabbed my hand and squeezed it like he was saying he was "sorry". I went to go give him a look of confusion before hearing his hush voice say to Newt truthfully, "I do know her."
I wanted to snap my eyes up at him and slap him across the back of his head and strangle him until he says mercy. But I didn't. I stayed still, staring at the unconscious girl in front of me. I felt myself flinch a bit when Thomas said those words but that was the only action I made.
"What? Who is she?" Newt stood up, staring Thomas down.
"I recognize her, too," I made my decision quickly while speaking, "B-but I don't know who she is. I just...I think that we can both agree that we feel like we've seen the girl before. Just we don't know where." I said, barely glancing up at Newt.
"Well keep bloody thinkin'. Don't lose that concentration." Newt told, sitting back down on his stool.
Thomas and I spared another quick glance before focusing our attention on the girl. I remembered our conversation about speaking in each other's minds. It started to make me think that maybe the girl would hear my thoughts as well.
Hello? I thought, thinking of the girl.
I waited with baited breath to see if the girl would answer. But as a minute ticked by the only thing I heard was the quiet intakes and outtakes of breath. My brows furrowed, disappointed that it didn't work.
My name is Ame. But I think you knew that. I tried once again, shouting inwardly for the girl to hear.
I waited half a minute for the girl to answer. But the eery silence filled my mind once again making me say one more thing. If you aren't going to talk to me, talk to Thomas. Talk to one of us. Try. Please.
I waited once again, partially staring at Thomas for a reaction if the girl spoke to him. But my hopes were crushed when Thomas sighed in annoyance. He leaned back and away from the girl, running a hand through his brown hair.
"I just don't-" His voice was interrupted by a sudden gasp followed by the sound of a body falling. My eyes snapped towards Thomas who laid on the floor, panting looking at me with wide eyes.
"Did you say anything?!" Thomas gasped out, pointing at me before I could stand and help him up.
"I didn't say anything." I shook my hand, grabbing his arm and helping him to his feet.
"What's wrong?" Newt gapped, standing once more.
"I...I'm not sure. Did she say anything?" Thomas asked, looking down at the girl.
"Her?" Newt looked confused before his eyes lit up with hope, "What did you hear?"
"I...I thought I heard her say her name...." Thomas stuttered softly, his hands shaking slightly.
Suddenly from the quiet of my mind came a soft voice. My mind instantly felt company, the sensation of someone in my mind with me, returning. The soft voice was like a voice of a camper trying not to scare away a deer they came across.
My name is Teresa. Please don't be afraid. The voice said cautiously.
I sucked in a silent, deep breath of air, emotions running amok in my head and heart. I was happy that I wasn't going insane, but I was scared that things were really going to change. The idea of getting out of here was so surreal. The voice was very cautious as if not to frighten me. I barely made any movement when I heard the voice. I froze in fear. I didn't know where it came from but I recognized it. When I first found the Maze was recognizable, there was a calming sensation that ran through my veins and into my heart. I had that same feeling now.
"Her name was...." Thomas trailed off.
"Teresa." I finished for him, looking up at Newt while Thomas nodded with me.
"You heard her, too," Newt crossed his arms, looking at me curiously, "I didn't hear a thing. Must've sprung loose from your bloody memory blocks! That's her name. Teresa. Has to be."
Ame. Thomas. The feminine voice said in relief.
I reached out quickly, grabbing onto Thomas' wrist, before he could flail around in panic like he did the last time. Thomas jumped and nearly flew back into the window if it weren't for my firm grip on his wrist.
"Ame, what's going on?" Newt asked, watching Thomas and I nervously.
Thomas and I both ignored him as we listened carefully for any sign of the girl speaking again. I turned and looked at the girl, watching to see if she wakes up. I was hoping to see any reaction or emotion on her face. But there was nothing except a blank façade that masked the girl.
We're the last ones. The three of us are the last ones. It'll end soon. It has to. She said frantically.
"Thomas? Please explain to me what's going on?" Newt begged, trying to keep his voice down.
"She's...she's freakin' talking to me...to us! In my head! She said our names! 'Thomas and Ame'!" Thomas gasped out to Newt while I studied her words.
The last ones? Do you mean no one else is coming up that Box? I asked, concentrating really hard, hoping for an answer.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying! Teresa sounded joyful that I was understanding.
A small smile pulled up onto my face, pleased with myself that I understood the issue. But my smile quickly falls when I realize what the issue might turn into. When you say "it'll end soon"...you mean-
The Glade, Teresa answered sadly, before turning her attention - if that's possible when speaking telepathically - to Thomas, Tom, don't freak out on me.
Thomas was in a full out panic mode. He raised his hands to his ears, squeezing his eyes shut tight as if to wake up from a horrid nightmare. He breathed harshly, letting the panic and fear of the situation, take over him.
"Thomas, calm down! You're hurting yourself more than necessary." I spoke up, grabbing both of Thomas' wrist between my hands. I shook him slightly trying to help him calm down and look at me. I continued to ignore Newt's questioning while trying to make Thomas stop his shaking. It was overwhelming for the both of us, but he needed to calm down. We may never get the chance to get our questions answered again.
"Thomas, look at me. Everything's okay. Just listen, alright? Just listen." I tried to comfort him, petting Thomas' arms to sooth him.
My memory's fading already, guys. I won't remember much when I wake up. We can pass the Trials. It has to end. They sent me as a trigger. A trigger to end everything. Teresa spoke quickly, most-likely hearing Thomas' panic attack.
After that, Thomas couldn't take anymore. He pushed himself away from me, rushing around Teresa's bed, swinging open the door.
"Thomas!" I shouted as I listened to the sound of his feet slapping against the floor and down the stairs.
Everything is going to change. Teresa said making my ears ring at the familiarity of the sentence.
"Teresa, you're not helping him." I said aloud by accident, feeling my heart race when I realized that everything truly was about to change. If this wasn't a sign, then I don't know what is.
He has to know, Ame. I know he's overwhelmed but he - and you - need to know before my memory completely fades. It was all three of us. We did this to them. To us. Teresa said quickly, confirming my fears.
After that, everything went silent. The entire Glade went silent. The Gladers, the birds, the pigs, the goats, the dog, the cows, and even the walls went silent. Nothing was heard of except for Newt's final question.
"Ame? What the bloody hell is going on?"
______________________
You have no idea how difficult it is to keep your cool when your entire chapter gets deleted like ten billion shucking times.
It's great.
But hey! It's finally up! You can't even imagine how happy I am about that.
Thank you all so much for 8k!!!!! None of you can imagine how appreciative I am!! I love you guys sooooooooo much!!!! I can't believe y'all put up with my bullshit for this long.
OH HEY GUESS WHAT????
A friend of mine had made Newt's Point Of View from my fanfiction "The Fighter" (obviously). THANK YOU SO MUCH tmrnewtycutie YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE AND APPRECIATE ALL YOUVE DONE FOR ME. CHECK OUT "Alright" BY tmrnewtycutie OUT AND BE BLESSED <4
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