Thomas woke up to hear a loud knock on his door, louder than usual. He hadn't seen what time is was yet, but he felt like it was too early for it to be time for him to get up already. Especially because he still felt so tired. Although he thought that it might just be the aftermath of his and Teresa's project they were working on late the night before. Once again there was a knock on his door. It grew even louder than the first time. Thomas slid up in his bed and tried to focus his eyesight and regain his sensibility, so he could get up. After stepping out of bed worried why there was someone at his room so early, yet more curious, he headed towards the door. Just before he had the chance to grab the handle to open it, it swung open. It startled Thomas and he jumped back, only to see Ramirez looking down at him.
The man seemed to have lost his patience. Yet he didn't look angry. Thomas was about to ask him what was going on when Ramirez interrupted his thoughts by saying "We need you to get dressed as quickly as possible. We have some rather exciting news we would like to share with you and Teresa. It came up quite quickly and sudden, but it is nothing to worry about."
Thomas was registering what the man said but it took him a second because of all the sudden commotion while he was still tired.
Thomas found himself yawning. "I will be back in five minutes to come get you. I expect you to be ready by then. I know it is early, and I apologize for that. But trust me it is worth it. You will eat breakfast after the discussion but the arrangements for that will be slightly different. Sound good?" Ramirez said sounding over excited.
" I guess." Thomas replied. That was all he could find the energy to say. Ramirez grabbed the handle of the door saying ''Alright then." As he quickly closed it and walked off.
Thomas was tempted to lie back down in his bed. Even if it were for just a few seconds. But he knew that it would just lead to him dozing off accidentally, and he did not want to hear from Ramirez after finding him lying in bed after coming back.
Thomas quickly got dressed and sat up on his bed waiting eagerly for Ramirez to come back. He was unsure of what the news might be. He thought it may be another feature to build in the Maze that him and Teresa would have to work on. Or maybe it would be a small breakthrough leading to less work. He liked the sound of that one more. He became more and more anxious the more he thought about it. He figured it must be very good though. He had never seen Ramirez so excited.
A couple minutes later he heard the door start to swing open as Ramirez knocked on it at the same time, as if he couldn't wait to open the door after he knocked."Time to go." He said quickly enough for Thomas to get the point to hurry.
As they walked through the hallway, they passed room 31K which was Teresa's room. He could hear talking coming from there. It was Chancellor Anderson. He seemed to be doing the same as Ramirez. He was getting Teresa to take her to this, some sort of conference. Or at least that is what Thomas thought it was.
When they got to the conference room, Thomas was suprised to see Aris and Rachel sitting at the far end of the table. He hadnt officially met those two yet, but he really wanted to. Even though him and Teresa had a bad first impression of Aris, he was still curious.
Ramirez led Thomas to the opposite end of where Aris and Rachel were, and they sat down. Thomas felt a chill go down his spine. Even though he knew the news wasnt bad, it was just the not knowing factor.
He hated waiting. It made him more and more anxious. He wasnt sure who else was coming, but there had to be more or else they would have started already. He found himself tapping his foot on the hard floor in anticipation. He had only been sitting there for no more then three minutes, yet it felt like forever. Especially with such a curious mind.
He looked over at Aris and Rachel. Aris looked almost too excited. Thomas had never seen him that way before. Rachel looked rather calm, and she seemed to always have a poker face. Thomas didnt like that, because it ment he wouldn't know what to expect from her.
Are you coming? Thomas said into Teresa's mind.
Sure am. She replied rather quickly.
About two seconds later the door swung open. Chancellor Anderson didnt slow, but kept moving until qickly sitting beside Ramirez. Teresa walked in with an excited look on her face. She scurried over and sat right beside Thomas. They both knew that she was expected to sit beside Chancellor Anderson, but Teresa made up her mind. Anderson looked over at Teresa witwith a raised eyebrow. Making her give a humoured glare back. Anderson exchanged a look with the both of them just before rolling his eyes and sitting up straight in his chair again.
Any Idea of whats going on? Teresa said in his mind. He could sense a wide grin on her face.
No not really.
You dont seem to be very cheery. What, did you wake up on the wrong side of bed or something? Thomas sensed her smirk as she said it.
I guess I just dont know what to expect. He said in her mind, followed by looking at her and shrugging.
Their conversation came to a stop when a door on the other side of the room opened.
It was Chancellor Paige. She had a big smile on her face. Thomas was happy to see her. He felt a sudden sence of calm come over him. Other than Teresa and his friends in Group A, Dr.Paige was someone he knew he could trust.
"Good morning, everyone." Chancellor Paige said as she stopped in the doorway. She had that calming tone in her voice that Thomas missed. When she was taking a step forward she had her arm stretched out behind her. It looked as if she was about to pull something in the room along with her.
Thomas became excited suddenly. They actually had something to show them. He was hoping it was something new. He was getting tired of always working with the same equipment, the same project, the same schedule, and it drove him crazy. He was ready for something new. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up though, and he had learned that from the past nine or ten years he had been working at WICKED, but it was hard.
What do you think it is? Teresa asked Thomas in his head.
He didn't answer. He was too focused on all the possibilities that were rolling through his head.Chancellor Paige wasnt walking slowly but she didnt seem in a rush. As the rest of her arm behind her slowly revealed itself from through the door, Thomas was more sure she was pulling something behind her. Maybe a new machine on some sort of wheels, or maybe a display of a new design they were planning, that was on a wheely table, or something. He thoguht.
With her next step the room went silent. It was already silent before, but now Thomas could sense the tension. He now knew what it was. He knew what she was pulling behind her. It was holding her hand. It was a girl.