Hazel joined the others in paradise. They stared out into the distance, their eyes taking in the emerald forest, the glistening river, and the gentle waves rolling into the white sandy shore. If anything, Paradise was the perfect name for this dreamy place. For a minute, no one spoke. Hazel supposed that the gladers were mourning the loss of friends, or staring in awe of the possibility of a new life.
"So what should we do now?" Hazel asked to no one in particular. She was already stressed about all the work that would be required to set up a decent home up in this rural place.
It was Minho who answered. "I'm tired of using my shuck brain. Tonight, we're having a lit bonfire. And I'm gonna get drunk on some of Gally's secret recipe." He sauntered off to a nearby tree and lay down, leaning his back on the trunk of the big oak.
"Well," Brenda said smirking, "I guess it would be appropriate to celebrate tonight."
Hazel sighed. She supposed it would be a relief to just stop thinking about survival and cherish the moment that she was alive after all this hell.
Thomas walked away from the crowd, into the woods. Thomas thought it was wrong. To celebrate their survival when so many of them were dead. The faces of Chuck, Newt, and Teresa flashed through his mind. At that moment he decided that he would never tell Minho about what he had done to Newt.
"Thomas?" Brenda had followed him. "I know you think it's wrong, to celebrate when so many of us are gone.
"I understand why people would do it, it's just...we never had the time to properly say our farewells.
"But we've got to move forward. We can't dwell in the past. The living should move on. After all, we've got a whole new future awaiting us."
Thomas gave her a small smile before reaching out to squeeze her hand. "I guess you're right."
"I'm always right, Shuck-face." She smiled broadly, leaning into Thomas. She kissed him on the cheeks, then on the lips.
All was silent and peaceful, with the rhythmic sounds of the birds chirping and the trees bristling from the gentle wind. It was a moment that all was imbued with hope that they could finally rid of the nightmares from WICKED. They would finally be able to transfer into a world that allowed these sweet moments with your loved ones.
"Thomas?" A familiar voice called out.
It was a voice that could have only come from the grave. Yet, it was undeniably a voice from a physical human being, not two feet away from where they were situated.
Interrupted from their kiss, Thomas and Brenda both jerked back and turned their heads to the source.
Teresa, although bruised and bloody, was standing before them. Very much talking, and very much alive.
"Teresa?" Thomas was in utter shock and same could be said about Brenda.
"I'm glad you still remember me Tommy. Good to see you too Brenda."
"How did you survive? I saw you die with my own eyes!" Brenda exclaimed.
"I don't know. But I guess the important thing is; I'm back." Teresa smiled sadly at Thomas. Her eyes did not leave Thomas for a single moment; waiting for something from him.
Thomas was still too much of a shock to speak.