Janson then goes on to explain to the girls what they must do out in the Scorch. How they have to find the safe haven, how they have to 'kill' Thomas, how they are all infected with the Flare… you know the story.
When Janson finishes his extremely long and terrifying speech, the gym explodes with noise. Girls screaming, yelling, talking over the top of each other, asking questions, crying. I don't know what to do. It's like my brain has stopped working. I can't think.
'SILENCE!' Janson booms, 'I need to speak with the new arrivals.'
It takes me a second to figure out that by 'new arrivals' he means Teresa and I. But I feel no desire whatsoever to go over to Janson. I look next to me, Teresa isn't moving either.
'Teresa and Emma, I mean you,' he sneers. I look over at Teresa and shrug. We don't have a choice.
We walk slowly and shakily over to Janson, all the girls in the gym staring at us. I can't help but blush. I hate being the centre of attention. We reach Janson, and he tells us to follow him.
He leads us into a little room at the side of the gym, with three uncomfortable looking plastic chairs and no windows.
'Sit,' he tells us, and we do. 'I have a, well, a 'special' task for you girls.'
Teresa curses under her breath. I can feel my heart beating in my chest.
'You know how I mentioned killing that boy, Thomas?' He raises his eyebrows.
Teresa's face goes white. We both nod hesitantly.
'You're not actually going to kill him.'
Teresa and I breathe a sigh of relief. I was worried he was going to make us kill Thomas ourselves, and I know we wouldn't have been able to do that. He's one of my best friends, and Teresa - Teresa would simply stop functioning if Thomas died.
'All I ask of you is to make him think you're going to kill him,' Janson says casually.
I exchange a confused, concerned look with Teresa.
'How?' I ask hesitantly.
'You won't be alone. I'm going to get Aris and Michael from Group B to assist you. They've been told about this already,' Janson tells us.
'A-Aris?' Teresa stammers.
'Yes. I believe you two have already… spoken,' Janson grins knowingly.
Teresa swallows and nods. I look at her incredulously.
'Who's Aris?' I ask her.
'He's Teresa's second telepathy partner,' Janson says matter-of-factly.
My eyes widen. Teresa has another telepathy partner? That is… weird. I shake my head quickly, I want to get back to the Thomas thing.
'Anyway, you were telling us about making Thomas think we were going to kill him?' I shiver as I say those words.
'That's right. You and Michael shall not play a major role, Emma. You'll simply be observing the scene to make sure nothing goes astray. As for you, Teresa, I'm afraid you and Aris will be running the show,' Janson gives a nod in Teresa's direction.
Janson then goes on to tell us this horrible plan of his that Teresa will take Thomas from the group of Gladers in the Scorch (using a bag!) and bring him along with us and the girls. Later Teresa and I will separate Thomas from the pack of girls and lead him to this gas chamber thing, where we will meet Aris and Michael. Teresa and Aris will act all lovey dovey to play with Thomas' head, and they will tell Thomas they're going to kill him and then shove him into the chamber. I need to take a few seconds after each thing he said to collect myself, so I miss a few things.
I look over and see a tear trickling down Teresa's cheek.
'No, Janson, I can't. I can't do that to him I can't…' She whimpers.
'If you don't throw him in that chamber, I'll kill him myself,' Janson says menacingly.
Teresa sniffles and wipes her eyes. Eventually she nods.
'If it will save his life, I will,' she murmurs.
I'm stunned into silence. We're actually going to do this to Thomas. But I see why we have to, doing this was better than having Thomas' life taken.
'Emma?' Janson turns towards me.
'I'm in,' I say, and my voice cracks.
'Splendid,' Janson smiles. And with that, he walks out of the room.
Teresa bursts into tears as he closes the door. I envelop her in a tight hug as she sobs uncontrollably into my shoulder.
'He'll… never… forgive me,' she wails between sobs.
I stroke her hair comfortingly.
'Maybe he will,' I say. Although knowing Thomas, I know he definitely will not, 'I guess it's worth risking what you have to save his life, right?'
'Right,' Teresa agrees.
I imagine if I was in Teresa's position. If I was told I had to do that to Newt. I feel my own eyes tear up at the thought.
We both jump when we hear the door creak open.
'You are now needed for the beginning of Phase 2,' a woman dressed exactly like Janson tells us.
Teresa and I break apart and follow the woman out, ready to start the worst two weeks of our lives.