As Rat-Man had told them, once it was the 'appropriate' time, he placed his book down and stood, placing his hands behind his back as he moved in front of the desk and overlooked the crowd that was watching them all. From where she sat next to Newt, Gen exhaled, a feeling of relief overwhelming her. She, Newt, Thomas and Minho had been still for the past twenty minutes, their eyes watching Rat-Man. Rising to her feet, Gen crossed her arms, her eyes not once leaving Rat-Man's as his gaze flicked to hers and a cruel smile formed on his lips,
"You're even starting to look the part." He sneered, "Not even a memory wipe can kill the Little Soldier." He said. Gen raised her eyebrows, she could feel her friend's eyes all watching her, wanting to know what the man was talking about.
"Quit the riddles and start talkin'" Gen hissed back at him. Rat-Man glanced down at his watch before looking back to her,
"The problem with you... girl, is still the same I see." He said. No one around her spoke, they all simply stared,
"Yeah? And what's that?" Gen asked.
"The problem with you is the constant cynicism... Always with the cynicism. You carry around guilt, self-loathing... and it seems that not even the Maze could rid you of it." He spoke in a cool tone of voice.
"Hey! You don't know anything, so slim it before I beat your head in!" Minho cried. Rat-Man chuckled lightly,
"You cannot get me in here, boy." He smirked, "Do you think I would be so foolish as to allow myself to be in harm's way? Of course, you must be the one they call Minho... The Fearless Leader." He said, "They did tell me you were a feisty one. Of course, we know all about Thomas, the hero of this tale and lastly: the little Angel, Newt... still fighting to keep his friends together. Must be difficult to try and push aside your own feelings for the sake of your friends..." Newt said nothing, despite the looks he received from Minho, Thomas and Gen. None of them knew what Rat-Man was on about and judging by the look on Newt's face, they never would. "I must tell you, I am quite surprised to find you here..."
"Sorry to bloody disappoint." Newt snapped,
"Oh, forgive me, it wasn't my intent to offend." Rat-Man smirked, "I merely find it surprising that after your... fall, you hadn't tried it again."
"What's he talking about?" Thomas asked, looking to Newt who put his head down, a look of fury and shame on his face.
"Shut up, Thomas." Gen snapped, "You too, Rat-Man." She snapped, looking to Rat-Man who glowered,
"My name is Assistant Director Janson. I suggest you use my name correctly." He hissed, his eyes narrowing to slits.
"I don't care what your name is." Gen replied, "You talk to my friends like that and I'll call you whatever I damn well please." Rat-Man laughed,
"Friends? You call these three boys your friends?"
"Nah, you're right. They mean more to me than that. They're family. Now, if you talk to my family like that one more time. I'm gonna find a way to get through your invisible wall and I'm gonna hit you... and I'm not gonna stop." She threatened, keeping her tone as cool and collected as Rat-Man's,
"I see.." He smirked, "Well, seeing as how the introductions are complete. I suggest we commence with the interviews." He said, snapping his fingers, three different doors appeared out of nowhere and from them emerged three men in labcoats along with two guards that stood behind them with guns. "Thomas... Newt... and Minho... I would ask you all to move towards one of these men. Doesn't matter who... the questions are the same." He said with a slight irritation as his gaze flicked between the three boys who did not move, "Move now or the guards will move you on your behalf." He threatened, exchanging looks with one another, Thomas was the first to move, followed by Newt. Looking to her left, she found that Minho hadn't moved; his arms were still crossed firmly over his chest and his glare was focused on no one else but Rat-Man who raised his eyebrow,
"Fine. I did warn you." Clicking his fingers, two guards quickly moved towards Minho, they're guns pointed at him.
"Leave him alone." Gen hissed, moving towards Minho only to have a third guard appear out of nowhere and restrain her.
"Move boy." The larger of the two guards ordered, both of their guns aimed at Minho, who showed no fear in his dark eyes,
"Bite me." Minho huffed, causing the second guard to slam the butt of his gun into Minho's face,
"Stop it!" Gen cried involuntarily as she tried to fight against the hold of the third guard. She wanted to run towards Minho and hold him close, but she was useless; just a little girl struggling against the hold of a grown man, watching while the boy she loved was beaten. None of the Glader's moved to help him, they all stood in fear before Rat-Man clicked his fingers and the two guards stepped back, allowing Gen to see Minho's beaten and bruised face for herself, yet, despite the blood and swelling, he still wore a smile as their eyes met.
"I said move him, not beat him." Rat-Man sighed as the two guards grabbed one of Minho's arms and dragged him towards the last door. Once Minho was gone, Rat-Man turned his eye on her, "You're with me, Little Soldier." He smiled sickly as the guard that held her pushed her through the invisible wall and into a small room with nothing but a desk and three chairs, two on one side and one on the other. As the guard pushed her into the single chair, Rat-Man moved around the table and sat in one of the two chairs,
"Shall we begin?" He asked. Gen didn't reply, she stared straight through him, a blank expression on her face, "I'll take that as a yes." Placing his hands on the desk, he started to speak, "You know... I find it quite interesting watching how you communicate with both Newt and Minho."
"Why?"
"Well, it's quite simple. It has come to my attention that you are aware that you and Newt shared a past, am I correct in saying that?" He asked. Gen shrugged her shoulder,
"I've had a few glimpses. Nothing special." She replied.
"Of course, you're so in love with Minho now, aren't you." His tone was mocking and only made Gen want to stab him in the face. "That is obvious.. however, I am... quite curious about your relationship with Newt... you see, the pair of you share a different kind of bond. You protect each other in ways that you and Minho never will."
"I don't know what that even means." Gen smirked, sitting back in the chair and crossing her arms,
"You are aware that he tried to kill himself within the Maze... I was watching you when you made that promise with him." He said.
"That's creepy." Gen snapped at him. Rat-Man ignored her,
"You made him promise never to leave you, never to die..." There was a slight sneer in his tone as he spoke, "You told him that you would have done anything to keep him by your side. But, the most fascinating part of that promise was nothing to do with you, but with him." Gen raised her eyebrow as Rat-Man leant towards her, "In that moment, all Newt had to say was three simple words and he would have had you, instead, he gave you up to that beast, Minho."
"What are you talking about?"
"Are you really so blind?" Rat-Man scoffed, "That boy is in love with you. Has been for quite awhile so the rumour goes." He smirked, standing, Gen slammed her palms on the desk,
"You're a liar! Newt would have told me!" She cried, "Stop trying to mess with my head!" Rat-Man smiled,
"You do realize those interviews aren't meant for the others. The interview is for you, not them." He said. Gen slowly sunk back into the chair,
"Why am I so special?" She grumbled. Rat-Man smiled in amusement,
"Special? No, actually it's quite the contrary." He said. Hearing a knock on the door that seemed to appear out of nowhere on the other side of the room, Gen's eyes widened as a man walked through, a smile on his face. It was Peter.
A/N: There was a lot of banter here. So, what was your favourite line? In this chapter I mean. Just out of curiosity :)
