(I do not own Maze Runner. Updated with corrections 6/15/18 :)
The aftermath of Hyde's failed attack had the camp in chaos for the better part of the next day. The odor of smoke was still hanging in the night air despite the fires having been put out hours before. Jorge was back up and around tending to the injured with Aris and Teresa. Medical was full to the point that Teresa had to start triaging patients outside and only admitting the more seriously injured. Fortunately, most of the injuries were minor and resulted from the stampede to escape when the Griever arrived. There were a lot of burns from the fire but none too serious. Brenda's injuries from her run-in with Hyde were far worse. Her condition was considered critical. She had a severe concussion with possible intracranial hemorrhage, four broken ribs, a collapsed lung and both her shoulders had been dislocated. She hadn't regained consciousness since Gally carried her back from the party. Teresa walked back inside the bamboo wrapped field hospital to return a dermal regenerator when she saw Jorge at Brenda's side.
"Hey, how you holding up?"
Teresa knew Jorge and Brenda were close and that he had looked out for her when they were both living in the scorch, but something about the look on Jorge's face had less of a 'big brother' vibe to it lately. She couldn't help but think of Aris' suspicions that both Jorge and Brenda were somehow involved with WICKED before Thomas and herself and that they were still working towards some unforeseen goal. Jorge looked startled as if Teresa's approach in full view had still somehow taken him by surprise.
"Oh! Hey, chica. I'm fine. Just wish there was something more I could do for her, ya know?"
Jorge was quiet for a while. He looked around quickly making sure no one else was paying attention.
"I know saying this is kinda blasphemy; what with me being the Med-jack keeper guy and all, but I could go for a couple of real WICKED doctor's right about now."
Jorge's mood lightened for a moment but diminished as quickly a lit match dropped into a pool of water. Teresa understood Jorge's concern was justified. For all the high tech devices they had, none of them was a qualified surgeon. Teresa had treated Jorge successfully, but none of his injuries were internal. Let alone severe head trauma that might require a craniotomy. Teresa spoke with conviction.
"Jorge, she's strong."
Teresa reached up and pushed aside her tar black hair to reveal the stitches on her own head.
"-Believe me, I know."
Jorge raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"I'm guessing that's a story I missed chica."
Teresa's posture stiffened. She stood up taller.
"It's not chica; my name is Teresa. Since we are on the subject of things you're getting wrong, I know something about hiding how you feel from someone you care about. Brenda's going to be fine, but you might want to stop playing whatever role you think is in her best interest."
Jorge looked more than a little impressed.
"Ok fairs fair. To be perfectly honest I'm glad you're back chi-um I mean, Teresa. I'd never seen a guy get so bent about a chick before as Thomas was over you."
Teresa's eyes narrowed. She didn't look impressed at all. Jorge continued speaking.
"He's obviously got it bad for you if beating him back into a gas chamber with your sulky friend over there didn't wise him up."
Jorge motioned towards Aris. Teresa could sense she was being baited and after twelve hours on her feet and no sleep, she was entirely not in the mood. She felt herself getting angry but was determined not to let it show. Teresa forced a bright, cheerful smile onto her beautiful face.
"What can I say, Jorge, I'm blessed."
Teresa's voice sounded chipper, and her contrived demeanor was like some airhead cheerleader she'd otherwise hate. She was determined to drive home the point that she wouldn't be provoked by anyone. She playfully punched him in the shoulder.
"Lucky for you right? I mean Brenda couldn't keep her hands off Tom. It made him really uncomfortable how forward she was. She was always trying to make out with him like it was her job. Was she like that with a lot of guys back when you were both living in the scorch?"
Now Jorge found himself trying not to slip into an outburst. He took a deep breath.
"Touché."
Teresa could tell that was the only answer she was going to get in response to her question. Having made her point Teresa's faux persona fell away. Her demeanor softened.
"Hey Jorge, same team. If last night was any indication, we're going to have to save our energy for who or whatever is trying to come after us."
"You'll get no argument here. I owe you for helping stitch my ass back together again. So is it true what people have been saying? That a Griever rolled in and put that big mother down?"
Teresa was silent for a moment processing Jorge's words. Somehow hearing him articulate what had happened made it feel more real than seeing it with her own eyes.
"Yeah. The Griever saved us."
She couldn't help but think of Ava Paige's mantra that 'WICKED is good.'
Jorge spoke.
"I don't buy it. I mean, I believe the ugly thing killed the ogrey thing, but it wasn't doing us favors out of the kindness of its metal heart. It probably just didn't want any competition."
"You weren't there. It could have killed dozens of us if it wanted. The Griever literally wouldn't attack Hyde so long as he had Brenda-"
Teresa abruptly stopped talking as her tired mind seized on yet another mystery. Jorge looked puzzled at the expression on her face.
"What is it?"
"It's just, at first I thought that thing took Brenda because it liked girls, but it called her 'his lucky charm' or something like that. How could it know how to repel the Griever even before we knew the Griever was on our side?"
Jorge took on the demeanor of a stone cold killer for several moments as he thought about Mr. Hyde wearing Brenda as a necklace knowing how badly she'd been injured.
"For killing the bastard that did this to Brenda, I guess I can call it even for a few cuts. Hell, I'd even let the metal-punk take a few more swipes at me. That still doesn't explain why the shitty thing would damn near kill me if it was on our side."
Teresa had hoped the conversation would veer in this direction.
"That's a good point. Jorge, what were you doing when the Griever attacked you?"
Jorge shrugged.
"Just getting some air." He declared flatly.
"Aris said you were pulling the night shift in Medical. It's not like anyone could have missed a Griever inside the camp. So where did you go?"
Jorge looked reluctant. She wanted to encourage him and keep him from getting defensive.
"Come on Jorge, same team."
Jorge didn't speak and instead checked several medical monitors surrounding Brenda. It was then Teresa noticed something about Jorge's breathing. It was a tactic she'd learned at WICKED during the Swipe program. Maybe it was just her intuition telling her because it was exactly how she'd react if pressed. Stall for time. Assess your mark. Deliver a half-truth then play for more time.
*God,* She thought.
*-he really has had WICKED training.*
*Whose had WICKED training?*
Teresa felt started for a moment, but Jorge didn't notice. His attention was fixed intently on Brenda. The voice in Teresa's mind spoke again.
*Are you ok Teresa?*
*Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, Tom, I didn't mean to reach you. I sometimes forget you're in my head. I'm still at Medical with Jorge. It was him to whom I was referring. He's working with Paige or at least he was, I just know it.*
*It's ok; we'll sort it out together. Will you be home soon? We're going to have a meeting. Newt's here, Gally and Minho are on the way.*
Teresa loved hearing Thomas refer to where they lived as 'home.' She knew if they were going to protect everything they'd built they needed to work together. All of them.
*Soon. I'm going to ask Jorge to come too.*
*Ok Teresa, see you in a bit. Love you.*
*I love you too, Tom.*
Teresa snapped back into the moment. Jorge hadn't spoken during the long pause left while Teresa silently communicated with Thomas. He finally relented.
"Looks like the breathing treatment is working. Brenda's collapsed lung is improving."
Taking Jorge's clinical assessment as the only answer, she was going to get Teresa stamped her finger on one of the consoles dismissing the image. Teresa spoke.
"Like I said before Brenda's strong."
Teresa was turning to leave as Jorge spoke again.
"Yea, I guess I some stuff to say. But I'm only going through this once, so we better gather the rest of the honchos."
Teresa beckoned Aris over.
"Keep an eye on Brenda. Send someone to get us if her condition changes at all. Got it, Aris?"
Aris looked concerned and spoke.
"Wait, you're both leaving?"
Teresa was suddenly missing her internal dialogue with Aris if only to tell him to shut up. She fired a look at Aris that got her point across. Jorge turned to face Aris.
"You'll be ok Pequenin, the night shift will be here in thirty minutes, but this can't wait. Like the boss lady said. Get us if there's any change."
"Just where are you guys going to be?"
Teresa spoke up.
"Our house. Tom's and mine."
With that, the pair left to make their way across camp.
Newt, Thomas, and Gally we're sitting in Thomas' cottage house waiting for the others arrive. They'd each just endured their own unique flavor of a brutal day. Thomas had taken it upon himself to make sure everyone was accounted for. By his own estimate, Thomas figured he'd ran almost thirty miles mostly over rough terrain during the last twelve hours. He was determined to be sure no one had been lost in the chaos. Gally had acted as a human ambulance having carried at least a dozen of the injured from the homecoming party back to Medical. Only to sprint back to the lake to do it again. Newt was still covered in soot having led the fire brigade that quelled the flames which were threatening to erase the camp if left unchecked. Sonya had dropped off a large basket of fruit and bread for them to eat. With Frypan still on bed rest, she stepped up as the camp's Keeper of the Cooks, until he was feeling better at least. They guys had been sitting in silence waiting for Minho. Newt finally spoke up.
"So, I take it that thing can do more than play bloody music."
Thomas nodded in acknowledgment. He knew Newt was referring to the Syllabus device.
"Yea, I guess it's like an archive."
"An archive of what?"
Thomas smiled wearily.
"Everything."
"-Thomas can you just slim it until Minho gets here."
Gally's interruption sounded tired. It carried none of his usual contempt. Something about his lack of anger seemed more disconcerting to Thomas than if he'd just yelled at him. Gally leaned back in his chair with his shoulders sagging. Thomas didn't have the energy to argue either. Besides, he felt bad for the beleaguered guy.
"Man, you look like hell Gally. You feeling okay?"
"I've got a headache. And I'm not trying to be an asshole I just don't want to hear the WICKED is good lecture more than once tonight."
Newt's eyes gleamed a little brighter. He shrugged off Gally trying to shush them both.
"So when you say everything Tommy boy would that include our files? Ya know, names, pictures of our parents?"
Between the excitement leading up to homecoming and the chaos that ensued afterward Thomas hadn't even considered that the details of their past were at his fingertips. Thomas' enthusiasm only translated into a yawn. He rubbed his tired eyes.
"Long day?"
Thomas moved his hands away from his face to see Teresa standing there in her white scrubs. She walked over to the table and grabbed an apple before plopping in the chair next to Thomas.
"I brought company."
"Sup hermano."
Even though Thomas knew Jorge had received bio-gel dermal regeneration treatments he couldn't help but be surprised to see Jorge without a trace of scarring.
"Jorge, glad you could make it."
Thomas stood and shook Jorge's hand. He hadn't put much stock in Aris' claim that Jorge was still involved with WICKED, but Teresa had sounded more convinced than ever.
"How's Brenda doing?"
"She's stable, sleeping now. Probably gonna have to practice a little country medicine."
Thomas starred blankly at Jorge not getting the reference. Jorge continued.
"You know, keep the fever down and let the body heal itself. Hey, mind if I get some of that bread?
Thomas nodded and offered Jorge the basket.
"Sure man, help yourself."
Teresa spoke.
"Did you get everyone accounted for Tom?"
"Yea. We're good. Nobody is missing."
Teresa nodded and spoke.
"We got lucky."
Just then Minho walked in with Harriet. They both looked just as exhausted as everyone else. Everyone exchanged greetings as they sat around the table and started passing the basket of fruit and bread.
"Today sucked," Minho announced.
"I know we all need to get some sleep, but after what happened last night I think we need some answers more. Which brings us to every Glader's favorite power couple."
Minho beckoned to the end of the table where Thomas and Teresa were sitting. Thomas leaned forward with his arms on the table.
"We could tell you what we know, but I think it would be faster just to show you."
Thomas glanced over to Teresa who reached into her shirt and retrieved the device which she set on the table. They exchanged a quick glance while the rest of the room looked on nervously. Thomas placed two fingers on the device and Teresa did the same. It blinked to life as before.
"Identities confirmed. Good evening Thomas. Good evening Teresa. How can be of assistance?"
A flat red laser emanated from the device and scanned the room like a Griever coming online. Teresa began speaking.
"Syl, replay the activation sequence from Ava Paige including the comprehensive threat assessment."
Syllabus proceeded to display the same image of Ava Paige that Thomas and Teresa had viewed days before. After the digital video message concluded everyone at the table was silent for several moments before Minho's eyes narrowed as he spoke directing his words to Teresa.
"And you've had that thing stashed in your bra ever since you got here? Just when were you and Thomas going to let the rest of us in on your little science fair project?"
Thomas didn't like Minho's tone or the way he was addressing Teresa.
"Hey man, cool it. It was my call. Teresa and I saw exactly what you just saw twenty-four hours ago. As in, just before the homecoming party."
Minho looked pissed.
"Sorry shank, that's not you call. That's not even close to being a decision you make on your own whether your girlfriend co-signs for you or not."
Teresa's eyes looked fiery as she spoke up to defend Thomas.
"So let me get this straight Minho. If Tom had shown you a day sooner, you're telling me you'd have canceled homecoming and put the camp on lockdown because deep down you've always trusted WICKED and Ava Paige? I don't think so. Instead, I think you're saying all this after the fact with the benefit of twenty/twenty hindsight.
Newt interjected.
"It ain't about what bloody happened or might of happened. It's dirt simple. You don't keep a secret like that from your friends."
Thomas shook his head emphatically.
"Man, we're weren't going to keep it a secret we-"
Newt interrupted Thomas by holding up his index finger.
"No, that's exactly what you were doing Tommy boy. Look Teresa's right about one thing; it ain't like Minho would have canceled homecoming over what you just showed us. But you two can't bloody act like none of us have a right to know what the hell is going on until after you both figure out which way the wind is blowing."
Thomas saw Newt's point. He was about to respond to Newt, but Gally spoke first shaking his head.
"Minho, Newt. None of that matters now. I don't shucking care who told who what when. What I care about is not losing this place. We were all there and like it or not that Griever was getting it done."
Teresa's surprise at hearing Gally advocate for her and Thomas wasn't visible on her face, but she felt shocked to her core. Minho spoke.
"Wow, Gally I didn't realize you were so anxious to jump back in bed with WICKED after they jacked your head and made you kill Chuck. You know that cute metal Griever is just as ugly as the other ones underneath right?"
"Shuck you Minho!" Gally snapped. "You think I'm enjoying this?"
Minho crossed his arms leaning back in his chair.
"Could have fooled me, Gally."
Harriet grabbed Minho's hand and spoke to him to cut him off.
"-If everything we just saw is accurate then we have zero time to argue over this. We've been here what? Not quite four weeks; and already these factions are reaching us? The first question is how? If this place was the long-lost Safe Haven how did Hyde, or whoever that super crank worked for, find us so fast?"
Jorge broke his silence.
"Because chica, they always knew where it was."
Everyone except Teresa looked surprised by Jorge's sudden interjection into the conversation. Minho spoke.
"Uh, Jorge I'm happy you actually showed up to a meeting and all. So, believe me, I'm not trying to be a total slinthead but how the hell would you know that? Was geopolitics a hobby of yours when you were dusting off cracks back in the scorch?"
Minho smirked. Jorge didn't look amused. He just stared back at Minho until the sarcastic look on his face was replaced with a look of awkward tension.
"Hombre, this place isn't the land of the lost. WICKED didn't discover it; they just had more muscle than the next guy. Even before society broke down and shit turned into cranks eating other cranks scientists figured out what latitude and hemisphere would end up in the Goldilocks zone."
Minho looked skeptical. Newt spoke.
"Well that solves how they knew where to look, but it doesn't explain how they bloody got that ogre fella in here when Flat Trans is supposed to be coded for Munies only?"
"Because he didn't arrive via Flat Trans." Teresa retorted.
"Thomas found a cargo parachute and high altitude oxygen mask in the woods along Hyde's path to the lake."
Thomas spoke.
"It looks like he parachuted in. Teresa and I think he's what collapsed the roof in Mess hall."
Jorge nodded.
"That would explain the damn loud crash that woke me."
Minho shook his head.
"That makes no sense. If a plane flew the guy here why not land? Why come all this way to dump one unarmed guy out of a plane from damn near orbit?"
Gally spoke.
"Who says he's the only one? Maybe he's just the first wave. Maybe more parachuted in and got blown off course?"
Jorge shook his head.
"Not likely. Our little paradise home comes with a built-in security system hermano."
Newt spoke.
"We noticed Jorge, that bloody super Griever with Tommy boy's voice stuck in its mouth."
Jorge spoke.
"True, but that ain't what I'm talking about."
Teresa blinked twice looking confused. Thomas spoke.
"What then?"
"The Flare Hermano, it's airborne here."
Teresa looked skeptical but didn't dismiss Jorge out of hand. Teresa spoke.
"Jorge, Flare has been worldwide for years, but the mode of transmission has always been direct contact. Like a scratch or a bite."
"Nowhere on earth has Flare virology like this place. It's so virulent that any uninfected crank that washed up on the beach in the morning would be full term before they could watch the sunset. You gotta be immune to live in paradise or else this place is just gonna turn you into plant food."
Thomas was listening intently. What Jorge was saying made sense. It also explained why WICKED didn't have an encampment of their own in paradise. Thomas looked at Teresa and spoke telepathically.
*We could take some air samples?*
*Run tests and verify what Jorge is saying. Smart Tom.*
Minho crossed his arms.
"Still doesn't explain why they wouldn't bring guns? All we have are a few sharpened sticks."
Jorge made an abrupt move reaching down to his ankle. The next thing Minho knew he had a black metal handgun pointed at his chest. At the last second, Jorge pointed the gun in the air before pulling the trigger. The weapon made a flat clinking sound as the cylinder rotated throwing out a dim blue spark with the round. The bullet bounced from the barrel like a coin falling from a vending machine. Jorge spoke.
"Same way the Right Arm knocked over WICKED, weapon suppression field."
It all happened so fast no one had a chance to react. Minho stood, and dart tackled Jorge backward off his chair. Minho had a homicidal look in his eyes that made him look even more unhinged compared to the cool and relaxed look on Jorge's face. Minho was holding Jorge by the lapels of his shirt tilted so far backward that Minho could feel himself competing with gravity to keep Jorge from toppling down.
"What's wrong hombre? I thought you loved to joke?"
(Sorry about the wait! Thanks to everyone reviewing :) Keep em' coming I love hearing feedback from you guys. More hopefully soon, thank you for reading me! And yes this is obviously a to be continued scene. :)