Chapter Twenty One

For the second time in twenty-four hours Amelia was overpowered. Alby, Clint, and Minho grabbed her from behind and began dragging her along the stone ground, Nick shouting after them, "It's just until you calm down! It's for your own good!"

Hate flowed through her veins, she couldn't handle this. About halfway to the Slammer she forced herself to calm down and think, she needed a plan. Just as they were about to reach the door she spotted a tiny, flat head screwdriver attached to Alby's belt with his other tools, and it dawned on Amelia, she knew how to pick a lock. Carefully, she made a jolt toward Alby on her left, making it look like she was trying to run, and quickly slipped it off his belt and up her sleeve before they pulled her back.

Alby opened the door and they pushed her in forcefully. She had obviously upset everyone tonight, but she didn't care. As he locked the door Minho leaned through the window as if to say something, but retreated once met with her glare. She watched them walk away, waiting until they were out of sight to start on the lock. She reached her hand through the small barred window and smirked when she realized she could easily get the screwdriver to it. She was halfway through the process was Thomas came back.

You can't do this. You can't go out into the Maze like this.

I thought you couldn't hear what we said in the Glade? She asked sarcastically, her hate turning her sour.

It doesn't matter how I know, you can't go out there. I can't lose you. Amelia rolled her eyes and continued picking the lock.

And why is that, huh? Why is it your "sworn duty" to protect me? Amelia could feel Thomas's hesitation. Don't even bother, I know the answer, "I can't tell you". If you can't tell me then why are you talking to me? Why save me from the little things when you know the Maze will eventually kill us all? You're not my friend. If you were you'd get us out of this. You're just a waste of my time. Pop, the lock sprung open and she took it off, barely noticing the sting she had just caused him with her words. She was about to swing the door open when Thomas responded.

I will help you solve the Maze. Amelia's heart almost stopped.

What?

If you stay in the Glade, if you don't look for Gally, if you wait until you're healed to start Running again, I will help you solve the Maze. She felt excitement for the first time in weeks, it was too good to be true.

How do I know you're not lying? How do I know you're not just stalling until it's too late for him?

You don't, but if you continue to try and find Gally you will lose any chance you have of finding out.

Amelia stared at the lock in her hands, and the voice of reason flowed back through her mind, suddenly melting her anger and hate. She would die if she went out there tomorrow, and probably for nothing. Gally, Kevin, Frank, they were all dead already. She knew that. There was no math to this, whether Thomas was lying or not, it was better to take the chance on him than Gally. No matter how much it hurt. She felt sick at the thought of how awful she had just been, how she was controlled by her rage, how she much she added to everyone's pain. Tears streaked from her puffy, red, eyes.

Why would you do that? She felt the same sweet, kind emotion she had received her first night in the Glade, and it clicked what that emotion was. It was love. That was what love felt like, which then made Amelia realize another daring fact; she loved Newt. The love from Thomas felt different though, more of a caring love, but it was love all the same, and now she had something to compare her feelings too. It was love.

Because you're right Amelia, we're not friends. He said, pulling her out of her thoughts, causing her to laugh. A real, genuine laugh, something she hadn't had in a long time.

That doesn't make any sense Thomas.

Yeah well, it's the best I can do. You better put that lock back, somebody's coming. Amelia quickly put the lock back in its place and shoved it closed, then sat down and slide along the ground so her back was against the wall, crossing her arms and acting casual. The weight of the emotional roller coaster she just experienced racked her brain. Going from such extreme fury to this overwhelming sensation of love and hope was exhausting, not the mention the physical pain from her leg. But it was okay, everything was okay. They were going to solve the Maze.

The emotional ride wasn't over though, because of course it was Newt who unlocked the door and hopped into the Slammer.