A/N: Hey guys! Back, but with a small chapter. But I liked writing this.. especially-

Aidan: Shush!

Lee: You were about to spoil it doof.

Me: oh yeah. Whoops.

Aidan: -.-

Me: Hey!

Lee: Before Wizard spoils anyhing else, lets move onto the story.

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"Thomas! Hey, Thomas!" Dusk called out, running towards the new boy. Thomas stopped in front of him and rasped out a few unintelligible words. He was sweating profusely, and looked ready to drop out of exhaustion. Minho ran up to the duo and clapped Thomas on his back. "Already outs breath, ya shank? That won't do, now will it? Runners gotta have a lotta stamina. Not goin' around klunkin' their pants 'cause they're tired." The Asian boy said.

Today had been Thomas' first day running in the Maze. He'd ran with Minho, but it had been hard to keep up with someone who'd run every day for the past three years. Thomas looked like he'd literally dragged the entire homestead around the Maze corridors for a week. He looked up at Dusk, squinting.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice ragged. Dusk laughed. "Man, if you're that tired, I'll just come later or something. It's not a shuck emergency." The Bagger said. Thomas straightened up and shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Tell me, whaddya need?"

Dusk sheathed a knife from his belt. He held it out to Minho, who apparently understood. Thomas only looked at the two, confused. "Why in the world are you taking out a knife?" He asked. Dusk snorted. "It's not to gut you, if that's what you're asking. It's… ceremonial." He seemed to have been searching for the correct word.

Minho grabbed the hem of Thomas' shirt and cut a piece off. Thomas reeled back, but not before Minho'd gotten what he wanted. He smirked and handed the piece of cloth to Dusk, who shoved it in his pocket. On seeing Thomas' expression, he grinned. "If you die in the Maze, this is what we bury. We have a piece stored for every Runner, in case…" he trailed off. Thomas nodded, understanding his words.

"Dusk!" A voice called out. Dusk sighed. He'd been waiting for this. He recognized the voice, of course. No one else in the whole Glade had that accent. He turned to see Newt limping up to their group, a stern expression plastered to his usually calm features. Dusk nodded at Thomas and Minho before walking over to where Newt had stopped, ten yards from them.

"What is it Newt?" He asked, even though he knew exactly what 'it' was. Newt's eyebrows scrunched themselves together. "Don't play innocent, Dusk. You know why I'm here. What happened in there with Astrid?" he asked.

Dusk sighed again. "Newt, I just did my best to help her. And it worked. If you're asking me why Astrid was screaming for me, I don't know. If you're asking me how I knew what to say to calm her down, then I might have an answer for you."

Newt's expression morphed into one of utter surprise. Dusk smiled. "Yeah, I actually have an answer. Is that surprising, or what?" he stated. "The thing is, I've had these… well I don't really know what to call them. Memories? Dreams? I have no clue. In them, it was always Astrid, having the same exact episode, screaming at people to spare me. Apparently she thinks I'm being tortured. And every time, I would comfort her in the same manner. I just assumed it was the correct thing to do in this case too." He ended his huge speech.

"So you're saying you remember something about my sister?" Newt asked. Dusk shook his head. "Not really. It's always the same thing. Astrid having an episode, and me comforting her. I can't say I know anything else."

Newt's face dropped. He'd been expecting a few more answers from Dusk, but the boy apparently knew no more. Dusk smiled and put a hand on Newt's shoulder. "Relax Newt. I know you're worried about Astrid, but you don't needa be. I can guarantee. Nothing's gonna happen to her, not while all of us are around. And honestly, if you want it, I have a piece of advice." He said. Newt looked up at him, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. Dusk smirked.

"Don't tell anyone to get fertilizer."

Newt couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Right you are Dusk. Man, I don't know what I would do in life without your enlightening advice." He said sarcastically. Dusk joined in with his laughter.

They were cut off by another person running up to them. Keith seemed out of breath and a little desperate. He stopped in front of them and put his hands on his knees, panting. He looked up at Dusk. "Hey, Dusk. I really needed some help over by the fields. You think you can help me out?" he asked.

"Why don't you ask someone else, Keith? I don't think I'll be of much help with this one hand." Dusk said, holding up his cast. Keith gave Dusk a wide-eyed look. "No Dusk, I need your help." He said. Dusk almost laughed again. He couldn't have been more obvious. Even newt saw through it. He simply patted Dusk's shoulder with a smirk and walked away after gently ruffling Keith's hair. The latter visibly flinched. It must have felt strange to have such a kind gesture from the person who had just banished your sister.

Keith gestured over to the forest, which wasn't more than twenty yards from where they currently stood. They started walking towards it, feet thudding loudly against the ground. Every step sent a throbbing ache shooting through Dusk's shoulder, but he ignored it. As they entered the forest lining, they sped up, which Dusk didn't exactly appreciate.

After what felt like ages, they finally came to a stop. Dusk leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. He looked at Keith with a smirk.

"You know, once we entered the forest line, no one would've seen us. You could've just teleported us from there."

Keith's reaction was priceless. He whipped around so fast, Dusk half-expected his head to come off. His green eyes were wide with terror. His breathing was ragged and uneven. He stumbled back, hands stretched out to try and catch hold of a support. He finally caught a branch and steadied himself. He seemed like the world had just been yanked out from under his feet. "What're you talking about!?" He exclaimed in the poorest lie Dusk had ever heard.

"Keith, you are literally the worst lier I've ever come across." He said, smiling at the younger boy. Keith's eyes were moist. It seemed as though someone had just announced his death sentence. Dusk decided that any longer, and Keith would probably have a mental breakdown. "Yes, Keith, I know of your abilities. Astrid's too. And no, before you ask, I've not told anyone and don't plan on doing so either."

Keith took a moment to take it all in. He shut his eyes tight, simply digesting the fact that Dusk knew of his powers. One slip-up, and Dusk could literally kill Keith. But something made Keith hesitate. Dusk wasn't the kind of guy to do that. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. His voice was bleak. "H-how do y-you kn-know?" He stammered.

Dusk gave him a sad smile. Slowly, carefully, so as to not hurt his bad arm, Dusk reached down and curled his fingers around the hem of his shirt. He pulled it up in the slightest, but it was enough to show Keith what he needed to see. Keith gasped, all the air stolen from his lungs. He couldn't tear his eyes away from what he was seeing.

Burned into Dusk's flesh, right above his waistline, were five letters.

FREAK.

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A/N: I know, I know. Short chapter. But I really wanted to give you guys something. I'm really tired right now, and I simply didnt have the energy to write more. Plus, I thought the cliffie was interesting ;)

So? What did you think of the twist? And thanks you guys, 91 reviews my gosh. You're awesome. Sorry for the short chapter. Next one will be longer. Promise.

A fellow Glader