A/N: Hey guys! Thank you to everyone who reviewed sorry I kept you waiting with that cliffhanger. Enjoy :)Disclaimer: I do not own Maze Runner.
Thomas stares at me and I can tell he believes me but isn't sure why.
"You don't have to say anything. I thought you had the right to know why I've been acting odd around you. It's because I have some of my memories from before, and most of them are of you and I and our friends before this place. I'm sorry. I was told not to tell you but with the Banishment and everything I thought you deserved the truth," I say this all really fast and then run away into my bedroom. I quickly close the door and collapse onto my bed. I think I'm going to cry but surprisingly no tears come to my eyes. I feel more relief than regret.
A knock sounds on my door and I see Min peeking his head in, "You want some company?"
"Sure, come on in!" I call to him and sit up.
"I saw your word vomit to Thomas. He seemed stunned when you just ran. I take it you told him?" Min asks sitting next to me.
"Yupp. I feel better though so I'm not going to let myself regret it."
"Good that," Min says before hugging me.
I pull Min down so we are lying down, "Much better. I prefer to lay down. Much more comfy."
He just chuckles and rests his head on top of mine. We just sit in silence for a bit until Newt comes in.
"There you two are," he says as he opens the door. He sees us lying in bed, "Bloody hell am I interrupting something?" He shields his eyes.
I throw a pillow at him, "No you freak. Just lying down. Feel free to join." I tease him.
"I'll pass thanks. But I came here to tell ya that you properly freaked out Tommy," He says grabbing the chair in my room and pulling it to the end of the bed.
I wink at him, "Tommy hmm?"
"I'm going to ignore you and continue on with my story. He's all freaked tonight because of the Banishing and then you drop the brother thing on him. Poor kid needs some time to process all of this. Plus Alby keeps harping on about him and the girl," Newt says.
"I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much at once," Min says sarcastically, "let it all out. Don't hold back. And do tell when you started calling him Tommy. What's that all about? Hmmmmm, do we have another pair of lovebirds in the Glade? Though, you'll have to settle for second best couple." Min kisses my head and I blush.
"You two still gross me out with all your adorableness." Newt says and I stick my tongue out at him.
"So Tommy?" Minho says and we both look at him and laugh, "What? He constantly badgered us until we finally admitted feelings for each other. I promise to return the favor to my dear friend Newt," Min says with a grin.
"As tempting as it sounds I'd like to pass you up on that offer. There is nothing going on. No feelings here." Newt says crossing his arms defiantly.
"No?" I ask.
He shakes his head so I pretend to agree.
"Whatever you say Newtie. You'll see in due time." I tease him and he just throws my pillow back at me.
Quickly after our bantering, Newt and Min return to their room for bed and I fall asleep almost instantly dreaming of times when I was little and would run around white corridors and break out into dance in the cafeteria for everyone at what I am assuming was my school because Sonya would join me and cheer me on.
The next morning, I wake up feeling well rested. I put my hair in two pigtail braids and throw on leggings and a purple t-shirt. I tie a sweatshirt I stole out of Min's room around my waist in case it's cold and make my way down to the Kitchens.
Alby and Minho have already finished eating and are sitting at the table discussing their plan for the day when I approach them.
"Alright, we should get going. Want to be out there as soon as the doors open so we can get back as soon as possible," Alby says standing.
Newt and Minho stand with him and I disregard my food and follow them to the Maze doors. Min and Alby stretch out while Newt gives them warnings of safety.
I pull Min's arm, "Please be careful and do whatever you have to in order to make sure you get back here. I have a bad feeling about this but I trust you so just be careful Mr. Macho."
He smiles and kisses me, "I promise I will be careful Shebean. Don't worry about me El."
"I love you," I say trying to hide my worry about this whole adventure.
"I love you too and relax. Everything will be fine, I promise. See ya tonight," He kisses me again and then he and Alby run off into the Maze.
I turn to Newt, "I have a really bad feeling about this. Maybe I should go after them?"
Newt pulls me into a hug, "You're staying here. I promised Minho I'd make sure you didn't bloody run after them. They'll be fine. It's not that far into the Maze. They'll be back with plenty of time before the doors close."
I just nod and follow him to the gardens where he is working today with Thomas and Zart. I'm too worried about Min that I don't feel like doing work so I sit by and watch all the Trackhoes work. During a break Thomas sits next to me.
"I believe you," he says.
"Huh?"
"Last night you said we were brother and sister. I believe you. I don't know why but I just know you are right. I had a weird dream last night that reminded me. It was a simple dream. All I did was tug on your braids, they were exactly like you're wearing now. I'm sorry I don't remember much besides that." He looks upset.
"Hey, that's better than nothing. And thanks for telling me you remember a little bit at least. Makes me feel like I'm not going completely crazy," I say with a smile and he chuckles.
Newt stands to the side watching us and when he catches my eye we share a knowing smile. He then calls Thomas back to work and I continue to sit and do nothing. A couple times I check in on the girl but she still isn't doing anything but muttering words. She mentions Thomas by name a lot and I roll my eyes every time I have to write that down. She said mine a couple times so I wrote that down too because Clint wants everything recorded. When I head back to the gardens I see Thomas is badgering Newt with questions about things they've tried to do to escape. Newt is clearly getting frustrated but he has such a soft spot for Thomas and he doesn't even realize it.
"Greenie, calm down on the questions," Newt says to Thomas.
"Quit calling me Greenie. The girl is the newest member." Thomas says equally frustrated and I hold back a smirk at the two of them bantering.
"Fine, I'll answer a few of your questions about the Runners since you're so buggin' fascinated." Newt says humoring Thomas. Surprisingly, Newt tells Thomas he used to be a Runner. He normally isn't inclined to share that part of his past.
Newt then goes into his speech about order and how Thomas needs to drill that word into his head. I suppress an eye roll because Newt is always harping on about order around here. But he does have a point, we don't need Thomas trying to mess up the order by attempting to become a Runner and letting everyone know of his desires. He's lucky only Newt and I heard him. I can only imagine the field day Gally would have with that information.
The day passes relatively quickly and soon enough it's dinner. I don't really eat because I'm nervous about Minho and Alby.
"What happens if they don't make it back?" Thomas asks.
"They'll make it back," Newt responds and I just grip the fork tighter in my hand.
An anxious group of Gladers have gathered around the Maze doors after dinner waiting for Minho and Alby. I can't stand still and keep pacing back and forth. As we are standing around getting even more worried Thomas keeps running his mouth.
"Why don't we just send a search party out to find them?" He asks Newt and I.
Newt's face becomes overcome with fear and I swear internally. He hates not being able to do anything and is still afraid of the Maze. I don't blame him and Thomas' pestering isn't helping.
"Bloody hell. We can't. Okay? Don't say it again. One hundred percent against the rules. Especially with the buggin' Doors about to close. Entering the Maze at night is buggin' suicide. No one survives a night in the Maze." Newt says through gritted teeth.
"But why not?" Thomas whispers to me and I groan loudly.
"Just shut it please. Bad things happen in the Maze overnight. There's a reason the doors close at night and you never want to be caught on the other side," I snap at him and he looks at me both impressed and scared of my outburst. But, it works and he stops talking.
Eventually Newt loses hope, "They aren't coming back Ellie. I'm sorry."
My heart literally breaks hearing him give up, "No. I refuse to believe that Newt. You can't just give up on them."
"The doors close in two minutes. I'm so sorry Ellie," Newt says pulling me into a hug and slowly walking me toward the Homestead.
Numbness. That's all I feel as Newt guides me back. However, we only take a few steps before people start screaming. I turn in disbelief and see Minho practically carrying Alby towards the Glade. He looks like he's been Stung but Min looks okay.
I run from Newt push my way to the front of the crowd and start screaming for Min.
"Min, hurry! Get back here now! You can do it! Please!" I shout at him and catch his eye.
Just as I am about to run into the Maze to help him carry Alby back Newt grabs me from behind.
"No you don't. You know you can't risk it Ellie."
I struggle against him, "Let go of me!" I shout, "I need to help him! Newt, please!" I say my voice cracking as tears start to fall down my face. I catch Min's eyes and he sees me crying and starts grunting and pulling Alby faster.
He isn't going to make it. I slump into Newt's arms as I realize he's right. There's no way I can make it in to help him and out before the doors close.
What I fail to notice is Thomas, but apparently Newt noticed him because he starts yelling at him not to even think about it. Knowing my brother though he is going to go into the Maze and my heart shatters a little more because now because my brother and my boyfriend will be on the other side of those door.
"No Tommy!" Newt and I shout together but it's too late. Thomas runs into the Maze just as the doors close.
I break down sobbing in Newt's arms. He can't exactly carry me because of his limp so he gets Will to help. I overhear Newt explaining to Will that Thomas is my brother.
"That explains why they look so much alike but how do you know that?" Will asks me while still carrying me.
"Memory," is all I say and then continue, "but it doesn't matter anyways. He's gone." A fresh set of tears start rolling down my face and Will makes soothing noises.
"It'll be okay Ellie. You and I both know Minho is the toughest guy out here and this Thomas kid clearly is a fighter if he was willing to run into the unknown for two people he doesn't know. Don't lose all hope yet. We can't have our sunshine fade," He says as an attempt to get me to smile and I do. I try to hold in the tears until I am alone.
Once we reach my room, Will places me on my bed and leaves. Newt hangs back and I pat the spot next to me on my bed.
"Please stay in here Newt," I plead with him as tears form in my eyes again.
"Of course," He says and I can see the sadness in his eyes too.
"You think they have a chance? Any at all?" I ask him as I get under my covers and take out my contacts.
"It's possible. They are the strongest and toughest but bloody hell a night in the Maze?" He says in disbelief and stays sitting up.
Newt brushes my hair as I continue to cry. I'm absolutely terrified of what I'm going to find at the Maze doors in the morning.
"Why didn't Min try harder to get back? He could've just left Alby and gotten back safely." I cry into Newt's side.
"Minho would never do that to a friend, you and I know that."
"I know. But I'm scared Newt. What's going to be at the Doors when they open tomorrow? After a Banishment the Grievers always leave that stupid collar as a reminder that they won. Why does he have to be shucking Mr. Macho? And why does Thomas have to be a shucking idiot," I say angrily.
"Try to sleep Ellie."
"You should too Newt."
"I'll try," he says.
That night is one of the worst nights in the Glade. The nightmares are horrific of all the possibilities of what is happening to Minho and Thomas as I try to sleep safely in my bed. I think I slept maybe a total of 2 hours and so did Newt. Every time I woke up screaming or crying he was already awake.