Chapter 26:
Melissa saw Francesca's outburst. Melissa thought it was sweet that Minho was going to try and protect her. She just didn't know if he would be able to protect her against W.I.C.K.E.D by himself. W.I.C.K.E.D had a lot of plans for Francesca and Melissa didn't like them one bit. They scared her a lot.
Melissa's job is to watch over the for an hour everyday and come up with ways to make their lives a little bit harder each day. Melissa would always pick things that didn't seem to make a difference. Her boss did like it when she did that, she would tell Melissa that she was taking it easy on them, that they were doing this for the greater good that Melissa needed to step up to the plate because one day it would be Melissa's turn to be in control of W.I.C.K.E.D. Speaking of her boss...
"Melissa may I have a word with you, alone?" Chancellor Ava said while walking into a room filled with about ten different scientist and Melissa.
"Of course Chancellor." Melissa followed her out of the room and down to Ava's office.
"Is something the matter Chancellor?" Melissa asked once she was seated.
"No, of course not I just wanted to ask you a few questions." Ava Paige said in a serious tone.
"Okay." Melissa didn't know what was going on, but she knew that can't be good.
"I have noticed the way you treat the boys and that girl in Group A. You are taking it easy on them. So here are the questions. Why do you take it easy on them?"
"Because Chancellor they are only children. I don't think that we should do such bad things to them. It's not right." Melissa decided to answer truthfully even if it did get her fired. She looked at Ava who just nodded her head.
"Okay, Melissa how highly do you think of you position her at W.I.C.K.E.D?"
"Very highly Ms." Melissa said in a low voice, she was getting worried now. Ava nodded her head once again.
"Do you want to continue with this job Melissa, because I could find you a new one?"
"No Ms. I love my job and I would appreciate it if I can keep it."
"Are you sure because I am not sure if you know how much W.I.C.K.E.D depends on this experiment."
"Oh I know how much Ms. I assure you everything is fine. I love my job just as much as the next person does." Melissa had to make it sound like she really wanted to keep it cool, she was trying so hard.
"Alright, one more question Melissa. How many times are you after speaking to Francesca in the maze or in her head?" Melissa almost stopped in her tracks but didn't because then Chancellor Ava would sense that something is wrong.
"None, Ms. I'm not allowed to have any contact with anyone inside the maze."
"Right answer, Melissa. You may go back to work now. If I have anymore questions for you, I will come get you. Bye."
Melissa ran out of that room as fast as she could. Her hour was next to keep watch over Group A. Melissa arrived two minutes early, her friend Amy was there.
"Melissa your early." Amy said looking to her friend.
"Yeah, didn't want to be late this time. So anything happen?" Melissa asked.
"Nope, same old, same old. The builders fixing things. The Med-jacks being Med-jacks and the two girls are in the slammer, talking again." Amy said. "Well my time is up." she said getting up from the chair, "see ya later." and with that she was out the door and it was only Melissa and a wall filled with screens.
"Now lets get down to business." Melissa sat down and began working. In front of her there was a series of things for her to choose the next hardest thing for the Gladers to go through. The list terrified her.
Challenges for Group A:
Francesca is killed by the boys.
Gally is forced to kill Teresa.
Thomas and Chuck kill Gally.
The four doors to the Glade remain open until every Glader is dead.
Melissa didn't know what to choose. All these suggestions suggest killing. She didn't want young kids to kill each other but she didn't want them to die because of Grievers either. So she did what she had to do.
Please insert challenge here:_
"I'm sorry." Melissa cried, hot tears streaming down her face. "I really am."
BACK IN THE GLADE:
Avery was walking back from the slammer when she noticed that something was off. Then she heard shouts coming from the west door. A few minutes later Minho ran towards her.
"Minho what's wrong?" Avery asked him. He looked at her frightened.
"The doors aren't closing."