Chapter Twenty Eight
Somewhere in the back of Amelia's mind she knew the Griever wasn't there anymore, but she was still stunned when she turned to find the corridor empty. Well, almost empty. Her attention was drawn towards Nick, who was lying on his back, eyes still open and forever frozen in terror. She slowly walked over and knelt down next to him, taking two fingers and pressing them against his neck, irrationally hoping to find a pulse. When she didn't, her shaking hands moved to close his eyes, and her whole body started to convulse in sobs. "I'm so sorry," she said. After a few minutes of crying she stood up, grabbing Nick by the legs and dragging him to the doors, hoping that the Grievers would leave him alone. The Gladers needed to have at least one body to bury. Once she set him down, she forced herself to peel her eyes away from her lifeless friend, trembling as she turned to face the Maze. She took a couple steps forward but then stopped, her body still with apprehension. "I don't know what to do," she whispered.
Amelia, I'm here. For the first time in a long while she was filled with dread at Thomas's presence.
I'm sorry Thomas. I know you wanted to keep me alive. She responded. She was trapped out in the Maze for a night, she knew there was no coming back from that. She was never going to see Newt again.
Don't talk like that. Don't you freakin' dare.
Look at where I am! No one survives a night in the Maze. Ever. She could feel his panic; she didn't want him there. She didn't want him to experience this, but more importantly she didn't want his hope. She couldn't handle that.
You never give up. That's not you. Ames, you of all people can make it out of this alive.
Thomas please stop. I can't. I can't do this. She felt herself fall on her hands and knees, crying once again.
Yes. Yes you can. She shook her head back and forth.
How?! Gally couldn't even survive a night, what makes you think I can? She felt his hesitation, and she swore she could almost feel his heart beating.
Gally is alive. Amelia lifted her head.
What?
Gally is still alive. The Creators pulled him out before the Grievers got to him. They're planning on putting him back in the Glade when you're dead. Amelia, the Creators want you dead. Please don't ask why, there's time for a full blown explanation right now. So you can't let them win. I won't let you. She sat up, relief flooding her veins. Gally was alive. Her friend was alive. She wiped the tears from her eyes, but confusion still rattled her brain.
But if the Creators want me dead then they're not going to pull me out like they did for Gally, so what makes you think I can do this? I'm no different from the other Gladers.
The other Gladers didn't have me. I helped design the Maze, I can get you out of there alive, but I need you to work with me. I need you to trust me. Amelia lifted her head up, letting her eyes drift and take in the view. The sun was just barely disappearing behind the walls, giving everything a dim, blue tint. She took a couple deep breaths and closed her eyes. She could do this.
Okay. She said as she stood up, feeling the life come back to her. What do I do now? This time, she knew she felt their hearts beating at the same pace, and in that moment she no longer had any doubt that they were on the same side. She felt a rush of adrenaline burst from him, causing her to smirk ambitiously as he uttered one syllable.
Run.
