Chapter Twenty Nine

Amelia placed a hand over her mouth to quiet her heavy breathing as she hid behind a thick curtain of ivy. She had spent the last three hours running through the Maze, hiding when Grievers passed by, staying as under the radar as possible. The plan was to get to the Cliff, since that was where the Grievers came from, and because they wouldn't go back until morning she would hide there until they jumped back into their hole. The Griever Hole, as Thomas had called it. He did his part, warning her whenever they were too close, doing his best to avert the eyes of the Beetle Blades when they came along her path. He said his friend, the girl he really cared about, was helping distract the others from Thomas's actions. He told Amelia that while she agreed with the Creators much more than he did, she was his best friend, and they would do anything for each other. Other than that they remained silent, both focusing on the task at hand.

Once the Griever passed she made a few more silent turns and found herself at the Cliff. Just as Thomas had said, there was not a Griever to be found. I'm here.

Good. Now, there should be a small gap over at the bottom of the wall opposite of you, over by the turn you would take if you ran to the Griever Hole from the other side of the Maze. It should be covered by ivy and big enough for you to hide under. Take your time finding it, make it look like you didn't know it was there. Amelia did as she was told, walking up and down the corridor, pretending to be looking for a hiding spot.

How did you know it was there? She asked as she ran her hands along the walls.

I told you, I helped design the this place. I put several of those all around the Maze as hiding spots, trying to give Gladers a fighting chance. She couldn't help but smile a little, unsure if she'd ever figure Thomas out. She rounded the corner on the other side and "found" the hiding spot just in time. She heard the sound of a Griever approaching and darted inside, covering herself with the ivy and controlling her breathing. She didn't ask Thomas why a Griever had come over there, in fact she barely even moved her eyes. She only laid still, listening as it did a sweep of the area and then kept moving.

Amelia stayed in that spot for six hours. She didn't budge an inch the entire time, ignoring her muscles as they fell asleep or screamed to be moved in a different position, disciplining herself to remain still. After the sixth hour she heard the Grievers begin to make their way back toward the Cliff, and she had to force herself not to hold her breath as they passed by. One by one, they came flooding down the corridors, and she could hear each of them take their turns jumping back into the hole. It took every ounce of will she had not to try and watch as the last of them took their leaps. After a few minutes of silence Thomas came through. That's all of them, he said, you did it. You survived the night!

Slowly, Amelia crawled out from her hiding spot, holding back shouts of pain as her sore body adjusted to the sudden movement. She stood there for a few moments, looking all around, listening just in case he was wrong, but all she heard was silence. Tears of joy poured from her eyes; she had done it. She let out a silent scream and she jumped into the air, reveling in her success but still remaining cautious. She was alive. She had survived the night. Thank you Thomas! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! She shouted to him, but he was no longer there. While she thought that was odd, she didn't have the energy to pester him for a response. After another jump and an ineloquent twirl, she started to head back to the Glade.

Exhaustion bore down on all of her strength, so she could only walk at a slow pace in the direction of her home. As she walked she thought of all the things she was going to be able to do. She was going to see Newt again. She was going to see Newt, and be able to tell everyone that Gally was alive. She was going to be able to run with Minho again. They were going to be able to find a way out through the Griever hole. She was going to be able to tell everyone that they could survive a night in the Maze, and how Thomas was on their side. And most of all, she was going to see Newt again.

Her thoughts started to drift towards Nick, but they were interrupted by the sound of the doors opening. She laughed at the fact that the sound resonated throughout the Maze, almost as if it was just for her. She couldn't believe how giddy and victorious she felt. It felt as though the whole world was coming together, and for once things were going to be okay. She pulled herself out of her thoughts so she could determine where she was, and she realized she was at the same halfway point that her and Minho had diverted from the other day.

As she turned another corner her mind and body went into shock when she saw a person standing in the middle of the Maze. Not just a person, but a girl. Another girl. Amelia's heart pounded as her breath became loud and fast. The girl stood as still as a statue, just staring at Amelia. She looked to be about the same age as Minho, and she had long, beautiful, black hair and big blue eyes. She wore white pants, white shoes, and a white, long sleeve shirt that ended at the wrists, emphasizing her bawled fists. She opened her mouth, and said with a voice like a wind chime, "I'm sorry Ames."

Before Amelia could even think of a response she felt a sharp pinch on her neck, and then everything went black.