Regaining Memories

Edward and Teresa were dragged like naughty dogs to the pit.

"Let us go Gally! You don't know what you're doing!" Teresa begged.

"Don't say a word Teresa!" he snapped back.

"You leave her be!" Edward hissed. "And whatever problem you have with me, leave Teresa out of it!"

Gally paid no attention. He opened the middle pit and like a ruffian, pushed Edward inside and he fell inside with a thud. Quickly he slammed the bamboo door over the pit locking him inside.

He then opened the right pit and Teresa was thrown inside. Edward heard her grunting in pain.

"Don't ruffle her like that!" Edward snapped, hissing at his nemesis through the bamboo bars.

Gally closed in again. "You keep your mouth shut Greenie 2 if you want to live another day! You're going to pay for what you've done!"

Edward wanted to retort back but he knew his words wouldn't make anything better. He watched as Gally and his henchmen marched away into the darkness. Sighing heavily, Edward slumped against the stone wall and slid down onto the floor. He clutched his knees close to his chest and begin to sniffle a bit. Gally couldn't be right about him. He never ordered those monsters to attack the Glade.

Are you okay Edward? Teresa called to him in his mind.

No I am not okay Teresa.

Edward, you're not responsible for what's happened.

That's not what Gally thinks. Or any of the other Gladers.

Don't say that. I know Chuck doesn't think that. And I'm sure that Newt, Minho and Frypan don't either. If anything it's my fault. Alby said it to himself that I'm the one who triggered this.

Don't you dare blame yourself, Teresa! The Creators did this. Not you.

There was a moment of silence between them.

Teresa started the conversation this time. What do we do then?

I don't know.

Your brother will think of something.

I don't want him to get involved in this. Newt or someone else has probably figured out he knew about my secret. Edward thought of his brother and what he was doing right now. He hoped that none of the Gladers were arousing any suspicions towards him.

We'll figure this out together Edward. I promise. Teresa tried to make her words sound meaningful.

Edward could sense it. Thanks Teresa. He couldn't help but feel a strange warm feeling painting his face.

No problem.

Do you... Edward paused feeling a little awkward. Do you think we were best friends or something before the Maze or something?

We knew each other before the Maze so we must have been close before the Maze. I'm really glad that we were both sent up here.

I can't help but think I feel the same way too. So...what do you think gonna happen now?

Well...I guess the Grievers will attack again tomorrow night. Alby will be trying to make sure everyone is ready.

You don't think he's gonna leave us in the pit when it happens?

Of course not. You saved his life even though it meant exposing your secret. Why else did he not go through with Gally's idea of banishment?

He looked at me like he was scared.

He's just scared. I'm sure he won't banish us.

Nevertheless, he doesn't trust us at all.

Whatever happens, we'll figure this out together. We'll find a way to convince everyone to leave the Glade and go to the exit that you, Thomas and Minho found. Once we finally escape this prison, we'll finally be free and nothing bad will ever happen to any of us again.

That's what concerns me Teresa.

What does?

Will we be able to? How do we know if we can make it out? Edward was feeling more scared than ever. He thought about the Griever that had attacked him and his brother back in the Maze, about the fact that Grievers had been patrolling the Maze during the daytime. He couldn't speak anymore to Teresa after that. He managed to drift to sleep but still, his worries clung to his spirit and disturbed his mind.

Thomas sat on the tower, his legs dangling over the edge. He looked towards the pit where he saw Gally and his henchmen guarding it. How he wished he could go over there and talk to his brother, comfort him, tell him he's not responsible for what had happened. He stared around at everything that had been damaged in the attack. The Council Hut. Frypan's cooking hut. The fields. It was horrifying to look at.

He looked down at everyone who was beginning to gather up any items that had survived. He noticed a few boys were looking up at him. Alby and Newt were amidst them. Alby looked rather unmoved. Newt looked less strict but a little suspicious. Thoams couldn't blame them. Still, it hurt that already some of his new friends were beginning to think low of him and his brother now.

He heard the creaking of wood and the sound of the tower hatch door opening. Turning to the side, he saw it was Chuck.

"Hi Chuck,"

"Hi," He pushed himself up and closed the door behind. "I thought you might like some company,"

"Thanks Chuck,"

Chuck sat close to him. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Thomas hung his head down. He waited for Chuck to ask again but he just sighed. "My brother didn't order those Grievers to attack. And we have not been trying to harm anyone. All we've been trying to do is help everyone get out,"

"I know," Chuck consoled. "I absolutely think it's awful of Alby to lock him and Teresa up like this and prevent you from seeing him, especially after how he saved his life,"

"I don't know what to do Chuck,"

"Talk to Edward tomorrow when Alby allows you to see him. You two can figure something out. You always do,"

Thomas nodded.

"I'll leave you alone," Chuck stood up again and patted Thomas's shoulder. He departed with a consulting smile as he disappeared down the tower. Thomas eventually became tired. Rather than depart down to the sleeping huts which were mostly destroyed from tonight's attack, he fell asleep on the platform, his eyes even with their eyelids locked tight over his irises still glued to the pit far across the glade.

He didn't notice that Newt was looking right up at him. He wasn't angry but a suspicious and concerned feature had overtaken his face.

Edward woke up to Teresa's loud yawning the next morning. It was light outside but a few grey clouds covered the sky, a reminder of the grave turn of events from the night before. He remained slumped against the wall, worried about the events to come the following night.

Thomas yawned as he sat up. As he stretched his arms, he looked towards the pit. He saw Gally speaking through the bars to his brother. He clenched his fist. How he wished he could go over there and just punch that bully in the face.

The platform hatch opened and he turned to see Newt poking his head up. "Alby sent me up to get you," he looked a little grim. "Follow me,"

Thomas followed him down, then he walked alongside across the grass, still burnt and bruised from the night before. The second-in-command kept a good distance away from him. Thomas knew why.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you but it wasn't my right. I had to keep it secret for my brother's sake,"

Newt didn't turn his head nor did he speak.

"You can't blame my brother for what happened. And if it wasn't for him, Alby would have died,"

"It doesn't excuse the fact that you didn't trust either of us. Alby said that the Glade works on trust and that means no keeping secrets from each other,"

"Wouldn't you have done the same for our brother or sister?" Thomas asked, sedating Newt's pace. "Would you have protected their secrets knowing full well what others might think of them if they knew something which they would fear?"

Newt didn't speak again. Thomas sighed. They approached the pit and Gally and his henchmen turned to them.

"You won't have long Greenie 1," Gally said venomously.

"I want to speak to my brother alone," Thomas requested.

"Why?" Gally furrowed his eyebrows. "So you two can get up to your scheming?"

"GAlly back off," Newt ordered, stepping to Thomas's side. "Let him be with his brother,"

Gally gave Thomas one last threatening glare before stalking off with the other two pit guards. Newt gave Thoams one last soft yet cautious glance before stalking off. He bent down in front of the pit. "Hey, Ed,"

"Tom!" Ed stood up and he reached his fingers through the gate to clasp Thomas's.

"I'm so sorry that I let this happen,"

"It's okay Tom. I'm so glad that you're not a cell. I know I shouldn't have done that but Alby needed help,"

"Ed what you did was so selfless,"

"But now he's afraid. Everyone's afraid. They think it's my fault,"

"Ed listen to me. It is not your fault,"

"Thomas!" Teresa spoke up. "What are we going to do?! The Grievers will be coming back again tonight!"

"I know," Thomas twisted his head around and saw defences being built, weapons being prepared. "Everyone building the fort and sharpening their weapons,"

"That won't be enough to fend of those monsters," Edward said. "We need to get out of here,"

"But Edward, you said it yourself last night that we might not be able to make it out even if we did know where the entrance is. For all, we know the Creators could be making it harder," Teresa argued.

At her words, Edward drifted off into thinking. So did Thomas. Edward eyed his brother very carefully, seeing his face silent. Seconds an idea erupted from his lips. "You're right guys. We'll never know what to do unless we..."

"Unless we what Tom?" Edward urged.

"Unless we remember,"

"Wait a minute," Edward's eyes widened. "You're not saying..."

"One of us has to get stung by a Griever. It's the only way we can regain our memories. We'll never know how to get out of her unless we remember why we were sent here, how the Creators set this maze out. I will be the one who gets stung,"

"No Tom!" Edward clapped his hand. "I will be the one to get stung!"

"I'm the older brother! I'm the one who should take this risk! And we only have one antidote syringe left!"

"No! I'm the one who controls the Grievers! I should be the one who gets stung!"

Before the brothers could argue, Gally marched upon them. "Times up Greenie 1!"

Thomas tried to retort but his brother spoke up.

"It's okay Tom. I'll see you soon," his brother promised.

Gally pushed Thomas away riping his hand from Ed's. Gally pushed him away. Thomas tried to make a face at him but once again Newt stopped him from doing anything. Keeping his arm tight around his shoulders, he pulled him away.

You're not seriously thinking of going through with this plan, are you? Teresa spoke again.

I think Thomas has a point. Maybe Edward is right about us. We need to remember. We're the only ones who have pieces of our memories. It's a sign we need to figure out why we were sent here. And I need to know why I can control those Grievers, why that Griever which I couldn't control wanted to kill me and Thomas.

Thomas said it so himself that there's only one vial of antidote left.

Teresa...

No Edward. You can't get stung. Your brother's going to ensure he gets stung.

He doesn't realise that I can command those Grievers to do it to me instead. Teresa, promise me that you will not tell Thomas about this. Promise me. Please...he's the only family I have. Promise me.

Edward...

Please, if whatever we had before the Maze meant anything to you then promise me that you will ensure Thomas doesn't stop me from getting stung. Promise me!

Alright! Alright! I promise I won't tell him! But only if you promise me that you know what you're doing!

If I can be honest, I don't.

Thomas was escorted by Newt to the medical hut which still stood. Alby was still inside resting. The moment he noticed Thomas entering, his entire face seem to grow angry.

Thomas did his best to remain calm. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better," he answered.

Thomas made a move. "Look Alby...my brother didn't do this to the Glade. He didn't order those Grievers to attack us. And he saved your life,"

Alby wasn't exactly moved.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you or anyone about this. I'm sorry I broke your trust, but my brother comes first. You would have all been suspicious of him for no reason if you knew about his ability to command Grievers. I was afraid of putting him in a difficult position,"

Alby seemed to be moved slightly.

"I think Thomas has a point," Jeff spoke up. "I mean Edward's a great kid. And he risked his life to save you,"

"Don't hold Teresa accountable either," Thomas implored. "She helped Edward save a lot of Gladers yesterday and she never asked to be sent up. The least you can do is give them a chance. And besides Edward is our best chance at surviving the Griever attacks,"

"But what about the Griever who didn't look like the others?" Newt spoke up again. "Could Edward control that?"

Thomas turned to him and saw the demand for an answer. He couldn't hold it back. They knew his brother's secret anyway but what difference would it make. "No. He couldn't control it. Whoever spoke to us made his version of a Griever which only he could control and Edward couldn't. Look none of us knows what's going but we aren't your enemies,"

"Is that so?" Alby questioned. "How is it...that I remember how that director always favoured you two, doted on you two?"

"Alby, you are not making any sense," Thomas said.

"Thomas...you should get out of here," Quickly Newt pulled Thomas up and escorted him. Thomas could tell that Alby was becoming angry. He was getting into another fit like yesterday. He became afraid again. It was at this moment that he realised just how more important his plan was. His fractured memory wasn't making sense. Alby wasn't making sense. The Griever venom was the only thing that could help him.

Once they were outside, Newt clasped his shoulder. "Get out of here Thomas before Alby gets into another state," Before he could walk away, Thomas grabbed his hand. "Wait Newt! I need you to promise me something!"

"What?"

"You need to promise me that you will keep Edward away from the Grievers tonight!"

"What?"

"Newt..." Thomas didn't want to lie again but again he knew Newt's better nature. "There's a chance that the advanced Griever may come and Edward may yet try to control it again when he couldn't before. He'll get himself into danger. So please ...I need you to help me ensure he doesn't try if that happens,"

Newt saw the fear in Thomas's eyes. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"It is the truth," At least half of it. Thomas felt his heart tearing up lying to Newt like this. "Promise me...by the love you have for your brother or sister. I would do the same for you,"

Newt was silent. "Okay. Okay,"

Soon the night came and everyone was prepared. Gally released Edward and Teresa from the pit and in an instant, Edward rejoined his brother, Newt, Minho and Chuck, who quickly embraced him with a tight hug. He affectionately returned it. Their reunion was cut short when nightfall fell and once again the gates wouldn't close. Everyone remained scared but strong.

Thomas eyed his brother then he eyed Newt, facially imploring him to keep his promise. Newt gave a gruff nod. The screeches of Grievers filled their ears. Teresa was watching Edward every second. How nervous she was becoming. The words 'Promise me' kept echoing in her head like a constant memory that wouldn't go away. She had promised Edward not to tell Thomas what he was up to, but she couldn't let Edward get stung. Besides, if Thomas said he was going to do it himself, there was only one syringe. She noticed Newt keeping a close eye on her friend and Thomas too. Tiptoeing over to Thomas, she tapped his shoulder.

"Teresa? What is it?"

Teresa took one glance at Edward who remained in his position, glancing forward towards the open gates. "Edward's going to make sure the Grievers sting him instead of you," she whispered. "I know he made me promise but I don't want him to get stung,"

"I don't neither. I made Newt promise that he'd keep him out of danger. It has to be me. Please make sure Edward doesn't try and come after me,"

"I will. Are you sure you know what you're doing Thomas?"

"Not really. But we need someone's memories to figure this all out. If anyone has to take that risk, it's me,"

Teresa said nothing else after that.

The sky darkened and everyone pulled out long wooden spears and machetes and knives and all of the savage pieces of metal. They prepared. Edward and Thomas kept a close eye on each other, the younger bro not realising the older bro knew his plans. Everyone gathered inside the council hut, deciding to barricade it. Their weapons would be their last resort. Screeching echoed from outside.

Edward scanned the walls, trying to think of a way out. He felt Alby and Gally's cold stare on his back. He knew this was going to be tricking. They would not let him out of their sight. They distrusted him. At one point, Chuck had suggested that he could use his communication with the Grievers to help them but the leader of the Glader and the Keeper of the Builders would not take that chance. Thomas was doing the same thing too. He noticed his brother moving very quietly towards a back exit. He sent a glance at Newt.

Newt nodded. He quietly stepped back and he clasped Edward's shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Newt...I have to lead those Grievers away,"

"And risk getting stabbed I don't think so. I made a promise to your brother to keep you out of danger. He knows your plan and he's not going to allow you to recklessly put your life forward,"

At that instant, Edward shot a cold glare over to Teresa who had nervously crept over to him.

"You told him didn't you," he hissed, betrayed.

"I'm sorry Edward but I couldn't..."

"Shush!" Gally silenced them. "If you guys don't quiet don't, I'll throw you to the Grievers,"

"Shush!" Alby shushed him.

They heard the thumping getting closer and closer. Chuck became scared. Edward pulled him into his arms, rubbing his head. "It's okay," he whispered. Chuck clung to him tightly.

Thomas held a machete in his hands. He began to breathe slowly in and out. Suddenly three metal tails started shooting through the roof, knocking long sticks onto the floor over everyone's heads. Everyone kept well back, battering at the tails with machetes. At first, they were lucky but more tails sprouted from the roof and boys were snatched out. The plan wasn't working.

At that instant, Thomas barged through the secret exit. "Thomas no!" Edward cried.

"Tommy!" Newt shouted. He realised that Thomas hadn't told him the real truth. He was asking him to ensure his mother would try and get stung whilst he would get stung instead.

At that instant, Edward released Chuck and charged out after him. Newt and Teresa tried to stop him but wood fell between them giving him a chance to escape.

After Thomas exited the council hall, he got a clear view of what the Grievers were doing. There were six of them. "Hey! Over here!"

The Grievers saw him. They roared and started chasing him. Thomas sprinted across the Glade but suddenly he was trapped. Knowing he couldn't get up in time, he held out his machete as the monsters closed in on him, raising their tails.

Suddenly he heard his brother's voice. The Grievers turned. "Hey! Over here! Come and get me!" Edward shouted. The Grievers chased after Edward.

"Edward!" Thomas tried to run after him but more Grievers appeared out of nowhere and he ducked behind some trees for cover. He prayed his brother would be alright.

Edward led the Grievers away from the council hut, towards the tower. He started climbing up. He felt the Grievers trying to jump up after him. He managed to dodge their attacks. He made it to the top. He wondered what he was going to do now. He heard cracking and felt himself losing his balance.

Managing to escape them by camouflaging into the forest and then emerging out from the other side, Thomas watched in shock as the Grievers tried to scale up the tower for his brother. But out of the corner of his eye, Edward grabbed a long piece of rope. He tied it to the top and took a peep down. Then he jumped. As he did, the Grievers pounced upon the falling platforms of wood but as the tree trunks snapped and it started falling.

Edward landed with a thump on his stomach. Hearing the wood toppling behind him, he twisted and head and he watched as the tower collapsed right on top of the Grievers. He sighed in relief. That took care of the first wave.

Thomas couldn't take his eyes off what his brother had done. His relief was cut short when the Grievers that had chased him emerged from the forest and started to attack.

Edward saw what was happened and tried to rush forward. Suddenly Gally appeared out of nowhere and pinned him to the ground, squeezing his throat, trying to choke him.

Edward growled. "Are you kidding me?" he kneed Gally's stomach, stunning him before pushing him off.

Still, Gally refused to back down. He tried to wrangle him but Edward kept dodging.

"Can't you just stop it already?!" he screamed in anger. But still, Gally attacked him. "You did this to us! When they take you and your brother, everything will go back to the way it was!"

"Do you even hear yourself?!" Edward shouted. "If we stay here, they're going to come back!"

Suddenly a much louder roar echoed across the air. Into the Glade charged the giant three-tailed Griever that Edward and Thomas had encountered.

Newt and Teresa busted their way out of the fractured Council Hall. Chuck was with them.

Thomas eyed the monster very carefully. It was heading straight for Edward. "Oh no," he sprinted. "Edward!"

"Thomas!" Newt shrieked rushing after him, Teresa in pursuit too.

Edward rolled out of the way, managing to get to safety. The advanced Griever crashed into more huts roaring. It stared at Edward and Gally. It swiped his tail over them. They ducked. It tried to attack again but Edward managed to duck out the way. He heard Gally's screams and saw him being rammed into the forest with the Griever. He would certainly be dead by now.

Thomas managed to duck away from the Grievers. He struggled to reach his brother as the Grievers were scrambling over one another and some trees were falling between them. He watched as his brother called out to the Grievers, telling them to back off so he could reach him. He just about nearly reached when suddenly the three-tailed Griever whom Edward couldn't control attacked, Thomas managed to dodge it one of its three stingers stung him in the stomach. He collapsed.

"Thomas!" Edward screamed. Before he could rush forward, he felt a syringe stab him in the thigh by a Griever behind him. He collapsed.

"Edward!" Teresa shrieked in horror.

The three-tailed Griever circled the two brothers. It snarled. It tried to strike but it was suddenly impaled by three long spears. It turned around to see Teresa, Newt, Minho and Frypan charging at them, battle-crying unafraid. It roared. It tried to attack the brothers but a giant lantern was thrown at it, setting it on fire.

"Get the brothers!" Newt ordered. He rushed to Thomas. He hoisted him into his arms. "Minho help me! Frypan! Get Edward!"

Due to Frypan's hefty size, he was able to scoop Edward into his arms. Together they bounded to the council hut. Alby heard the bigger Griever roaring and saw it coming after them. "Quickly! Everyone inside!" Quickly everyone got inside and Alby shut the door tight. Together he and Minho barged it tight.

The brothers were laid down in the centre, Newt, Teresa and Chuck joining them.

Alby pressed his fingers to his lips. Everyone silenced.

They heard loud thumping, monstrous croaking and metal scraping. They held their breaths. There were only 20 of them now. Alby sighed in grief. The Grievers would kill all of them tomorrow night. They needed to go.

They waited a long time. There were no sounds of Grievers trying to puncture the wooden walls with their tails. Not every roars. It became silent. Too silent. Alby tiptoed up and opened the door very slight. "They're gone. They've left the Glade. THey'll be again a third time,"

Teresa clutched Edward's hand as Chuck cradled his head.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he was close to tears.

"I had to," Edward croaked. His eyes rolled over to Teresa's. "Why?"

"I'm sorry I broke my promise Edward. I couldn't. I didn't want to take that chance that it would kill you,"

"Tommy, just try to breathe," Newt held Thomas's head in his hands, rubbing his already sweating head. Minho was at his side. Frypan too.

"Just hang on Thomas," Mihno breathed hoarsely.

Alby came forward and he bent down behind both the brothers. He was staring at them with pitiful glances. Edward's head twisted over to meet Thomas's.

Thomas was the first to cough out some words. "Why did you..."

"I didn't want you to do this, to feel responsible for what was my fault," Edward tried to speak again but he began to suffocate.

"Someone get the syringe!" Alby ordered. Jeff jogged started digging through the medical supplies he had saved. He glanced at Thomas and then at Edward. He sighed despondently. "We can't heal both of them,"

"Get we just do half each?" Chuck was beginning to sob.

"It might require an entire amount," Alby said with regret. He wanted to apologise to the youngest Glader but he noticed something between the brothers. Thomas was suffocating more than his brother. Edward seemed to breathe a lot less aggressive in reactive to the poison. He just looked sweaty. "Why is Thomas reacting to it more than Edward?"

"I don't think it's gonna turn me savage," Edward croaked unexpectantly. "Use the syringe on Thomas,"

The boys remained torn. But at the same time, confused. How was it that Edward was reacting a lot to the venom unlike Thomas, Alby and Ben? Jeff arrived with the syringe. Teresa took it. The moment it touched her fingers she felt torn. She wanted to save Edward but she knew she would never forgive herself if she used it on him and not on Thomas would die meaning Edward wouldn't be able to forgive her.

"Why did they both choose to get stung in the first place?!" Frypan blabbered snatching the syringe from Teresa's hands as he noticed her extreme agitation. "Why did they have to put us in this spot?!"

"They chose to get stabbed so that they could recover their memories!" Newt snapped. "We can't let that for nothing," he snatched the syringe from Frypan and raised it over Thomas. He turned a glance to Edward. "Are you sure Edward?"

"Yes. I will get my memories back but I won't turn savage. Use it on my brother,"

"Newt...don't," Thomas begged but the venom took a stronger hold on him and he was shuddering against the grass. Much more painfully and aggressively than Edward who's eyes were closing.

Newt made his choice. He stabbed Thomas's in the stomach with the syringe, injecting nearly all of the anti-serum in. The last few drops left he injected into Edward. He prayed that both of them would live.

No more words were said after that.

Another chapter is done. Quite a long one too. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought. Get ready for the revelation later. :) ;)