The piercing sun blazes its way through the crack of the roof in my room. I can already hear the constant chatter of teenagers bustling about in the breakfast queue. I rub my eyes and turn towards the open door and see Sonya and Harriet standing together, Sonyas hair pulled back into a braid and a couple of scars across her face from what it looks like burns. She then has a slightly stained bandage on her wrist. Then I realise they are talking about how she got it.
'' I think some WICKED guard smacked it with his gun when they invaded where we were staying near the lost city, you weren't there though'' she says to Harriet.
Well it is common for WICKED to attack and try to murder teenagers so it's not a surprise for me, most of the kids at the safe haven have some sort of injury or injuries that haven't healed yet. We've all been here for a week or so saved from the clutches of psychotic scientists most immunes or nearly all Immunes. It doesn't matter anyway each kid including myself has or had been in the hands of WICKED.
All of a sudden a familiar voice brings me back to my senses. His shoes thumping across the wooden tiles.
'' Hey Thomas get up you lazy shank your gonna miss breakfast, Frypans made pancakes, they super freaking rare and awesome ''. He says''awesome'' while taking a bite of a pancake and stuffing the syrup covered thing in his mouth.
The sugary smell and cake like scent makes my mouth water and I reach for Minho's arm as he pulls me up from my hammock.
'' I'm sure they'll let you skip the cue oh special one but seriously Fry's gonna run out so get your butt out here'' Minho chuckles while pushing me forward to get out of the room.
I take my place behind the two girls and keep my eyes trained On Frypan flipping pancakes and offering an occasional smile when each person reply's with a thank you.
'' Thomas''. She grabs the back of my shoulders and reaches into kiss my cheek.
'' Hey Brenda, how are you doing''
'' better now that your awake'' she grins.
'' Ha-ha very funny'' I reply with one back.
Over time I have come to admit I like Brendas touches an occasional reminder to know she's still here and wants attention or just generally cause she loves me so much, which I've never really had anyone do, even with Teresa she's never been the touchy feel kinda of girl and I see her as a friend nothing more nothing less, seeing her beyond a friend changed when all of... All of the WICKED thing happened I've never felt that way the same. I have a strong feeling Brenda will never betray me and she hasn't. Considering all the guys she could of chose from.
I reach the front of the line and Frypan seems happy to see me, not really common at that back in the glade, but things are much better and people are happier in the safe haven rather than the glade, no work I guess.
'' Hiya Thomas your a bit late lucky you haven't missed out on all the pancakes Minho is really digging in and a bit much since he's come back like three times'' Fry smiles.
'' Well thats Minho, how on earth did you get the ingredients to make pancakes, don't only rich people eat that stuff?'' I ask.
'' Theres a train not far from here and is up and running again they bring supplies from what's left of the world or what they've made since it's all being re-build again and we got the ingredients to make them since everyone here's been under WICKED control or worse and we get free stuff since we're kind of traumatised'' He replies.
I take the plate full of pancakes and notice there's an extra one, then take a bite of the stuff and mumble
'' Thanks, tell me when we get more supplies I can help you in the kitchen''
He gives me a wink and I smile softly as Brenda takes my arm and leads me to one of the tables Gally, Minho and Aris are sitting on.
We sit down next to eachother and Gally passes me and Brenda a quick wave before he stuffs down his remaining pancakes.
'' Man these things are good'' Aris says.
'' I know we get free food now cause we under WICKEDs inspection'' I tell him.
'' Well this is definitely better than frypans stew, don't get me wrong I love it but these'' Gally states looking down at his plate, fork in hand.
We all start to chatter when a whistle stops all the kids from there well-in conversations and turn to face the beach.
Vince stands on a rock like a platform from the sand and begins.
'' Good morning everyone hope I haven't all stopped you from enjoying your breakfast but I quick announcement, as you know many many kids and yourself are welcome and stay here at the safe haven, although it is quite small we have some more teens from the hands of WICKED invited to join. They were not quite so uh healthy and have recently been healed from there illness but just so you know welcome our new teens, they will be arriving in 2 days. Thank you''
We all clap briefly and turn back to chatter.
'' what the shuck does he mean not so healthy?'' Minho questions.
'' I'm not so sure the Illness is something as common as a stomach ache or nausea'' Gally exclaims.
That's when it clicks in my head. The new kids couldn't be immune, they had the virus and were cured. But how. My blood only stops the virus and I've had none taken from me since in city. They couldn't just take it away from me now who knows how many kids it could be they would have to use my whole body's worth of blood to save each and every one of them. Then Brenda reads my mind.
'' I think they had the Flare and got cured, but I don't know how Teresa said only Thomas's blood could stop the virus and he's been here the whole time they couldn't have unless you were asleep and god knows how many kids there are if there were more than 15...''
'' You'd be a dead shank'' Minho finishes.
'' Yeah, maybe they just don't need more of it'' I suggest
'' You've always been a special little Greenie though Tom-Tom so I think you right'' Gally smiles.
Seriously? What kind of nickname is that? I question in my head. Well atleast it wasn't Tom or Tommy... I shake my head to get rid of that thought that will lead me down a dark path it has before.
'' Haven't you guys heard they are throwing a party tonight with a bonfire and all that?'' Aris asks.
'' Just like old times'' Says Gally.
'' Not sure they'll let us fight one another and Thomas to get a face full of sand again '' Minho laughs and so does the others.
We then rise from the table and begin to head back to our rooms.
Gally, Minho and a few other muscular kids start carrying around pieces of wood and construction equipment across the beach. Building up huts for the new teens to stay in.
I could hear the loud banding of hammers and the mechanical sound of drills surrounding my head and many others. Some younger ones, play in the sea with new water guns I think are from the train and collecting seaweed for Frypan, for whatever he's going to make.
Others scattered along the sand burying eachother in it. Although Sonya and Harriet have done a good job of planting Aris into the sand, I see another kid who has the hands for art drawing a mermaid tail onto him.
I smile from my room. And my eyes float back to Minho in the corner watching me.
'' You look happy, more happier than usual what's gotten into you Tommy the miserable shank I know has suddenly disappeared when u see group B playing in the sand, even though they are like 17-18'' Minho says.
My smile drops when he uses '' Tommy'' i scowl at the runner as he gets up from the bed not wanting to deal with me.
'' Well that didn't last very soon, I'll, see you later''
And with that Minho leaves.
Look at me feeling happy and joyful when I've forgotten and moved on from my innocent best friend that died not so long ago. In my arms in WICKED clothing with WICKEDs knife buried deep into his chest. Died a crank. The one wish he did not want to come true did. Left him there. Alone.
I deserve to be alone more than anyone from what I've done to my friends in the glade, from what happened to Newt, from what many have sacrificed themselves or gotten the virus because of my stupid commands. I am not a leader at all. Well maybe I am since it the words said so all over before me and Brenda got drugged. But the words printed were always on Minho. Who did WICKED choose? Who did WICKED want? Who was the leader or who was the leader meant to be.
Sometimes I wish people never listened to me, considering I go on and on about what we're supposed to do what's going to happen next, and endless line of questions in my head flood before I get a chance to think straight.
'' Thomas '' I hear Brenda call.
'' Come on, your really going to sit in there all day daydreaming?''
'' Ok I'm coming'' I answer her.
We then head down to greet our friends on the beach and those thoughts before are lost in my memory for now.
The sun sets, a streak of light hits the rock vince was standing on at the perfect moment before it slipped beneath the sea. Similar to what Newt said, sunsets remind me of him and the glade I guess I never really took in its beauty, or his.
All of a sudden there is cheering and shouting going on outside my room, a handful of kids gather round to the massive pile of sticks and flammable stuff waiting to be lit by a single match.
The cries of encouragement and joys remind me of the time I was faced to battle Gally, not one of my best moments, it hurt but I did remember my name so that's a good thing.
People raise there bottles of alcohol and some apple juice and clink them together, I'm guessing these people collected the stuff for the bonfire.
Oh yeah the bonfire Aris told us, i get up from my hammock once again and join the crowd of people blabbering on about tonight. Although I for one am exited.
'' Alright alright calm it hermanos'' Jorge raises his hands in the air to hush the crazy kids.
'' Ok so I'm assuming everyone out here is ready for the party well anyone not would be stupid but anyways, Brenda?'' He jesters to Brenda.
Who holds a box and a match stick, I didn't realise she was there and looks pleased to see that Jorge was still even at the save haven since he's much older I guess he couldn't let his ' daughter' go.
'' Light her up hermana'' Jorge shouts, as Brenda swipes the match stick and the pile sets ablaze.
Flashes of orange, yellow and red light up the sky and little specs of flames float up into the air and swirl around in the smoke already beginning to rise.
People cheer as the fire cascades it's way down to the top to very bottom of the pile lighting up everyone's faces.
I shield my eyes from the intense light and clap as well, it's the most fun I've had in ages.
Brenda swoops up behind me and taps my chest.
'' You used to do this in the Glade. Right? '' She asks before I'm interrupted.
'' Of course we did even the grump of the glade actually enjoyed himself once in a while pushing the other gladers around just because he was older'' Minho says, putting his arms around both of us and looking towards Gally who stands 2 metres away, arms crossed.
'' Cheer up Gally I know we're not allowed to fight but it's fun without it'' Frypan reassures him.
Coming from the left where the hut of food is stored and with a glass of cider in hand, and 2 others balancing in his arm.
'' I guess so, I was looking forward into pushing over Thomas tonight, but I'm afraid those days are over'' Gally winks at me and we all laugh a bit.
After a while of dancing, drinks and a couple of games apart from fighting. I'm left sitting on a bench while Minho and Brenda passed out leaving Gally and me sitting together, minds floating away from reality the alcohol working it's way into our system unlike the Flare.
'' It sure was fun tonight'' He says pausing after every word slightly.
'' Man who's gonna get these dumb shanks back up to there huts where even is Brendas?'' Gally continues.
'' I don't know but it's getting pretty late so we might as well take them now'' I respond.
Gally reaches to pick up Minho though he struggles carrying a full sized muscular glader across the beach. I sit there for a moment before I can see him on the platform to my room which I share with Minho and a spare bed.
I pick up Brendas legs and my arm across her back, carrying her to the girls section. I notice Harriet walking by with another girl glader from group b with her.
'' Hey Thomas, don't worry I'll take her back'' She smiles and so does the other girl as they both carry Brenda back to her hut.
The two still chattering away about what they did tonight.
It's around 2:30 in the morning before I get back to my own room. Minho sprawled out on the bed his arms and a leg dangling from his hammock as he snores loudly than I've ever heard him before.
We've all stayed up pretty late, surprised we have no night curfew. I start to smile a bit, I bet Newt would of arranged a curfew, each person going to bed at the right time, waking up, doing jobs, assigning jobs and finally making sure they are doing those jobs properly.
Oh Newt would of loved to keep everyone in the line at the safe haven no second in command anymore, but it would be a hard one to get past Vince since he runs the place.
Oh Jorge with his crazy ideas would sure be willing to slice his fingers of like Minho if people disagree with what he says.
So again I lay still in my Hammock reviewing the events of the day. Just the day after tomorrow until the new arrivals join us in the safe haven.
I remember when Vince banned anyone not immune to go to the safe haven which seemed like a sensible choice since it wouldn't really be much of a 'safe haven' considering they could catch the virus like that and eat everyone.
The night stills after a little while the crickets chirp outside and the flutter of fireflies stands out amongst the silent night. Everyone has gone to sleep not a single kid insight, no one wants to pull an all-nighter after all of that.
My body aches for sleep and I realise I should listen to it, I give In to sleep, not my favourite thing considering the memories that come flooding back night after night... but I'm getting used to it.
4 days before the announcement that new kids were coming to the safe haven
* At an old abandoned WICKED building The Right Arm, helping non immunes who have survived everything the world or WICKED has thrown at them. Taking in people who have the flare no matter the stages, with the help of a blood they have all able to defeat the virus which once lingers in there veins*
Newts POV:
The heart monitors constant beat ringing in my ears, it keeps a steady pace letting me know I'll not be on the brink of death anytime soon. I hope. From what I remember I have been in the hospital wing for a week.
I've barley been told anything since I got here. Only how I've actually got here.
When I woke up, first time in the hospital there was a woman standing beside me, holding a syringe of blood. I thought it was mine before she said.
'' Newt, we've managed to collect some of Thomas's blood from on you and the ground, it was a small amount but we don't need much of it. Well you and several other kids have been cured. I am a member of the right arm, we do not have all our members here since they are working at the safe haven. But us doctors and scientists have stayed here. We hope to find more non-immune kids and save them. The knife in your chest was not deep enough to penetrate your heart. As you are standing here today''
I remember my face, pale with shock the questions running through my head like crazy felt like Tommy, but still they won't answer any. Feels a bit like WICKED when Janson acted handy-dandy when we were almost torn to shreds by massive mutative monsters.
So still I lie in my bed, waiting to be transported to the safe haven. Hoping it's not a stick in the ground like last time.
A man. He opens my door and strides in with a pistol lodged in his pocket, not sure why he's got one but oh well. His uniform has streaks of blue and black across the waist and he stands in-front of be blank.
'' Don't worry, the gun is just for precaution. I'm not actually sure myself why we have it.''
I sigh and he continues.
'' Anyway you'll be pleased to know the flight to the safe haven leaves in 30 minutes, clothes are in the door on the right''
He gestures to another door ( my bathroom ).
'' Meet you out here in 5''.
He leaves. I lay still in my bed until the door closes, then rush into the bathroom and get changed into an oversized t-shirt and brown bottoms.
All my friends. The safe haven. Tommy, Minho, Gally, Fry. Now. God I'm leaving now, never knew it was so bloody soon. Finally leaving this dreaded building and go back to my family. Well they are like family to me.
I step outside the door and my room as the man leads me down corridors, stairs and now a lift that leads straight to ground floor.
We enter the lift and the man glances a smile towards me, I look up and offer a small one back.
'' So are you taking me there?'' I ask.
'' Unfortunately not we already have a pilot to take you and a few others to the safe haven it will take about 12 hours'' he replies.
I nod and the lift dings as we head out onto the concrete where several Bergs are aligned in rows. One of them has its hatch open with a bunch of people from a different section of the building making there way towards it.
'' Go on, catch up with the others it was nice knowing you boy''
I thank him as the man ushers me forward to join the 5 kids standing there supposedly waiting for someone to come out of the ship.
I stand behind a skinny boy with Sandy hair who waves his hand.
'' cant believe it, we're going to the safe haven'' he grins.
'' Me to, have anyone there you know?'' I ask him.
''I think I know a couple of people from group b''
Strange. He calls them 'people' when all the kids from group b are girls. Except Aris. Oh. Aris.
'' You know, the maze trials, haven't been in one seems awful but I know I few kids'' He says.
'' yeah, It does seem bad'' I reply. Not hinting that I was actually in a maze, but know curious in how he knows a few girls and Aris.
The thump of footsteps pulls me from the conversion with the boy and to focus on actually leaving now.
'' Ok, ok, ok slim it hermanos''.
Slim it? What? Is it Minho doing a Spanish impression. I can't see the man apart from his legs and torso. No way it could be Minho the guys not even Spanish-
Then he exits the Berg
'' Righty I will be your pilot for the flight so welcome aboard muchachos''
Then he spots me.
'' Ah, there you are. I'm so glad to see you here hermano long time no see?''
He smiles, and I pull him into a hug, despite the couple of kids watching us.
Jorge.