Sorry for not putting this in. I hope you weren't too confused.

Sooo... we're finally back with our Gladers. Yay!

Anyway, this is the next chapter it's slightly boring cause it's just Skylar telling everyone her story you can skip it if you want but I'd recommend at least skimming because I do include some extra information

Also, how did my previous readers get through this story? There are so many stupid spelling errors and grammar corrections that it's a miracle it's legible. Serious. I mean it.

disclaimer: I don't own anything

On With The Story...

Chapter 20 - Her Tale

We continued to revel in the joy of our reunion for a full five minutes. We finally had to stop because it was getting late as well as colder. We walked back with more firewood. No one said anything which meant Minho had beaten us to it; that worried me.

As soon as we settled all the boys hugged me except one plus the other girl. I recognized them both.

"Aris!" I ran to hug him but stopped short at his perplexed expression. "You don't remember me do you?" He shook his head nervously. I smiled sadly, the past was in the past. Sure it hurt that my sorta brother didn't remember me but at least we could get to know each other again, without Wicked's influence.

I turned to the girl, hand outstretched and my name on my tongue when I saw her. "Teresa."

She gave me a calculating glance. I saw a flash of recognition but she masked it. "Who are you?"

She said it coldly but my tone matched. "I'm Skylar. What are you doing here?" The last part was truly questioning. I had seen her pocket the walkie-talkie so I knew she had to have some devotion to Wicked, memories or no memories. She had always been their favorite.

"That's none of your business...After all this time, why do we finally have another girl?" The last part was muttered but it echoed off the cave walls.

I smirked as I walked back to Newt. "Jealous I see. We'll get used to it cause we have another girl on the way." I sat next to Newt and intertwined my hands with his. Teresa just glared at me.

Jorge cleared his throat nervously. "Well, umm...Sky I think they would benefit from hearing your tale. I'm sure you're...um..eager to hear theirs."

I nodded before shakily clearing my throat. "Ok...so we've all been in the maze. I don't think Group B had someone to mimic me so Aris you're a little out of the loop. Probably you as well Teresa."

I paused, trying to collect my jumbled thoughts. "So I was the first ever girl in Group A. The Maze Trials had only been running for a year, nearing two when I came up. I was sent as an extra test for Group A. The trials were to gather some type of information from the way our brains work. By adding me to the mix the results were off the charts. Do you all understand what I'm saying? Some of it may get confusing so feel free to interrupt me."

Newt spoke for all of them. "We all understand...to some degree. Just keep going Sky."

I nodded gratefully. "So where was I...right, so I was the first girl in about 30 boys. You can guess how that went but I loved them anyway, 'Cept a few." I shared a smirk with Newt and Minho, all of them remembering David and his behavior.

"Anyway, I was really calm when I came up. All I knew was that my name was Skylar. I refused to speak at first. How long was it before I spoke?" I asked the boys with a small smile. Looking back I had been rather foolish.

Minho laughed while Newt and Frypan grinned. "Shuck. You didn't shuckin' speak for about three weeks. Newtie here was the first to hear your beautiful voice."

I laughed at Minho's response. "As it should be." I continued my story. "Continuing, I tried out for all the jobs and somehow convinced Newt here to talk to Alby who allowed me to try out for Runner. I became a runner and searched the maze. Nothing really happened until I broke my bloody foot." I gently rubbed my ankle; it still wasn't fully healed. "I had run from a griever during the day and just made it back to the Glade. I was fine but I had to stay in bed for over a bloody month. And even then I could barely move!"

The boys failed to hide their snickers at my misfortune. Those with me in the Maze could all recall how much I hated to be idle. I studiously ignored them, a smile playing on my lips. "I studied the maps to pass the time. The day before I could run again, I accidentally overlapped the maps. I looked at them and saw the letter F form. I searched the maps all night and I didn't find any more letters but I now knew that the maps were the key."

I smiled, remembering how much hope I'd felt at my discovery. I had truly believed we'd finally get out of the maze. "I ran into the maze the next day but I didn't write down the route as usual. I was distracted which I guess is why I didn't hear the bloody griever until almost too late. I ran as fast as I could but I crashed into another. I dropped my backpack and broke my foot, again. The bloody Grievers only held me down until a drone dropped in. A man came out and took me to Wicked."

I looked at my hands. I didn't want to see their reactions. "There, I was thrown into a room. Finally, a human graced my presence. He looked like a shuck rat! His name was Janson, worst guy E.V.E.R. He told me stuff about Wicked; some of this and that. Very vague if you ask me. Then, he showed me to the viewing room. Basically, the room where they watched all of you. I met a boy named Thomas there and a girl named Rachel. All very nice. Rachel and I became like sisters. Through her, plus the fact that I was one out of only five teenagers there, I met Aris and Teresa." I stopped because Aris had failed to contain his surprise while Newt and Minho shared glances.

"I'm guessing you know something I don't? I also guess that since she isn't here Rachel didn't make it?" I had hoped for Aris to nod because her fate was not pleasant if she had not died in the maze.

Aris shook his head, pain clouding his eyes. "No, she made it through the maze, barely but they took her as soon as we got to the safe house. They're using her for something...She's as good as dead."

I nodded while a few tears escaped. "I'm sorry...They're using her to harvest a cure. It's bloody barbaric." I looked at Newt and Minho again. "Why do you keep bloody looking at each other?" I snapped.

Newt smiled guiltily while Minho looked nervous. "You said you met a guy named Thomas? What'd he look like?"

I was confused at the weird question but...it was Minho. "Well, he was about my height so tall. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He could be very moody at times. But I grew to love him like a brother. He can also ask a LOT of questions." I frowned, my brain whirling. "Why do you ask? Did Tommy get sent to your maze?" I smacked my head; how had I been so stupid. "He was bloody sent to your maze, wasn't he? He's also the bloody shank I saw follow Brenda. Uh...he was always a hothead. Had to be in the thick of the battle. Too curious if you ask me." All the Gladers nodded.

I shook my head before continuing. "I also met Teresa but we didn't get along to well..." I glanced at Teresa and was met by a cold stare. "I was assigned to the medical wing where I learn medicine with a fellow Doctor. Her name was Mary and she actually should be with the Right Arm. I lost track of her soon after we escaped." I paused in thought. Mary, I hope she remembers me. "Anyway, I lived at Wicked for a couple of months. I didn't do much with the maze, rather I helped with the injuries workers received while scouting. It was quite boring. I learned of the 'cure' after a few days of staying there."

I et out a shaky breath. I could still picture the comatose bodies in the lab room. Aris had mentioned the air ducks one day and after innocently questioning Thomas I'd figured out WICKED's biggest secret. "If you can believe it, WICKED was actually good in the beginning but Chancellor Anderson led it astray. Chancellor Paige is not much better but she's at least looking for another solution. Though, that doesn't stop her from using the kids to harvest the 'cure.' The cure is actually an injection that prevents the spread of the virus in someone infected. Quite stupid if you ask me; I mean we already have the bliss. I don't see why they don't just build off that, make something compatible with our blood...Off track. Sorry."

I sent them all a sheepish smile. "Ok, so I worked with Wicked but I knew next to nothing. I wasn't actually supposed to be there but because I figured out the maps earlier than expected heard I was removed. I would overhear conversations and after a very upsetting one, plus checking to see if it were real, I planned to escape. I overheard Tommy and Rachel one night talking about escape. Tommy couldn't leave and Rachel wouldn't go so they asked me. I was given some information while Mary had the rest. Mary and I escaped pretty easily but Tommy was in charge of security so no watchers. We were separated on the way and I made my way to the warehouse. There I met Brenda and Jorge. I stayed with them. The rest is history."

...

The group sat in silence for awhile.

Frypan broke the silence. "Wow, Sky." Minho whistled in agreement while Newt squeezed my hand. I smiled in thanks. Aris was quiet but he too added his contribution. Only Teresa stayed silent. She had glared at me the whole time. I ignored her.

Jorge spoke up. "I think we should hit the hay. You'll need your rest for tomorrow." We all shuffled around trying to get comfy. I laid my head on Newt and fell asleep, totally ignoring Minho's raised eyebrows and teasing smile. It was a peaceful slumber

The next chapter should be a little more interesting. At least we're finally back with our favorite Gladers

I'll try to update soon

later Gladers...