Chapter 3

For the second time in his life – Thomas felt the world crashing down on him. People and their voices became a blur as he slowly sank to the ground, curling up into a ball – shaking. He felt hands on him try to pull him up, but he didn't move. He just lay there, blanking everyone.

Brenda…

A Griever had stung her without Thomas even getting to speak to her about their conversation last night. Not that it made any sense – they were meant to be in a safe location.

They were meant to be safe from WICKED.

Thomas eventually crawled to a silent spot, against a tree at the front of the forest. He wouldn't dare go in any further knowing what had happened. Why was she even in there alone? What was a Griever doing in the forest? Questions tumbled through Thomas' mind – he felt like his mind was trying to drown itself by the amount it was coming up with.

"Thomas"

Thomas broke from his translucent state and looked up to see who was calling him. It was Minho.

"Thomas, we have Brenda up in the hospital, she wants you to see her" he continued, almost awkwardly.

Thomas shook his head and buried it in his hands. He was living a nightmare – so many things were going wrong.

"Thomas…" he went to persist but before he could say anymore Thomas had leapt up and was walking hurriedly towards the hospital.

Despite the cold weather, it never rained – so the Gladers chose to sleep outside every night. Therefore, the only building that needed to be constructed was a hospital. It was makeshift, with odd bits of wood sticking out here and there. The building itself was only ten meters high, but glistened – showing off its fresh coat of paint.

Inside, there were only four rooms. The main lobby allowed people to sit and wait to be seen if in need – most likely for only minor things. There were then three patient rooms, with the end room being the biggest. They had managed to construct some beds from the malleable palm leaves and bamboo that were found somewhere in the forest. Their building resources were in short supply

Brenda lay in the final room. She was only in her underwear – her skin in a pale, unearthly colour. Her skin was wet – most likely because of how much she was sweating. Her chest rose and fell at a unnatural pace.

Thomas had to look away at first.

He walked over to her slowly, his feet dragging along the grass. A wooden floor had not yet been constructed.

She must have heard him, as she turned to look over at him. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, but he could still see the beautiful chocolate colour.

As Thomas reached her – he noticed her breathing had calmed too.

"Nice to see you too" she spat.

"Brenda…what happened?" Thomas asked, a clear hint of worry in his voice.

"Don't pretend like you care so much Thomas, I walked into the forest, a Griever appeared from above. I got stung, I woke up here" she spat again.

Thomas felt hurt, she was angry.

He knew what he had to say.

"Brenda – there was a time when I thought I would never see Teresa again. Just before we were in the Scorch – she went missing. I thought id lost her, and it broke me…"

"Spare me from your pathetic love story" she spat yet again.

Thomas ignored her, and continued.

"You see. When I heard you had been stung, I felt roughly the same – only ten times worse" he said quietly.

"And whys that, Tommy?" – clearly trying to mock him.

"Because I realized that I need to stop hanging over someone who I will quite clearly never see again. She was my best friend once, but never anything more. Okay yeah – maybe I did like her. But that was months ago. I miss her, and I always will miss her, but…"

He paused to look into her eyes, they were focused on him, and she wasn't even blinking.

"But I love you too, Brenda" he finished delicately.

For a few minutes, she was undeterred. She didn't say anything – she just lay there looking at him still, like he hadn't said anything himself at all.

Eventually – she spoke. Her voice was weak. Thomas knew the changing was coming.

"Thomas…look behind you" her hand pointing in the direction.

Thomas turned around to see Jorge standing before him. His face was in an almighty scowl – Thomas had never seen him this angry. He hadn't even noticed him come in.

"You sure know how to shuck things up, don't you greenie" he shouted, his voice echoing through the building.

"Jorge I'm sorry I didn't know you liked her…' Thomas was interrupted as he saw Jorge's fist flying towards his face. He had no time to prepare, and he felt the connection against his cheekbone. Pain immediately consumed him as he found himself stumbling backwards, tripping over the leg of the bed and crashing towards the floor.

"You know nothing!" he screamed, sending a foot flying towards Thomas's ribs, followed by a sickening crack. More pain flooded through Thomas' body – sending him into a curled ball. Jorge reached down and grabbed Thomas by his shirt collar. He hauled his broken body upwards and pushed it into the nearby wall.

"You wouldn't care whether she was my wife shuck face – as long as you're happy yeah?" he shouted. So close to Thomas' face that he could smell his lunch as his ears were deafened. He continued…

"I've known her much longer than you. She meant so much to me back in the Scorch and even before it too. I protected HER. I was so close to telling her like you eloquently just did. But no, you swooped in and took that whore off her feet after five minutes!" his voiced had changed to a trembling tone. Tears were forming in his eyes.

He let go of Thomas, watching him fall down to the floor in pain again. He then turned to look at Brenda still lying on the bed. She hadn't said a word, she had just watched – her eyes widening in shock.

"As for you" he snarled, pointing his finger directly towards her weak body. "You go spend your evenings with him in the sunset just like you have been doing. Never mind me – I'm just a lonely guy – who cares?"

And with that – he turned round and headed towards the door. He stopped at the doorway, turning to look over his shoulder at them both.

"I wish you all the best"

He walked out – slamming the door behind him.