Chapter 10
"We need to get back, now!" Gally shouted. He was covered in sweat, and for the first time since Thomas had met him – showed signs of fear in his eyes. Thomas simply nodded, and they both picked Sonya up again, grunting as they did so. Thomas had attached the now silent radio to his belt, if this really was a way to talk to Teresa, he didn't want to lose it.
As long as it was actually her…
They moved swiftly, following the path that they came from. They never uttered a word; they just kept going.
It was early morning by the time they had reached the main clearing. The day had only just begun; a faint blue sky loomed above them.
Frypan was the first to see them approaching as he was tending to the campfire in the center. His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw them approaching. Gally and Thomas themselves were cut and bruised, covered in their own blood. However between them they carried Sonya's lifeless body – her blood covering them also.
It was a sickening sight.
As well as this, Minho wasn't with them.
He must have had a million questions, but he kept his mouth shut and done his best to help them. He took Sonya and laid her down on the grass a few meters away – respectfully covering her with a white sheet.
He called some of the Med-Jacks up to tend to Thomas' and Gally's' injuries. They must have had questions too – raising their eyebrows to the point that Thomas thought they would join with their hair. But they kept quite also – under strict word from Gally. He himself was a Med-Jack and could have cleaned them up in no time.
Had he not suffered from a broken collarbone and a dislocated shoulder after being thrown into a tree by a Griever that is.
They must have known it was bad, at least.
Since Minho was not present, Thomas called a meeting for all Gladers to attend, immediately.
By breakfast time, everyone had settled themselves either on the logs around the campfire – or standing behind them. Concerned looks were spread across everyone's face.
Thomas was topless, a white bandage wrapped around his ribs. He had been advised not to put anything on for the next few hours, in fact– he had been told not to move at all. He also wore a bandage across his shoulder, where the Griever's blade had cut into it badly. Gally stood next to him, he was heavily bandaged also, so drugged up on painkillers that he was forced to sit down.
Worst of all, a figure covered in a white sheet lay before them.
Some people knew who it was already, others didn't.
All three sights were situated in the middle of the logs, just in front of the campfire. Everyone could see them.
Thomas caught Brenda's eye.
She didn't even know I was going, I am meant to be her…boyfriend…right? – Thomas thought.
She broke their eye contact almost instantly by turning away.
Thomas knew he would breakdown if he waited any longer, so he spoke.
"Last night, myself, Gally, and two other council members attacked the forest in order to find the Griever which stung Brenda – and kill it. And we did"
Several cheers rang, but quickly died out.
"But, my friends. Our leader Minho is missing. A launcher bullet struck him, and it killed him. I was able to bring him back to life using CPR, but he then went missing. Jorge, who you all know – was attacking Minho at the time. He ambushed us in the middle of the forest, you see, and well…"
Thomas paused
"He's dead, I had no option but to kill him to stop him from killing our leader. His body was left in the forest. But, and I'm so so sorry to even say this – but we lost Sonya. During the fight with the Griever, she was struck badly, and we lost her. I'm so so sorry"
Several cries rang out from the girls of Group B, and one girl in particular, followed by Aris – ran out into the middle. They both clutched at her corpse, their tears forming on the white sheet that covered her. "No…Not you" the girl whimpered. Thomas believed her name was Amy. He hated himself for not being sure. Aris was crying too, he reached under the white sheet and pulled out her hand. Amy immediately reached out to hold it.
She was sobbing now.
Several weeks passed after that. No one knew where to begin when it came to Minho. As far as everyone was concerned, he was missing – and in this vast area that they barely knew, there was nothing they could do about it. Some people suggested another Griever had attacked him. Others suggested that a community with no leader was better, and that losing him was for the best.
Thomas disliked those people intensely.
Brenda had been annoyed with him at first, but after explaining, she quickly subsided. She held him close – not tightly – feeling overly sympathetic towards his injuries. She cared as much as a mum would, helping Thomas around as his ribs healed – fetching him food and water whenever he called for it. Anything he asked for, she would happily do.
Not without a kiss, of course.
Thomas hadn't mentioned the incident with the radio to Brenda. Instead he kept the radio close – switching channels now and then – hoping to hear from her.
But mainly, his mind was stuck on one thing.
Minho.
His best friend was missing! After everything they had been through, he was gone. He had watched him die, brought him back to life, only to leave him and then return to see him gone.
He hadn't even told him the truth about Newt.
A funeral had been held for Sonya only a few days after the big meeting. Crying was the main theme of that day, maybe even hugging too. Everyone hugged as they watch their beloved friend being lowered down into the grave her friends had dug for her.
At least Minho didn't have to see this, and maybe would never even have to know about it.
So much for their 'paradise'.
It was the night of the third week mark. Like always, Thomas lay close to Brenda. Today was his last day of recovery. He had somewhat smiled as he took his bandages off earlier.
He found Brenda looking at him instead of the sky, and he turned to face her.
"You know Brenda. I don't think I ever told you how attracted I am to you. You are beautiful, fucking gorgeous in fact. Your eyes melt me whenever they meet mine and your smile can brighten my day more than the sun can and '-"
"Shush Thomas" she interrupted, holding a finger delicately to his lips.
She climbed on top of him, her legs either side of his body.
"What are yo-"
She slapped him.
"I said shush" she said, laughing.
She grabbed the blanket and pulled it over both of them. They were secluded now, hidden in their own little world – the blanket consuming them.
Total privacy.
She quickly leaned forward, her lips smacking with Thomas'. She held the side his head; her hands gracefully placed each side. She kissed him passionately, their lips not disconnecting for even a second. Their tongues met – giving them both a warm, delicate sensation. Their tongues fought playfully, their hands slipped down further. Thomas' hands were on her ass now; her tight blue jeans making it stand out. He squeezed her ass as he continued to kiss her – their lips were moist with the saliva they were sharing. They had started to breathe heavier – unaccustomed to the sudden increase in activity.
Thomas hadn't even done this before.
Her top hung loosely, and Thomas slipped his hands up along her waist, then her ribs.
Finally, he came to her bra, and he surprised himself at how quickly he unfastened it. Thomas found himself squeezing them and kissing them; this was all new to him.
"Oh Thomas let's jus-"
Brenda was interrupted as Thomas stuck his tongue back down her throat. By now, he had his hand between her legs. Brenda moaned softly, reaching her hands up to scratch at his back. She pleaded for him to go faster and deeper and he simply obeyed.
As if he would argue.
Thomas lay at her side now, and found Brenda's hand between his legs too – he found himself feeling things he never had before as she began to work him. She acted as if she knew what she was doing, changing rhythm, matching the speed that Thomas was going at.
In pleasure beyond belief or any familiar recognition, Thomas simply moaned out "I love you".
Brenda pulled his pants all the way down, and then her own. She then simply whispered "Then show me".