Chapter 12

Thomas smiled at Brenda as she approached him. He still sat on the grass, near the field where the sheep had been herded too. Currently, their wool was used to make blankets and warm clothing for the Gladers to sleep with.

Thomas was still curious as to why they referred to themselves as Gladers. Minho had always addressed them that way when he was the leader – he believed they should stick to traditions.

The radio still remained in tatters, broken to pieces and shoved in the bush behind him – destroyed in anger.

"Tommy? Why can't I have your word?"
"I can't be with you when you come here"

"Why not?" she cried

"I'm with Brenda"

She was silent for what seemed like an eternity, making him jump when she suddenly shouted back.

"What!"
"I'm sorry. I thought you were gone I…I had to do something to start moving on and take my mind off things and she was there so-"

"Just shut up!" she interrupted. "I can't believe you Tommy. I can't believe that you would be so disloyal!"
"Don't be such a bitch! I thought you were dead and anyway we weren't even together! Remember what you did to me back in the Scorch?"

"Oh God, I was wondering how long it would take for you to bring that shit up again. How many times do I have to tell you? I was only trying to protect you! It meant nothing!"

"Maybe not, but any feelings I had for you were abolished when you done that. When we kissed back in that place in the Scorch…I loved you. Although I did not know what was wrong with you - I loved you. Yet you still did that to me and it all just went away so quickly!"
"You love me?"
"Loved"
She was crying down the line.
"Tommy, I wish I could turn back time. Maybe I would do things differently, who knows now? All I know is that I do love you"

"It's too late for that now…"

"Fine"

"When you coming then?"

"Tomorrow"

"Right, bye then"

"Bye"

The conversation had angered Thomas. He was angry because she expected him to not be over her after 5 months. He was angry because she expected him to welcome her back, to go straight into a relationship.

He was angry for too many reasons.

"Hey sweetie" Brenda called, walking towards Thomas. She eventually sat down next to him. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, hanging there for a second, before moving backwards.

"What's wrong Tommy?" she asked inquisitively.

He hesitated.

Then he told her everything.

"Well…I could tell that wasn't your first time"

"Come on, there was no way I could have know. She's coming back, I've no idea what to do"

"Do you love her?"
"Did you not listen? I love you Brenda"
"Then why bother doing anything?"

Hours passed.

Thomas had been considering Brenda's reaction for ages. She had seemed annoyed with him; she seemed disgusted that he and Teresa had once been together. If she hated Teresa – then the feeling was only mutual. Thomas suddenly realized something; apart from Brenda, Thomas now had no one else. With Minho's disappearance, Thomas now only had her as a close friend. She was the only one he could really talk to.

Maybe with Teresa coming back – he would have someone else.

Though at the moment, she didn't seem in the mood for talking.

The sun died and rose quickly. Thomas was dreading Teresa's return – and it seemed nature was only mocking him at how close it was coming. Everyone knew now of Teresa's due arrival. Thomas had released the news over dinner last night; he left out a lot of information, of course.

Thomas tried to ignore the fact he had slept alone last night.

The drowning sound came around noon, a large aircraft appeared on the horizon. At first it was a small dot; it quickly grew to large one. It was unlike Thomas had ever seen.

It was the size of a house, painted matt black. The letters 'W.I.C.K.E.D' were visible on both the left and right side of the aircraft in white. Attached to the bottom were numerous weapons –guns, and missiles. Thomas couldn't place it, but he was sure one was a glorified version of a launcher. Massive jets came out the back, pumping fire and sending the aircraft forward. It was like something out of a movie – Thomas suspected.

"Everyone hold back, let the beast land" Thomas commanded.

They moved back in sequence, judging the size of space that the thing would need. They stood in one of their fields away from the hill; they didn't want their clearing disturbed. As it drew close, the sound became almost unbearable. Everyone covered their ears as the jets span round, pointing towards the ground. The fire began to torch the beautiful grass as the aircraft began to lower. The price of this machine was beyond Thomas' imagination.

Eventually, the machine touched the ground. Metal legs had sprung outwards only a few meters before it came down – stabilizing the aircraft and allowing it to land. There was only one window, and it was the pilots. The windows were blackened however; Thomas saw no means of life in there. The Gladers swarmed to the back of the aircraft, where a metal door had begun to lower itself to the ground. The doorway led into blackness; the Gladers eagerly waited for her to walk out.

A figure appeared out of the darkness suddenly.

Teresa.

Emotions flooded through Thomas to the point he felt sick. He squeezed Brenda's hand, but she didn't squeeze back.

She was actually alive.

It was really her.

Hang on.

Following close behind her was Chancellor Paige. She wore a horrible smile. Thomas didn't understand why his friends were gasping so much until he saw it himself.

The lady held a gun to the back of Teresa's head

She spoke, her booming voice echoing across the vast land.

She wasted no time on a reunion.

"Now…either Thomas comes on this jet with us. Or…I really will kill her this time"
Thomas couldn't believe what he was hearing.

He looked over towards Brenda, and she briefly shook her head.

She didn't want him to go.

Thomas was torn; he had no idea what to do.

"Okay fine, time for a warning then"

She used her other hand to pull another gun from her belt, firing it quickly and aimlessly towards someone in the crowd.