Chapter 18
"My friends, I am awfully sorry to hear about Gally. I have no idea who could have possibly done this – it's just so awful"
Brenda listened intently as Minho stood on his favorite log and spoke to the crowd. The events of the last 12 hours had been hectic. The Gladers had woken, Gally's body had been found, Brenda had then spoken to Thomas and now Minho had called a meeting. The events of the day ran out like a long list and Brenda wondered when she would get a rest.
"I can't believe we just keep losing people. I'm just glad that I am now back here to look after you all" Minho added quickly. "I can promise you that I will keep you all safe from danger, and there is one way which I am going to do that! I feel that we need to move away from the threats of this 'paradise' and venture off into the distance in search of a better environment. Yes my friends, we are going to go on an adventure!"
Why is he acting so weird? – Brenda thought. This was far from how he normally spoke, and what he was suggesting was completely different to his original views when everyone first got here. He told everyone that no matter what happened they would hold their ground. Why was he suddenly changing his decision?
Those who were listening threw barrages of questions towards him – it seemed no one was happy with the idea.
"Enough! My decision is final. We will all be packing up and moving tomorrow morning"
With that, he broke through the crowd and wondered off into the distance.
Brenda decided to follow him.
Minho walked quickly; he headed for the direction of the small forest. He was in a hurry for something, and didn't look back. Brenda done her best not to draw attention to herself – but it helped that Minho wasn't keen to turn round. Eventually – he reached the forest and disappeared into the darkness.
Brenda reluctantly followed him in.
Minho walked up a big hill, taking it in big strides. Brenda again was cautious at how close she was getting to him and done her best to maintain the distance. The forest was dense and dark and it would now provide plenty of places to hide if he chose to turn back round.
He seemed to focus on the path ahead of him to do that though.
He came to a small clearing, stumbling back as he did so – holding his hand up to his nose as if he had smelt death.
He had.
He moved slightly and Brenda saw the decomposing corpse of her friend Jorge. She instantly turned away – using every ounce of her strength to prevent being sick. Any sound and her cover would be blown.
Minho bent down to pick up something from the floor. Brenda recognized it as she had held one only hours earlier. It was a radio. She couldn't help but wonder how the WICKED staff had managed to place them without anyone noticing their arrival.
WICKED were capable of anything.
Minho began to speak and pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Operation Graveyard is going smoothly"
"I assume Gally is dead then?"
The reply was faint, and incredibly quiet. Brenda had managed to hide herself in a nearby bush – close enough to hear the person replying to him.
It was Paige.
"Yes ma'am – I dealt with the bastard last night"
"Good work Minho – we have been busy too. Thomas and Teresa are now under sedation as their chips are being inserted and when they wake our final experiment can begin"
"Did they object?"
"Of course, the poor boy was almost crying"
"I guess he doesn't like the fact his memories of Brenda are going to be erased"
"How is that girl by the way? She should be freaking out – we're the one who controlled her to have the graveyard vision"
"I think she's okay – it's all coming true for her now. She's off somewhere doing weird pregnant stuff at the moment. She has no idea what's really going on"
"Let's hope not"
"Well then – are you ready?"
"Of course I am Minho dear"
"Let's create hell then, my love