Teresa and Alex stepped from the bright white hallway into an even brighter bathroom. The walls were white tile, the floor was also white tile. Showers were lined up on both sides of the walls, with toilet stalls and sinks at the far back wall. In between each shower stall there are lockers. Down the middle of the bathroom were benches, with stacks of white fluffy towels. On the middle bench were two piles of clothes, new shoes, and all the toiletries a girl could want. Alex looked at Teresa.

"I guess... we shower." Teresa said with a shrug.

"Do you want me to stand guard?" Alex asked, with a raised eyebrow. Teresa snorted. Alex laughed quietly too. They each grabbed a pile of clothes that were labelled theirs and each picked a stall.

Alex closed the curtain, and laid the stuff on a chair. She turned the tap on, hot water flowed out. She unbuckled her harness and belt, placing them on the chair. She tried to strip off her shirt, but it was glued to her with the mix of dried Griever guts and blood. She stripped her pants, and stepped into the running water, once the shirt was wet, it was easier to get off. She dropped it to the white tiled floor.

She stood there under the stream of hot water. Watching the dirt, blood and slime run off her body and swirl around the floor, and down the drain. She had no idea whose blood she had on her. Pedro's? David? Felix? Jeff? Colin? Her own, definitely. Chuck's for sure, Minho's, the guard who was shot beside her. Too many. Too many people's blood. She gagged. Stomach bile rose in her throat. She tried not to think of it. But those images were forever burnt into her mind. She would never forget how Matt's body broke against the wall and fell into the abyss, his screams instantly cut off. Or how Pedro was laying in a pool of his blood, his stomach slashed open, revealing the organs inside, his eyes still open, lifeless and vacant. Her mind flashed to Jeff. She didn't see it, but she heard it. He jumped in the way when she was grabbing Minho. Jeff was ripped apart right behind her. She heard it all.

She would never forget how her beloved dog, how her puppy saved her life for the last time, how she sacrificed herself, jumping into the mouth of a Griever with all the bravery Alex wished she had. She could never forget Chuck's gruesome and pointless death. His last words, or how he choked on his own blood. Or Alby...her last words to him. She couldn't anymore. She dropped to her hands and knees and threw up everything she just ate. and then she wept.

She cried big ugly heart wrenching sobs over the death of her friends. Her brothers. Her stomach emptied itself, again. She sat up and wiped her mouth. She raised her face into the water for a second. When she stood up, she heard crying from the stall beside her.

Alex was broken. Sad couldn't even begin to describe the black emptiness growing inside her, but she felt anger rising to replace it. All of it was meaningless. All of it was pointless. And for Dr Ava Page to try and justify finding a cure. Alex called Bull. Alex's anger grew to a flash of violent rage. With a yell she punched the shower wall, leaving a crack in the wall that left small spider cracks snacking its way up the wall. She punched it again with another yell. She felt slightly better, releasing some anger.

Alex slowly washed everything out of her hair. It took 3 full cycles to get the apple sauce and blood out of her hair. When she went to wash her body, she hissed when the soap washed over all her cuts. Especially the one on her back. She rubbed her skin raw, she wanted everything off. If she could scrub a layer or 2 of skin off, she would be okay with that.

She was disgusted with herself, physically and emotionally. She was better than what she showed fighting Grievers. She could have saved them, if she was faster. If she hadn't froze, if she hadn't slipped..she should have saved them. She rinsed out her hair and with a sigh turned the water off. She dried herself off, and wrapped her hair up.

Let's see what I get to wear. What have they picked out for me... well whoever these guys are...they know my style. But how do they know my size? Sketchy...

She pulled on some comfortable brand new underwear, and new socks! A black racer back sports bra, black skinny jeans, a grey racer back tank top and black combat boots. She also strapped her belt on, and buckled the thigh strap, and threw her shoulder holster on, and gently picked up her necklace from Minho. She smiled as she ran a thumb over the smooth stone. She tied it around her neck. She took out one of her smaller knives from her holster and slipped it into her boot. A white hot pain shot threw her head, making black spots dance in front of her eyes accompanied with a pounding headache.

"Always have something you can defend yourself with!" A deep gruff voice said. Inside her mind.

She opened the shower curtain and went to the sink. She wiped the steam off and looked at the person who looked back at her. She didn't recognise the girl The girl looking back had a scar running from her forehead to her temple. There was another freshly scabbed cut to match on the other side. The girl had dark circles under her eyes, but her freckles stood out across her tanned cheeks and nose. She had a cute little nose, her eye colour was pretty, brown with gold and green flecks, but they looked empty and hollow, behind long thick eyelashes.

The tank top was low. It showed off the scars on her neck and chest. She wasn't sure how she felt about this. The boys in The Glade didn't look twice, they knew what happened and what she went through. She also never really had low cut shirts, she mostly wore the guys too small shirts, or Minho's hoodie. Now though...outside the maze, strangers would be staring, and she felt extremely uncomfortable and self conscious. Body image was a weird thing. She never cared what others thought before - except that one day when Tes woke up.

Her body looked strong, fit and muscular. She had curves, but her body was more athletic than curvy. She smiled sadly. She picked up the brush. The few months she was in the Glade, her hair had grown too. The red gold hair went past her shoulders to her mid back, in a wavy sheet.

The curtain opened and Teresa stepped out .

"Huh, you clean up good there Tes." Alex winked at her in the mirror. Teresa had a pair of jeans and a navy blue top with white sneakers. Simple, but she didn't need anything to stand out, her natural beauty did that for her. Alex stuffed her emotions back down, and put her smile back on.

Teresa smiled back, "same with you! Minho's not gonna know what hit em!" She teased.

"Well, with a shower that works and proper soap, it will do that!" Alex joked. "Hey Tes, can you do that elaborate braid?"

Alex sat on the bench and Teresa got to work. "How do you know how to do that? It's so complicated! And you do it so fast!"

Teresa just laughed "No idea. It's like muscle memory! Maybe I used to do it all the time for you!?"

Alex hummed. It only took her a few minutes. Alex sat and watched Teresa brush her hair.

"Well I guess we find the guys now." She said as she turned to face Alex.

"Ya, you gonna find Tommy?" Alex giggled, raising an eyebrow. Teresa's face flushed pink. Her eyes caught the necklace.

"What's that?" She asked, coming over to sit down. Alex picked up the stone and rubbed her thumb over it.

"It was from Minho. A promise." She smiled sadly, looking at it.

"It's beautiful. And really sweet. He doesn't seem like the guy to show his emotions other than sarcasm and sass...so that's super sweet!" she bumped Alex's shoulder with her own. Alex smiled.

"Ya, he is. It's crazy how even before I had memories of us...we were attracted to each other. I guess you can take memories, but not feelings and emotions."

Teresa nodded, "I guess you guys were meant to be!"

"What about you and Tommy?" Alex elbowed Teresa in the ribs gently.

She just shrugged, "I don't know...I was really only awake in the Glade for like 2 days..I only really just met him...but seems like a life time!" She looked gloomily at the floor.

"Ya, sure does. But we only 'just met'" Alex used hand quotes, "But we're friends..no?"

Teresa smiled. "Sure are. I'm glad we are. I don't think I could do this without you."

Alex pulled her into a side hug. "Same girl."

They sat quietly for a moment. There was a loud bang on the bathroom door, startling them both.

"I guess we're taking too long." Teresa sighed. They got up and opened the bathroom door. On the other side of the door was the big bald guard from earlier. Teresa visibly shrunk under his gaze. Alex did the opposite, she straightened up, and looked him in the eye.

"You rang?"

He grunted, he swept his eyes over her then held out a hand.

"You looking for a high five?" Alex raised an eyebrow, and then slapped his huge hand with her little one. He blinked.

"I need your vest. No weapons in the sanctuary." His voice was deep and gravelly. Alex sighed dramatically.

"Even if I promise not to use them?"

"Especially then. You would break that promise. Almost immediately."

She sighed again, "Ya, you're right. Fine."

"I'll keep them safe."

Alex snorted in derision. "Sure ya will big guy." But she unhooked her shoulder harness and handed it over.

"The belt?"

She looked down, "There's no weapons, can I not keep it? It has sentimental value.." He raised an eyebrow. Alex sighed sadly, this time, "Look I have a little gift from a friend who died a bloody pointless death in my arms, and I have no way to carry it, other than in the bag. Please?" She begged.

Her eyes actually watering, just thinking of Chuck in her arms made her heart hurt. She could see the hardness in his eyes falter.

"Fine." He turned around and started walking down the hall. "Follow me, I need to bring you to the medical wing. The rest of your group is there."

The girls entered a long wide open wing with different medical stations set up around the perimeter. Alex looked around and saw the rest of the Gladers. Minho was running on a treadmill attached to a heart monitor and a few other monitors. Newt was getting blood work done and Thomas was getting some kind of injection. The girls stood awkwardly for a second, when the guard motioned them to two open areas at the back.

"Hey! The girls are finally here!" Newt yelled.

All the guys turned to the door. Alex smiled and with a dramatic arm waved she curtsied. Minho's jaw dropped and Teresa leaned in "Told ya! Every time!"

Alex leaned in too "I know...I'm just drop dead gorgeous. Tommy needs to pick his jaw up off the floor too!" They both chuckled as they walked to their stations.

Alex stepped into the little area and sat down on the little medical bed in the middle. She swung her legs for a second, looking around. A computer, notes, all sorts of medical tools and vials of different coloured liquids, scattered around the counter. A young male doctor walked up and knocked on the counter.

"May I come in?"

Alex gave him a funny look, "Well considering that it's wide open to the public, ya.."

The doctor chuckled quietly, "Just being polite. It's rude to walk in on someone, especially a lady."

"I like you." Alex stated.

"Well thank you. My name is Dr. Prior, I'll be your doctor for the remainder of your stay. Now let's get this examination started, shall we? It will be your basic check up, with some blood work."

Alex just nodded. He started by taking her blood pressure and listening to her heart and lungs. He checked the cut on her forehead. He checked the stitches on her side from her first Griever fight.

"Those definitely need to come out! You are pretty much healed up!" It was uncomfortable, but felt so much better having them out!

When he tried to lift her shirt to see the cut on her back she hissed and winced.

"Hmmm, it looks infected, but it's scabbing..how long ago was this?"

"Umm, I guess a few hours ago, when we were escaping the Grievers in the Maze." She answered. She saw his face wrinkle in thought. He turned to the counter and started prepping something.

"Hey babe, how ya doing?" Minho had walked up, still breathing a little heavy from his run.

"So much for your shower! You're all sweaty again!" Alex wrinkled her nose, teasing.

"I gotta remind you what you fell in love with!" He winked back. Alex just laughed. It was cut short when Dr Prior turned around with a medical device in his hand that looked like a medieval torture device. It was metal and looked almost like a paddle hair brush, but instead of bristles, it had needles. Alex instinctively flinched away.

"The bloody shuck is that?" Alex asked apprehensively.

"I know it looks scary, and I'm not going to lie, it's going to sting. However, that cut on your back is infected and this will clean it and speed up the healing process. By tomorrow it will just be a scare." He explained gently.

Alex gulped and looked to Minho for reassurance. He stepped forward, so he was standing in between her legs, "I'll be right here."

Dr. Prior nodded at him. "Okay Alex, this will sting. And I'm sorry in advance."

She took a deep breath and hissed when the device touched her back. She grabbed a handful of Minho's t shirt and leaned her head onto his broad, strong chest. It was a burning sting. Like touching a hot iron and leaving your hand on it. She let out a whimper. Minho cupped the back of her head, and held her.

"Almost done," Dr Prior said apologetically, "You're doing great Alex."

She whimpered again, trying not to move. And then it was done, he placed a cool cloth over it, and she sighed in relief.

"Hard part is done. Now for some blood work and injections." Dr Prior wrapped a rubber band around her arm, checking her veins, and stuck the needle point in, drawing out her blood. He took a few vials.

"Jeeze Doc, I know my memory was whipped, but I'm pretty sure blood is supposed to stay inside the body! How much do you need?"

Both guys chuckled. He took the needle out and placed some gauze over the injection sight. He turned to the counter again and started adding different colour liquids to different test tubes and put them into a little machine.

"Just making sure you're healthy, and haven't caught anything nasty. Okay, last part." He picked up a long needle.

"This is just everything you were deprived of, a cocktail of vitamins and minerals."

Minho nodded, "Ya, I got one too, hurts like a mother shucken griever."

Newt had walked over, done with his exam. "Ya, everyone gets them...nasty little buggers." It definitely pinched, but way better than that skin healing device! There was a beep from the little machine, and the doctor turned to read the results. Alex watched as his face scrumpled, as he read the paper.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked worriedly. All he answered was "Hmmm. Interesting."

"What's interesting?" Alex asked again. She glanced at Newt and Minho, worry on all their faces.

Dr Prior looked up, "Alex. Have you been getting headaches? Ones that are so painful they make you pass out?"

Alex was leery to tell them about her memory flashes and her intense headaches.

Do I tell them? They said they are here to help..do I trust them? How much info do I let them know?

She glanced at the guys quickly. Newt's eyes were wide and Minho had some suspicion in his eyes.

"Umm, headaches ya." She answered.

"Bad ones?"

"Sometimes. One bad one near the end. I was hit in the head though...actually, a few times."

"Interesting. Well, I'll have to consult with my team, you might require more testing, so if someone comes to get you, that's what it will be for. Nothing to worry about. Now I'm sure you can leave with these gentlemen." Dr Prior reassured her., but his mouth was pulling into a frown when he read the paper again. Alex slowly nodded, and slipped off the bed, only to be blocked by the bald guard.

"You again? Just can't get enough of me huh? Look dude, I know I'm awesome, but I'm taken, K?" She sassed, crossing her arms.

Newt gasped, "Alex!" he scolded.

Minho threw his head back and laughed. He threw an arm over her shoulders "Ya buddy, she's mine."

The guard's hard face didn't change, except Alex saw a small twitch in the corner of his mouth.

"Look Minny! We made him laugh!" She pointed to his face.

"I know, we're hilarious! Knew we would crack him eventually."

"Well we did get him when we called Janson RatMan!"

"What can I do for you Captain?" Dr. Prior asked, ignoring the other two.

"You done with her? Director Janson wants a quick word." He barked. Dr Prior nodded.

"Follow me. You guys go to the cafeteria, she will meet you when Director Janson is done." He didn't leave room for discussion. Minho gave him a suspicious look, then looked at Alex.

"Use your shuck brain. Don't leave me hanging." Alex drew a X.

She turned to face the guard. "Lead the way, Captain Marshmallow." He led her out of the med wing and down a white hallway. He raised an eyebrow.

"Captain Marshmallow?" He asked, giving her a side eye.

Alex shrugged, "Don't know your name, and I think behind that big scary tough warrior exterior, inside you're as soft and gooey as a marshmallow." He made a gravelly rumble in his throat, and his lip twitched again.

"See, you love it." Alex claimed. He led her down another long hall. "Where are we going?" She asked when they turned again.

"Director Janson wanted a word." He replied, eyes forward, and his hand resting on the gun strapped to his chest.

"So you said. Do you know what he wants?" She pressed.

"No." was all he answered, but he glanced down at her.

They stopped in front of another secure door. Captain Marshmallow took out a key card and swiped it, the panel went from red to green. He led her halfway down the hall. Stopping in front of a white door, which looked like all the other white doors they passed to get here. He opened the door and stood aside. Alex entered the room, inside there was a metal table and 2 chairs. She turned around to see him closing the door. She turned back to the table, looking around the room. It was dark, which was weird, considering everything else was bright white. One wall was a floor to ceiling mirror. In the corner of the room up at the top, was a small camera, there was a little red glowing light. It reminded her of the beetle blades in the glade. Her suspicion rose, her uncomfortable feeling came soaring back. She narrowed her eyes at the camera and then back at the mirror.

That's not actually a mirror...Who's watching? And why? Why just me..in a weird observation room?

She had backed up into the corner, instinctively protecting her back, she wasn't going to be caught off guard. The door clicked open and in walked Director Janson, Alex spied Captain outside the door.

What's he guarding the door for? Am I a threat? Do they think I'm going to escape..? If I was, I aint leaving my family behind!

"Alex, please sit." Janson said, his voice was thin and annoying. Alex hesitated, and then stepped forwards and pulled the chair out, and sat. Her eyes never left Janson, and she sat at the edge, with her back straight. She felt on edge the minute she walked into the room, and it skyrocketed when he was close by. He gave her a tight smile.

"Alexandria." He said as he sat down and laced his long fingers together. His eyes had a weird glint to them, definitely didn't match his tight smile or his tone of voice.

What game is he playing? And if he is an organisation that wants to help and keep us safe, why do I feel so jittery and uncomfortable around him? I really don't like rats! He also knows my full name...I've never told anyone my real name, except the guys, in the Glade on day one.

"I just came from having a quick word with Thomas. I would like to ask you the same question." He paused. Alex didn't say anything, just continued to look at him with narrowed eyes. He gave her a tight lipped smile again, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I was just hoping we might get a moment to chat in private, away from the others."

He paused again, like he was hoping she would say something. "I won't take up too much of your time. I really only have one question. What do you remember about WICKED?"

Alex's eyes flicked to the mirror wall and then to the camera. "You're not in trouble. We're just having a conversation."

Alex snorted. "Ya? Then what's with the camera?"

"We have surveillance everywhere. Just to keep you children safe." He said, his voice changed to an oily one.

Ya, or something else...

"I'm just trying to understand." He said in a voice that might have been innocent.

"Understand what?" Alex asked curtly.

"Whose side are you on?" He replied, his eyes looked hungry. She thought for a moment.

How much information do I give this guy? Definitely don't trust him.

"I remember I used to work for WICKED. I remember that they sent me into the maze. I remember watching children, my friends, my family... die bloody gruesome death's in front of me." Alex said, she crossed her arms and clenched her jaw and glared at him. "I'm on their side."

What she remembered about WICKED and what she witnessed was horrific. She would never ever be a willing participant. She would always be on her friends side.

"Interesting. You say you worked for WICKED, but they sent you into the maze. Why would they do something like that?" He asked surprised.

Hahaha. Wouldn't you like to know. Something tells me he knows...

No way she was going to tell him she was caught sneaking information out. He may be against WICKED, but she didn't trust him. Not at all.

So she twisted the truth, "I don't know. Maybe you should've asked them before you killed them all."

A smirk slid across his face, but unlike Minho's sexy sly one, this one was creepy and slightly evil. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Enjoy the rest of your stay." He waved a hand, like he was dismissing her.

"That's it?" Alex asked, shocked, she thought he would dig for information.

"Yeah, you've told me everything I need to know. You and your friends have all been cleared to join the others. Soon you'll all be moving on to greener pastures." He said standing up and opened the door for her. Alex stepped out into the hall. But stopped and spun around, "Wait. Others?" Janson just nodded and closed the door in her face.

Captain Marshmallow led her back down the halls. "This reminds me of the maze, with all the halls...eerily similar." Alex mumbled to herself, as she glanced at the man beside her, he didn't say anything, his face didn't change.

"Will you tell me your name? Or do you actually like me calling you Captain Marshmallow?"

He glanced at her "Ronin." He growled.

"Well, Captain Ronin. It's nice to meet you. You know if you talked more you might smile...But that would probably ruin your bad boy image huh?"

"Has anyone ever told you your mouth is going to get you in trouble?" He asked.

"Ya, all the time. But where's the fun in that?" She raised an eyebrow at him, and smirked. He just breathed heavily out his nose and rolled his eyes.

"Ya same response from everyone, except Minho... he's the bad influence. He's worse than me sometimes, if you can believe that. Though I think I'm giving him a good run for his money!" She stopped for a breath but he cut her off before she could continue.

"Okay, around this corner through the door is the cafeteria. You will find your group there. But before you go.."

He stopped talking, and looked down the corridor behind him. Alex looked too, out of curiosity.

What is this guy doing?

Captain Ronin leaned down and quietly and urgently whispered "Keep your eyes and ears open. Not everything is as it appears. Trust your gut soldier."

He straightened up and clapped her on the shoulder. When his hand made contact with her shoulder, pain shot through her head like a white hot poker, her head snapped up, her eyes glazed over and her body shook.

**** She was standing in a weapons room, but a shiny white and metal one, with weapons placed evenly along the walls and tables, each with a label. There was a man in front of her, she couldn't focus on his face, it was all blurred out. But he was quite tall and athletic, a deep commanding voice. "Subject A0, this is your belt and holster along with your vest. It's custom made for your smaller size, it also has more than one place for your knives. Once it is fitted and your weapons acquired you are being transferred temporarily, for the week. You have a mission to complete. Understood?

****She stepped into the training room. It was the size of a stadium. Different stations everywhere, there was weapons training, weight training, a track, survival training and martial arts. She looked around with wide eyes. A man strode up to her. He was tall, athletic, muscles on muscles, bald. One arm was covered in tattoos that crept up his back and neck. He stopped in front of Alex, "You the new soldier I'm training?" Alex nodded.

****She was covered in sweat, huffing, carrying a huge pack full of rocks. The bald guy was standing there with a stopwatch shouting "FASTER! COME ON"

****She was covered in sweat, huffing, carrying a pack, and a gun, running as fast as she could. She could feel the fear "FASTER! COME ON ALEX!" The tattooed bald Captain was yelling, they were outside running through deserted streets with broken buildings and sand everywhere. She heard wild animalistic screams.

****"Always have something you can defend yourself with!" A gruff voice said, handing her a small silver blade, indicating she put it in her boot.

*** Cradled in her arms was a tiny little black puppy. The puppy was looking up at Alex with big intelligent eyes, but she was panting hard. "Water! WATER! Please!" She begged. A huge man turned towards her, his face was blurred, and his voice sounded garbled. "Where did you get that thing?"

"I found her! She was trapped, and I rescued her. She is really smart! Can I keep her? Please Cap? I named her Bark! She's quiet, smart and sneaky already! Get it? Bark, cuz she's quiet? I'll train her! I promise she will be an asset to our team! Can you please help me keep her safe and away from...Him? Pleeeeeeease Cap?"

****She was standing in a dark room, hiding in the shadows, whispering with the bald man. "I have it. I need to get it to Brenda." He nodded, "I'll cover." "If I'm caught, do nothing. The others need you here." Alex whispered back. He looked skeptically at her. "I'm serious, Captain! I'll be sent to the maze. They will shoot you on the spot!"

Her head came back down, and she blinked a few times, figuring out where she was. She was staring at Captain Ronin, her eyes wide.

"You...you..." She stuttered and trailed off.

She could feel the blood leave her face, her hands went cold, her head was throbbing. His eyes softened a little, gave her the slightest nod and left her standing in the hall alone.