Chapter 26

Im pretty sure this is a new record for me. This chapter makes three chapters that I have written AND posted in one day c: I must say, I'm pretty proud of myself. But I guess that's what I get when I have the day off and nothing else to do with my spare time. Oh and since James Dashner doesn't really explain what it's like going through the Changing I'm going to be writing what I believe it would be like since all I really know is that it's painful. Now, onward with the chapter!

Newt POV

I met the Runners at the enterance to the maze before the doors opened and I saw that Jo had beat me there. While I normally would think that what she has with Minho isn't exactly a good idea, when I spend time around them together it's hard not to notice how they balance each other out. Funny to think about too, seeing as at first they loathed eachother more than they loathed being stuck in here. Now they're almost inseperable, not that I'm complaining, it would take an idiot not to see the feelings they harbor fo each other and I think we can all agree that since they became close the attitude and fights that usually follow Minho around in the Glade have hugely declined. The only reason he really picks a fight with any of these dumb shanks is if they disrespect Jo.

Watching them I sometimes wonder to myself if before all of this, before my memories were wiped and before we were thrown in this god forsaken place, if I had anything close to what they have, and if I did, where is she now?

After the Runners had disappeared into the maze I turned around and headed back to get some breakfast. When I didn't hear Jo's soft footsteps behind me I turned around and saw her sitting down leaning against the wall. Just from looking at her I could tell something was up with her, her skin was ashy and pale, she had dark circles and bags under her eyes like she hasn't slept, and she usually only talks to Minho now. When I can tell that she's feeling a little better I will ask her about it, I miss hanging out with the red headed spit fire that could knock Gally and Minho on their asses, for now I was going to let her relax and try to catch up on some sleep she seems to really need.

After I left Jo at the enterance to maze about twenty or so minutes ago I was beginning to wonder if she had really fallen asleep out there. Looking over to where she was, it looked like she was curled up in the grass fast asleep. Rolling my eyes I wiped the sweat off my forhead onto the back of my hand then stopped the curly haired kid she also spends her time with, "Hey, Chuck. Can you do me a favor?" the kid stopped midstride and turned his attention to me.

"Can you go wake up Jo? That dumb shank fell asleep by the wall. Tell her to go to the Homestead where it's more comfortable." Normally I didn't like slackers and neither did Alby but, him and I have both noticed something off with her. Plus when she was awake and moving about the Glade she was one of the most sought after Med-Jacks so I think she's earned a little day to rest and recooperate.

The boy bobbed his head up and down in a nod and his curls flew around his chubby face, "Sure. But what if she gets mad at me?" At the mere thought of the girl getting mad at him, Chuck's eyes grew two sizes and he went pale.

"Relax Greenie, she likes you. She's not going to get mad or hurt you. Just go wake her up or she's going to be sore tomorrow." I concluded and went back to digging holes in the soil to help Zart plant some new vegitables we don't have yet.

"Yeah, but she likes Minho a lot more than me and she still gets mad at him." Chuck mumbles, unsure of my words. All it takes is an impatient sigh from me and a stern look for him to hightail it down the clearing towards the sleeping girl. I shook my head with a slight smile and a chuckle. I can't imagine my life without these people in it, they have become my family.

I engrossed myself in my work for about a decent minute before the peaceful atmosphere of the Glade was interupted by a loud scream. I dropped the shovel I was holding and my eyes followed the direction the scream came from and I saw Jo hovering over Chuck on the ground, her hands on his throat as she screamed in his face in an almost animalistic way.

"Jo! Stop!" I took off in a sprint despite my limp and the other Gladers followed after me. As I got closer I could see Chuck turning blue as he tried with what little energy he had left to try and pry her fingers from his throat. I was about to take action to knock her out but I wasn't fast enough as Gally flew past me and his fist collided with the side of her head. She flew back off the poor Greenie and she crumbled on the ground, barely conscience. Her eyes met mine and my blood ran cold, she had been stung, in the middle of day out in the open.

"I will kill them all!" She screamed and Gally planted one more to her jaw and knocked her out completely. I didn't give myself time to think as I started barking out orders, Alby approaching me from behind asking what had happened.

"Clint! Jeff! Take her to the Sick Room quickly, she needs the Greiever Serum now! We still have time!" Alby quickly bound Jo's hands behind her back and her feet together before picking her up and following her fellow Med-Jacks to the Sick Room. I turned back to Chuck, running my fingers through my hair I kneeled down next to the boy who was coughing and sputtering with tears in his eyes.

"Chuck I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Come on, let the Med-jacks take a look at you." I helped the boy up and walked with him towards the Sick Room. Once I had gotten him inside his eyes were instantly glued to Jo's limp body that had been bound to the bed, he watched as Clint administered the only thing given to us to hopefully save a Gladers life if they've been stung. Now all we can do is pray she survives the Changing.

"Why did she do that Newt? Why did she attack me? I thought we were friends." He croaked out in a painful voice. Jeff spoke before I could respond and he handed the boy a cup of steaming liquid that seemed like a tea.

"Don't talk Chuck or you'll possibly damage your vocal chords. Take it easy. Drink this, take small sips but make sure you finish it." The Med-Jack went back into the backroom to dig for more things to help Chuck.

I looked at the boy as he flinched when he took a sip of the tea, as soon as it ran down his throat he let out a sigh. It seemed like the tea was a pain reliever of some sort, "I really am sorry Chuck. I need you to understand that when I tell you she didn't do this on purpose I mean it. I'm gonna need you to pay attention to what I'm about to tell you good that?" He nodded in responce so I continued.

"Out there in the maze we have these huge creatures we call Griever, they have this stinger at the end of their tail and when they stick a Glader with it it causes them to..lose their minds. They see things that aren't really there and it messes with their mind. We call it The Changing. Since we got to Jo fast enough what she's experiencing right now is the Changing. I don't personally know what it's like but there is someone here who does, but from what I've seen when someone goes through the Changing it's a very painful process and during that some Gladers have been known to get their memories back. That's why she attacked you Chuck. She had no idea it was you, for all she knew it was someone from her past." I explained and I really hoped that he understood what I was telling him because I can almost guarantee that this will not be the first time this happens.

Everyone in the Sick Room flinched when she let out her first scream that told us she was indeed going through the Changing. Looking behind me, my eyes fall on the girl I consider to be a sister as she writhes in pain on the bed we've strapped her to.

You will pull through this Jo, you're one of the strongest people I know. I know you will make it through the Changing and everything will be okay.

I spoke to myself, I needed to go see Alby before Minho got back and found out that Jo had been stung. God help us when Minho finds out Jo's been stung, it may not have been his fault but everyone knows he will shoulder the blame as Keeper of the Runners, using the lack of a way out of here as a reason to blame himself.

"Stay here and rest up Chuck. Jeff will take care of you, I have to talk to Alby." I ruffled the kids unruly girls before looking back at Clint and Jeff, "Take care of her." I said then walked out.

Jo POV/Third Person POV

Pain, that's all I felt. An overwhelming amount of pain, I was surprised I was still alive. My body felt like it was on fire and no matter how long I endured, the flames never ended. I fought, I tried to hold on, but the pain was too much and eventually I shut my mind off, slipping into the welcomed darkness.

Her eyes, they were so beautiful. Big, sparkling emerald green eyes set into a oval shaped face with skin the color of porcelain, across the bridge of her nose and onto the apple of her cheeks her skin was lightly dusted with freckles all framed by a thick head of flaming orange waves. Ever since she was a child she has been told just how beautiful she was and they told her it was because she took after her mother.

After her mother had died and her father had given her to W.I.C.K.E.D. her beauty was still talk amongst the scientists, in all their years of tracking down Immunes, as they called her and a few other kids her age, they had never seen anyone with hair like silky fire. Her apperance had ulitmately drew the attention of the woman in charge of W.I.C.K.E.D., Dr. Ava Paige. She remembered it like it was yesterday, Mr. Janson had called her into his office after she had successfully completed all the tests they gave her that day with a good amount of time to spare. They were impressed. Her mother didn't raise an idiot, she raised her to be smart and polite but she also made sure she taught her not to let people walk all over her.

So there she was, standing in front of Mr. Janson's desk with her hands folded politely behind her back as she waited there like she was told. She was informed that she would be meeting someone important today and she was going to ask her a few questions. After being with W.I.C.K.E.D. for so long the idea of meeting new people and them asking her a series of questions was something she had grown familiar with.

"Yes sir." She replied and he gave her a tightlipped smile. Mr. Janson was not a very outgoing and friendly man. In the time that was spent waiting, the silence was deafening until she door to Mr. Jansons office was opened up and in walked two men covered head to toe in black combat gear then behind them walked in a woman dressed in a crisp all white pant suit with a lab coat on top and her greying blonde hair was pulled back into a perfect bun. She woman screamed authority and it was intimidating.

As soon as the woman and her escorts walked in; all four of them, Mr. Janson rose to his feet and met the woman halfway with a bright smile and a handshake, it was clear by their body language that they were close collegues but the woman was still the one to answer to. That must me Dr. Ava Paige. When that thought crossed the girls mind her mouth went dry and her brain went blank.

"Welcome Dr. Paige, this is the child you requested to see. I think you will be pleased, not only is she a rarity among the living but she is incredily sharp and brilliant. Layla raised her right, it's no wonder her father gave her to us. She was basically brought up to be your first test subject." Mr. Janson spoke to Dr. Paige and the words almost went in one ear and out the other until she was standing face to face with the woman.

"Hello Joan. Do you know who I am?" Dr. Paige's voice was so calm and soothing it was almost like she was using her voice to calm an infant, and it worked. All the stress she was feeling about meeting Ava Paige has vanished the moment she spoke to her.

"You're Dr. Ava Paige ma'am. I was told that you are the head of the department." She responded to the question she was asked as respectful as she could. From the look on the Doctor's face she could tell that she had made the right move.

"Very good Joan, Mr. Janson here was just telling me how bright you are. Is that true? You're only ten am I correct?" Ava makes a statement then follows it up with a few questions to which the young girl had no problems anwering right away.

"Yes, my test scores show that I am the highest ranking child in my age group, but yes ma'am I am only ten." She smiled shyly at the doctor and discreetly played with her fingers behind her back. The girls' only flaw that the other doctors could find was her attention span. While she was still a child genious, she had a hard time staying still without fidgiting with something or she would be paying attention to some of the tests being administred to her but if she lost interest or someone walked into the room that she knew her focus was taken away.

Dr. Paige stood up from her kneeling position in front of the girl and she looked at Janson, "She's a perfect candidate. I want her briefed and prepped in two hours. Give her time to see her friends for a little, it's going to be a while before she can see them again." Joan, had only heard bits and pieces of what was said but it was enough to worry her.

"I won't see my friends anymore?" She didn't mean to speak out but it didn't seem to bother to female doctor as she turned her attention back to Joan with a smile.

"I'm sorry sweetheart but as of right now you are very important to W.I.C.K.E.D. in more ways than you know. You will still get to see your friends, it just won't be as much as usual. Do not fret child, you will be well taken care of. I will see you soon my sweet Joan." Ava caressed her cheek and softly gripped her chin and met her gaze with a warm smile so not to worry the child further.

She didn't know it yet but her childhood was over and she had a long, hard road ahead of her.

Okay so, I'm sorry if the whole Jo's Pov mixing with Third Person POV is confusing. I mean, it's not really third person since it is Jo's point of view its just her memories are playing back and since she had forgotten them its like shes learning about the life of someone unfamiliar. I was going to try and fit a lot of Jo's memories into one chapter but since I have a lot I want to get down that doesn't seem possible. That's okay though, that just means more chapter which means a longer story :D But I hope everyone liked it and if they did, please review! Thank you! xoxo