Chapter 22

A/N: Hey, guys. Really sorry that I'm so late. My computer broke! But I got it fixed and I will post this Friday. And... I will have two chapters for next week. So, please enjoy!

"Ain't a good time for jokes," Alby says.
Thomas looks completely shocked by Minho and Alby's reaction to finding a dead Griever. You can't say you're that surprised. You haven't heard of a dead one yet, but everyone was so scared of them that you guessed they haven't killed one yet. Invincible things are always the scariest. "Look," Minho continues, "I wouldn't believe me if I were you, either. But trust me, I did. Big fat nasty one."
"You found a dead Griever," Alby repeats.
"Yes, Alby," Minho says, annoyed now, "A couple of miles from here, out near the Cliff."
Alby looks out the Door, to the Maze, and says, "Well… why didn't you bring it back with you?"
Minho laughs, "You been drinkin' Frypan's saucy-sauce? Those things must weigh half a ton, dude. Plus. I wouldn't touch one if you gave me a free trip out of this place."
Alby asks Minho more questions while you try to picture it in your mind. You imagine the creature lying there, on its back, with all its appendages pointing up in the air. The fake dead Griever in your mind suddenly jumps up and chases you like the night you were in the Maze. You snap yourself out of your imagination, away from the nightmare of those memories.

"…wake-up tomorrow," Alby is saying.
"Smartest thing you've said in a week," Minho agrees as he pushes off the wall, playfully punches Alby and walks away, limping a bit.
"I should go back out there," he says over his shoulder, "but screw it. I'm gonna go eat some of Frypan's nasty casserole."
Alby suddenly turns to Thomas, surprising both of you, "If you know something and ain't tellin' me…"
"Why do you hate me so much?" Thomas asks.
This time it was Alby's turn to be surprised, but it was quickly washed away by an angry expression, "Hate you? Boy, you ain't learned nothin' since showin' up in that Box. This ain't got nothin' to with no hate or like or love or friends or anything. All we care about is surviving. Drop your sissy side and start using that shuck brain if you got one."
"But… why do you keep accusing—" Thomas says but Alby interrupts him, getting angrier still,
"Cuz it can't be a coincidence, slinthead! You pop in here, then we get us a girl Newbie," he gestures to you, "another girl in a coma who said your name, a crazy note, Ben tryin' to bite ya, dead Grievers. Something's goin' on and I ain't restin' till I figure it out."
"I don't know anything, Alby," Thomas says, getting angry himself.
You can't stand to be here with all this heat and tension, so you interrupt and say,
"For the record, I do know something, but it has nothing to do with the Griever and I'm sure it can wait until you guys are done."
You then turn on your heel and walk away as quickly as you dare, hoping that their argument clears up soon.

You meet up with Newt again, and the two of you get lunch together. You say,
"I forgot to tell you, I had a dream about Teresa last night."
"The girl?" You nod. "Did you tell Alby?" he continues.
"Not yet. I was gonna tell him after he dealt with Minho, and then Thomas. I haven't seen him yet. He does know I have something to tell him, "you pause and think about it, "Unless he wasn't paying attention."
"Let's go find him then, shall we?"
"Sure," you finish eating and leave to look for Alby.

Just your luck, Alby was looking for you and he nearly collides with you and Newt outside the door.
"Alby," you say, "we were just looking for you."
"You said you know something. What?"
"I had a dream that I think is a memory about the comatose girl, Teresa."
You stop, waiting for him to say something but he just stands there and looks at you so you continue,
"We went to speak with someone who I think is like a boss type person about the 'special job' and I told them I would think about it."
"So, what's the job?"
"I don't know yet."
"Then what are you wastin' my time for," Alby turns and walks away before you can answer.
Newt stands beside you and wraps an arm around you,
"He's not usually this mean. He's just tightly wound at the moment."
"Yeah," you say, "it must be difficult for him, there's so much going on and I know I'm not making it easier."

Newt looks down at his watch and exclaims,
"I have to go!"
He hugs you and starts walking away. You grab his hand and pull him back,
"Hey, where are you going?"
He smiles at you, "you're so cute when you do that."
You try not to smile but it's too difficult, you look away as you smile and your cheeks redden. You look back at him and ask again,
"Where are you going?"
He answers, "I'm going meet the other Keepers for a Gathering to talk about Ben."
"Oh, right," you say. The two of you kiss and then you wave at Newt as he makes his way back inside the Homestead.

You get bored and decide to help out in Gardens, it's what you usually do when you have nothing to do. You haven't tried out with all the different Keepers yet but you're sure you'll end up with the Gardens. Wait, you realise, if Teresa is the last one and I have like a week to do this "job", will I ever have a chance to be a Glader?
You're pulling weeds as you consider this, but then, someone taps your shoulder and you nearly jump out of your skin from fright.
Turning around, you see Claude.

A/N:
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