Disclaimer:

Me: *frantically combines 48382 chapters into one so this book isn't really freaking long*

Me: *fails*

-✼-

Alby looked almost disappointed when we told him something was different. I briefly wondered why, but then he said, "Cuz this whole shuck place is fallin' to pieces," then gave Thomas a harsh glare as if it was all his doing.

My lips pulled into a tight line, but I said nothing. It wouldn't help if I did. And just when I thought Alby was getting more likable, too.

"What do you mean?" Minho asked, ignoring the harsh look directed my brother's way— or maybe he just hadn't seen it. "What else happened?"

Newt nodded toward the Box. "Bloody supplies didn't come today. Come every week for two years, same time, same day. But not today."

Everything is going to change.

Teresa's words suddenly echoed in my head, making my mood even worse than it already was. I just wanted things to run smoothly for once.

"Oh, we're shucked for good now," Minho grumbled. It made me uneasy. He was usually so collected; the disappearance of the sun didn't seem to faze him. Or maybe it did, and he was only just now showing it.

"No sun for the plants," Newt said, "no supplies from the bloody Box— yeah, I'd say we're shucked, all right."

His eyes drifted to me, and while I stood strong and confident, I knew he could see right through me. He probably saw it by the slight twitch of the skin around my mouth, which was still down in the slightest of frowns. He kept studying me for a second until he finally came over and shooed Thomas away from my side. Newt took my hand in his, making my heart speed up as I felt the calloused skin of his palm against my own.

Alby's arms crossed and he was now glaring at the Box as if that would intimidate it enough to bring us supplies.

"Yeah, anyway, we found something weird," Minho informed, setting us back on track.

Newt raised his eyebrows when no one elaborated. "What?"

I cleared my throat and started explaining, Minho occasionally cutting in to fill in some details I missed. All the while I knew I had everyone around me's full attention, and I used it to my advantage by using up a full three minutes to speak. My hands grew sweaty but Newt still held on, squeezing at times for support.

Once I finished, Minho said, "Must lead to where the...ya know... Grievers live."

"The Griever Hole," Thomas added, and I couldn't help but snicker at the ridiculous name. Minho, Alby, and even Newt just looked annoyed.

"Gotta bloody see that for myself," Newt said, then muttered, "Hard to believe."

"I know," I agreed. "For once we have an idea about how this freakin' place works."

"I don't know what we can do," Minho said, looking perplexed. "Maybe we could build something to block off the corridor."

"No way," Newt declined with a swat of his free hand. "Shuck things can climb the bloody walls, remember? Nothing we could build would keep them out."

Just as I was about to start brainstorming, a commotion outside the Homestead shifted my attention away from the depths of my thoughts. A group of excited Gladers stood outside the door, shouting to be heard over one another. Chuck was amongst them, and he jogged over when he saw us. He wore a thrilled expression on his face, making me wonder what someone could be so happy about at times like this.

"Chuck, what's happening?" I asked calmly, though inside my stomach was starting to churn. I had an assumption of what was causing the havoc, and I knew I'd be thrown into it one way or another.

"She's awake!" Chuck yelled in response and confirming my hunch. "The girl's awake!"

Everyone wore looks of extreme panic on their faces. No one knew how to react, not even Alby. He stood frozen in what looked like fear, while Minho...I didn't even know.

Newt pulled me along with him before I knew what was happening. The Gladers' jumbled voices became louder the closer he brought me to the Homestead, making me have to shout over the noise.

"Where are we going?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. A pool of dread formed inside of me. I was intimidated by Teresa, that was for sure. After all, she came up with a scary note and said some scary things and then was in a coma-like state for weeks.

However, I knew I had to be gentle. Chances were she was manipulated by the Creators to do their bidding and would remember nothing when she finally woke.

Newt's eyes shifted to me for a second before locking on the Homestead. "You know."

He started pushing through the hoard, eyes squinted as elbows knocked into us and we were shoved around. His grip on my hand never loosened, and once he got to the steps he stood tall and proud above everyone else with me by his side.

"Hey!" he roared above the commotion, and instantly everyone was quiet. The voices shushed and everyone stood still, staring up at Newt with mixed looks of fright and anxiety. "I want everyone away from the bloody Homestead, now. I don't care where the shuck you go, just do not come near this building for an hour and a half, do you hear me?"

A weak chorus of, "Yes," followed, and the Gladers turned and spread out around the Glade.

Newt's expression stayed stony until the last boy left, and he turned and murmured, "Let's go."

He opened the door to the Homestead and climbed the stairs. It was dead silent aside from the creaking of floorboards against our feet and muffled voices from the end of the hallway. I could barely see because none of the lights were on for whatever reason.

My heart hammered in my chest, but I didn't think Newt could sense my nerves.

"Why am I talking to her?" I finally asked, my voice just above a whisper. "Why me? Why not Thomas, or Alby, or you, or anyone besides—"

Newt used my hand to spin me toward him and hold both of my wrists gently, brown eyes looking directly into mine. His face was barely illuminated by the windows at either end of the hall.

"Listen to me," he said, voice light as feathers. "I'm doing this because I believe in you, okay? I am one-hundred-shucking-percent positive that you can face her and show all those boys who think they rule over women that they are wrong. I'll still be there, but it's your time to shine. Not Thomas; he had his turn. Not Alby; he always has his. And not me. I'm not doing this because I want you to be scared. I'm doing it because I-"

He stopped short, mouth frozen. My eyebrows creased when he didn't continue, and I searched his eyes for any sign of fright or discomfort that caused him to stop. But I found nothing- it was as if he had shut all his emotions down and kept them locked away. I waited anxiously for what he had to say, my pulse quickening even more.

"-really care about you," he finally finished. Before I could dwell on what he could've said, he already leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my lips. He pulled away and moved his mouth to my ear, whispering, "You can do this."

In my head I started to think positive, encouraging thoughts. She was your best friend before the Glade. She helped you when Newt left. She's the same person.

I took a deep breath and walked with him toward the room Clint, Jeff, and Teresa were in. Their voices were a bit louder now, and when I swung the door open, they cut off abruptly. All heads swiveled toward me and I stood stone still with my hand still on the doorknob, unsure if they wanted me there or not.

"Dylan." A gentle smile took over Clint's face from where he sat backward on a chair. "Come in."

Hesitantly, I stepped forward and immediately spotted Teresa. She was laying upright in her bed against the pillows, the color returned to her cheeks though she was still pale. She had freckles beneath her icy blue eyes, which held mixed looks of fear and confusion. Her pitch-black hair contrasted greatly against the white pillows and blanket.

"Can she speak to her— alone, please?" Newt asked, though he knew they weren't about to say no.

Sure enough, Clint and Jeff nodded in sync and slid the chairs back where they belonged. They patted me on the back as they exited, no one saying a thing as they did so and it was mildly awkward.

"I'll be right outside the door, promise," Newt said lowly before shutting the door, and I was alone with Teresa.

I remembered how I wanted to be treated when I was a Greenie. I wanted people to be gentle, kind, and informative. I didn't get that, and I wanted to make sure at least someone did.

So I stood in front of the bed, heart pounding and all the blood rushing to my ears, and said, "Hi, I'm Dylan. Do you mind if I sit?"

She shrugged. "Go ahead."

I took a chair from the desk against the wall and tentatively sat in it, not wanting to scare her. Start off small. "What's your name?"

Even though I already knew, I decided it would be creepy if I spewed out her name without her telling me first.

"Teresa," she responded, saying it slowly and dragging out all three syllables. "Teresa."

"Okay, Teresa, I'm here to help you," I coaxed. "Call me your therapist. Do you remember anything?"

Teresa looked troubled, like she wasn't sure how to respond. She thought for a long while, dark eyebrows pulled together as she searched her empty mind. "No."

She didn't seem freaked out about anything, which confused and alarmed me. I was about to think of something else to ask, but her voice sounded again.

"Well, yes."

Her words brought my attention back to her. Cautiously, I asked, "Can you tell me?"

She studied me hard. Those intimidating blue eyes searched me down from my toes and up to my hair, which was completely falling out of my haphazardly-done ponytail. Under her stare, I was feeling insecure and small— not like myself.

"Where is Thomas?" she questioned.

I sighed. "I figured you would ask that." Noticing her puzzled look, I scooted my chair closer. "If you feel you can only trust him, maybe it'll help for you to know that I'm his twin sister."

She didn't say anything for a long moment, then spoke my name carefully. "Dylan."

I nodded. "Yes, that's me."

Teresa didn't respond and only looked around, her eye catching the closed window. She peered at it curiously. "I know where I am. I'm in the Maze."

"Well, not exactly," I said gently. "We're surrounded by the Maze. Right now we're in what we call the Glade."

Her head turned to see me again, and I looked at her with no emotion. I didn't know what to feel anymore, but I was slightly worried by what she was saying to me, and how she seemed to be completely calm. "The Glade? Who else is here?"

"I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to tell—" I stopped short, thinking back on how I was when I showed up here. I had wanted answers. I sighed. "Shuck it. Teresa, open your ears, because I'm going to take up all the time we have."

-/-

An hour later, I had talked my throat dry about the Glade. The jobs, the people, the Maze, and especially how we were the only girls. Teresa seemed to know that already, though, judging by the way she watched the boys from the window.

"This is so weird," she mumbled, letting the curtain fall back into place. Her clothes were the same ones she had on when she arrived, and her hair was a mess. She looked like she needed some freshening up.

"I have a hairbrush, some spare clothes, and you could shower if you'd like," I offered, standing up. One of my legs was asleep and I tried to inconspicuously shake it out.

Her face seemed to brighten up. "Really? Thank you."

She followed me to the door, where I pushed it open forcefully and sent a surprised Newt sprawling to the floor. He laid on the ground in pain, clutching the side of his face. It was turning pink from the force of the door. "What the bloody hell?"

"That's what you get for eavesdropping, sweetie," I teased, then beckoned an amused-looking Teresa along. I stopped at my room and grabbed her some clothes and my brush, then led her around a back door of the Homestead, outside, and to the showers.

"Make sure you lock the door," I advised while handing her a towel and soap. "I made the mistake of not doing so my first shower."

Teresa gratefully accepted the items, now seeming to trust me more that I was treating her only with kindness. "What happened?"

I smiled a bit. "Nothing. That blond idiot back there made sure of it."

She returned the grin and went into the middle shower room, closing the door. I heard the click of the lock and the green button switched to red.

Now I had to sit and wait.

I leaned against the back of the Homestead, tapping my fingers on my arms in boredom. Sighing, I shifted my weight and started to think.

I wondered if I could resign from being a Runner since I technically wasn't one yet. I did not enjoy it at all, and Minho making fun of me every chance he got did not make it any better. I hoped I could get a job I actually liked doing for a change.

Then my favorite person in the world — next to the obvious (Newt and Thomas) — finally showed his face.

"Theo!" I called upon noticing his curly head about to walk into one of the shower rooms.

He turned and I noticed he looked very tired. A thin layer of sweat shined on his face and there were bags under his chocolate-colored eyes. Nevertheless, he grinned brightly at me and I couldn't help but return it. "Hey, pepinillo!"

I stopped in front of him, a suspicious look on my face. "What did you just call me?"

He shook his head, a sly smile on his face. "Learn Spanish or something."

I rolled my eyes then swatted his head, which was damp with sweat, though I tried my best to ignore it. "Where have you been, young man?"

"Ah!" he yelled, bringing his arms up to shield himself from me, eyes squeezed shut. "Us Builders have been working our culos off trying to repair stuff that I swear people are breaking on purpose. It's tough, and since I'm one of the top ones, I'm expected to do more." He released a heavy sigh, putting his arms down. "Running any better?"

I cast my eyes downward in annoyance. "No. It sucks."

"Aw, I'm sorry." He frowned. "I feel bad for being so happy for you now."

I shrugged. "It's fine. Can't like everything." Theo tried to pull me into a hug, but I pushed him away. "No. You're disgusting and sweaty and I don't like you go away."

The door to the right creaked open and my head snapped to see Teresa getting ready to get out. I panicked, spinning Theo around and shoving him in the shower room, slamming the door shut and not answering his slurred half-Spanish, half-English questions.

"Who were you talking to?" Teresa asked as she fluffed out her hair. I couldn't help but notice how much better she looked now. Her hair was completely dry and was no longer oily. Her skin had a clean, healthy glow to it, and she generally looked happier.

"A friend, but he's gone now," I replied vaguely, stepping down from the shower room's platform. "Are you ready to walk around?"

Teresa hesitated, then nodded. "I want to see your brother."

I didn't see the importance of him, but I pointed him out anyway. He was sitting alone by the Map Room, probably trying to stay away from Teresa as long as he could. I wasn't about to tell her that, though.

"Thank you, Dylan," she said as she started to walk away. "You were a big help!"

"You're welcome!" I called back, giving her a wave.

The back door swung open and revealed a groggy Newt, who had probably been eavesdropping again like the jerk he was. But I still let him pull me to his side and I rested my head against his arm.

We both watched as the Gladers turned to view Teresa as she walked briskly toward Thomas, but she paid them no attention. I didn't notice the small smile on my face until my cheeks began to ache. I knew that we would grow to be as close as we were before.

Newt kissed the top of my head. "I knew you could do it."

gif is my queen

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the upcoming chapters are mainly centered around tommy + t swizzle so i'll probably be able to combine a lot and get this book FINALLY FINISHED OH MY GOD

also thanks for 120k reads?? what the flip i still dont know why people even read this

dedicated to XxSnow_AngelxX for the comment they left on my profile :))

-kristyn