Edward sat up hyperventilating. He rubbed his eyes. It was broad daylight and not a lot of parties were awake.

"Eddie? Eddie?" Chuck's voice rang in his head as he saw his dear friend kneel next to him. "Are you okay? You've looked like you've had a bad nightmare,"

Edward didn't have to answer. He was already pale in the face.

"What happened?"

Edward took in a deep breath, picturing the girl in his head again from the dream which had haunted his head all night. "That girl Amelia, the one whose necklace Minho keeps,"

"Yeah. She was like a big sister to me," Chuck said sadly. "Even though it was only for a short period since I arrived,"

"I think...I think me and Thomas rescued her. Maybe that's why we were sent up as punishment because we messed with the Maze Trials,"

Chuck clasped his shoulder. "You mean she's alive?"

"I don't know," Edward remorsefully shook his head. "I don't want to get your hopes up,"

Chuck hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much, Ed,"

Edward hugged him tightly. "We have to move. Thomas and the others have no idea what they're walking into,"

Chuck nodded. They both stood up.

"Everyone. We need to head off. I don't want to rush you but some friends of ours are walking into a trap," apologised Edward.

"No need to remind us twice," Harriet said standing up with Sonya and Aris. "We want to thank you Edward for getting Aris to us,"

"It's Aris who deserves the credit. If it wasn't for him, we never would have made it out of that compound," Edward fondly complimented his nervous friend. "You did heroic buddy," he offered a high five which Aris smacked his hand against loudly.

"Let's go," Sonya said. The large group consisting of twenty girls including Harriet, Brenda, Sonya, and Teresa and three boys: Edward, Aris and Chuck began their long walk towards the Crank City.

Edward could see that Teresa was keeping her distance from the group; he frowned. He wondered what was up with her. He had never seen her act so strange before. He was about to walk forward when Brenda popped out of nowhere.

"You sleep okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. Apart from a crazy memory dream, just fine," he answered flatly.

"Hey. We're going to make it to Thomas," Brenda assured. "Jorge will keep him safe. He's handy with guns. He taught me everything I know. Driving, mastering a gun, combat,"

"Sound like he's everything anyone could ever want. You're lucky you had him. All Thomas and I had was a manipulative doctor who made us think experimenting on our friends was a good idea,"

"You guys are heroes. You led your friends out here and you helped them escape the Maze," Brenda said.

"I don't think we'd call ourselves heroes," Edward said.

"Why not? Who are the ones who saved their lives and were willing to give them? Who are the ones are doing whatever it takes to keep innocent children and teenagers safe from WICKED? Who's the one who just saved my life?" Brenda truly did see Edward as a hero and he uncannily enjoyed hearing her speaking like that. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for Edward,"

"Not as strong as you Brenda," he said.

"Maybe. Maybe it's because girls are a lot stronger than boys,"

"Or maybe we are and you don't want to see it that way," Edward teased, earning a chuckle from Brenda. He chuckled back.

Ahead of them, Teresa heard their chuckles and turned her head to see their amusing faces. She felt red from envy, and not the sun.

                        ..................................................................................

A fifteen-year-old Newt and Thomas snuck to the roof of the compound. In all the years that they had become close to one another, Thomas knew in his heart that it was something more.

They laid down together staring up at the stars. Though the planet was devasted by the Sun, the night sky remained as beautiful as ever with its miraculous stares. Lying there together under a twinkling sky was their favourite activity together.

"What do you think gonna happen?" Newt wondered.

"I don't know," Thomas confessed. "Ava really makes me hesitate whether to trust her sometimes. But sometimes I don't know what to believe,"

Newt turned his head. "You don't always have to follow what she says," he comforted.

Thomas turned his head to him.

"You have to listen to what your heart tells you,'

Thomas smiled. "You've been so sweet to me Newt. Ever since we met. And you've always made me feel less alone whenever I wasn't allowed to see my brother,"

"And me my sister," he said back, earning a chuckle back.

Though he was enjoying the moment of humour, Thomas's smile dropped suddenly.

"What's wrong Tommy?"

"I'm scared that...something bad might happen to you. And I won't be there to save you,"

"Nothing's going to happen to me. And I won't let anything happen to you too,"

"I have something for you Newt," Thomas sat up and reached into his pocket revealing a green stone pendant. He handed it to Newt who took it affectionately. He traced the letters N + T with his fingers quivering from the feeling that had long flowed through his heart through all the times he had been secretly hanging out with Thomas, his closest confidant. "Thank you," he said. "I have something for you too," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant that resembled the gift which Thomas had given him. Only the colour was blue, Thomas's favourite.

Thomas felt his heart soar as he traced the same initials on the pendant. "Thank you,"

"That way we will always be close. No matter what happens,"

"I will always treasure it,"

"And I will never take this off,"

The pair simultaneously tied their gifts around their necks. The colours blue and green, their favourite shone under the moonlight. It was at that moment that they both realised what had been blooming between them for years the closer they became. They drew closer, their lips touched...

                     ............................................................................

Thomas woke up very slowly. As his eyelids separated, he realised he wasn't on a bed of sand. He was being carried by his arms and legs. "Hey. Why am I being carried?"

The boys who were carrying him stopped and they settled him down. He saw that his carriers had been Newt, Minho and the hefty Frypan. Newt helped him up.

"Nice to see you finally woke up Sleeping Beauty," Frypan joked.

"What?" Thomas blabbered out a little tiredly.

Jorge came to them. "You literally fell asleep for over fifteen hours,"

"Fifteen hours?!" Thomas retorted loudly.

"You've been wearing yourself out these last few days. With what WICKED tried to do to you, you needed lots of rest. Now that you're awake, time to keep moving," he turned his back and continued leading the way.

Thomas trailed a bit behind, still overwhelmed from everything he had been through in a very few days. His eyes were half-closed, he was half asleep, the flashes of his past still playing in his flustered head. As he remembered the first kiss in his life, he felt his heart pounding harder every second as they fixed upon the boy who didn't know it was him. Thomas was going to talk to him, once they had found the Right Arm, once they were all safe from WICKED.

         ..................................................................................................................

Edward and his group continued making their way across the desert, following Brenda. As Brenda hiked up a high dune, she was beginning to slip a bit.

"Woah! Woah!" Edward caught her lightly. "There you go,"

"Thank Edward," Brenda answered.

"No problem," he said. "Nearly there?"

"Look!" Brenda pointed forwards and Edward saw a group of desolated buildings. "That's where Jorge should have your brother and friends,"

"Great," Edward breathed. "Thank you for getting us there,"

"Don't thank me yet till we get there. But I appreciate the gratitude," she smiled and cocked her head and he copied her action.

Once again the two together were observed by Teresa, cold-faced than ever. Chuck noticed the stiff glare she gave out to the pair. He pressed his lips together, worried about what his close friend might be getting into.

Even Aris, Harriet and Sonya could see it clearly too.

"Wow. That girl sure has the look of envy on her face," Harriet said awkwardly.

"Teresa and Edward have known each other since they were small. And besides, he wasn't the only guy close to her," Aris remarked, remembering everything he could recall from what memories he regained during the time in their Maze.

"Who was it?' Chuck asked, couldn't help but overhear.

"Jerry,"

Chuck went pale. "You mean that guy who's Janson's kid? The one whom he attacked?"

Aris nervously bobbed his head saying 'yes'.

"How could anyone want to be his friend after what he did to our leader Alby? How he tried to kill Edward?" Chuck was leaking out tears, the memory of the body room flashing in the mind of his eyes again.

Aris couldn't offer any words. He just shrugged his shoulders. "What I'm worried about is how our buddy over there might be getting himself into a love triangle?"

"Wait a minute. You mean him and that...girl, Brenda? Who wasn't even in their maze?" Sonya blabbered.

The answer was clear on Aris's face.

"Is it true he and his brother worked for WICKED like you but they were sent up?" she asked.

"They were," Aris said. "Edward thinks it was because they betrayed them. But still, WICKED's very determined to get his hands on them for a reason. I'm hoping perhaps the Right Arm can give them the answers they're seeking,"

"Do you think they could help me find my brother?" Sonya asked.

"You have a brother?" Chuck asked.

"I do," Sonya reached into her shirt and pulled out a golden heart half. "I believe he's got the other half,"

The moment Chuck saw her only item of jewellery, her precious treasure, he could feel his heart pulsing right under his skin. He was speechless.

"Don't give up hope Sonya. If Edward and Brenda can get us to the Right Arm, I bet you they can help you find your brother," Harriet comforted.

"I hope so," Sonya sniffled a little.

"They must," Aris said hopefully.

Chuck wanted to speak again but he felt unready.

"Hey, guys! You coming!" Brenda called down to them.

Aris, Chuck, and the girls caught up to them. Edward helped them up the dune so they wouldn't slip. Brenda insisted she'd wait for him but he politely told her to go ahead and that he would catch up.

He helped Chuck up and he decided he'd carry his bag for a while to give him a break.

"Thank Eddie,"

"No problem Chuckie," Edward patted his back. "We're so close to the Crank City now. I just hope we're not too late to find Thomas and the other,"

"We'll find them," Chuck was gleaming with hope. "We have to. Especially for Sonya,"

Edward cocked his head down to him. "What do you mean?"

Chuck looked ahead at Sonya who remained thoroughly quiet as she was fiddling with her necklace. "Ed, Sonya has a necklace that resembles a heart half,"

"Doesn't Newt have a necklace half?" Edward questioned, remembering seeing a token very similar to the description wrapped around Newt's neck aside from the pendant given to him by a lover.

Chuck's eyes flashed. "He does,"

"Then that means..." Edward breathed off.

"That girl is his sister,"

Edward was flabbergasted. Then his shock turned to excitement. 'We've got to get her to Newt. He'll be so happy to see her. Think we should tell her before we get there,"

"Best we do," Chuck insisted. "Does Teresa look strange to you?" he tilted his head to the side and Edward spotted him observing Teresa, once again keeping her distance from the group.

"She does. It's not just that Chuck. She's been keeping something secret from me and she's refusing to talk about it,"

"Go and talk to her," Chuck encouraged.

"I should," Edward said. "Why don't you go and tell Sonya about Newt? I'll handle Teresa,"

"I'm not sure I can. I'm not much of a motivating speaker like you Ed. You inspire people and I just...I just stand out like a black sheep,"

"You can do it Chuckie buddy," Edward patted his back. "You're more confident than you know,"

"Okay," Chuck was instantly motivated. He jogged ahead leaving Edward to smile after him with satisfaction. He walked his way slowly over to Teresa who was as quiet as a mouse except for the shifting of sand beneath her feet; she didn't turn to him.

"Teresa..." Edward spoke up.

She didn't turn to him.

"Will you please tell me what is going on?" he asked, pacing himself faster so he was right beside her.

"There's nothing go on,"

Edward sighed. "Look, Teresa..." he came in front of her making her stop. "I'm tired of all this secrecy. What are you hiding from me?"

"Edward, you have to trust me on this," she implored beseechingly.

"How can I trust you if you won't trust me with this? What exactly is on your mind?" Edward demanded gently.

"I think we should go back,"

Edward was shocked. "What?"

"Just listen to me..."

"What are you talking about? 'Go back? After everything they did to us,"

"We're already in a set of Trials Edward. Maybe going back means none of us has to get hurt,"

"Have you forgotten what they did to us? They took our memories away. They took us from our families. They killed our friends. They tried to turn us into lab rats. They sent all these girls into this wasteland. And now you're saying we should just go back?"

"It's not that simple,"

"It is that simple. Are you suggesting it's okay for my brother to get tubed up and possibly tortured so WICKED can find out what he discovered?"

"What if he discovered a cure to the Flare?"

Teresa's words stunned Edward but he shook his head. "No. No. If he had, he would have shared it rather than allow our friends to be tortured. I don't know what he discovered, but what I do know is that WICKED doesn't deserve to find out. Not after the horrible things they did to us,"

"Why don't you understand Edward? Everything was fine until you two..." Once again Teresa drifted off, pausing. She felt she had spoken too much.

"What?" Edward drifted off.

"Nothing," Teresa tried to walk away but Edward blocked her.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Why don't you go hang out with Brenda? She seems to like you,"

Edward scoffed. "Is that what this bad mood is about too? Why are you being jealous for no reason?"

Teresa just shoved past him and strolled him leaving him far behind the group. He huffed and stomped off after her. He tried to talk to her in his mind but she shut him out like she wished they were disconnected mentally.

What's happening between us? Edward wondered.

The group stopped to rest their legs. Once again Teresa remained distant. Edward wanted to come over to her but he thought it'd be best not to. Instead, he walked over to his buddies, Harriet, and Sonya. Sonya was crying softly. Chuck had told her everything about Newt.

"And he really misses me?" she asked.

Chuck nodded.

"He does," Edward spoke up, sitting down between his best friends. "And I know that when you guys meet each other, you will both be so happy,"

"Thank you so much for telling me," she sniffled, acknowledging Chuck.

Edward praised his buddy with a pat.

"And thank you as well, Edward," Sonya said. "If it wasn't for you and your brother Thomas, Newt wouldn't even be alive right now,"

"It was nothing really," Edward said. "I'm so sorry that you both had your memories taken away. It wasn't fair for me and Thomas to remember each other and stick together whilst you and Newt were trapped separately with only two necklace halves to remember each other. I really can't believe Ava Paige did so much harm to innocent children. And I'm ashamed that my brother and I were a part of that,"

"You can't blame yourself, Edward," Harriet said. "When Aris regained his memories, he said how you guys were always mentored by its doctors who said everything was being done to us for the greater good. Neither are you to blame for what you were taught,"

"One thing I also remember is that you and your brothers wanted to put a stop to it all," Aris said over to Edward. "It's because of you two that Rachel and I wanted to change and switch sides,"

Edward was surprised.

"You're an inspiration," Chuck playfully punched his shoulder. "And you and Thomas are heroes too,"

Edward twiddled his fingers. "I don't want to call myself that,"

"Well, that's what you and Thomas are to me," Chuck praised.

"And us," Aris added gesturing to himself and the two girls.

"Don't ever feel you're unworthy of it," Brenda's voice spoke behind him. "Mind if I join your party?"

"Sure," Edward shuffled aside so she could sit down. "How nice to have you join us," Brenda smiled back, appreciating that he was letting her join in. The group continued talking and exchanging more stories. Edward always turned his head over his shoulder every once in a while to check on Teresa but she remain cold and distant.

                          ..............................................................................

Thomas and his group had climbed the final dune before they saw where Jorge had been leading them to.

"We made it," Thomas breathed. "We made it!"

"Soon we'll see your brother and the others," Newt patted his shoulder; they shared a sweet smile.

"Quite the smiles you two! And let's get going!" Jorge exhorted them to continue their way. As they arrived at the city of forsaken buildings, they saw grouchy people prodding in and out of buildings oafishly. They didn't look friendly and the group took care to remain close to each other.

As Jorge led them through the safest and most undisturbed streets, Thomas kept his eyes wide out for Edward and the others. No sign yet.

"Don't worry. We'll find him," Minho consoled.

"I hope so," Thomas prayed.

"Here we are," Jorge made them stop at what seemed to be the tallest building in the city. "That's where Marcus will be. You guys stay here and watch out for your friends. I'm going in there alone,"

"Not alone you're not," Minho spoke up.

"I can handle him," Jorge tried to sound soothing but by the stretched muscles in his cheeks, Thomas saw how annoyed he was becoming with Minho.

"Guys don't start," he interjected. 

"Fine. Minho and this large guy can come with me," Jorge pointed to Frypan who frowned at being called large because it made him feel like he was so massive. "The rest of you stay out here and look out for my friends. Whatever happens, don't make eye contact with anyone,"

He disappeared inside the building with them leaving the others outside. They panted drinking up the last of their water.

"I really hope we find the Right Arm soon," one panted.

"That's the last of our water," Newt coughed. "Here," he offered the bottle with the last few millimetres to Thomas.

"No. I'm not thirsty,"

"Tommy, drink it," he implored.

Seeing that he wouldn't take it back, Thomas took it and gulped the remaining amounts of cool liquid down his parched throat. "Thanks," He peered out again for his brother but no figure resembling Edward or any of their comrades appeared. "Where are you, Edward?"

                        ........................................................................................

Edward and his group were only about one mile from the city.

"We've nearly there," Brenda said trying to keep their spirits up.

Edward was becoming too exhausted that he thought he would collapse. But just then, he saw clouds of sand rising in the far east. "What's that?" he asked.

"What's what?" Aris asked.

"That," Edward pointed towards what he was seeing. The group observed it too.

"Is it just me or is it coming towards us?" Chuck asked.

Edward held his hand over his eyes and narrowed them. "It is. Everybody lie down on the sand and duck! Now!"

Quickly everyone pressed their stomachs against the sand and peered over the top of the dune. Brenda pulled out a pair of binoculars from her rucksack and glanced through them. "They're trucks,"

"How many?" Edward asked.

"About five," she said.

"Are they WICKED?"

Brenda peered again. She saw the WICKED logo painted on each other. "Yes,"

"They must be coming to the Crank City to pick us up," Harriet dreaded.

"The others are probably there," Edward began to panic. "Brenda is there another to reach the city before them?"

Brenda sadly shook her head. "We can't run either. They'll catch us in broad daylight,"

"Then what do we do?"

Brenda pursed her lips. "Don't come back for me," she tried to stand up but Edward grabbed her. He knew what she was doing.

"No. You can't just run out there and expect to do this by yourself. We'll think of something else," Edward was not keen on using her as a scapegoat. Not after how she had delivered them across the desert. 

"There is no other way. Just get the others to the city and find your friends. Tell Jorge I love him," Brenda suddenly sprinted off.

"Brenda!" Edward tried to grab her but he was pulled back by Aris who begged him to shush and lie still.

Edward peered over the dune and watched anxiously as Brenda waved her hands at the trucks who instantly started pursuing her. She drew them away from the group and away from the space that lay between them and the city.

"Now's our chance," Harriet said. "Come on everyone!"

Everyone started dashing off behind to the city that lay only a short distance ahead but Edward remained standing where he was, watching helplessly as Brenda led the trucks away. They would close in on her any minute.

"Edward!" Aris cried out. "Edward!"

He turned his head slowly and saw Chuck, Sonya, Aris and Teresa waiting for him.

"We have to get to Thomas and the others now whilst we have the chance," Chuck was desperate to get to the others. He could tell why Edward was so reluctant to just run to the city and leave Brenda behind but if they didn't catch up to them now, they might lose them.

Edward licked his dry lips and made his choice. "you guys get to the city. Warn Thomas and the others,"

"What?" the girls breathed.

"What about you?' Aris asked.

"I can't leave Brenda out here to get captured. She risked everything to get us here and I will not leave her behind. I'm going to get her. Just get everyone to the city,'

"Edward, is she worth it?" Teresa asked. "She's not valuable like the rest of us,"

Edward was repulsed by her words. "How can you say that? She's the reason we escaped those tunnels and she just gave us a chance to escape. And now you're suggesting we just abandon her?"

"Edward that's not what I meant..." Teresa tried to explain.

"I expected more from you," spat Edward. "Guys. Just get to the city. If Brenda and I don't get there by the end of today, leave without us and find the Right Arm,"

"I'm coming with you," Chuck voted.

"No Chuck. I can't do this to you. It's too dangerous and you're too tired and you can't do this by yourself,"

"I'll come with you," Sonya asserted.

"No. You'll miss Newt if you do," Edward refused.

"I'm coming with you,"

"No. let me go," Aris tried to persuade but she remained stubborn.

"I've made my choice," she declared. "I can handle another few hours being separated from him,"

Knowing that she stubbornly wouldn't change her mind, Edward said, "Take care of everyone Aris. We'll see you soon okay,"

"Be careful buddy," Aris said. "You too Sonya,"

Chuck hugged Edward tightly. "Just come back to us okay?" he begged.

"I will," Edward vowed. "I promise,"

He and Sonya with bags strapped to their backs dashed off into the distance, following the tracks of the WICKED trucks and Brenda's too. Aris and the others reluctantly continued onto the city praying for their friends would save Brenda and find them before it was too late.

Jorge, Minho and Frypan made it to the top floor. Crowds of people were swaying around, drunk and lazy and ignorant of their appearance.

"I don't like this place," Frypan blabbered nervously.

"Just keep your distance," Jorge ordered. He came to a stiff man who carried bottles in both hands. "We're here to see Marcus,"

"Sorry. I'm afraid Marcus ain't here today,"

Jorge pressed the barrel of his revolver into his chin. "Tell me or I find him myself after I put this pullet in your skull,"

"Okay. He's through there," the man raised a shaking hand down a long corridor to a silver door. Jorge marched down with Minho and Frypan following after him. Minho looked back and saw the guard collapse into a drunken mess in a pile of his vomit. He grimaced. "Let's not stay here long,"

They barged through the metal door into a large bedroom where a tall man with blonde hair and grey hairs shrouded in a red suit stood. He swerved around.

"Jorge. Haven't seen you here for quite some time," he sounded like he was excited to see his acquaintance but Jorge was otherwise more serious and lacked patience.

"Listen here Hermano. I know that you've been hearing rumours of people hiding in the mountains,"

"Never heard of them," he scoffed playfully.

"Oh, I think you have. So, here's what's gonna happen..." Jorge grabbed his jacket and shoved him into a seat. "Tie him up," he ordered the boys.

Trusting him, Minho and Frypan grabbed some rope and tied the drunk man up.

              ...........................................................................................

Still sitting below, Thomas got bored just sitting around and waiting. "That's it," he stood up and tried to walk away but Newt stopped him.

"Tommy, Jorge told us to stay here,"

"I can't keep sitting here. My brother is out there. How do we even though Brenda has found them yet?"

"Look Tommy I know you're scared..."

"Of course, I'm scared! I promised him I'd never let anything happen to him again. And what if he's hurt?"

"Tommy everything is gonna be all right," Newt soothed. "You both will be back together again soon. I promise,"

Thomas's lips were parted, lost for words. He was about to speak again when he heard noises from down a nearby alleyway. He could see figures running. Too far away to tell though. "Did you see that?" he dashed off, Newt still following after him.

                .....................................................................................................

"Don't make me punch you again!" Jorge gave Marcus his fifth punch. His nose was broken and his lips were bleeding. "I suggest you talk you son of a bitch,"

"I'm sorry, you're going to have to leave my house," the man grunted, almost unfazed by the blow.

"I know you know where the Right Arm is hiding. So you tell me, and I'll make you a deal. You can come with us,"

Marcus laughed. "I burned that bridge a long time ago. Besides, I make my own deal. You're the one who taught me, never to miss an opportunity. WICKED wants all the immunes they can get. I drunk them and I lure them here. But they've got their eyes set on a bigger prize. Let alone two,"

Jorge grabbed his collar and pulled him closer making the chair lean forward. "Tell me,"

         .....................................................................................................

"Tommy stop!" Newt screamed as he chased after Thomas.

Thomas wouldn't listen. He tried to chase the figures he saw around the corner but when he rotated past them, they had disappeared into thin air.

"Thomas! What the hell are you thinking?!" shouted Newt making him turn to him.

"I was so sure I saw Edward and the others running past us,"

            .....................................................................................................

Marcus continued to blabber out his secrets. "You see WICKED is determined to get their hands on something which their best scientist kept hidden. But the trick is one of that guy's progenies discovered something. I already have my men standing in that city looking out for him. And the other one,"

In an instant, Minho figured it out. "Thomas. Come on Frypan!"

He and Frypan dashed off. Marcus cackled. "They're never gonna get to him in time," That earned another punch from Jorge.

        ...........................................................................................

Thomas panted. "I'm sorry I ran off like that,"

"Come we need to get back before trouble comes," Newt implored.

Suddenly Thomas felt a bag come over his face and he was hauled up off the ground by rough hands.

"Thomas!" Newt tried to get to him but he was manhandled by a bunch of crazy men.

"Dump him in the trunk!" a guy ordered. "We take him to WICKED on Marcus's orders!"

"What about the other one?" another guy asked.

"Deliver him to the Crank hall!"

"No! No! Thomas!" Newt screamed but he watched helplessly as the guys carried Thomas away whilst he was aggressively shoved away. 

Another chapter is done. I know this isn't entirely like the book or the movies but I wanted to add my own ideas. I hope you all enjoyed it. See you soon in the next one.