"You guys really have this all thought out, don't you?" Thomas asked, as we sat on the grass outside. Supplies was sprawled around us as we checked through the grey packs. "Couple of years runnin' your butt off every day, you figure out what you need and ask for it." He started stuffing things into his own backpack.

Thomas looked surprised. "You mean, you can make requests? Supplies you want?"

"Of course we can. Just drop a note in the Box, and there she goes. Doesn't mean we always get what we want from the Creators. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't." I said nonchalantly; it was true.

"Ever asked for a map?"

Minho laughed, "yeah tried that one. "Asked for a TV, too, but no luck. I guess those shuck-faces don't want us seeing how wonderful life is when you don't live in a freaking maze."

I winced at his suddenly dark tone. "They feel pretty good. I guess I'm ready" thomas said, jumping up and down. I laughed at Thomas's light hearted foolishness. Minho looked up in disgust, "You look like an idiot, prancin' around like a shuck ballerina. Good luck out there with no breakfast, no packed lunch, no weapons."

I froze, and looked at Minho. "Weapons?"

"Weapons." Minho stood and walked back to the closet. "Come here, I'll show ya."

We walked back into the the small room, and I helped move a few boxes with Minho. A small wooden trapped door revealed itself. "Keep 'em down in the basement so shanks like Gally can't get to them." He paused, "no offense Joanie." I rolled my eyes, "it's fine." I opened the door, "Come on."

Minho went first, and Thomas courteously gestured towards me. I walked down the creaking stairs, it's frame shifting with every step. The pitch black darkness made a hitch in my breath. Suddenly, my chest felt tight, and my breathing began to hurt. I heard a string pull, and light flooded my view.

The feeling left my chest as fast as it came. Thomas suddenly appeared in my view. He gently touched my shoulder with a look of concern. "Everything okay, Joannah?" He asked. I shut my eyes tightly and opened them with a sigh. "Um, yeah,"

He leaned in to my ear, glancing an oblivious Minho. "We'll talk later,"

I finally got a good look of the room. Around 30 square feet, the room was decorated with all sorts of weaponry. Maces and swords were covered in dust, and there was a whole wall dedicated to archery. A certain set of arrows lay free of dust. Ben.

There were also strange contraptions. Crude metal spikes covered in barbed wire atop a pole. I really did have to hand it to the gladers. "Wow," thomas muttered. It worries me that they could've used any of this in me when I first got here. I was new, and strange and a danger. Luckily for me, they didn't take the Adam thing as my fault, but I'm even still trying to figure it out.

"Don't use most of it," Minho said. "But ya never know. All we usually take with us is a couple of sharp knives." I scrunched up my nose. "And why don't I know about this room?" I asked, and Minho shrugged. "We try to keep it secret from the gladers,"

I narrowed my eyes, "we as in keepers? As in that I'm a part of?" I asked, gritting my teeth. Minho looked sheepish, "it was precautions,"

"Are you serious? When I first came up here I was scared and honestly harmless. What precautions?" I argued. Minho threw his hands in the air, "well I know you're fine now. But imagine if you weren't on our side? I've seen what you can do. Harmless? Joanie you know that's a piece of klunk,"

"It does Seem kind of dangerous to have all this stuff," Thomas interrupted, glancing at the array of artillery. "What if Ben had gotten down here right before he went nuts and attacked us?"

Minho pulled a set of keys from his pocket and dangled them. "Only a few lucky toads have a set of these."

"Yeah, when it comes to me, I'm so dangerous I'll just kick the door down. That's what you guys expected right?" I spat. "Honestly, the shuck doors pretty strong," Minho said. Thomas seemed unsure.

"Still ..."

"Quit your bellyachin' and pick a couple. Make sure they're nice and sharp. Then we'll go get breakfast and pack our lunch. I wanna spend some time in the Map Room before we head out." Minho said. As thomas picked a rubbery handled dagger and long blade, I decided to feel the artillery. I picked two daggers that came with holders that went around my calves, and a long blade which also came with a holder that slung around my back.

Supposedly these are supposed to harm the Grievers, but I don't think they know that.

While exiting, I passed by Minho and looked him dead in the eye. "Careful, I have a knife," I smirked, and continued to walk. He sighed behind me. It took us an hour to pack and eat, and by then dawn had come and the gladers were back to being busy. Frypans cooking soared through the stale air as gladers waited for a mouthful.

Finally, the three of us stood in front of the map room, it's squat building emanating heat. I could feel Thomas's excitement beside me, as the balls of his feet tapped. Minho reached for the handle and began to turn.

"After you,"