The next two days I spent in the Bloodhouse  with Winston. This was my last day, I had caved and listened to Minho when he begged me to get checked by Jeff before clearing myself. Jeff thought a few more days...we compromised at one more day. 

I stood at the butcher table with Winston, my face beat about as red at the meat I was chopping. Winston was giggling uncontrollably, he was doing some kind of happy dance, fist pumping the air.

"And you wonder why I never talk about my personal life." I muttered. 

"Oh come on JayJay. Get over yourself." He giggled. 

He stopped doing his little dance and took a few deep breaths. Watching his little dance did make the corner of my mouth twitch. But still, He had bugged me all day yesterday. He claimed he knew something was different between Minho and me, but I had kept quiet. I was still riding that emotional high, but we still kept our stand offish appearances, I still didn't like people or crowds. As soon as that bedroom door opens we are different people. Behind the door I felt okay to take off my mask and relax. But Winston had worn me down, so now after lunch he finally broke me. 

"Come on, this is huge!" 

I snorted, "Is that what she said?" 

Winston stopped mid chop and gave me a twisted smile, "I dunno know JayJay.... is that what you said?"

I rolled my eyes. And shook my head. Winston burst out in giggles again. 

"Okay...okay..." He took a few more deep breaths. "Tell me. What happened...how'd it happen? It's girl talk again!" 

There was a knock on the barn door and Newt poked his head in, "I heard girl talk!"

"Is there like some weird fifth scenes that only works if your gay and as soon as one of you says girl talk everyone in the area gets tingly and shows up?" 

"Yes." Newt nodded. He stepped inside and closed the door, and sauntered over, sitting down on the stool, he crossed his legs and looked at me pointedly. "Continue."  He waved a hand like he was encouraging me to go on.

I frowned. Winston was vibrating with excitement. 

"They did it! They crossed THAT line!" Winston burst out. 

I threw my hands into the air and made a loud exasperated noise.  These boys seriously were worse then the girls in my maze. Newt straightened up with a huge smile. 

"I knew something was different!" 

"Seriously?" I cried,  "This another thing, another weird sixth scenes, only you two have?"  

"Yes." They said in unison. I rolled my eyes again. 

"JayJay was just about to give me details!" Winston buzzed. Newt leaned closer, his eyes glued to me. 

"Was not." I protested. 

"Was too." 

"Not." 

"Yep."

"No."

"When?"

"Two nights ago." 

"Ha!" Winston cheered.

"Dammit!" I cursed and threw my clever onto the table.

"Now...what happened?"

"I don't wanna say." I mumbled, as I looked away. 

"Why not Love?" 

"...it's...it's dumb." 

"Is not." Winston protested, "It was not dumb, because it obviously meant something to you because it lead to cross a line you were terrified to cross." 

"He's right Love. And if it's not dumb for Minho, it's not dumb for us. Though I promise not ta bloody kiss ya." 

That made the corner of my mouth twitch again. I used the back of my hand to move hair out of my face. I groaned and rolled my head in frustration. 

"Fine." I snapped, "You tow are the fucken worst!" 

"We know. Now sit. and Spill sister!" Winston demanded, pointing at the stool.

With a groan I sat. "I had another nightmare. It was a weird one. But again I woke up crying and fighting...he helped me calm down...and umm...asked about.." I looked down at my lap, and took a deep breath, I don't know why I was embarrassed. I straightened my back and lifted my chin. "He asked about my scars, asked about each one...wanting to know the story behind them. And his kissing them led to...ya. That." 

Both boys were looking at me like I had a big basket of fluffy kittens. I also saw them bursting and vibrating. I rolled my eyes. 

"Fine, have at 'er." I sighed. 

They both burst, they both squealed. And started to talk over each other.

"AWWWW-" 
"-JayJay! That is the cutest shucken thing!"
"It's so out of character! It's so sweet-"
"-I told you! They are so savage but-"
"-they melt around each other-"
"-I know!"

"Are you two done?" I asked with another roll of my eyes. 

They both sat back down, huge smiles on their faces, their eyes sparkled. 

"Okay...so?" Winston asked, drawing out the o .

"So what?" I asked bewildered, I just told them what they asked. I had no idea what else they wanted. Winston looked at Newt, and they rolled their eyes, and both scoffed. 

"So, Love, give us the bloody details!" 

"What details?" 

"This is harder than trying to swallow Fry's stew!" 

I snorted, "That's what she said." 

Both boys burst out laughing. 

"Yeah JayJay, is that what you said?" 

"No. It...it kinda hurt at first." 

They both stopped laughing and frowned, looking lost. 

"Oh for suck sakes, you have no idea how a female body works, do you?" 

"Well considering your the first buggen' girl we've seen in a few years and all our bloody memories have been erased..." Newt got defensive. 

"Well unlike you guys, things have to stretch and usually have to rip a bit the first time..." 

They looked at me horrified. I folded my arms. And raised an eyebrow. 

"You think that's bad? Imagine pushing a fully formed human out the same place." 

"Fuck sakes...." Winston shuddered, "Girls are savage!"

"Bloody hell." 

"Also yes Newt, if there is no human growing we also bleed for a week, an organ throws a huge nasty ass bloody temper tantrum, literally rips it apart and gets ride of everything." 

"Dammit." Winston winced. 

"And you do that for a week?" 

"Every month." I added and folded my arms.

"How do you not buggen' die?" He asked a mix of horror and awe in his voice. 

"Females are just built different." 

"Well yeah... Sheesh JayJay."

"Wait...you do that AND still run the bloody maze all day?" Newt froze, his eyes wide in horrified realization. He smacked Winston a few times. "She needs that week off! Every month!" 

"And we gotta not let her do anything!"

"Right! She's been through too much! She needs to be wrapped in a blanket and taken care of!"

"Guys!" I yelled, getting their attention. "I'm fine. I've delt with it every month for three years." 

"But-"

"No." 

"But-"

"I said no!" 

I folded my arms and glared at them. They both deflated. It was sweet that they were freaking out. But I really didn't need the extra attention. The designers send pills I take once a day and it helps keep the pain down, and on the days I really need it, I take pain meds. Winston looked at me thoughtfully and then his eyes went wide. I raised an eyebrow. 

"Next month..."

"What about it?" 

"Are we gonna have a Glade baby?" 

"Shuck hell no!" I cried, I just about fell off my stool.

"How do you know?" 

I rubbed my forehead, I felt like I was talking to children. I groaned, before opening my eyes. 

"Look guys...Every month the Designers-"

"-Creators!"

"Whatever, they send up pills that help keep everything...under control, and it also works as a birth control. Also, we ain't stupid. Right Winni? Wrap it before ya tap it!" 

They both deflated in relief again. And I rolled my eyes. 

"So...you two are good?" 

I nodded. 

"No regrets?" Newt asked.

"What? No!" I cried again, I got up off the stool and started to pace. 

"We're just making sure!" Winston held his hands up in defense. 

"Thank you Mama Newt and Papa Winni, but I'm a big shucken girl." I snapped. 

"We know Love, but we also buggen' care about you. And Minho. We want what's best for you guys. And we know you had a...bloody tough past, we just want to know you're okay." Newt soothed, he got up, and slid in front of me, cutting off my pacing. My flash of frustration vanished. 

"I know." I sighed. I shook my head, "Are we done with this girl talk? 'Cause I'm reaching my limit of talking about my personal life." 

"Okay Love." Newt smiled, He reached out a hand and squeezed my shoulder. "I should also get back to the gardens. Tommy has been a hand full."

"Yeah...he's an idiot." 

"He's a cute idiot though." 

"Oh really?" Winston raised an eyebrow at Newt. And I smiled evilly. 

"Oh bloody hell no!" 

"Oh bloody hell yes!" I mocked him. 

He turned and left the barn as fast as he could while Winston and I laughed.  

•×•

We were cleaning up the work area when I heard a wild scream. I paused and listened. I heard the faint scream. 

"Winn...you hear that?" 

"Yeah..."

We dropped our stuff and tore out of the barn. The screaming was coming from the Deadheads. 

"Winni, go get Alby!" I yelled and took off towards the forest. 

I followed the screaming. It sounded like a strangled cry for help. Adrenalin kicked in and I ran even faster, ducking under the branches and leaping over roots. I heard wild screams mixed with cries for help. I skidded to a halt at the base of a hill in the Deadheads. Two guys came tumbling down the hill. One guy ended on top and was screaming, he had grabbed a rock and was ready to smash the other guys skull. I lunged forwards and knocked him off. I rolled with the momentum and came up in my crouch. 

"The fuck Ben?!" I screamed. 

He scrambled to his feet. He looked terrible. He looked skinny, ragged and still looked sick. His skin still had a green ting, his veins still looked swollen, his eyes though. They crept me out, they were black and rimmed red. He was panting and slobbering. I saw a glint in the trickling sun, he was holding a knife. 

"NO!" He screamed. 

I saw Thomas scrambling to his feet, he was a few feet away from me, slightly to the side. He looked terrified and very confused. 

"Why am I not surprised it's you, Greenie?" 

"SHUT UP!" Ben screamed. 

"No You need to slim it! You need to go back to the Medjacks!" 

"NO!" 

"Greenie..." I called, "3...2..."

I really hope he knew what to do.

"1!" 

I lunged towards Ben and Thomas took off running towards the Glade. Ben was quick, but I lunged under his wild swing, slamming my fist into his stomach. I spun away and took off after Greenie. I caught up to him. I gave him a shove, I could hear Ben right behind. I saw the trees thinning. Whatever is in the Griever poison makes a kid jacked. He was faster then ever and stronger. He Leapt forwards and shoved me hard in the back. We tumbled forwards, I tucked my body and rolled with the momentum. Ben somehow held on, and was on top of me. I bucked him up and twisted my body. I used that space to get my feet tucked and i kicked him hard in the chest. He flew and landed with a thump, but was back on his feet in an instant, and chasing after Thomas who made it to the tree line. He was screaming for help. 

I jumped to my feet and ran after Ben. He had jumped on Thomas's back, they were now wrestling, Ben wrapped a hand around his neck was squeezing. Thomas's hands were flailing and clawing. I pulled a small knife out and I sent it flying. It slammed into Ben's shoulder. The force of the throw knocked him forwards, breaking the grip, just as I slammed into him again, forcing him off Thomas. He lay panting choking and couching. I didn't like the Greenie much, but I knew Ben was jacked, and he wasn't going to make it through the changing. And after what he just did, he would be banished. Maybe I would be too, for throw a knife...

I stood in front of Thomas as he continued to try get air back in his lungs. 

"NO!" Ben screamed.  "He's bad! He's Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!" 

"He's an idiot, but he ain't bad." 

"He wants to take us home! He's BAD! We have to kill him!" 

"No one's killing anyone!" I said calmly, "Ben, you're still jacked from the changing. Go back to the Medjacks." 

"NO! You're bad!" He screamed, spit flying from his mouth. His black and blood shot eyes bulged out of his head. "YOU!" He pointed at me. "You don't belong! You're evil! You kill them! You kill for them!" 

"Ben!"

"No..no..no. We need to kill them. Have to kill them." 

Without warning he lunged at me. I ducked. And this time there was no holding back. Ben slashed his knife, trying to kill me. He screamed, tried to bite and scratch, he fought like the monster human I had to fight the one time when my target looked like Ben. He was quicker and stronger than most humans. He still had my little knife in the back of his shoulder. 

I ducked, rolled, blocked, using knees, elbows and feet. I lost my hearing to the fight, blood pounded in my ears, all other noise was blocked out, my vision and focus was solely on Ben, his knife and keeping him away from the Greenie. I finally managed to knock him on his back. I dropped a knee onto his chest, my other foot holding his other hand pinned down. I twisted his wrist and he dropped the knife. I snatched it up, holding it now under his neck. He stilled, panting wildly. 

"Do it! Do it! Do it!" He screamed. "You're a killer! A Killer! A killer!" 

I snarled, and held the knife closer. 

"And what were you going to do just now? Huh Ben?" I yelled back. 

He let out a wild cackling feral laugh. It sent a shiver down my spine. 

"Jessie!" Someone screamed. 

I blinked, I didn't dare look away, but my hearing slammed back. 

"What Alby?" I yelled back. 

"Don't do it." 

"I wasn't." 

"Let him up." 

With a snarl I slowly got up. Still holding the knife tight in my knuckles. I slowly backed up, I saw Thomas standing terrified, confused and very pale. I flung an arm out and stepped to block him from Ben's view. I now saw most of the Glade was standing in a semi circle around us. Alby was standing at the front, a bow and arrow ready to fire. I caught a glimpse quick of Newt, Winston, Minho and Gally. I looked back at Ben, he had scrambled back to his feet. 

"Ben! Last warning. Back to the Medjacks!" Alby barked. His voice was loud harsh and demanding. 

"No! Alby! Listen! He's bad! He's bad bad bad!" 

"I heard ya. Now stand down!" 

"Alby! She kills for them! Kills FOR THEM!" 

"Ben! Last shuckn warning!" 

He reached behind him and he yanked out the knife I had thrown. I winced. that must have stung. But now he was passing the bloody knife back and forth. His eyes darting back and forth between Me and Thomas. I knew he was going to throw the knife, or lung with it. I knew Alby had our backs, and I knew I could fight. I raised the knife and was ready. 

"One!" Alby roared. 

"We need to kill them!"

"Two! Ben! Don't make me use this!" 

"No no no...they are bad bad bad!" 

Without any more warning, a lot of things happened at once. I saw Ben's hand reach back, and I threw my knife at the same time. I had better accuracy, and my knife hit his in mid air, knocking it off course. I heard Alby roar three, I heard A few guys yell. Ben lunged forward, I lunged for Thomas, knocking him to the ground and the arrow streaked past us, and sunk into Ben's head with a sickening wet thump. the force of the arrow spun him around and he crumpled to the grass. I landed hard on the grass, on top of Thomas. I rolled off and got to my feet. I straitened my shirt and walked towards Ben. With my boot I rolled him over onto his back. His eyes staring straight up. Alby came over as well, still holding his bow. 

"Nice moves." 

I hummed. 

"Thanks for defending the Greenie." 

I shrugged, 'He wasn't gonna make it through the changing. If they wake up like this...they are usually jacked." 

Alby looked at me. 

"In my first maze we had a few girls wake up from the changing, like this. I had to...kill three and we had to banish two." I said, still looking down at Ben. "I'm sorry Alby. I could have done it. I've done it before. Now that's on your hands." 

Alby sighed heavily. "Comes with the territory of being a leader." 

I nodded and hummed. He looked up at me, and frowned.

"You need to get that cut cleaned. And I think Minho is having a heart attack." 

"What cut?" I reached up and my hand came away covered in blood. 

"Oh that cut."