( 11. memories )

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THE MEDICAL bay gleamed with sterile efficiency, all white walls and chrome surfaces. Thomas sat on an examination table, holding his bleeding arm away from his pristine white uniform. He'd caught it on some equipment while reviewing maze designs, and now—

"If you don't stop squirming, I'm going to tie you to this table."

Ellie stood before him in medical scrubs, her dark hair pulled back in a neat braid, looking far too amused at his discomfort. She was younger – they both were – but her eyes held the same mix of compassion and steel he somehow remembered.

"It's just a scratch," he protested.

"Says the boy who's never had to do stitches." She cleaned the wound with practiced efficiency. "Honestly, Thomas, for someone so brilliant, you can be incredibly careless."

"I was distracted." He watched her work, noting how her fingers never hesitated. "The new maze configurations—"

"Are not more important than your health." She gave him a pointed look as she prepared the sutures. "Though I suppose I should be grateful. These practice sessions are the only time we get to talk properly anymore."

"We had lunch together yesterday!"

"With six other researchers and Doctor Paige watching our every move." She began the first stitch with careful precision. "It's not the same."

He knew what she meant. Every day, WICKED's security grew tighter, their surveillance more constant. Private conversations were becoming rare, precious things.

"Did you see the new subject they brought in?" he asked quietly.

Her hands stilled for just a moment. "The little boy? About seven?" When he nodded, she continued, "He cried for his mother all night. I could hear him from the observation room."

"We're helping them," he said, but the words felt hollow. "That's what they keep telling us, right? The trials will save—"

"Don't." Her voice was sharp. "Not here. Not now." But her touch remained gentle as she finished the stitches. "There. Try not to tear these out immediately."

He caught her hand before she could pull away. "Ellie..."

"I know," she said softly. "I know."

A commotion outside drew their attention – another subject being brought in for tests. Through the window, they watched guards escort a small figure down the hallway. The child couldn't have been more than nine.

Ellie's hand tightened in his. In that moment, something shifted between them, a shared understanding that would change everything.

୨ৎ

The memory blurred, colors swirling like paint in water before reforming into the cafeteria. The massive space hummed with conversation, scientists and researchers gathered in small groups over their meals. Thomas sat with Ellie at their usual corner table, both picking at food neither really wanted to eat.

"Thomas!"

Teresa approached their table, tray in hand, her dark hair a stark contrast against her white uniform. Even then, she carried herself with unwavering confidence.

"Mind if I join you?" She was already sitting. "You must be Ellie. I've heard so much about your work in the medical program."

"All good things, I hope." Ellie's smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Doctor Paige says you're one of our most promising candidates." Teresa's enthusiasm was genuine. "The way you've modified the healing serums for the maze trials is incredible. You understand what we're trying to achieve here."

"And what exactly is that?" Ellie's voice carried an edge Thomas knew well.

"We're going to save the world." Teresa said it like a fact, simple and undeniable. "Every trial, every test – it's all working toward the cure. The subjects understand that. They're heroes, really, sacrificing for the greater good."

Thomas watched Ellie's knuckles go white around her fork. "Heroes usually volunteer."

"Sometimes the greatest heroes are chosen." Teresa leaned forward. "WICKED is good. Everything we do here, every hard choice – it's all for the cure. You believe that, don't you?"

The cafeteria scene dissolved, replaced by a dimly lit storage room that Thomas instantly recognized. His heart raced – not from the Changing this time, but from the memory itself...

୨ৎ

"We have to be more careful," Ellie whispered, checking the door again. "They've increased security on B-wing. Nearly got caught stealing those files yesterday."

They'd been meeting like this for months now, using their security clearances to access restricted areas under the pretense of work. The small room had become their sanctuary, filled with whispered plans and dangerous hopes.

Thomas pulled a data chip from his pocket. "This has everything – trial protocols, subject lists, maze configurations. The Right Arm's contact will be at the north fence at midnight."

"You can't go." Ellie took the chip, her fingers trembling slightly. "Janson's been watching you. He suspects something."

"I'll be careful—"

"No." She stepped closer, close enough that he could see the flecks of gold in her eyes. "I'll do it. My medical rounds take me near the fence anyway. They don't watch me as closely."

Before he could protest, footsteps echoed in the hallway. They froze, hardly daring to breathe. The steps grew closer.

"In here," Ellie mouthed, pushing him behind a large storage unit just as the door opened.

Light flooded the room. Thomas pressed himself against the wall, heart thundering in his chest.

"Miss Eleanor." Ava Paige's voice carried its usual calm authority. "This is an unusual place for medical studies."

"Doctor Paige." Ellie's voice betrayed nothing. "I was actually looking for you. About the new serum trials—"

"Stop." Janson's voice now, sharp and cold. "The data chip, Eleanor. Hand it over."

A moment of terrible silence.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"We've known about the information leaks for weeks," Ava said quietly. "We just didn't know who. Though I must admit, I'm disappointed. You showed such promise."

"Search the room," Janson ordered.

Thomas tensed, ready to step out, to confess, to save her. But then he caught Ellie's eye in the reflection of a metal cabinet. Her slight head shake was barely perceptible, but her message was clear: Don't.

"Well, well." Janson's satisfaction was palpable as he found the chip. "I supposed you thought you could save them? Be their hero?"

"Someone has to be." Ellie's voice was steel. "These are children, not lab rats."

"These are humanity's last hope," Ava corrected. "And you've just lost your place in that future."

Thomas watched, helpless, as they led her away. Just before she disappeared through the door, she glanced back – not at his hiding spot, but at the cabinet's reflection. Her lips moved silently: "Worth it."

୨ৎ

The memory shifted again, this time to his last glimpse of her. The halls were dark, most of WICKED's staff asleep. The stolen key card felt heavy in his pocket as he approached her door...

The lock clicked open with a soft beep. Thomas's hands shook as he pushed the door open, knowing he had minutes at most before the guards noticed the security override.

Ellie sat on her small bed, still in her medical scrubs. She looked up, unsurprised, as if she'd been waiting for him. The room was sparse – they'd already taken most of her belongings. Tomorrow, she'd be sent into the maze, her memories erased, because of him.

"You shouldn't be here," she whispered, but she was already moving toward him.

"They're going to wipe everything." His voice cracked. "All of it. You won't remember any of this. You won't remember—"

"You?" Her smile was sad. "Maybe that's better. Clean slate and all that."

"How can you say that?" He closed the distance between them, gripping her shoulders. "After everything we've done, everything we've been through—"

"Because I'd do it again." She reached up, her hand cupping his cheek. "Every single part of it. Even knowing where it ends."

"It doesn't have to end. We can still—"

"Thomas." The way she said his name – soft, fond, breaking his heart. "You have to finish what we started. The kids in the maze, the ones still in trials – they need you. Even if I won't remember why I trusted you, I know I was right to."

"I can't do this without you."

"You won't have to. I'll be there, remember? Just... different." Her thumb brushed away a tear he hadn't realized had fallen. "Maybe part of me will remember this. Maybe some things are too important to forget completely."

He pulled her close then, holding her like he could stop time through sheer force of will. She felt small in his arms, but her grip was just as fierce. They stayed like that, hearts beating in sync, memorizing every detail they were about to lose.

When he pulled back, just enough to see her face, the world seemed to slow. Her eyes dropped to his lips, and he found himself leaning in, drawn by the gravity of all their almost moments—

The door burst open. Light flooded the room as guards poured in.

"No—" Thomas fought as they pulled them apart, but more hands grabbed him.

"It's okay," Ellie called as they dragged her toward the door. "Thomas, it's okay!"

"Ellie!"

The last glimpse he had was of her eyes, still fixed on his, still trying to comfort him even as they took her away.

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