Welcome to the Maze

Name on the Wall

A rush of pain goes through my scull. I sit back down.

"Holy shi..." I mutter to myself.

"You good?" Thomas asks.

"Yeah, I... uh..." I start, "Actually, no."

"Want me to go tell the med jacks you're sick?" He asks.

"Are you kidding me?" I remark.

"No, I'll just tell 'em you're not feeling good. They'll give you the day off." He answers.

With that, Thomas strolls over to the med jack station. I sit with my head in my hands. Aside from the constant pulsing in my scull, I feel calm. No distractions. Nothing to bother me. After a few minutes, Thomas returns with a tray full of different foods.

"I thought I'd bring you breakfast in bed." Thomas says.

"You're ridiculous." I answer.

He sets a tray down on my lap. It's filled with different kinds of fruits, pancakes, and a cup of what looks like orange juice.

"You didn't have to do this." I say smiling.

"It was on the way back anyways." Thomas replies.

"So, what'd they say?"

"Oh, they said, and I quote, 'Yeah, she can have the day off. She just better work twice as hard tomorrow." Thomas answers.

I begin to eat the food and I can already feel
relief rushing through my head.

"Today's my first day back in the maze." Thomas says plainly.

I sit up a little straighter, "Really? Are you nervous?" I ask.

"Aside from the fact that I'm risking my life to explore an endless maze, I think I'll be fine." Thomas says.

"C'mon. You shouldn't have to go in if you don't want to." I say.

"But I do want to, and it's my job. So much is going on and we need to figure it out. Maybe I'll even get stung and get to go through the changing, so I can fulfill your memory idea." Thomas laughs.

I shoot him a grimace, "Ugh. Just stay safe."

"Will do" Thomas says. He finished bucking his backpack, and heads towards the maze.

I eat a few more pieces of fruit, then set the tray on the ground beside me. I lay my head down and drift off to sleep.

*** I lift up my limp and tired body from the ground. Dirt is brushed up along my side. I wipe it off while looking around me. It's chaotic. People are running around yelling. Decaying bodies are stashed on sides of the streets. The scent of blood lingers in the air. I keep going up to people to ask them what's going on, but they get frightened and run away. I continue to walk around. I come along a long piece of broken glass. When I look in it, my reflection has charred skin. She has tangled hair and crazy eyes. Cuts covering her body are visible through the tattered shirt. That girl is me. This is me. The sight horrifies me and I turn away. As I walk away, I get cornered by several people in green jumpsuits. They all seem familiar but I can't tell why. The get closer and closer. One of them grabs me from behind, putting their hand over my mouth. My breathing is restricted but I continue to fight and try and wriggle my way out. With every move I make, they get a tighter grip on me. I feel myself get light headed as I struggle for air. Every second, my vision gets blurrier. I get weaker. Eventually I fall limp into their arms.***

I wake up sweating, gasping for air. Newt walks in "You okay in here?"

"Yeah... Yeah, I just had a weird dream. I'm fine. Thanks." I answer.