CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
( OKAY )

     THE WIND PICKED UP THE next day, awakening me early in the morning. I sit up from my position on the ground, and shiver, before stretching out my aching limbs. Memories from the night before fill my head, making a groan leave my cracked lips.

I finally realize that I'm in the woods, and stand quickly.

Newt.

I race through the forrest, limping the best I can. My bad arm swings loosely next to me while I sprint as fast as my short legs will carry me. I have to get to the Homestead before Newt notices I'm gone. If not, he'll ask where I was, and I'll have to tell him the truth.

I couldn't bear to lie to Newt. I've already kept so much from him- but this, this is can't keep from him if he asks why I went missing. I'd have to tell him everything, about all of my memories. Then, I'd have to tell Thomas, and Alby, and Minho. And eventually, the whole Glade would know.

But I'm not even sure of these memories myself.

What if these aren't really memories? What if someone- a Creator- is just messing with my mind, filling my head with false information? I couldn't tell anyone, especially not Newt.

I trot up the stairs of the Homestead after entering, and step into Newt's room. Fortunately, Newt lays on the bed, snoring softly while his arm dangles off of the bed. I let out a sigh of pure relief, before shutting the door behind me, and flopping onto the bed next to him.

I pull the covers over me, and close my eyes.

Just go back to sleep. Maybe you'll get more memories, I tell myself.

Exhaustion tugs away at me, and my eyes droop. My mind stays wide awake, thinking of the different scenarios for if I were to have gotten caught. I ignore the thoughts, and focus on Newt's breathing.

I feel an arm snake around my waist, before I'm pulled into Newt's chest. He still sleeps, though, as he buries his face in my neck, and pulls me closer.

A small smile forms on my lips, just before I let sleep take over, and my mind clears of all thoughts.

___♕___

"Rise and shine, love boards!" A loud voice echoes throughout the room. I jump from my position, only to be held down, and pulled closer to Newt.

"Minho, did you just say love boards? I thought it was love birds," A smaller voice giggles.

A 'thump' is heard, before Minho speaks again. "Come on, Grace. You've got to get to work today."

I groan, but comply, shoving Newt's arm off of me, before sitting up. "Minho, you bitch, it's too early for this."

"Grace, Minho punched me!" Chuck crosses his arms over his chest, pouting. "He's the one who said love boards."

"Just punch him back," I shrug, and stand up. I stretch out my limbs, and yawn, watching as Chuck grins wickedly.

"Okay!" He giggles. And in a flash, Chuck kicks Minho in the shin, and darts out of the room as fast as he can.

Minho falls to the floor in pain, cursing under his breath. I allow a giggle to leave my lips, much like Chuck's, before taking a seat on the floor next to Minho. "You asked for it, buddy."

"Yeah, yeah, just help me up, Shank." Minho groans, grabbing my hand. I giggle again, and stand up, before pulling Minho to his feet. He lets out a few muffled moans, before hobbling to the door, his arm wrapped around my shoulders.

Surprisingly, while all of this takes place, Newt doesn't even budge. The only thing that signifies that he's actually alive- is the slow rise and fall of his chest.

I let go of Minho as we exit the Homestead, a concentrated look on my face as I try to remember everything that happened last night.

I had a few memories, ran into the woods and fell asleep- which wasn't a good idea at all, considering the pain in my back.

But I've almost completely forgotten about my sprained ankle, my broken arm, and the wound in my leg from when I first got here.

As I look down to examine my arm, I notice that the bruise from yesterday isn't even there. I do a doubletake, stopping in my tracks. I stick my foot in the air, and realize that I'm walking perfectly fine on it.

"What the hell is happening to me?" I murmer under my breath, beginning to panic. I rush over to the picnic tables, and yank my shorts up.

I gasp as there is no evidence that I was stabbed by a knife, back from when I was first coming up the box. I breathe heavily, running my fingers through my hair.

"What's wrong, Gracie?" Minho asks, sitting down next to me. "Do you need me to get Newt?"

"No!" I say a little too quickly. "I mean- no. I'm fine. I just, I don't know."

"You don't look okay," He frets, placing his palm on my forehead. "You're really pale, and you have a fever. Are you sure you don't want me to get Newt?"

I nod, looking back down to my thigh as I push the leg of my shorts back down. "I think I'm just gonna go sit down," I tell him. "Go eat some breakfast, yeah? I'll meet up with you later."

And before he has a chance to enter, I dart into the woods, just like I did last night. I climb a tall tree, and perch myself on a branch. I know I don't have very good luck with trees, but right now, if Minho comes looking for me, he'll most likely rule out the possibility of me being in a tree.

Again.

I focus closely on the sounds around me, as I close my eyes.

Teresa? Can you hear me?

I wait for a response, but get none. I let out a pained sigh, and repeat myself again.

Teresa? Can you hear me?

And this time, I get a reply.

Yes, she says.

I have questions- about my dream last night. Or memory, or whatever else it could be.

Okay, I can answer some questions, but hurry. Ava is prepping me for launch.

What's launch? I ask.

Just ask your questions first, she says firmly. I'll tell you afterwards.

It's about the memories, I say hesitantly. Are they real?

They are real, Grace, she sighs. And to answer another question, W.I.C.K.E.D. controls them- what you can remember. I've helped with it before, like the one from last night.

I suck in a breath. Everything from my dream last night was true, only adding onto my confusion and anxiety.

So I had been with Newt before the Maze?

Yes, you were, Teresa chuckles. Such a cute couple.

But what about Thomas? I interject. I had memories of him and I, too.

Oh, I forgot about that. She pauses for a moment, before speaking again. You and Thomas were best friends since birth, according to Ava. He was a bit older than you, but not by much- a few months at most.

So we were just friends? I question.

No, not always. She says. Thomas loved you, Grace. But so did Newt. And when it came down to choosing, well, you can probably guess how that went. Thomas was heartbroken. And before he went into the Maze, you wanted to go first. Ava agreed to it, so you were eventually involved in one of her plans.

I remember that dream, I grit my teeth.

That's because Ava wanted you to. Grace, you don't have a lot of time left in there. After you're out, I'm going in. Just two more days. I can tell by now that she's worried. Not worried about herself, but about me.

So what am I supposed to do now? Just tell Newt and Thomas about my dreams, and hope they won't laugh and call me psychotic?

No, I'll handle that. She shrugs it off. I'll give them the memories of you. When they can finally remember, you can decide for yourself who you choose.

Teresa, I don't want to do this by myself. I frown. I don't know what to do- it's like I'm caved in. I can't do this anymore.

You have to, she states. Just keep going, and I promise things will get better. But until you're extracted from the Maze, I want you to hold onto your friends, okay?

Why?

Just listen to me, she pleads. No going into the Maze, or the woods. I'll try to get Ava to make the days longer, and hold off on your removal. But until then, keep things to yourself. I don't want you to get hurt.

What do you mean? I pry. What's in the Maze and the woods that could hurt me?

I can't tell you that now, she says quickly. I have to go. I'll be giving Thomas and Newt their memories tonight, so make tomorrow last.

Wait! What's the launch?

I thought you'd already know, she says quietly. When I'm launched, you'll be gone. You'll have already been extracted.

So what does that mean?

And before she cuts me off, I can faintly hear her words echo through my head.

I'm going to be sent into the Maze to take your place.

_______