#gally voice: new dad !

[nomoreusername]

Random TMR Headcannons

• Frypan is Gally's best friend. He's the only one who knows how to calm him down.

• Frypan once went on strike and wouldn't cook his famous stew because everyone made fun of it. It lasted just two weeks.

• When they were Runners Gally always wanted Newt to be his partner in the Maze.

• Aris loves history books.

• Aris is just naturally a night owl.

• Rachel and Aris were together at one point or extremely close to it.

• Aris always blamed himself for Rachel's death.

• Harriet almost died in the Maze but never told anyone.

• Minho called Gally eyebrows instead of Greenie.

• Minho refuses to let anyone see him cry.

• Minho admires Newt more than he could describe.

• Newt did write Minho a letter. He just took a long time to get the strength to read it.

• Newt always wanted someone with his accent to come up.

• Newt is extremely self conscious about his limp.

• One time a Greenie asked about Newt's limp. Someone else had to take over the tour that day.

• Newt gives the best hugs.

• Thomas still has dreams that everyone is alive only to wake up to everyone dead.

• Thomas is scared to love someone because they all end up dead.

• Teresa has extremely neat yet tiny handwriting.

• Chuck only started pranking people because he wanted someone to pay attention to him.

• For about 5-6 months the Gladers purposely sent down stupid requests they knew they wouldn't get because they wanted to piss off tbe Creators.

Books

• Teresa was excited about being with the Group B girls because she didn't get a chance to be around any before.

• Whenever Sonya hears someone say Lizzie she feels like it's familiar.

• Sonya randomly felt like a part of her was missing when Newt died.

• Aris would debate telling someone about his bigger role in WICKED to get some of the guilt off of his chest. 

Movies

• Brenda used to call Jorge Dad when she was little.

• Minho spent every Greenie night for a year after he got his limp.

• Thomas always wears Newt's letter around his neck because it makes him feel safe.

• Newt came up with the idea of a fight ring on Greenie night because he could tell that Gally was holding in a lot of anger.

• Gally threatened anyone who was even slightly mean to Chuck.

• Gally used to test out his 'special drink' and made himself sick the first few times.

• Sonya, Harriet, and Aris had dreams of being reunited while they were apart.

• Aris thought he recognized Sonya and Harriet's voices from the start when they were reunited but was terrified of being wrong.

• Sonya and Aris ended up being together.

The Fever Code

• Sonya used to constantly talk about Newt to her friends

• Harriet would comfort the new girls and explain everything whenever one came.

• Teresa hated being immune because of everyone isolating her.

• Aris would color code his notes.

• Aris would constantly fall asleep in class.

• Occasionally some bored teenagers would dare each other to get as close to the Crank cage as possible.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

★✩★ NEW RELEASE ★✩★

After the Ashes

By DL Gallie

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/AfterTheAshes_GR

Hosted by DS Book Promotions

AMAZON

US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNMCZ83V/

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNMCZ83V/

AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BNMCZ83V/

CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BNMCZ83V/

Read on Kindle Unlimited

Blurb:

I never pictured a life without Kip. It was supposed to be me and him until the end, but the universe always has a way of screwing things up. Moving on after losing him wasn’t something I thought I was capable of, but when Penn Brookes comes into the picture, I realize I’m not so alone. Suffering the same kind of loss as me and trying to be the best dad he can, I start to gravitate toward him. We’re one in the same, building our lives around broken pieces, and suddenly, something I never thought possible happens. That spark I’ve only felt once before returns and ignites something deep inside me. Can we overcome our grief and build something great, or will the circumstances of the past burn down the future we want?

About DL Gallie:

DL Gallie is from Queensland, Australia, but she’s lived in many different places all over the world. She currently resides in Gladstone with her husband and two kids. She and her husband have been together since she was sixteen, and although they drive each other crazy at times, she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

Shortly after her son was born, DL began reading again. With encouragement from her husband, she picked up the pen and started writing, and now the voices in her head won’t shut up.

DL enjoys listening to music, drinking white wine in the summer, red wine in the winter, and beer all year round. She’s also never been known to turn down a cocktail, especially a margarita.

Follow DL Gallie Here:

Amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/DL-Gallie/e/B01JYSV39A/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLGallieAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLGallieAuthor

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlgallieauthor/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15118613/

#newrelease #availablenow #aftertheashes #brokenpieces #singledad #heartbreak #livingwithloss

#dlgallie #dsbookpromotions

@DL Gallie Author @DS Promotions

[five-rivers]

Reaching Back

This is a trade with @gally-hin-phantom!  The prompt was the headcanon that Sam and Paulina used to be friends when they were kids.  Enjoy!

.

.

.

At four years old, Samantha Manson already had a finely developed sense of when something was awkward. This? This was awkward.

The other girl sat across from her, staring at the table, her hair pulled into severe braids on either side of her head. She picked at her food. Samantha had already forgotten her name.

Samantha glanced at her mother, sitting next to her. She was discussing something with the other girl's daddy, her hands moving around like hummingbirds. First they touched her pearl necklace, then the edge of her plate, then the fork, so she could take a quick bite, then the napkin, to clean her fingers and lips, and finally Samantha's shoulder.

Samantha hated it when her mom was like this. It was so- so-! She didn't have words for it.

Something hit her knee, and she jerked her head around to glare at the other girl, who gave her a rather devious-looking smirk. Samantha scowled. She was quite proud of her scowl. It never failed to make her mother stop when she saw it.

The girl turned to her father and said- Something. Samantha couldn't understand it, and that made her angry. She knew a lot of words! Grandma said so. even Dad said so.

Well, 'angry' might have been the wrong word, but her vocabulary had yet to extend to more complex emotions.

"English, Paulina," said the other girl's father. "We are not at home."

The girl, Paulina, pouted.

"You need the practice, love. Ask Mr. and Mrs. Manson."

The girl sighed and turned to face Samantha's parents. "Can Sammy and I go play?" she asked.

"Of course, dear," said Samantha's mom. She patted Samantha's head. "Stay in the living room where we can find you."

"Okay," said Samantha, sliding off the chair. She still wasn't sure how she felt about Paulina, but she didn't want to be at the table anymore. Besides, she'd learned how to play with people she didn't like and still have fun. She had to, since her parents insisted on inviting over the most boring people ever.

At least Paulina wasn't going to be boring.

"Hey," said Samantha, "what were those words you said before?"

"Huh?" asked Paulina.

"Before. With your dad." Samantha poked Paulina in the side, and the other girl giggled.

"You mean Spanish?" The girl puffed her chest out. "It's my native language. But Daddy wants me to learn English."

"Oh," said Samantha, brows knit together. She'd never heard anyone speak another language, except for Rabbi at the synagogue. But what Paulina had said sounded a lot different than what Rabbi said.

"What do you want to play, Sammy?"

Samantha scowled. Only her mother called her that. "That's not my name," she said, crossing her arms.

"It's a nickname! You can call me Lina. Or Pauli, I guess."

Samantha considered this. "Fine," she said. "But then we've got to play evil tea party."

"What's that?"

"It's a tea party, but evil. I get to be Maleficent!"

"Oh, from Sleeping Beauty?"

"Yeah," said Samantha. Maleficent was her favorite, because she turned into a dragon.

"Ooh, ooh, then I want to be," Paulina bounced for a second, thinking, "I want to be Ariel! She's so pretty!"

"But she's not evil," said Samantha.

"Then I'll be evil Ariel."

"Okay," said Samantha. She walked over to her toy chest and pulled out the plastic tea set her parents had given her. "So, the first thing you have to do at an evil tea party is an evil laugh."

.

"Hey, Sammy," said Paulina.

"Ugh," said Sam, leaning back against the banister.

"What?" asked Paulina, sitting at the top of the stair. "Nice dress, by the way. Is it new?"

"Yes," said Sam, picking at the floral embroidery. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure," said Paulina.

"Don't call me 'Sammy' anymore. Mom's finally completely ruined it. I mean, I'm not a baby anymore!" She kicked the stair.

"But what would you be called instead? Samantha? I thought you didn't like that, either."

"Sam. Samantha is too... weepy."

"What happened, anyway?" asked Paulina.

"Mom called me 'Sammykins' in front of my whole class. I can't wait 'til third grade when I can go to a normal school like a normal person."

"It's not that great."

"Yeah, but you're there, and maybe I can get away from all the people who just want to make nice because of money."

"There's always going to be people like that, as long as they know you have money," said Paulina. "Or if their parents know."

Sam blinked. There was something to that.

"Oh, no, don't give me that face. The last time, you almost got me banned from the zoo forever!"

"It isn't like that!" protested Sam. "I was just thinking, what if they didn't know? How are they going to find out, if nobody tells them? I'm the only one in my who wants to transfer out. You'd be the only one who knew, and you wouldn't tell, right?"

"Well, yeah," said Paulina. "That sounds like a hard secret, though. You wouldn't be able to have anyone over at your house."

"I wouldn't invite anyone over until I knew they were my friends for real," said Sam.

"Sammykins! Come down and meet your guests!"

Sam rolled her eyes at her mother's voice. "They're not my guests," she grumbled.

Paulina bumped her foot into Sam's. "At least I'm here, right?"

.

Paulina finished her section of the reading, and the teacher thanked her before choosing a new reader.

"Can't even talk right," muttered one of Sam's new classmates.

She turned around in her seat. "Huh?"

The redhead looked her up and down. She could practically see him slot her into the 'new kid' box in his brain.

"She shouldn't volunteer to read if she can't even talk right," said the boy, plaintively, with just slightly more volume.

.

The three day suspension was totally worth it. That'd teach him to talk like that about Sam's best friend.

.

"I declare our friendship over!" shouted Sam.

Paulina sniffed. "Fine!" she shouted back. "But I get Danny!"

"Fine! That means I get Tucker!" Sam grabbed Tucker by the back of the shirt and dragged him away.

Paulina dragged a shocked-looking Danny off in the opposite direction. They disappeared behind the play structure.

"Uh," said Tucker.

"Shut up!" said Sam.

Recess ended.

.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier," said Sam.

"Me too," said Paulina. She rubbed her eye. "Are we friends again."

"Forever!" said Sam.

"Girls are so weird," muttered Tucker.

"At least we can hang out again," said Danny, digging his elbow into Tucker's side.

"Hey, we're trying to have a touching reunion here!"

"Yeah!" said Paulina.

"What were you two even fighting about in the first place," asked Tucker. He raised an eyebrow. "Was it boys?"

"This is why you don't have any other friends, Foley," said Paulina.

.

"Next year," said Sam, "we'll be in middle school." It was the last day of school, and the field day events were starting wind down. Danny and Tucker were still at the dunk tank, trying to soak each other.

"Yep," said Paulina. "It'll be different."

"Yeah," agreed Sam. "No more recess."

"More than that," said Paulina, with a little snort. She tucked her legs up so that her heels rested on the wooden planking of the play structure. "Do you think we'll be different?"

"I hope so," said Sam. "Mom promised I can pick out all my own clothes this year, and I can get my ears pierced." She tugged on her lobes.

Paulina sighed. "Jealous. Daddy won't let me until high school. But that's not what I meant."

"Then what?"

"We won't let anything get between us, will we?"

"No way," said Sam. "You watch too many teen movies, Lina." Sam climbed up to the top of the play structure and spread out her arms. "What would we even fight over, anyway? Boys? Makeup?"

Paulina laughed. "Gosh, no. But, like, drifting, that's a thing."

"I promise you, if we stop being friends it isn't going to be because of drifting. We'll have a giant blow out, or something. Like way back last year."

"What were we even fighting about?"

"I don't know. But I bet it was stupid."

.

"I think Danny has a crush on you," said Sam, pulling on her stockings. This Halloween she was going as Wednesday Addams.

"I know," said Paulina, scrunching her nose.

"What wrong? I thought you wanted to start trying to date?"

"Yeah, but not with a friend," said Paulina. "That would be weird. What if we broke up? We wouldn't be able to hang out anymore."

"Why not?"

"I don't know, it would be weird, wouldn't it?"

"Maybe," said Sam, shrugging.

Paulina sighed. "I mean, I guess Danny's cute and all, and he's trying to learn Spanish, which is like, you know, a gesture, but..." She trailed off and laid down on Sam's bed.

"You think Danny's cute?"

"I guess? Like, you know, a bunny or something. What about you? You thinking about dating? I know some guys are checking you out." She made a face at the last sentence. "You're pretty."

"So are you," said Sam. "But, dating? Gross. No way. Do you think they'll stop if I shave my hair off?"

"Sam."

"No, really. I've been thinking about getting an undercut."

"You're unbelievable."

.

"I can't believe your dad is sending you away for a month to learn about girl stuff." Sam mimicked his deep, gruff, voice for the last two words.

"Yeah, well, Mom's not around, so Tia Carmen it is." She stuck out her tongue and folded another pair of jeans into her suitcase. "Don't worry, I'll be back here in time to rock eighth grade with you."

Sam smiled. "I'll miss you."

"Come on, you'll have those two idiots to keep you company."

"Not Tucker so much. You'd think I shot his dog or something." Sam rolled her eyes.

"He'll come around, don't worry," said Paulina. "A friendship isn't going to be ruined over going vegan."

"Yeah. Hey, let me take a pic of you before you go! It can go in our scrapbook."

.

"Just because we're not friends anymore doesn't mean I'm going to spill your secrets," said Paulina. "So you can get down off your high horse and calm down." She pulled paper towels out of the dispenser with a violence that would have startled her at any other time.

Sam slouched against the bathroom door, arms crossed. Her purple-black lipstick made her skin look washed out and pallid. The overhead lights didn't help.

Sam could do so much better.

Paulina pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips. She didn't mention it. Sam wouldn't appreciate it. Hadn't appreciated it, even though Paulina was just trying to help.

Didn't Sam realize that being in charge, being on top was so much better than being laughed at? Didn't she realize that if they had worked together, they could have pulled Danny and Tucker up with them, too, despite how weird they were? Tucker had skills, and Danny was, well, once you got past his weirdness, he was pretty charismatic.

But only if Sam helped. Paulina didn't have enough pull by herself, no matter how pretty she'd learned to make herself over the summer.

Of course, Sam didn't realize, or if she did, she didn't care. Fundamentally, Sam was selfish and self-centered, and Paulina had always known that, she had liked it, but she hadn't thought it mattered.

"Fine," said Sam. "Not that I care what you do. Just stay away from me."

Paulina didn't cry as her oldest friend stomped out of the room. It would ruin her mascara.

[the-fiction-witch]

Beside The Sea

MOVIE : MAZE RUNNER AU COUPLE NEWT X THOMAS COUPLE: SUGGESTIVE 

I sat in the car looking out at the world rushing by me. The sounds of the car engine running constantly, my headphones blasting my music trying to avoid everything in the world. I looked out the window seeing the dark ocean and the little beaches and peirs most of them covered in old fisherman, the rows of little white and blue houses in lines all of them looking out to the sea. We pulled into the drive way of a tall blue house with a little garden that overlooked a nice little bit of beach and the ocean. I got out the car with a sigh I didn't want to move here I wanted to stay with my friends, I looked up at his house already hating this place "'ey? You the new kid?" A voice asks I looked up and saw a boy about the age of me he was really skinny and slender in a tight pair of blue jeans and a white hoodie the sleaves rolled up to his elbows, and a messy mop of blonde hair "Hu?' I asked "Are you the new boy?" He asked "Uhh yeah" I nodded "Cool" he laughs jumping the fence and standing with me "so what's your name greenie?" "Uhh Thomas" I said "Cute, I'm newt" he smiled offering his hand so I shook it "'ey you want I could show you around town?" "Uhh..." I began "Go on Thomas give us time to unpack" my dad says "Uhh yeah sure" I smiled "Come on then Tommy" he smiled so I happily followed him as he lead me around the little town.

I followed newt as He lead me down a little wooden pier and he sat down so I sat with him "So you starting school soon?" He asks "Yeah Monday" I shrug "If you want I'd be 'appy to take you around school on Monday" he smiled "show you around and all, introduce you to some people" "Yeah, thanks newt, that would be really nice" he smiled "'ey I wanted to ask you something" he says "Sure?" I shrug "Did you 'ave a girlfriend in your old place?" She asks "I did" I sighed "Sorry I shouldn't 'ave asked" "No it's okay, she uhh she broke up with me. She didn't want a long distance relationship so as soon as I told her I was moving away she broke up with me" I explain "Sorry Tommy," he says "don't worry theres some cute girls at school" "Yeah?" I asked "Yeah, I'll introduce you to a few of the nice girls on Monday" he winks "on one condition thought" "What?" I asked "Stay away from my sister" he warns "Sure newt" I laughed "'ey don't laugh" he chuckled playfully hitting my arm "What about you? You have a girlfriend?" I asked "Uhhhh... Yeah it's kinda a long story" he says "What do you mean?" I asked "I don't really... Do you dating game" laughed "it's just a lot of bloody klunk," "I kinda get what your saying newt" I nodded "I just kinda wish it was okay to just, do whatever you want, with whoever you want" he says "Yeah, I see what you mean" I blushed

I sat on the pier wrapping my towel around my bare chest having to pull up my shorts where they where wet and a little heavier "You okay newt?" I ask "Hu? Oh yeah, don't worry about me Tommy" he smiled "You sure? Come on man you can tell me" I smiled "I've just... I've been thinking about Stuff lately, big stuff" "What kinda stuff?" I asked "About girls" he laughs and I laughed a little to "about boys," he blushed "What do you think you might be... Gay?" I asked carefully "No, I don't think I'm gay" he says "it's just... I look at boys and girls the same way." He admits "What do you mean newt?" I asked "I mean... Today, I looked at everyone and I got the same kinda feeling looking at Teresa As I got looking at Gally" he blushed "I think I'm bi" "Bi?" I asked "Bisexual, into girls and guys" he blushed I didn't quite know how to respond "you think I'm weird don't you?" "What no, newt you can like whatever the hell you like who cares" "Everyone else in the world, I came 'ome and told my dad I was into guys he's kill me." He explained "Who gives a shuck what everyone else says" I shrug "Thanks Tommy" he smiled as I took my towel off as I was mostly dry now "Who do thinks more attractive Teresa or Minho?" I asked "Come on that's not fair" he laughs shoving me " there attractive for different attributes" "Like?" "Like... Teresa's bouncy boobs, Vs minhos hot as shuck ass" he explained "Ooohh imagine her boobs and his butt in the same person" "That would be 'ot, but would that person 'ave mins dick or Teresa's Virginia?" "Uhhh her pussy?" I suggest "Eh, not as 'ot not after she for gang banged by the whole track team" he says "Not all of them" I argue "Oh right sorry the track team except you, Luke and Alby" he laughs "What about with mins dick then?" I laughed "I'm down, seriously like 100 percent I 'ave a saw and some thread at 'ome let's make this frankinwhore" he laughs "Newt?" I ask "Yeah?" "Do you think I'm attractive?" I asked "Yeah," he shrugs "Would you have sex with me?" "Why? You want me too?" He laughs "No! Well I don't know in just curious" "I would, you are pretty 'ot Tommy. I thorough you where straight thought?" "Well I don't know, don't knock it till you try it right?" "Yeah, I get it Tommy" he laughs "hey Tommy?" "Yeah?" I asked looking at him but he didn't ask me anything he just leaned forward and kissed me, I didn't know how to respond just slowly kissed back till he pulled back

"You're a good kisser Tommy" He smiled

"Thaks newt... you're a great kisser" I blushed.

I couldn't think I couldn't do anything, I looked at the clock and it was just about midnight so I pushed open the window and snuck out. I walked through the dark coast till I saw the pier and I saw someone sat there, I went over and I saw newt sat beside his shoes as he was putting his feet to the water as he had a cigarette

"'ey Tommy" he smiled as he saw me

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" I asked as I sat beside him

"I could ask you the same question?" He laughed

"Can't sleep, how about you?"

"Similar" He nodded

"How so?"

"I couldn't stop thinking about you" he smirked

"Really?" I blushed

"Umm... about that kiss, About that day at the beach, I can't stop thinking about 'ow it would feel inside you" he smirked making me cough a little in shock

"what?" i asked

"You 'eard what I said Tommy" He smirked "Now... you gonna kiss me? or you gonna go back to bed?" he asked and I smirked a little back kissing him...

[mmmayflower2016]

Picking Up The Pieces Sneak Peek

This is for the newest chapter:

   “Did you get the files?” Betty asked Thomas and I curiously as we took the last two remaining spots at the group’s makeshift table. Thomas merely replied with a grin, pulling the flash drive out of the pocket of his grey sweatshirt and placing it in her palm. “Wicked.” Not many people were aware of the greenhouse Midtown Tech had hidden on the outskirts of its property. To be honest, that group of people included several of the teachers. Faith had found it last year and cleaned it up from an overgrown dump to its current picture-perfect beauty. “MJ, catch.”

   “Yep,” the brunette said curtly, throwing up her hand and catching the tiny device without a single glance. She twirled it between her fingers before plugging it into her open computer, a smile growing on her face as the application self-started. “How did you even get this?”

   “She can manipulate and project thoughts,” Peter called out with a smirk, nudging me from behind as he stood up from his spot under a large potted plant. “Besides all the other cool stuff.”

   “I can second that; I saw her do it in DC,” Ned piped up from his place next to Faith. We were all spread out throughout the small building, working both individually and in groups to find anything that could help us find a single clue. The two were scouring everything online related from news articles on kidnapped teens to old tweets from when SHIELD was still under the radar. Peter was keeping up on the students’ gossip while ‘receiving intel’ from Spider-Man while Michelle scanned over any seemingly important information on the student files Thomas and I stole from the front desk. 

   As crucial as it was to keep myself on the UN’s good side, I couldn’t trust them. If Toomes’s had men working for Hawkes under his nose, I wouldn’t be surprised if American government officials were already in his grasp. Not to mention the fact that I wasn’t telling my father or Earl squat until I found a single clue. We had all formed our very own Scooby-Doo squad, but we all knew that our villain wasn’t just a man hiding under a white blanket pretending to be a ghost. This wasn’t make believe.

   It was life or death.

   “I still can’t believe Ned of all people knew before the rest of us,” Michelle commented, the sound of her fingers on the keys playing between her words. “He’s like… the worst at keeping secrets. The fact he managed to keep his crush on Stacy a secret was a mystery alone.”

   “Yeah, and I never got to tell her, thanks for reminding me.”

   “No, you will,” I insisted, giving the boy a smile. “Right after I rescue her from wherever her and the others are being kept.”

   “I think you mean after we rescue them,” Thomas corrected me. “You aren’t going anywhere solo. He hates you the most out of the four of us.”

   “True, but I’ve taken another dive in the memory box from SHIELD to relearn a few old tricks.” Thomas gave me a quick glare, making sure no one else saw it but me. It was strange how we both envied each other in a way. He remembered everything he went through and wanted so desperately to forget it all. I remembered nothing and was having to piece it all back together. Our whole argument started when he found me hooked up to the memory box with an old pair of Dad’s AI glasses on. I’d found a way to make it so I was re-experiencing the past. Granted, it hurt, but I knew there would be more pain if I let Hawkes get his way.

   The greenhouse door slammed open, and we all froze in our tracks. A girl I assumed to be a freshman was staring at us with a blank expression, scanning the room until her eyes landed on me. Her hair was tied up in a ratty black braid, and she didn’t look strong enough to stand up…. but somehow she did. “Um, are you lost?”

   “Give up,” she rasped, making her way right in front of me. It was like a fog had coated over her wide eyes. There were smudges of dirt around her hairline.“You’re going to lose.”

   “Is she okay?” Ned whispered loudly to Peter, who’s middle and ring fingers were already reaching for his web-shooters.

   “You’re going to lose,” the young girl repeated with a giggle, rocking back and forth on her feet. “You’re going to lose, you’re going to lose!” Her burst of energy died down, and she hunched a little. “Give up. You’re going to lose.”

   “It’s like a recording,” Faith murmured, coming closer in curiosity before pausing in horror. “Oh my God… she’s one of the taken.”

   “You’re going to lose.”

   “How can you be sure?” Betty asked her, sharing a perturbed look like the rest of us. “She could be another one of those kids who kept coming up to Bella for an autograph.”

   “And sound this insane?” Faith shook her head, crossing her arms across her chest in unease. “I saw her photo in a newspaper article two days ago, I’m sure of it…” she trailed off, watching the girl continue on her tangent. “Why won’t she stop?”

   “You’re going to lose, you’re going to lose! Give up.”

   “Yo, shut up? Please?” Michelle scoffed, raising an eyebrow at the girl, who didn’t even bother looking away from me. “Hello?”

   “Can she hear us?” Peter stepped in her direction slowly, giving me a wary glance. “Sorry, I don’t know your name, but we can help-” The girl screamed as Peter’s fingers brushed against her arm. We all reached to cover our ears, but she stopped the moment he lost contact with her skin. “Jesus!”

   “You’re going to lose. You’re going to lose. You’re going to lose. You’re going to lose.”

   “Someone has to have heard that,” Ned winced, rubbing the side of his head. “What do we… how… I’m so lost.”

   “Well, we can’t touch her. We know that thanks to Pete,” Thomas sighed in annoyance. “Galli? Anything from your little brain gift?”    “Now’s definitely not the time to make a comment on it, Bennet!”

   “Give up. You’re going to lose. You’re going to lose.” I tilted my head down harshly and reach out, placing my hand on her forehead. She didn’t scream again to my surprise, but began to chuckle darkly, causing a few yelps of terror or “Holy shit!” cries to echo in the room.

   “He’s going to kill you,” she rasped, her eyes starting to roll back into her head. “He’s going to kill everyone you love… everyone who helps you. Punishment is due.”

   “Tell Hawkes to come up with a new threat; I’ve heard that at least five times from several different people,” I hissed, trying to use my powers to release her from whatever held her in the trance. “I can save Amy. I can save all of them, including you!”

   “I had a feeling you would say that,” the girl giggled, taking a step back from me and giving me a wide grin. “I thought so. You’re wrong. Wanna see?”

   “No, don’t-” I couldn’t even finish my sentence before the girl ran into the wall beside me with a loud bang. Her momentum sent her flying backwards, but she picked herself up and repeated the action. Faith screamed in terror as blood began to stain the green-tinted windows. 

   “You’re going to lose! You’re going to lose!” Thomas brushed past me and tried to stop her, but she was a girl on a mission and shoved him aside with inhuman strength. “You’re going to lose! You’re going to-” Her fourth hit was her last, and she fell to the floor in a crumpled heap… right at my feet. I could hear Betty crying and Ned’s short gasps for air as he tried to keep his lunch down.

   I felt sick to my stomach as I looked down at the girl. Her mouth was open while blood slowly dripped onto the floor, her teeth stained red. Her nose had been smashed inwards, covered partly by her left eye that had popped out of place. Blood caked her inner ear and seemed to already be hardening to the oxygen. I had never met this girl, yet she still suffered and died in my name. It was my fault.

   “W-what do we do?” Michelle stammered, the first one to speak after what we had all witnessed. I had never heard such fear in her voice before. “Guys?” No one dared to move or speak. “Bella?” I was frozen in place, stuck looking at the newly deceased girl while the scene of her dying replayed in my head. “Is… Isabel?”

   I took a shaky breath, closing my eyes. “We need to find Principal Morita. If word gets out that a student died on campus-”

   “Forget worrying about that, they’re probably going to shut the school down for who knows how long,” Peter cut me off. Thomas met me with a shared troubled glance. “I… I think we need to call Mr. Stark.”

[punkscowardschampions]

Fearghal & Kaitlin

Fearghal: [So the setup is sending her a postcard pretending to be a mate visiting in England for whatever reason (could be fam you get the vibe, nothing suspect given the time this is) but giving enough info that she 1. Knows it is him 2. has the number of at least a phonebox nearby if not a phone in his care home 3. a time when he plans to first call the phonebox nearest their home in Ireland, assumedly this is some sneaky twin shit they've pulled similar enough before that she can catch on without any of the rest of the fam also doing so; only question is how long do we want it to be since he left?] Kaitlin: [3 months ish later then and they've turned 15 but only just for our ref how do we think the situation is with his dad etc like would he just be acting like he's dead cos is to him?] Fearghal: [basically my vibe was they wanted to weaponize Tabby killing herself for their gain, like make it something political even though literally not about that bar the fact her family and his family and co didn't want them together and she was a dramatic teenage girl in love (no offense but like) and so when he wouldn't go along with that there was a massive fight, actual, between him and his dad and then Fearghal left 'cos there's never any option but to do as your told with this fam and he can't lose face with all the other people etc etc and the story the dad is telling the fam etc is that Fearghal deserted them which not untrue but yeah, good enough for all the olders to disown him too so it'd be like we don't talk about him and if someone else bring him up you denounce him] Kaitlin: [let's say there's a crying baby in the background cos like in my OG post she can use her youngest sister needing fresh air as an excuse so casually left her outside the phonebox but might be able to hear her if she's going for it] Kaitlin: How ya Fearghal: K? Fuck's sake, you've not had a bastard, have ya? 's'not been that long, like Kaitlin: Catch yourself on! mind how ya ma was fit to drop, you eejit? well we're all lurred she had another girl who I'm hauling about as my cover, so I am Fearghal: [Laughs] Still easy to windup then [slight pause to take in that it's a girl and is here, like not the biggest shock but also literally no way of knowing at this time so] And go on, don't leave me in suspense, what name they burden the poor fucker with Kaitlin: [makes an unimpressed noise like fuck off] full of that good craic you are, bet the brits are buzzing to hear it. You ready? Niamh Roisin, it's a cracker, like [sighs] Fearghal: [laughs some more] Yeah, catch me on that most wanted list, obviously [makes a wincing noise like no] Christ, actually lost it fully then, has she? Made it longer than some but dunno if mentals get to heaven, haveta ask Father Quigley, like Kaitlin: [laughs herself] yeah yeah [makes like a idk noise] can you lose what you've never had? A good catholic'll find a way, to be sure, and she is that, our ma [makes a scornful noise at the mention of the priest as is standard for her] Fearghal: [makes a mm noise to agree] Suppose so, don't reckon much was said 'bout being good to 'em once you had 'em, so be alright [sighs] What have you been up to, then...How's it been Kaitlin: if it was she'd recite between the lines to keep us anyone's problem but hers, poor critter [sarcastic laugh because mum's getting no real sympathy] it could've been 3 days from when you went off for what's changed and not- [a long pause because everything's shit and we know it is] Fearghal: What's God if not top babysitter, eh? Cheaper than telly and who's giving money to the BBC [scoffs but cuts it short 'cos yep] And I'm fine too, you rude cow Kaitlin: and stand him next to our earthly da and he comes out lookin' class [chefs kiss noise] Hey now! [makes a fake noise of shock like she's appalled at the mention of the bbc] watch your profanity around me, dicko! [really long exaggerated sigh as a pisstake] a'course you are, land well anywhere, but hit me with your bars, it's no bother to hear how right I am Fearghal: If you can get him stand still long enough, like and you ain't a lad so no chance, babe [does pisstake wistful sigh] Forgot you needed protecting from the evils of this world, my apologies [coughs awkwardly then, stalling for time, fiddling with the phone in ways she can probably hear] Taking a bow as we speak, can't fit in here with me but the adoring fans are aplenty over this way, well more than there so fuck it, life's grand so it is Kaitlin: Wise up, boy, he only sways slightly of an evening on these ones lately so he does [but her voice is MAD because fuck being a girl in this fam] Did you now? Thank fuck my new lad has his uses then, like [takes a deep breath to try and calm down but exaggerates it for the pisstake because have to, god forbid they are serious rn] I went and saw your former biggest fan under that rock they've carved with protestant shite, no word on if life's grander for her now it's ended or if she's regretting she didn't send her prayers up saying she wanted another bite of the cherry, one that wasn't yours- [stops like I've probably gone a bit far here and shouldn't mention his dead ex anymore] Fearghal: Good for him [through gritted teeth like let's never talk about him thank you] Like you need a replacement protector, got how many ready and willing at home, just DYING to beat the shit out of some 15 year old kid for your honour and just for the craic of it [does it back, like and then is silent until the pips are going but he's still there 'cos they stop when he puts more money in] You'll be under some rock with Catholic shite if they catch you in their graveyard [says it much more quietly than he's said the rest] Kaitlin: [makes a noise of disgust that doesn't need to be exaggerated for the pisstake cos genuinely horrified at this fam thanks] what honour? Shame you brought down on us with what they caught you at [but her voice is softer too because didn't mean to go off and also doesn't mean any of that we know] supposed to scare me, is it? [said like I wouldn't be here to give them a chance to do it just like you weren't] Fearghal: Why you need to ask one of the others, ain't it; can't be the best looking of the bunch and the best behaved, got to leave something for 'em to do and impressing n pleasing him 's'never been high on my to-do so have at it, lads [does meh noise like this is all so casual] Called the fear of God for a reason, aye Kaitlin: [does the meh noise back and it's her turn to awkwardly fiddle with the phone/cough while she works up to saying what she does next, more quietly than she has anything else] how's it truly then? Away and everything. Free and clear Fearghal: It's, like- just shit because you realize that everything that happens in that fucking town, all the stuff that rules our lives and is all they give a shit about, no other cunt does, you know, Kait? Sure, its on the news when another bomb goes off or don't and that; but the English don't even have to think about it, their day to day ain't affected at all, no fucker but our lot cares and what's the point, honestly? Everything we were forced to at least think was important, if not fecking stupid, ain't and now I don't- [Stops to do some actual breathing to calm down] Not to mention I'm thick as shite, thanks for that and all- 'cos frees a bloody joke [laughs bitterly] I get by, now, got a place to stay so, don't haveta worry but don't be hopping the next ferry yourself, girl Kaitlin: [when you're just silent for ages because as much as you think it's bullshit you're basically in a cult rn with no chance of getting out so what can you say like] not that thick, warning me off coming to keep an eye on all these english girls with theirs on ya but no bother 'cause mind I get sea sick and class as boking on brits sounds I'd get fairly covered myself before I made any casualties of 'em Fearghal: Know enough about girls and enough about you to know the two don't need mixing, that's just school of life, that [moving away a bit and telling someone who's impatiently waiting to fuck off] Stay put [when you say it firmly like serious voice] That wain and the rest needs someone VAGUELY sane about to stand any chance, fuck me, Aislinn's already been corrupted and she's barely in double digits [kicks the box] Kaitlin: [laughs because yeah don't let her around any girls you like babe] you should know enough about me to know what giving me your orders'll do fer ya and what it'll make me do [but there's no actual real threat in it we all know she's staying for the bubs] Sane as you by that count, ain't I? [can't help genuinely sighing] Mammy's girl is Aislinn been like it since she was old enough to play house [grimaces at the thought cos never that bitch] got the rest under MY apron strings, grand they are and it goes for the stories I tell 'em every night after prayers, rest easy yourself knowing that, yeah? Fearghal: Alright, alright [hear the 🙄😏] But if you wanna be the next to bring shame on 'em, you can do better than a cheeky abortion, surely? [shakes his head] Yeah. [Pause] Yeah [Coughs again] I'm doing my bit, swear, it's gonna take a while 'til I can send you anything and I've got to work out how when I do- it ain't for them, just you lot but like I said, not cheap Kaitlin: [an outraged noise like who do you think you're talking to, of course I can do better than that etc] Yeah. [Pauses herself because again what to say, there's so much it's too much] I've got faith in the right shite, Gally [nickname ftw because feels] it'll work out. We'll work it out, like we did this Fearghal: 'Course we will, K. No other choice, is there [definitely not a question] Kaitlin: not a real question, is it? [she knows its not] Fearghal: you want me to ask you one? Kaitlin: do English girls fall for that? Fearghal: Enough of 'em, yeah Kaitlin: [makes a ugh noise] how you've got a bed, is it? Fearghal: Theirs top where mine is Kaitlin: I deeply feel that Fearghal: [makes the kinda sad 'ha' sound like 'I know'] Not all bad though, some class drugs about and you don't get kneecapped for taking a casual interest Kaitlin: [does a little hooray down the phone] Fearghal: Send you some but your phones probably tapped so I definitely won't Kaitlin: thanks or no thanks, depending who'll be listening Fearghal: Cover those bases and the baby's ears Kaitlin: nothing to be heard over her crying Fearghal: don't lie, you miss me that much [laughs] Kaitlin: fuck off [but laughs too] Fearghal: Will do Fearghal: so many English girls Kaitlin: [exaggerated being sick noise] nowhere close to a ferry and sick as a dog, don't start me any further Fearghal: You think I escaped to pray every day and fight the good fight, like Kaitlin: if you still pray you ain't escaped fuck all Fearghal: Not living on my knees for no cunt, sis Fearghal: am being haunted, for my sins, though Kaitlin: Be on track to commit more, you'll have enough ghosts for all manner of shite to get done Fearghal: No rest for the wicked on the one hand, but on the other, idle hands and idle minds [breathes out like so conflicted and confused] Kaitlin: [a change in tone because serious] She's gone, so are you. Leave it here. Leave it in this fucking town Fearghal: Not a choice Kaitlin: Can be Fearghal: Nah, s'not, boths already happened Kaitlin: Happened to you, gives you a say in how you deal with it Fearghal: Yeah Kaitlin: You've lived in one haunted house as things stand, ain't you? Miss home that much, is it? Fearghal: How could I not? Live for these lectures, like Kaitlin: [an unamused noise because you're basically calling her a nagging girl which ain't a mood] Fearghal: [the pips again] Oh shit, should robably let you go, yeah? Kaitlin: Yeah probably [but she obvs doesn't wanna that'd be clear] Fearghal: Tell the kids I miss 'em, won't ya Kaitlin: I'll even include her out there Fearghal: Try and send a picture some time, alright Kaitlin: 'Course Fearghal: You too, kid Kaitlin: [laughs but in a more genuine way] You're my twin brother, calling me kid is calling yourself a wain, you eejit Fearghal: That's alright by me, like Kaitlin: I'll not baby you, got enough noses and arses to wipe here while you're hand holding these brits Fearghal: No handholding, on me life, just good old-fashioned- [will cut him off before he can be gross] Kaitlin: [we can say she cuts him off with a very unamused noise as per like no thank you] Fearghal: G'wan then, piss off before that kid freezes to death Kaitlin: [doesn't wanna be the first one to hang up obvs] Watch yourself then Fearghal: You too Fearghal: When can we do this again then Kaitlin: When can you? It's no bother for me to slip out with this ginger whinger, needs fresh air so she does Fearghal: [laughs then is pondering like umm] Try next Sunday, after church, if I don't answer then I'll send another postcard or whatever, yeah Kaitlin: Tryin' to get a free sermon told to ya, respect that hustle if not the message Fearghal: Obviously, how am I getting to heaven from England? Kaitlin: [laughs] no angels in England is there not? You'll have been thinking on your feet for fresh pick up lines all these months, no wonder you ain't had time for me, like Fearghal: Something like that... [Trails off 'cos don't wanna tell her what's really been going on but also does 'cos not its like that and its been a lot to just deal with on his own] Kaitlin: But it's something else like what? [cos sees through you boyyy] Fearghal: It's alright now, like Fearghal: but it ain't as if the old man sent me on me way with anywhere to go, is it Kaitlin: He didn't put a bullet in your head as a send off, that's what gets me to sleep of a night, but- [trails off because she was gonna say she knows it hasn't been easy but she doesn't know how hard it's been and she's not trying to guess like let's compare struggles] Kaitlin: Yeah [another pause] Fearghal: Should've put one in his [so under his breath it's like did you mean that to be heard or] Kaitlin: You'd have to take ma out an' all, I don't reckon the broken heart myth is anything other than another story, and probably a few of us would make the cut for cute little orphans but you and me'd have to catch ourselves on quick and wise up Fearghal: Make Tara look after you all as well as Diarmaid's kids, see how committed to the family she really is [sniffs 'cos we been knew] Kaitlin: [makes an identical sound cos twinning] I'll take her out if she was bothered to try and get near 'em Fearghal: Least Owie is old enough to help out, young enough to give a clout, yeah? [genuine concern] Kaitlin: [scoffs because we know he's a bit of a knob but it's still affectionate because] Fearghal: He'll be alright [but doesn't sound as reassuring as that's meant to be 'cos like unlikely at this point] Kaitlin: He's got me, my will's stronger than god's so father Q likes to say [laughs] under his breath, a'course Fearghal: [laughs back but its less 'cos sad] He doesn't always chat shite Kaitlin: Reckon he's a soft spot for me Fearghal: [makes noise like 'hopefully not too soft' but is joking, doesn't need to be that kind of priest] Kaitlin: I don't wish you were here Fearghal: How could he not, with the charm [but just jk like] Is it better, in some ways Kaitlin: It's...[trails off cos we all know even if there's less hassle it's not better as far as she's concerned and the loneliness is a real mood] I'm buzzing you got out [genuine but her voice is sad] Fearghal: Your turn next, I mean it Kaitlin: After we get a few birthday's under Niamh's belt [pauses because it's sinking in how stuck she is for now] and the rest, give 'em a fighting chance Fearghal: Yeah Fearghal: I'll make it easier, any which way I can Kaitlin: Me too, for you, I mean Fearghal: I'm grand, honest but cheers [more pips] I am outta shrapnel though so- Kaitlin: Don't be putting honest on a lie [frustrated sigh because nobody wants this to end but she wouldn't have money] speak Sunday and like I said, watch yourself Fearghal: Love ya, K ['cos no time to take the piss for it or protest] Kaitlin: [let's say she gets cut off before she can say it back for the pain]

[lukesreggie]

What do you think their first snow in paradise is like? (feel free to pretend Newt and Teresa are still around bc I know I do)

I hope you’re tucked in real nice and cozy!!!! this is more than four pages of notes!!!!! Lol.  Enjoy!!!!! I DID

This kind of went from first now in safe haven to skii lodge/winter cabin/Christmas AU lolllll anyways, [strums guitar] here’s snowy safe haven

When he first lays his eyes on the falling snow, Newt’s stomach swirls uncomfortably. An inexplicable dread washes over him. Thomas notices his sudden furrowed brows, taking Newt’s hand in his. “hey, you okay?” “…yeah.”

With his hand in Thomas’, Newt’s eyes would travel across the grounds, gravitating towards Sonya, who was sitting next to Harriet with the same confusion plastered on her face. Only to find, that she was already looking at him.

They both felt their chests tightening, fingers closing around their hearts like a vice. Sonya looked away. Newt…couldn’t. He didn’t know why, but when he looked at Sonya, he felt an urge to protectively wrap his arms around her and never let go.

Newt could see blurred faces. He could see white snowflakes floating, sinking, in the air through a small window. He could hear muffled voices, but no words could be distinguished.

Teresa would start a snowball fight, pelting Newt in the face and bringing him out of his daze.

She hit Thomas next while the two were trying to locate her, and soon a full on snowball fight was initiated.

Sonya and Harriet were using each other’s bodies for cover, giggling as they tried to throw their bodies in front of each other

Minho would THROW himself in front of Brenda with a dramatic “I’ll protect you!!” and she’d grab a handful of snow and shove it down the back of his shirt. 

They’d end up chasing each other across the beach that was now covered in a white blanket, throwing handfuls of snow at each other and not bothering to roll it into balls

 Chuck would make snow angels with Thomas and Teresa while Newt just stands beside them watching with a smile on his face.

Gally, Beth and Ben would help Chuck make igloos and snow forts with other kids

Minho would tease him about it and call him the safe haven Dad

Gally would shove him into a big pile of snow and walk away, but he’d be hiding a tiny smile because he secretly likes that title 

Frypan would make everyone hot chocolate

Thomas would spill his cup everywhere and Chuck would make a joke about how it looks like he klunked

Newt and Minho would l a u g h at the face Thomas made when he fell face first into the snow as he ran away from Teresa who was chasing him with a bunch of snowballs gathered in her arms

 “Looks like nothing’s changed, eh, Tommy?”

Alby would make snow people with the safe haven kids, stealing carrots from fry’s kitchen 

Fry doesn’t mind, he loves seeing how happy everyone is in this moment

Zart decorates his cactus with tinsel and one single bauble 

Zart pelts EVERYONE with snowballs, especially Gally. Zart has no fears. He is the last man standing. 

Newt wants no part in the snowball fight so he hides in one of the igloos Alby made (with Chuck’s help) until Thomas, Minho and Brenda find him and flush him out by throwing snowballs at him. Thomas and Minho let out a weird war cry.

 Thomas and Rachel sneak attack Aris, dumping heaps of snow on his head

Aris and Rachel find mistletoe

Aris reaches up to touch it and Rachel smacks his hand away – “NO touching the mistletoe. Leave it there.” “But I wanna.” She distracts him by kissing him under it instead.

Minho tricks Brenda into standing beneath the mistletoe. He tries to kiss her but she dodges it and he ends up kissing Gally.

Beth just bursts out laughing

That kiss was Gally’s Bi Awakening (because NO ONE IN TMR IS STRAIGHT DO NOT FIGHT ME ON THIS)

Gally sees the finished product of the igloo Beth was building with some kids: “that’s a…strong igloo.” “…it’s solid water that can melt from heat.”

Frypan watches them a few feet away like “hell no. i’m not dealing with you too.”

The ocean has frozen over because of the cold

Ice skating!!!

Sonya and Harriet are the best skaters, doing figure eights and other fancy moves while wearing matching mittens

Newt is SO UNCOORDINATED and Thomas tried to be a Good Boyfriend but forgets how clumsy he is and the two are falling all over the place

Thomas is crap at skating, but good enough to support Newt on the ice, who can’t be on his own because his leg doesn’t allow him. They just muddle around together closer to shore, laughing and in their own little world while Brenda laps them at speed

Brenda and Teresa hold hands and spin together

Frypan secretly teaches Newt to stake in the middle of the night. One morning at sunrise, Newt surprises Thomas.

Newt still isn’t great, but Thomas is so Proud of him and just kisses him when they’re a little further out from shore. They both fall and Thomas just sits there gazing at Newt lovingly and tearing up like wow

Jeff furiously curses the weather because he has to keep patching people up after they repeatedly get hammered by teresa’s snowballs, and because Newt and Thomas keep falling on the ice.

“How did you even get out there? Your leg–” “Just see if you can reach me without falling over, Tommy.” “Even with a gimp leg your boyfriend is better than you, Thomas!” “Minho, I will cut you with my skates.”

Brenda normalizes Newt’s leg injury on the ice and in any other activity because she knows how frustrating constant pity and concern is: “Come on, slow poke. Hustle a little!”

Zart brings his cactus on the ice and surprises everyone with how skilled he is at skating

Aris decided to eat a berry from the mistletoe plant he had found with Rachel earlier and now Jeff and Clint have to deal with that too

Jorge is Brenda’s personal cheerleader on the ice “esa es mi chica!” (’that’s my girl!” and calls her his hija (”daughter”) and mi corazón ALLLL the time [wow Jorge is the only dad i will ever accept as a Dad – AND VINCE. jfc]

After a day in the snow, everyone heads inside for the evening and cuddles up by the open fire that Gally and Alby built. They sit/sleep on whatever they have at their disposal from the times Jorge and Vince went scavenging for materials; their hammocks, rugs, maybe a few sleeping bags and worn mattresses

Frypan made hot chocolate for everyone

Thomas’ sleeping bag catches fire

Thominewt run outside and throw it in the snow. 

Newt makes Thomas sleep with him in his sleeping bag despite the very tight fit. “Newt there’s not enough room” ”Don’t be a twat about it, Tommy. Come on.” Newt gives him that same knowing innocent smile (LIKE THAT DAMN SMILE IN TDC WHEN HE WAS LIKE “lol you have no choice twat, we’re coming with you.”) while he sits in his sleeping bag in his pyjamas. Thomas slips in beside him and rests his head on Newt’s chest and they cuddle and aH

Gally spikes the hot chocolate

Newt drunkenly flirts with Thomas “guess we gotta share now, Tommy,”

Gally threw Minho’s right skate into the bonfire earlier

Minho calculated his moves carefully while trying to find it, growing annoyed at Gally and his stupid pranks

Ben saw Gally do it but didn’t say anything and just watched Minho slowly lose his mind over one missing skate

Minho started chasing Gally around with his left skate until Teresa pulled the safe haven Mom card and put them both in separate corners

Later that same evening when they went to light the bonfire, Frypan noticed something in it and tried to hide a laugh. “Min– are you still missing something?” “Gally – where is that shuckfaced Shank– I’m going to kill him.” “Minho no, wait! Someone stop him!”

Newtmas cuddling to stay warm

Snowflakes in Newt’s fluffy hair

Newt catches snowflakes on his tongue and Thomas just smiles at him

Rachel and Minho roll their eyes at everyone’s shenanigans and go get extra blankets

 Brenda and Jorge are both impartial to the cold

But Brenda tries to hide how much she is freezing

Rachel is used to the cold, but Aris isn’t. He gets cold easily.

Newt wears mittens

Thomas makes fun of him all the time, but when Chuckie (safe haven dog) accidentally bites a finger off of his glove, Newt give him his mitten and Thomas tries to hide how much he loves it but Newt stays silent and just gives him a knowing smirk

Sonya and Harriet don’t have gloves so they put their hands in each other’s pockets

Minho and Teresa hanging up mistletoe ALL OVER THE PLACE just to get everyone to kiss

Thomas and Newt give Chuckie one of Minho’s boots and tell him to hide it

Newt kisses Thomas under every single mistletoe

Newt drags Thomas under every single one, just so he can kiss Thomas repeatedly 

“Newt, come on i’m hungry” “There are only 7 more, Tommy, come on" 

Frypan is cracking up in the background. he keeps moving them so they LOOK like they’re new

Thomas is just rolling his eyes but he highkey loves it

Newt on skiis is WORSE than skates oh my GOD

Thomas on skiis is a recipe for disaster. He cannot control himself and in one go he takes out Minho, Brenda and Teresa 

Brenda and Harriet race down the slopes on their boards

Vince joins in after little persuasion from the two girls and Jorge

Jorge stands by, cheering his girls on and does not hide the impressed look on his face when he sees how skilled Vince is at snowboarding

Sonya and Minho are waiting at the bottom with hot chocolate and proud kisses

Minho totally snowboards like a pro. Someone gets whacked over the head with a ski. Someone mistakenly ends up on the DEATH LEVEL slope and four people end up wrapped around a tree

Gally sneaks off to the bunny slopes when no one is looking

Alby’s already there like “YOU TOO???”

Thomas and Newt share a ski lift

Thomas drops his hat. It smacks Gally in the face on a run down the slope 

Thomas kisses Newt and Minho from behind is all like “GET A ROOM!” Newt flips him off and doesn’t stop kissing him

Sonya and Harriet share a sled 

Being snowed in with a dwindling supply of food 

Game room in the lodge where Minho owns everyone at the dance games

Frypan finds two tennis rackets and says he’ll brave the wilderness to find rations

Christmas pyjamas

Sonya and Harriet wear matching onesies 

Brenda wears flannel. 

Sonya, Harriet, Aris and Rachel wear matching onesies with Aris’ fluffy boots

Christmas Morning - they can’t get Brenda to wake up. She sleeps like the dead. After 5 phone calls, 3 people knocking and 2 screaming her name, Gally climbs through her window from the outside ledge between their rooms. He shakes her awake. She punches him in the face.

She didn’t mean to - she’s saying that all morning. It was reflex. 

Gally’s black eye doesn’t believe her

Minho following Gally in through the window: “well consider me both scared and aroused.”

Sonya offers to add eyeshadow to the other eye to make it match. Harriet spits her drink out laughing

Gally threatens to lock them both out on the balcony

Sonya and Harriet share a look and shrug. They’re not mad about it. They go out there anyway

Newt and Thomas keep sneaking to the kitchen to steal gingerbread cookies. “NOT BEFORE DINNER!“ But Frypan sneaks Newt two of them that he made that are holding hands

Teresa helps Chuck rip his presents open and they throw the shreds of  wrapping paper at each other

Jorge takes a LOT of photos of everyone together

Jorge and Vince help Frypan prepare food – the two learn from him. 

Frypan has a soft spot for Brenda so he lets her have as many cookies as she wants, which she then splits in half and gives to Teresa

Teresa often supervises to make sure nothing chaotic goes on in the kitchen – Jorge and Vince try to tell her she doesn’t need to but she always counters with the time Gally almost cut Jorge’s finger off while subbing for Vince. Everyone vowed never to let Gally make food again after that.

Newt teases Thomas into wearing a matching christmas sweater with him: “You love ugly christmas sweaters, don’t you babe?” Thomas just grumbles. “Alright, fine, i look better than you would in it anyway.”

Later when Thomas comes down for Christmas dinner, he is wearing the sweater to match Newt’s, and Newt just melts. “So I do look better in it.” “Shut up,” Thomas tugs Newt over by his shirt collar and kisses him.

ALRIGHTTT that’s all I got so far, I may add more if I think of any! 

Huge thanks to my tmr fam for helping with this. 

Sorry it took so long (almost 3 months wow)!!! I hope you like these. 

Tagging: @glader-of-wicked @your-local-geek @newthomally @thomasnewts @comebacknow @seaselkie @demented-russian-empress-of-hell @harveylovesmike @museelo @abyssith

[thatshankcallednewt]

The Maze Runner: High School AU - Gally: Together - Part 7

If you missed Part One//Part Two//Part Three// Part Four// Part Five//Part Six

Tags: @preciousnewt 

You’re already searching for Teresa and the gang as you walk over to the football field stands; a mass of people have already claimed their seats. You walk across the front, the smell of hotdogs and other junk food stink out the place already.

You finally spot them and make your way up towards them, comfortable seating in the middle. They all greet you, and you instantly get introduced to Newt’s new girlfriend. She smiles and greets you kindly, so far, that’s enough for your approval.

You take a seat next to Thomas and fight off a hitch in your breathing when you see how nice he looks. You mentally slap yourself, don’t even think about it. But you can’t help it, he smells nice too and he already bought you some food and drink.

You both talk for a bit, mostly about school but also about football. You only attended one game before with Minho and Newt, it wasn’t the greatest thing ever. You remember seeing Gally out on the field though, you remember noticing how well he played with his team. This time you’re sure you’ll find it more exciting now that you actually know Gally.

Everyone starts to cheer as your school’s football team runs onto the field; chants echo throughout the stands.

Teresa nudges you and nods over to the boys as they prepare for the game, “That one, number 14, he’s the one who’s been harassing Tom.” You stare out to unfortunately see Gally wearing that number. “Technically most of the team harass all the lacrosse members, but the most heated is between Gally and Tom.”

You don’t reply but instead watch the field. You focus on Gally; what would make him act like that towards Thomas? It just doesn’t add up in your head. Sure, Gally might seem to have that stereotypical jock persona, but just because it seems that way doesn’t mean it should be that way.

A few minutes into the game, you notice Thomas gets up from his seat and leaves –probably going off to refill his drink or to the toilets, so you take this opportunity to continue the conversation from before.

You turn to Teresa, “Do you know why Gally and Thomas are fighting?”

She swallows a mouthful of her drink before replying, after checking if Thomas is still around to hear, “The football team in general don’t like the lacrosse team because of how they think they’ve taken over the sport side of the school, something stupid like that.” She pauses to slurp from her drink again, “But between Gally and Tom? Something to do with Gally’s older brother, but I don’t know what.”

“He has an older brother?” Your eyes widen and you mentally scold yourself for seeming way too interested, you keep forgetting that you’re supposed to act as if you don’t know Gally at all. It’s frustrating, but you definitely know now that you have to keep it a secret if Thomas has been fighting with him…

Thankfully Teresa doesn’t seem to take too much notice of your question anyway, “Yeah, he did. His name was Justin.”

Did? Was? “Where… where is he now?”

Teresa looks at you, “You don’t know?”

You shake your head.

“Last year, around November I think, Justin got shot on the street. He died instantly, it was terrible really.”

Your mouth drops, “How come I didn’t know? The school… The school would have said something right?”

Teresa shakes her head, “They didn’t want to bring much attention to it. A lot of the staff thought it was the school’s responsibility, even though he’d graduated a year before. I guess they thought it might degrade their reputation which is a terrible excuse. But what’s even worse is that there was no news story on it or anything. No investigation.”

“That’s… that’s horrible.” Suddenly it feels as though everything has been flipped upside down. You’re not sure how to feel or how to react. “Why was there no investigation?” You hear the words tumble out of your mouth but the rising panic makes them sound distant, far away. 

“He was just someone from the “hood”. White trash.” Teresa pauses to roll her eyes, “That’s their reasoning anyway, I think it’s a shitty thing to do. Not care enough about someone dying on the streets because their family didn’t have the best reputation.”

“I…” You suddenly stand up from your seat just as the game begins. The man at Gally’s car window flashes through your mind. “I’ve gotta go to the bathroom, I’ll be back in a sec.” You hurry past Teresa and the rest of them, and then make your way to the toilets. There’s no one around because the game just started, which you’re quite thankful for.

You turn on the tap in one of the sinks and splash your face, trying to rid of the horrible feeling that’s inside you. How could you have not known? “You’re so stupid…” You whisper to yourself. All this time, Gally’s been having to deal with an unjust death of his own damn brother and you’ve been worrying about friends! About tutoring him!

You grip the sides of the sink and stare into the mirror at yourself. What are you supposed to do now? Keep tutoring Gally? The last time you tried to help someone in a lot of trouble… the police got involved and you were told to never have contact with that person again.

You make your way back to the seats, and when you sit, the answer is clearer than ever before. This isn’t going to be like last time.

After the game, you and the gang wait around for Newt to talk to some of the football team members. Apparently he’s a big fanboy, and they don’t seem to mind him even if he’s best friends with one of their enemies.

Teresa eyes off one of the other football players and you mentally take note to ask her about it later. Gally wanders over to you when he notices your friends rather busy with the rest of his team. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.” You notice a grin on his face and come to adore it, and that it’s there because of you.

You turn your full attention to him, “Well, here I am.” You smile, “I didn’t willfully come to see you play though, sorry. I was practically dragged over here by my friends.”

He shakes his head and laughs, but the image of him crying over his dead brother invades your mind. It’s such a shock to you that you have to take a moment to take in a deep breath.

“Quite the heartbreaker you are.” He turns just in time to see Thomas settling in right beside you, his arm touching your arm. Gally goes rigid, his jaw hardens and you notice clenched fists by his side.

A beeping noise resounds from Thomas’ phone, he looks at the text and then replies by tapping his thumbs over the mobile screen. “I’ve got to go,” he tells you, and out of nowhere pulls you into a close hug. The whiff of his hair and cologne makes you a little light-hearted, but you manage to shake whatever feeling that comes from that away. “I’ll see you later, yeah?”

“Yeah,” you smile, and then wave him goodbye as he walks away. Throughout that whole time, he doesn’t even blink Gally’s way.

Gally just stares at you instead, and you feel the harshness within it. What could you say to make him not mad with you? Would he even be mad with you? You open your mouth to say something but he cuts you off instantly, “You’re friends with him?” That tone of voice answers your question.

You nod your head.

“You know then?”

You frown, and finally pull together all the courage you have left to look him in the eyes. He looks furious. The intensity of his green eyes higher than ever before. “What do you mean?”

“You know that we practically hate each other, right?”

You sigh, “I… I didn’t know until a couple of days ago.”

His expression doesn’t lighten, “He’s scum, I can’t stand him.”

You blink at the sudden change in Gally’s tone, “Whoa, hang on a second Gally.” Now it’s your turn to harden your expression, “Don’t you think that’s a little bit harsh?”

“No, I don’t think it’s a little bit harsh because that’s exactly what he is! Scum!”

A few of your friends look your way, slightly confused by Gally’s outburst… and by you conversing with him.

You look him in the eye as a warning, “Calm down,” you look to your friends and smile warmly, trying to get them to think of this as nothing. “They’re going to notice we’re talking like we know each other.”

He looks taken aback by your remark, but you’re pretty sure he was the one to make it clear that he doesn’t want anyone to know of your tutoring him. “We do know each other.”

You roll your eyes, “Yeah but I thought we agreed to not let people know that?”

He frowns, “No, no, we agreed to not let people know that you’re tutoring me. Big difference.”

You look at him and see the hurt in his eyes, and you realise your mistake. “Gally–

He narrows his eyes at you, “You don’t even…” He rubs the side of his face with his hand out of frustration and exhaustion. “Whatever.” He turns to leave but hesitates, “It’s whatever. I don’t even care if you’re friends with Thomas anyway, it’s not like we’re friends.”

You watch him go as your heart sinks deeper than you ever thought it could go.

That night you awake at 4 am with Gally’s faceless brother lying dead on some cold, dark street in your mind. You notice the pool of sweat around your body and the drops on your forehead, you scold yourself for falling asleep with your socks and sweatpants on. You find a change of pyjamas, shorts and a shirt that says: I loaf you, with a picture of a loaf of bread on it. You hope it lightens your mood, especially after today.

When you crawl back into bed you can’t wipe the image away. Justin. You think back to Gally’s room and his house, Gally and Justin’s Dad. The room that was empty, the sense of abandonment. That must have been Justin’s room.

You turn over, your face smothered by your pillow. Does Gally think you know about Justin already and never brought it up? Or does he think you don’t know? Should you know? Do you want to know? You almost let out a scream of frustration from all the questions that fill your worried brain.

But the one question that sticks out from all the rest, the one that gives you the most anxiety from them all: will Gally ever speak to you again?

[gallysgalaxy]

Gallys (not so) Short Stories

Family Dinner- Featuring Gallys Brothers, Planetin and Cometin, and Gallys Mom and Dad

Gally: *sighs and twirls fork*

Cometin: like the new scarf gally, looks nice

Gallys Dad: yeah,makes him look more of a pansy

Gallys Mom: Harrison, be nice

Gallys Dad: Nice? Im a father who did everything for his child, a man who spend 18 years, 18 years!, planing every single thing for him to successful man in the world!,  and you let him follow his own goddamn path!

Gallys Mom: I wanted him live with something he wants to do, unlike his so called father

Planetin: *talks in a quiet shy voice* can...can we stop...f-fighting please..?

Gallys Dad: why is that every son we had ends up a failure? why cant they follow my path?

Cometin: because your path involves with legal stuff and dealing with criminals and politic discussions that ruin relationships

Gallys Dad: oh im sorry, what is your job?!

Cometin: I travel the world, gazing at the beautiful wonders of the world

Gallys Dad: All you saw this year was that damn tower of pizza

Cometin: its Pisa, dad, the leaning tower of Pisa

Gally: wow, dinner was great, thanks, *gets up and walks to the door* id love to stay and chat, but i promised nicky to check on our son and see if hes still asleep and okay

Gallys Dad: *stands up* What...

Gally:....*runs out the door*

Gallys Dad: *looks towards Planetin and Cometin* what does he mean by son?

Cometin: gee look at the time, its time for me to go, see ya *leaves*

Planetin: *talks quietly: b-bye dad...have..have a good night *leaves*

Gallys Mom: your sleeping on the couch tonight *walks off to bed*

Gallys Dad: i always sleep on the damn couch...

[slut4film]

061121 - midsommar (2019), dir. ari aster

plot: several friends travel to sweden to study as anthropologists a summer festival that is held every ninety years in the remote hometown of one of them. what begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.

cast:

florence pugh as dani ardor

jack reynor as christian hughes

william jackson harper as josh

vilhelm blomgren as pelle

ellora torchia as connie

archie madekwe as simon

will poulter as mark

genres: 

horror

folk horror

drama 

mystery 

thoughts:

okay, starting off with aesthetic music

the drastic change from enya-esque music to the phone ringing

i love when people have androids or older versions of iphones in film

dani ardor sounds a lot like ari aster to me

florence pugh might be incredibly depressed in this but she’s still incredibly beautiful

bro i get mad paranoid too when my mom or my dad or my sister don’t text fast enough, my overthinking ass be thinking that they’ve gotten into an accident or gotten kidnapped or some shit

ayo, it’s gally, it’s my boy will poulter!!

okay i have never in my life found will poulter attractive but he’s looking kinda good in this

is she giving birth or something wtf

that shot of dani’s mom getting zipped into the body bag was actually sickening

why would you ever choose carbon monoxide poisoning as the way to go??

florence pugh’s wailing in the background speakers as christian walks in the snow adds even more to the pain and sorrow she’s feeling

okay but why are their voices so quiet and the music so goddamn loud??

the vibes of florence pugh and her apartment are kinda giving me uncarley from youtube but not funny

you see ever since i heard about this film, sweden has given me off vibes but on the other hand, i also think of swedish meatballs and ikea

yeah, never mind, i don’t care how much this film is going to affect my perception of sweden, i’ll still go for the swedish meatballs and to see oskar lindblom and/or his hometown

“in stockholm, are there any meatball sex clubs we can hit up?”

the use of mirrors in these shots instead of going back and forth between actors is such a cinematic take

ari aster thought about their majors and connected them so well, christian being an anthropology major and wanting to go to sweden for his thesis, dani being a psychology major most likely to learn more about her sister and how to help others with mental illness

i just want to know why their bathroom looks like an airport bathroom

oh shit, transitions!! that’s why it looked like an airport bathroom

will poulter is way hotter than christian

will poulter trippin on acid is something i never knew i needed

i expected something to pop out of the mirror, not florence pugh popping out of the darkness and into the light

i love how the lighting is so bright and spring like, putting me under the impression that the horror element won’t necessarily be based off jump scares but off true horror

do you think jonas pate got the idea for midsummers in obx from midsommar?? or has midsummer/midsommar always been a thing and i’m just uneducated?? have flower crowns always been a part of midsummer/midsommar?? i think i’m just uneducated

pelle giving dani a drawing for her birthday and her own boyfriend doesn’t even remember, stan pelle

i love how the lil swedish children are just casually watching austin powers

one of the swedes looks like brock nelson, i swear

her face being absolutely demolished after she jumped was kinda aesthetic

his fall was so lame what the heck

not my father sitting in halfway through and getting pissed at will poulter pissing and then proceeding to go on a rant on why americans are stupid and arrogant

will poulter is dying a little too early for my liking

he really had flash on despite the big ass spotlight

y’all really killed will poulter and the black guy but not florence pugh’s asshole boyfriend??

just a ladle of drink?? i would be parched

how is florence pugh getting all these dance steps so effortlessly??

*insert jazz hands*

"we don't need words to talk. it's dancing!" i agree with that statement

wait why did pelle kiss her???

the may queen crown is so pretty

titties!

i did not want to see christian's peen

fucking on a flower bed might just be my new favorite aesthetic

not them turning her moans into an acapella cover

now who the fuck is the bitch who looks like sia did the kylie jenner lip challenge?

that is how i expect group therapy to look like

did taylor swift base her 2021 grammy's outfit on florence pugh in flower structure?

hold the fuck up… taxidermy?

dani choosing christian to be the last sacrifice is such a girlboss move

i just know that bear smells like ass

that shot of everyone burning >>

florence pugh in the flower dress moving around like a fucking snail

rating: 4/5 stars

[celebsbooks]

Neeti Mohan is one of the best female singers of India. She had sung such a significant number of super-hit tunes for Bollywood motion pictures. She got such a great amount of distinction from her hit tune "Jiya Re" from the film "Jab Tak Hai Jaan". She likewise sings in different melodic live shows and for collections as well. As of late, she recorded a melody for "Yeh Hai Aashiqui Season 4" with Mohit Chauhan. She was seen judging "The Voice India Kids" and is seen judging "The Voice India Season 2" which pretense on &Tv. 

Neeti Mohan Biography

  Neeti Mohan Age 38 Years Old, She conceived in New Delhi, India. Her Father Brij Mohan Sharma and Her Mother Kusum Mohan. She has three sisters Shakti Mohan, Mukti Mohan and Kriti Mohan. Neeti Mohan is unmarried and not dating with anybody. She is Hindu by Religion and Sun Sign by Scorpio. 

Neeti Mohan Height 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) and Weight 53 Kg (117 pounds). Her Body Measurements are 34-24-34 Inches. Neeti Mohan Bra Size 34B, Waist Size 24 Inches and Hip Size 34 Inches. She Wear 8 (US) Shoe Size and 2 (US) Dress Size. She has Black Color Hair and Dark Brown Color Eye.

Introduction Song: She has begun her singing vocation in Bollywood by singing a tune "Ishq Wala Love" from the film Student Of The Year. 

Relationship Status      

Conjugal Status: Unmarried 

Issues/Boyfriends: Not Known 

Spouse: N/A 

Outstanding Works of Playback Singing:⤵ 

2012 Student of The Year-Ishq Wala Love 

2012 Jab Tak Hai Jaan-Jiya Re A.R. Rahman 

2013 Nautanki Saala-Saadi Galli Aaja 

2013 Gippi – Dil Kaagzi Vishal Shekhar 

2013 Raanjhanaa – Nazar Laaye v 

2013 Chennai Express – Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari 

2013 Boss (2013 Hindi film) – Har Kisi Ko (Version 2) 

2014 Happy New Year – India Waale 

2015 Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – Tod Tadaiyya 

2015 Hate Story 3 – Tumhe Apna Banane Ka 

2016 Housefull 3 – Taang Uthake 

Here are some intriguing certainties about Neeti Mohan:⤵

Neeti, prior used to live in Delhi and even concentrated in Rajasthan, however her enthusiasm for music took her to Mumbai. 

When she was youthful, she used to the movement to Iskcon sanctuary, Vrindavan with her family. Watching Lord Krishna's aficionados over yonder playing mridangam, singing and moving built up her enthusiasm for music. 

She used to do her singing practice upon her venerated image of Lata Mangeshkar's tunes. 

She did NCC (National Cadet Corps) preparing amid her tutoring. 

In the wake of hearing A.R. Rahman's profound music in films like Roja and Bombay, she chose to take music as a calling. 

Her dad urged her to compose and make and even helped her to keep in touch with her first single Ja Ja. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: This website is aimed to give the viewers know about their favorite celebrities, their secrets and various other unknown things about them. The content provided here on https://ift.tt/2AQ235E is based upon the various studies from web, books, newspaper and various other resources. Neither CELEBS BOOKS nor any person/organization acting on its behalf is liable to accept any legal liability/responsibility for any error/mislead in this information or any information available on the website. This website in no way accepts the responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, discomfort or inconvenience caused as a result of reliance on any information provided on this website.

[readbookywooks]

A surge of heat pulsed through Thomas’s veins. “I’ve never seen you before in my life. I have no idea who you are, and I couldn’t care less,” he spat. But really, how would he know? And how could this kid remember him?

The bully snickered, a short burst of laughter mixed with a phlegm-filled snort. Then his face grew serious, his eyebrows slanting inward. “I’ve … seen you, shank. Not too many in these parts can say they’ve been stung.” He pointed up the stairs. “I have. I know what old Benny baby’s going through. I’ve been there. And I saw you during the Changing.”

He reached out and poked Thomas in the chest. “And I bet your first meal from Frypan that Benny’ll say he’s seen ya, too.”

Thomas refused to break eye contact but decided to say nothing. Panic ate at him once again. Would things ever stop getting worse?

“Griever got ya wettin’ yourself?” the boy said through a sneer. “A little scared now? Don’t wanna get stung, do ya?”

There was that word again. Stung. Thomas tried not to think about it and pointed up the stairs, from where the moans of the sick kid echoed through the building. “If Newt went up there, then I wanna talk to him.”

The boy said nothing, stared at Thomas for several seconds. Then he shook his head. “You know what? You’re right, Tommy—I shouldn’t be so mean to Newbies. Go on upstairs and I’m sure Alby and Newt’ll fill you in. Seriously, go on. I’m sorry.”

He lightly slapped Thomas’s shoulder, then stepped back, gesturing up the stairs. But Thomas knew the kid was up to something. Losing parts of your memory didn’t make you an idiot.

“What’s your name?” Thomas asked, stalling for time while he tried to decide if he should go up after all.

“Gally. And don’t let anyone fool you. I’m the real leader here, not the two geezer shanks upstairs. Me. You can call me Captain Gally if you want.” He smiled for the first time; his teeth matched his disgusting nose. Two or three were missing, and not a single one approached anything close to the color white. His breath escaped just enough for Thomas to get a whiff, reminding him of some horrible memory that was just out of reach. It made his stomach turn.

“Okay,” he said, so sick of the guy he wanted to scream, punch him in the face. “Captain Gally it is.” He exaggerated a salute, feeling a rush of adrenaline, as he knew he’d just crossed a line.

A few snickers escaped the crowd, and Gally looked around, his face bright red. He peered back at Thomas, hatred furrowing his brow and crinkling his monstrous nose.

“Just go up the stairs,” Gally said. “And stay away from me, you little slinthead.” He pointed up again but didn’t take his eyes off Thomas.

“Fine.” Thomas looked around one more time, embarrassed, confused, angry. He felt the heat of blood in his face. No one made a move to stop him from doing as Gally asked, except for Chuck, who stood at the front door, shaking his head.

“You’re not supposed to,” the younger boy said. “You’re a Newbie—you can’t go up there.”

“Go,” said Gally with a sneer. “Go on up.”

Thomas regretted having come inside in the first place—but he did want to talk to that Newt guy.

He started up the stairs. Each step groaned and creaked under his weight; he might’ve stopped for fear of falling through the old wood if he weren’t leaving such an awkward situation below. Up he went, wincing at every splintered sound. The stairs reached a landing, turned left, then came upon a railed hallway leading to several rooms. Only one door had a light coming through the crack at the bottom.

“The Changing!” Gally shouted from below. “Look forward to it, shuck-face!”

As if the taunting gave Thomas a sudden burst of courage, he walked over to the lit door, ignoring the creaking floorboards and laughter downstairs—ignoring the onslaught of words he didn’t understand, suppressing the dreadful feelings they induced. He reached down, turned the brass handle, and opened the door.

Inside the room, Newt and Alby crouched over someone lying on a bed.

Thomas leaned in closer to see what the fuss was all about, but when he got a clear look at the condition of the patient, his heart went cold. He had to fight the bile that surged up his throat.

The look was fast—only a few seconds—but it was enough to haunt him forever. A twisted, pale figure writhing in agony, chest bare and hideous. Tight, rigid cords of sickly green veins webbed across the boy’s body and limbs, like ropes under his skin. Purplish bruises covered the kid, red hives, bloody scratches. His bloodshot eyes bulged, darting back and forth. The image had already burned into Thomas’s mind before Alby jumped up, blocking the view but not the moans and screams, pushing Thomas out of the room, then slamming the door shut behind them.

“What’re you doing up here, Greenie!” Alby yelled, his lips taut with anger, eyes on fire.

Thomas felt weak. “I … uh … want some answers,” he murmured, but he couldn’t put any strength in his words—felt himself give up inside. What was wrong with that kid? Thomas slouched against the railing in the hallway and stared at the floor, not sure what to do next.

“Get your runtcheeks down those stairs, right now,” Alby ordered. “Chuck’ll help you. If I see you again before tomorrow morning, you ain’t reachin’ another one alive. I’ll throw you off the Cliff myself, you get me?”

Thomas was humiliated and scared. He felt like he’d shrunk to the size of a small rat. Without saying a word, he pushed past Alby and headed down the creaky steps, going as fast as he dared. Ignoring the gaping stares of everyone at the bottom—especially Gally—he walked out the door, pulling Chuck by the arm as he did so.

Thomas hated these people. He hated all of them. Except Chuck. “Get me away from these guys,” Thomas said. He realized that Chuck might actually be his only friend in the world.

“You got it,” Chuck replied, his voice chipper, as if thrilled to be needed. “But first we should get you some food from Frypan.”

“I don’t know if I can ever eat again.” Not after what he’d just seen.

Chuck nodded. “Yeah, you will. I’ll meet you at the same tree as before. Ten minutes.”

Thomas was more than happy to get away from the house, and headed back toward the tree. He’d only known what it was like to be alive here for a short while and he already wanted it to end. He wished for all the world he could remember something about his previous life. Anything. His mom, his dad, a friend, his school, a hobby. A girl.

He blinked hard several times, trying to get the image of what he’d just seen in the shack out of his mind.

The Changing. Gally had called it the Changing.

It wasn’t cold, but Thomas shuddered once again.

CHAPTER 4

Thomas leaned against the tree as he waited for Chuck. He scanned the compound of the Glade, this new place of nightmares where he seemed destined to live. The shadows from the walls had lengthened considerably, already creeping up the sides of the ivy-covered stone faces on the other side.

At least this helped Thomas know directions—the wooden building crouched in the northwest corner, wedged in a darkening patch of shadow, the grove of trees in the southwest. The farm area, where a few workers were still picking their way through the fields, spread across the entire northeast quarter of the Glade. The animals were in the southeast corner, mooing and crowing and baying.

In the exact middle of the courtyard, the still-gaping hole of the Box lay open, as if inviting him to jump back in and go home. Near that, maybe twenty feet to the south, stood a squat building made of rough concrete blocks, a menacing iron door its only entrance—there were no windows. A large round handle resembling a steel steering wheel marked the only way to open the door, just like something within a submarine. Despite what he’d just seen, Thomas didn’t know which he felt more strongly—curiosity to know what was inside, or dread at finding out.

Thomas had just moved his attention to the four vast openings in the middle of the main walls of the Glade when Chuck arrived, a couple of sandwiches cradled in his arms, along with apples and two metal cups of water. The sense of relief that flooded through Thomas surprised him—he wasn’t completely alone in this place.

“Frypan wasn’t too happy about me invading his kitchen before suppertime,” Chuck said, sitting down next to the tree, motioning to Thomas to do the same. He did, grabbed the sandwich, but hesitated, the writhing, monstrous image of what he’d seen in the shack popping back into his mind. Soon, though, his hunger won out and he took a huge bite. The wonderful tastes of ham and cheese and mayonnaise filled his mouth.

“Ah, man,” Thomas mumbled through a mouthful. “I was starving.”

“Told ya.” Chuck chomped into his own sandwich.

After another couple of bites, Thomas finally asked the question that had been bothering him. “What’s actually wrong with that Ben guy? He doesn’t even look human anymore.”

Chuck glanced over at the house. “Don’t really know,” he muttered absently. “I didn’t see him.”

Thomas could tell the boy was being less than honest but decided not to press him. “Well, you don’t want to see him, trust me.” He continued to eat, munching on the apples as he studied the huge breaks in the walls. Though it was hard to make out from where he sat, there was something odd about the stone edges of the exits to the outside corridors. He felt an uncomfortable sense of vertigo looking at the towering walls, as if he hovered above them instead of sitting at their base.

“What’s out there?” he asked, finally breaking the silence. “Is this part of a huge castle or something?”

Chuck hesitated. Looked uncomfortable. “Um, I’ve never been outside the Glade.”

Thomas paused. “You’re hiding something,” he finally replied, finishing off his last bite and taking a long swig of water. The frustration at getting no answers from anyone was starting to grind his nerves. It only made it worse to think that even if he did get answers, he wouldn’t know if he’d be getting the truth. “Why are you guys so secretive?”

“That’s just the way it is. Things are really weird around here, and most of us don’t know everything. Half of everything.”

It bothered Thomas that Chuck didn’t seem to care about what he’d just said. That he seemed indifferent to having his life taken away from him. What was wrong with these people? Thomas got to his feet and started walking toward the eastern opening. “Well, no one said I couldn’t look around.” He needed to learn something or he was going to lose his mind.

“Whoa, wait!” Chuck cried, running to catch up. “Be careful, those puppies are about to close.” He already sounded out of breath.

“Close?” Thomas repeated. “What are you talking about?”

“The Doors, you shank.”

“Doors? I don’t see any doors.” Thomas knew Chuck wasn’t just making stuff up—he knew he was missing something obvious. He grew uneasy and realized he’d slowed his pace, not so eager to reach the walls anymore.

“What do you call those big openings?” Chuck pointed up at the enormously tall gaps in the walls. They were only thirty feet away now.

“I’d call them big openings,” Thomas said, trying to counter his discomfort with sarcasm and disappointed that it wasn’t working.

“Well, they’re doors. And they close up every night.”

Thomas stopped, thinking Chuck had to have said something wrong. He looked up, looked side to side, examined the massive slabs of stone as the uneasy feeling blossomed into outright dread. “What do you mean, they close?”

“Just see for yourself in a minute. The Runners’ll be back soon; then those big walls are going to move until the gaps are closed.”

“You’re jacked in the head,” Thomas muttered. He couldn’t see how the mammoth walls could possibly be mobile—felt so sure of it he relaxed, thinking Chuck was just playing a trick on him.

They reached the huge split that led outside to more stone pathways. Thomas gaped, his mind emptying of thought as he saw it all firsthand.

“This is called the East Door,” Chuck said, as if proudly revealing a piece of art he’d created.

Thomas barely heard him, shocked by how much bigger it was up close. At least twenty feet across, the break in the wall went all the way to the top, far above. The edges that bordered the vast opening were smooth, except for one odd, repeating pattern on both sides. On the left side of the East Door, deep holes several inches in diameter and spaced a foot apart were bored into the rock, beginning near the ground and continuing all the way up.

On the right side of the Door, foot-long rods jutted out from the wall edge, also several inches in diameter, in the same pattern as the holes facing them on the other side. The purpose was obvious.

“Are you kidding?” Thomas asked, the dread slamming back into his gut. “You weren’t playing with me? The walls really move?”

“What else would I have meant?”

Thomas had a hard time wrapping his mind around the possibility. “I don’t know. I figured there was a door that swung shut or a little mini-wall that slid out of the big one. How could these walls move? They’re huge, and they look like they’ve been standing here for a thousand years.” And the idea of those walls closing and trapping him inside this place they called the Glade was downright terrifying.

Chuck threw his arms up, clearly frustrated. “I don’t know, they just move. Makes one heck of a grinding noise. Same thing happens out in the Maze—those walls shift every night, too.”

[thatshankcallednewt]

The Maze Runner: Gally - High School AU: Together - Part Three

If you missed Part One//Part Two

You told Gally to just drop you off at the school and at first he looked very confused as to why you would want to go back to ‘that prison’, as he put it, but you explained to him that your plans were seeing the lacrosse game tonight. He only looked out to the field where it was going to be held with curiosity… and then you left.

You trudge over to the stands beside the field, your black boots slowly getting caked with mud from the sloshy puddle of grass you have to walk on, on your way over.  You spot Teresa and she waves you over; you take a seat next to her and Newt; with Minho and Brenda sitting alongside him. “Where were you all afternoon?”

You place your bag down by your feet, “Oh… just school stuff.”

Newt raises an eyebrow, “Oh yeah? What kind?”

You open your mouth but whatever you were going to say is drowned out by the sudden cheers and screams from students and family all over the crowd as your team of lacrosse players come jogging out into the field. You spot Thomas, his brown head bobbing up and down slightly as he runs with his teammates. You stand up alongside your friends and cheer with the crowd, shouting his name. He notices and looks over to you all, smiling. You smile back.

Minutes later, the lacrosse game begins. You talk with your friends, watch Thomas intently as he swiftly moves around the field, and eat food. You take out your phone from your bag and snap a few selfies with Teresa and Brenda, Newt and Minho, and a few other friends who decided to watch tonight like Alby and Chuck. You take a few action shots of Thomas as he leads the team, and then you sit your phone onto your lap as you pass over more fries down the aisle.

Your phone buzzes, and Teresa’s eyes glance down at the screen. She blushes when you catch her looking but… She wasn’t the only one. Newt’s eyes widen, eyebrows raised, “You were doing school stuff, huh?” You can hear the sarcasm in his voice.

Tomorrow, same time??

“Shove it,” You say, unlocking your phone to reply to Gally. “It is just school stuff.”

Newt crosses his arms over his chest and Teresa looks doubtfully down at her feet, “I know a booty-call-text when I see one, Y/N.”

You glare over at Newt, even though his tone of voice is in a quite noticeably jokingly manner, “It is not a booty-call-text, Newton.”

Now it is his turn to glare back.

“And,” You go on, ignoring the annoyance that comes when you use the name Newton, “It is just school stuff, like I said before. A group assignment so we have to meet outside of school.”

“Sure it is.” Newt replies, still obviously irritated.

You shrug and don’t reply; instead you stare out towards the field after texting Gally back saying that tomorrow would be all good to do another tutoring session. You think over all that’s happened today and almost laugh out loud at the fact that you had rode alongside Gally in his car, and even went to his house. It’s strange, really, Gally was never someone you pictured spending any time even talking to let alone going into his house and his bedroom. Sitting on his bed. You shake your head, and then cheer along when Thomas’ team wins the game.

“And then, towards the end of your game, Y/N got a text that was very suggestive, wasn’t it Teresa?” Newt says excitedly to everyone as you sit in a booth waiting for your burgers. You ordered one, as you only ate a few snacks at the game, however, the boys ate hotdogs and fries and who knows what else; you are finding it hard to believe that they could still possibly be hungry.

Thomas looks over at you, a straw in between his lips as Newt tells the short story of your “private” life. He lets the straw go and says, “I thought you said you weren’t going on a date this afternoon?”

You blink.

The others look at each other and then Teresa says, “You knew?”

Thomas nods, “Well, I knew that there would be a slight chance that she would miss tonight’s game, but when I asked she said it was just ‘school stuff’.”

“Uh,” You start, looking at them questioningly, “I am right here.”

“School stuff!” Newt yells back, laughing almost hysterically, and then looking back at you with wild brown eyes, “That’s exactly what you told us!”

“And?” You ask, before taking a sip from your drink.

“Who even says that?” Newt asks in general, “And you keep saying it, like you’re hiding something.”

Your eyes widen and your hands clench into fists, “I am not! It was school stuff!”

Brenda smirks from the corner she sits quietly in, like usual, and Minho only waggles his eyebrows suggestively –none of them believe you. You consider just spilling the beans on the whole tutoring thing but… it’s really not up to you to make that decision. It’s not like people knowing that you tutor would hurt your “reputation” in some way, you’ve done it before. But Gally is on the football team so he has expectations to be “manly”, which apparently requires needing absolutely no help on anything. Plus, you’re a Junior and he is a Senior. You can see how it would be embarrassing because you’d definitely be embarrassed by something like that; which was why you never told them in the first place.

“Look, if you don’t believe me then that’s your fault because I’m telling the truth.” You sit back in your seat as the waitress places your burger down in front of you. The others grow silent because of what you said, and because everyone is too busy eating anyway.

Once you’re all finished, you say your goodbyes. Even though there was still a bit of tension from the last conversation, you know that they’ll get over it and so will you. Tomorrow will be a new day and no one will even think twice about the mysterious outing you had and the text.

You start down the road towards your street, the pavement glossy from recent rain. Thomas offered to give you a ride home but you politely declined, after being inside there with them implying all sorts of things; you just had to be on your own. And what better than to be outside, on a nice walk, breathing in the cool night-air?

You turn down your street, but as you do, someone slams into your side and almost sends you to the ground. You groan on impact but manage to hold your balance, the other person grunts as well; obviously irritated. They speak out in a gruff tone, “Watch where you’re going, alright?”

You frown when you realise you definitely know that voice. You look at the person again, their face kind of obscured by their beanie and their hood over that, but the leather jacket and smell of wood and musk immediately causes you to realise who this person is. “Gally?”

Gally frowns and seems to sink further into his jacket, but the light from the streetlamp illuminates his face and reveals a scarred, bloody and bruised face. “Y/N?”

You come closer to him, your eyes wandering over his face and your tone of voice exceeding the normal tone of a concerned person, “Gally! What happened to your face!?” You reach a hand out towards him, on instinct.

He immediately pulls at his hood to fit it tighter around his face, and then takes a step back, “Nothing. What are you even doing out here? All by yourself?”

Your hand falls back to your side, “Walking home,” you say simply, looking at the only thing he’ll let you: his green eyes. “What about you? And don’t tell me you’re doing the same thing, you live on the other side of town almost, and you’ve certainly done more than walking.”

He looks taken aback almost, like he did not expect this kind of sentence mixed with this kind of worry in this kind of situation to ever occur to him. “I… was just doing stuff.”

You grab onto his arm and pull him with you as you continue your walk down your street. He protests by wiggling free from your hold, but you grab his arm in an instant again. “You’re coming with me.”

He finally lets you lead him onwards, with a grunt or a sigh; sometimes you can never tell the difference when he does either one. “Where are you taking me?”

“My house.”

He stops walking, and of course, so do you because of your obvious attachment to him now. “I can’t go to your house.”

“Why not?”

“Because of your parents. One look at my face and your Dad will want to shoot me or call the police. Mind you, both have happened in the past.”

You roll your eyes and force him along again, “Probably because you did something to provoke that.” You two walk in silence for a moment or so until you reach your house, no windows lit or TV sounds coming from within. “My parents won’t be back until morning because they went away on the weekend.”

You walk up onto the porch and then open the front door, and a few seconds later you are both inside. Warmer and cosier. You turn on a few lights and open the fridge, “Have you eaten?”

Gally nods.

“Thirsty?”

He shakes his head. “Why am I here again?”

You walk over to him and push down his hood, his whole face no longer shadowed and kept mysteriously out of proper sight. Now that there is real lighting, you can see way more bruises and cuts on his face. You glance down at his lips, scathed and bleeding almost. “Because, your face. I’ll patch it up and then you can go home, alright?”

“Okay, Mom.”

“I’m your tutor, not your Mom.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He waves it off and follows you into your bathroom. Once he is seated on the edge of the bathtub, you take his face gingerly into your hands and look through in much more detail what you must clean out. You swab the cuts that are open with an antiseptic wipe, and watch as his eyes squint and his mouth twists in grimace.

“Sorry,” you say quietly, just as you finish cleaning the last wound.

“Don’t need to be, I’m fine.”

You take a step back and look at his face one final time; your eyes travel over the rest of his body on accident, and you feel the urge to quickly turn your head away and walk out of the room. Suddenly though, your eyes stop at the torn and bleeding skin of his knuckles. “So there was another guy, huh.”

He also looks down at his hands, cautiously moving the fingers; stretching them out carefully. “They’re… fine.”

You take a chair into your hands and slide it over, opposite to Gally. “No, they’re not.” Once you’re seated, you grab his hand and place in onto the part of your leg just above your knee, your left hand still touching his hand to keep it steady. You clean the blood off and then wrap it with some bandaging you found in your house’s first aid kit. You do the same with his other hand but you don’t place a bandage over the knuckles as they aren’t as damaged.

He looks up at you as you pack the first aid kit away and throw the bloody wipes into the bin, “I don’t really know why you did this for me… but thanks.”

You close the cupboard door, and nod, “That’s alright.” He follows you outside of the bathroom and then outside onto the front porch again. You hug your arms tighter to your chest when you step out as the cool breeze before becomes absolutely still; drawing even more coldness into the air. “Bloody hell.”

Gally chuckles at your reaction, “My car is parked just around the corner so I’ll be walking on over there,” he stops on the second porch-step and turns back again to look at you, “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

You nod and watch as he slips on his hood and walks down the street; disappearing into the night.

You lie on the couch surrounded by papers and textbooks as you do your own study. As the night draws on, you find your eyes drooping with exhaustion. But as you start to nod off, the blood and torn skin from Gally flashes through your mind sending you into a two second panic moment. Your eyes wander over to the time, “What a day,” you mumble when you realise it’s probably best to get some sleep. Even if Gally disturbs your dreams.

[readbookywooks]

Newt took out a key and opened it up, then motioned for Thomas to enter. “There’s only a chair in there and nothin’ at all for ya to do. Enjoy yourself.”

Thomas groaned inwardly as he stepped inside and saw the one piece of furniture—an ugly, rickety chair with one leg obviously shorter than the rest, probably on purpose. Didn’t even have a cushion.

“Have fun,” Newt said before closing the door. Thomas turned back to his new home and heard the latch close and the lock click behind him. Newt’s head appeared at the little glassless window, looking through the bars, a smirk on his face. “Nice reward for breakin’ the rules. You saved some lives, Tommy, but ya still need to learn—”

“Yeah, I know. Order.”

Newt smiled. “You’re not half bad, shank. But friends or no, gotta run things properly, keep us buggers alive. Think about that while ya sit here and stare at the bloody walls.”

And then he was gone.

* * *

The first hour passed, and Thomas felt boredom creep in like rats under the door. By hour number two, he wanted to bang his head against the wall. Two hours after that he started to think having dinner with Gally and the Grievers would beat sitting inside that stupid Slammer. He sat and tried to bring back memories, but every effort evaporated into oblivious mist before anything formed.

Thankfully, Chuck arrived with lunch at noon, relieving Thomas from his thoughts.

After passing some pieces of chicken and a glass of water through the window, he took up his usual role of talking Thomas’s ear off.

“Everything’s getting back to normal,” the boy announced. “The Runners are out in the Maze, everyone’s working—maybe we’ll survive after all. Still no sign of Gally—Newt told the Runners to come back lickety-splickety if they found his body. And, oh, yeah—Alby’s up and around. Seems fine—and Newt’s glad he doesn’t have to be the big boss anymore.”

The mention of Alby pulled Thomas’s attention from his food. He pictured the older boy thrashing around, choking himself the day before. Then he remembered that no one else knew what Alby had said after Newt left the room—before the seizure. But that didn’t mean Alby would keep it between them now that he was up and walking around.

Chuck continued talking, taking a completely unexpected turn. “Thomas, I’m kinda messed up, man. It’s weird to feel sad and homesick, but have no idea what it is you wish you could go back to, ya know? All I know is I don’t want to be here. I want to go back to my family. Whatever’s there, whatever I was taken from. I wanna remember.”

Thomas was a little surprised. He’d never heard Chuck say something so deep and so true. “I know what you mean,” he murmured.

Chuck was too short for his eyes to reach where Thomas could see them as he spoke, but from his next statement, Thomas imagined them filling with a bleak sadness, maybe even tears. “I used to cry. Every night.”

This made thoughts of Alby leave Thomas’s mind. “Yeah?”

“Like a pants-wettin’ baby. Almost till the day you got here. Then I just got used to it, I guess. This became home, even though we spend every day hoping to get out.”

“I’ve only cried once since showing up, but that was after almost getting eaten alive. I’m probably just a shallow shuck-face.” Thomas might not have admitted it if Chuck hadn’t opened up.

“You cried?” he heard Chuck say through the window. “Then?”

“Yeah. When the last one finally fell over the Cliff, I broke down and sobbed till my throat and chest hurt.” Thomas remembered all too well. “Everything crushed in on me at once. Sure made me feel better—don’t feel bad about crying. Ever.”

“Kinda does make ya feel better, huh? Weird how that works.”

A few minutes passed in silence. Thomas found himself hoping Chuck wouldn’t leave.

“Hey, Thomas?” Chuck asked.

“Still here.”

“Do you think I have parents? Real parents?”

Thomas laughed, mostly to push away the sudden surge of sadness the statement caused. “Of course you do, shank. You need me to explain the birds and bees?” Thomas’s heart hurt—he could remember getting that lecture but not who’d given it to him.

“That’s not what I meant,” Chuck said, his voice completely devoid of cheer. It was low and bleak, almost a mumble. “Most of the guys who’ve gone through the Changing remember terrible things they won’t even talk about, which makes me doubt I have anything good back home. So, I mean, you think it’s really possible I have a mom and a dad out in the world somewhere, missing me? Do you think they cry at night?”

Thomas was completely shocked to realize his eyes had filled with tears. Life had been so crazy since he’d arrived, he’d never really thought of the Gladers as real people with real families, missing them. It was strange, but he hadn’t even really thought of himself that way. Only about what it all meant, who’d sent them there, how they’d ever get out.

For the first time, he felt something for Chuck that made him so angry he wanted to kill somebody. The boy should be in school, in a home, playing with neighborhood kids. He deserved to go home at night to a family who loved him, worried about him. A mom who made him take a shower every day and a dad who helped him with homework.

Thomas hated the people who’d taken this poor, innocent kid from his family. He hated them with a passion he didn’t know a human could feel. He wanted them dead, tortured, even. He wanted Chuck to be happy.

But happiness had been ripped from their lives. Love had been ripped from their lives.

“Listen to me, Chuck.” Thomas paused, calming down as much as he could, making sure his voice didn’t crack. “I’m sure you have parents. I know it. Sounds terrible, but I bet your mom is sitting in your room right now, holding your pillow, looking out at the world that stole you from her. And yeah, I bet she’s crying. Hard. Puffy-eyed, snotty-nosed crying. The real deal.”

Chuck didn’t say anything, but Thomas thought he heard the slightest of sniffles.

“Don’t give up, Chuck. We’re gonna solve this thing, get out of here. I’m a Runner now—I promise on my life I’ll get you back to that room of yours. Make your mom quit crying.” And Thomas meant it. He felt it burn in his heart.

“Hope you’re right,” Chuck said with a shaky voice. He showed a thumbs-up sign in the window, then walked away.

Thomas stood up to pace around the little room, fuming with an intense desire to keep his promise. “I swear, Chuck,” he whispered to no one. “I swear I’ll get you back home.”

CHAPTER 31

Just after Thomas heard the grind and rumble of stone against stone announce the closing of the Doors for the day, Alby showed up to release him, which was a huge surprise. The metal of key and lock jingled; then the door to the cell swung wide open.

“Ain’t dead, are ya, shank?” Alby asked. He looked so much better than the day before, Thomas couldn’t help staring at him. His skin was back to full color, his eyes no longer crisscrossed with red veins; he seemed to have gained fifteen pounds in twenty-four hours.

Alby noticed him goggling. “Shuck it, boy, what you lookin’ at?”

Thomas shook his head slightly, feeling like he’d been in a trance. His mind was racing, wondering what Alby remembered, what he knew, what he might say about him. “Wha—Nothing. Just seems crazy you healed so quickly. You’re fine now?”

Alby flexed his right bicep. “Ain’t never been better—come on out.”

Thomas did, hoping his eyes weren’t flickering, making his concern obvious.

Alby closed the Slammer door and locked it, then turned to face him. “Actually, nothin’ but a lie. I feel like a piece of klunk twice crapped by a Griever.”

“Yeah, you looked it yesterday.” When Alby glared, Thomas hoped it was in jest and quickly clarified. “But today you look brand-new. I swear.”

Alby put the keys in his pocket and leaned back against the Slammer’s door. “So, quite the little talk we had yesterday.”

Thomas’s heart pounded. He had no idea what to expect from Alby at that point. “Uh … yeah, I remember.”

“I saw what I saw, Greenie. It’s kinda fadin’, but I ain’t never gonna forget. It was terrible. Tried to talk about it, somethin’ starts choking me. Now the images are gettin’ up and gone, like that same somethin’ don’t like me remembering.”

The scene from the day before flashed in Thomas’s mind. Alby thrashing, trying to strangle himself—Thomas wouldn’t have believed it had happened if he hadn’t seen it himself. Despite fearing an answer, he knew he had to ask the next question. “What was it about me—you kept saying you saw me. What was I doing?”

Alby stared at an empty space in the distance for a while before answering. “You were with the … Creators. Helping them. But that ain’t what got me shook up.”

Thomas felt like someone had just rammed their fist in his abdomen. Helping them? He couldn’t form the words to ask what that meant.

Alby continued. “I hope the Changing doesn’t give us real memories—just plants fake ones. Some suspect it—I can only hope. If the world’s the way I saw it …” He trailed off, leaving an ominous silence.

Thomas was confused, but pressed on. “Can’t you tell me what you saw about me?”

Alby shook his head. “No way, shank. Ain’t gonna risk stranglin’ myself again. Might be something they got in our brains to control us—just like the memory wipe.”

“Well, if I’m evil, maybe you should leave me locked up.” Thomas half meant it.

“Greenie, you ain’t evil. You might be a shuck-faced slinthead, but you ain’t evil.” Alby showed the slightest hint of a smile, a bare crack in his usually hard face. “What you did—riskin’ your butt to save me and Minho—that ain’t no evil I’ve ever heard of. Nah, just makes me think the Grief Serum and the Changing got somethin’ fishy about ’em. For your sake and mine, I hope so.”

Thomas was so relieved that Alby thought he was okay, he only heard about half of what the older boy had just said. “How bad was it? Your memories that came back.”

“I remembered things from growin’ up, where I lived, that sort of stuff. And if God himself came down right now and told me I could go back home …” Alby looked to the ground and shook his head again. “If it was real, Greenie, I swear I’d go shack up with the Grievers before goin’ back.”

Thomas was surprised to hear it was so bad—he wished Alby would give details, describe something, anything. But he knew the choking was still too fresh in Alby’s mind for him to budge. “Well, maybe they’re not real, Alby. Maybe the Grief Serum is some kind of psycho drug that gives you hallucinations.” Thomas knew he was grasping at straws.

Alby thought for a minute. “A drug … hallucinations …” Then he shook his head. “Doubt it.”

It had been worth a try. “We still have to escape this place.”

“Yeah, thanks, Greenie,” Alby said sarcastically. “Don’t know what we’d do without your pep talks.” Again, the almost-smile.

Alby’s change of mood broke Thomas out of his gloom. “Quit calling me Greenie. The girl’s the Greenie now.”

“Okay, Greenie.” Alby sighed, clearly done with the conversation. “Go find some dinner—your terrible prison sentence of one day is over.”

“One was plenty.” Despite wanting answers, Thomas was ready to get away from the Slammer. Plus, he was starving. He grinned at Alby, then headed straight for the kitchen and food.

Dinner was awesome.

Frypan had known Thomas would be coming late, so he’d left a plate full of roast beef and potatoes; a note announced there were cookies in the cupboard. The Cook seemed fully intent on backing up the support he’d shown for Thomas in the Gathering. Minho joined Thomas as he ate, prepping him a little before his first big day of Runner training, giving him a few stats and interesting facts. Things for him to think about as he went to sleep that night.

When they were finished, Thomas headed back to the secluded place where he’d slept the night before, in the corner behind the Deadheads. He thought about his conversation with Chuck, wondered how it would feel to have parents say good night to you.

Several boys milled about the Glade that night, but for the most part it was quiet, like everyone just wanted to go to sleep, end the day and be done with it. Thomas didn’t complain—that was exactly what he needed.

The blankets someone had left for him the night before still lay there. He picked them up and settled in, snuggling up against the comforting corner where the stone walls met in a mass of soft ivy. The mixed smells of the forest greeted him as he took his first deep breath, trying to relax. The air felt perfect, and it made him wonder again about the weather of the place. Never rained, never snowed, never got too hot or too cold. If it weren’t for the little fact they were torn apart from friends and families and trapped in a Maze with a bunch of monsters, it could be paradise.

Some things here were too perfect. He knew that, but had no explanation.

His thoughts drifted to what Minho had told him at dinner about the size and scale of the Maze. He believed it—he’d realized the massive scale when he’d been to the Cliff. But he just couldn’t fathom how such a structure could have been built. The Maze stretched for miles and miles. The Runners had to be in almost superhuman shape to do what they did every day.