Page 37 (1/2)

But it didn’t matter what Newt said What anyone said Tho heavier the ht about it "I just … feel like I need to save everyone To redee his head "You knohat’s funny, Tommy?"

"What?" Thomas replied, wary

"I actually believe you You just don’t have an ounce of lying in those eyes of yours And I can’t bloody believe I’ back in there to convince those shanks we should go through the Griever Hole, just like you said Might as well fight the Grievers rather than sit around letting theer "But listen toand all that heroic klunk If we’re gonna do this, we’ll take our chances--all of us You hear me?"

Thomas held his hands up, overwhel toto die every night anye e"

Newt frowned "Well, ain’t that just cheery?"

Thomas turned to walk away, but Newt called out to him "Tommy?"

"Yeah?" He stopped, but didn’t look back

"If I can convince those shanks--and that’s a big if--the best tiht We can hope that a lot of the Grievers ht be out and about in the Maze--not in that Hole of theirs"

"Good that" Thoreed with him--he just hoped Newt could convince the Keepers He turned to look at Newt and nodded

Newt sriht, before anyone else is killed" And before Tho, Newt disappeared back into the Gathering

Thomas, a little shocked at the last statement, left the Homestead and walked to an old bench near the Box and took a seat, hisof what Alby had said about the Flare, and what it could mean The older boy had also mentioned burned earth and a disease Tho like that, but if it was all true, the world they were trying to get back to didn’t sound so good Still--what other choice did they have? Besides the fact that the Grievers were attacking every night, the Glade had basically shut down

Frustrated, worried, tired of his thoughts, he called out to Teresa Can you hear me?

Yeah, she replied Where are you?

By the Box

I’ll come in a minute

Thomas realized how badly he needed her company Good I’ll tell you the plan; I think it’s on

What is it?

Thoht foot up on his knee, wondering how Teresa would react to what he was going to say We gotta go through the Griever Hole Use that code to shut the Grievers down and open a door out of here

A pause I figured it was soht for a second, then added, Unless you’ve got any better ideas?

No It’s gonna be awful

He punched his right fist against his other hand, even though he knew she couldn’t see him We can do this

Doubtful

Well, we have to try

Another pause, this one longer He could feel her resolve You’re right

I think we’re leaving tonight Just come out here and we can talk more about it

I’ll be there in a few htened into a knot The reality of what he had suggested, the plan Neas trying to convince the Keepers to accept, was starting to hit hi the Grievers--not just running fro The absolute best-case scenario was that only one of them would die--but even that couldn’t be trusted Maybe the Creators would just reprogram the creatures And then all bets were off

He tried not to think about it

Sooner than Tho next to hiainst his despite plenty of room on the bench She reached out and took his hand He squeezed back, so hard he knew itevery word he’d told the Keepers, hating how Teresa’s eyes filled orry--and terror "The plan was easy to talk about," he said after he’d told her everything "But Newt thinks we should go tonight It doesn’t sound so good now" It especially terrified him to think about Chuck and Teresa out there--he’d faced the Grievers down already and knew all too hat it was like He wanted to be able to protect his friends from the horrible experience, but he knew he couldn’t

"We can do it," she said in a quiet voice

Hearing her say that only made him worry more "Holy crap, I’m scared"

"Holy crap, you’re human You should be scared"

Tho ti hands, no words spoken, in their htest hint of peace, as fleeting as it was, and tried to enjoy it for however long it ht last

CHAPTER 53

Tho finally ended When Newt came out of the Homestead he knew that the time for rest was over