Page 38 (1/2)

"So … Thoe bite of mashed potatoes "Who a his head--here they were, about to eerous task of their lives, and Chuck was curious where he’d gotten his nicknaured out evolution"

"I bet no one’s ever called hi bite, and seemed to think that was the best time to talk, full mouth and all "You know, I’ in the Ho for a Griever to co I’ve ever done At least noe’re taking it to the And at least …"

"At least what?" Thomas asked He didn’t believe for a second that Chuck wasn’t scared; it al brave

"Well, everyone’s speculating they can only kill one of us Maybe I sound like a shuck, but it gives h--just leaves one poor sucker to die Better than all of us"

Iton to that hope of just one person dying; the ht about it, the less he believed it was true The Creators knew the plan--they ra "Maybe we can allhis face for a second and looked at Tho to cheerdrink of water He’d never felt like such a liar in his life People were going to die But he was going to do everything possible to etdeal--I keep hearing the world is in klunky shape"

"Hey, maybe so, but we’ll find the people who care about us--you’ll see"

Chuck stood up "Well, I don’t wanna think about it," he announced "Just get me out of the Maze, and I’ll be one happy dude"

"Good that," Thoht his attention Newt and Alby were gathering the Gladers, telling everyone it was tio Alby seeuy’s e, but he could also be a loose cannon sometimes

The icy fear and panic Thomas had experienced so often the last few days swept over hi Trying not to think about it, to just act, he grabbed his backpack Chuck did the sa to the Cliff

Tho to each other near the left side of the Door, going over the hastily ot into the Hole

"You shanks ready?" Minho asked when they came up "Thomas, this was all your idea, so it better work If not, I’ll kill ya before the Grievers can"

"Thanks," Thout What if so? What if the ht terrified hi back

He looked at Teresa, who shifted fro her hands "You okay?" he asked

"I’m fine," she answered with a set it over with"

"Amen, sister," Minho said He looked the calmest to Thomas, the most confident, the least scared Thoathered, he called for quiet, and Thomas turned to hear what he had to say "There’re forty-one of us" He pulled the backpack he was holding onto his shoulders, and hoisted a thick wooden pole with barbrapped around its tip The thing looked deadly "Make sure you’ve got your weapons Other than that, isn’t a whole lot to buggin’ say--you’ve all been told the plan We’re gonna fight our way through to the Griever Hole, and Toic code and then we’re gonna get payback on the Creators Si seen Alby sulking over to the side, away froroup of the Gladers, alone Alby picked at the string of his bohile he stared at the ground A quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder Tho tide of worry that so up He decided to watch hiive a pep talk or so Thomas’s attention away from Alby

"Go ahead," Newt replied

Minho nodded and faced the crowd "Be careful," he said dryly "Don’t die"

Thohed if he could, but he was too scared for it to come out

"Great We’re all bloody inspired," Newt answered, then pointed over his shoulder, toward the Maze "You all know the plan After two years of being treated likethe fight back to the Creators, no ht the Grievers better be scared"

Someone cheered, and then so in volu the air like thunder Tho to it, urged it to groas right Tonight, they’d fight Tonight, they’d make their stand, once and for all

Thomas was ready He roared with the other Gladers He knew they should probably be quiet, not bring any ame was on

Newt thrust his weapon into the air and yelled, "Hear that, Creators! We’re co!"

And with that, he turned and ran into the Maze, his liray air that seemed darker than the Glade, full of shadows and blackness The Gladers around Tho, picked up their weapons and ran after hi into line between Teresa and Chuck, hefting a big wooden spear with a knife tied at its tip The sudden feeling of responsibility for his friends al, deterht Just make it to that Hole

CHAPTER 55

Tho the stone pathways toward the Cliff He’d grown used to running the Maze, but this was co feet echoed up the walls and the red lights of the beetle blades flashed ly in the ivy--the Creators were certainly watching, listening One way or another, there was going to be a fight