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"Don’t say a bloody word," he gruht "Listen, so us or we’ve got Cranks running around this place killing people left and right Whatever it is, we need to find our friends and get out of here"

"I know" That was it Nothing else

"Then get up and come back in there to help us You were the one all frustrated, acting like we didn’t have time to mess around And now you want to sit out here in the hall and pout?"

"I know" The sauy looked utterly hopeless, and the sight of it hit Tho a little craz--" He stopped; he couldn’t possibly say anything worse "I ’s started in ht But you don’t need to worry your buggin’ panties off Give uys out of here and then I can deal"

"What do you uys out?"

"Get us out, whatever Just give me a bloody o Back there, Newt had always been the calroup apart at the sea that it didn’tas everyone else did

"Fine," Tho he could do was treat Newt the same as he always had "But you knoe can’t waste anyaar"

"Will do" Newt quickly stood froet so away, back toward the reception roo what on earth his friend was up to "Don’t be stupid--we have toHe didn’t even turn to look at Thoet the stuff! This’ll only take a couple ofhe could do or say to bring back that reasonable guy he knew He spun and headed for the weapons roo they could possibly carry between the three of them Thomas had one Launcher strapped to each shoulder in addition to the one in his hands He’d stuck two loaded pistols in his front pockets and several ammo clips in each back pocket Minho had done the sarenades andon top

"That looks heavy," Tho to the box "You wanna--"

Brenda cut hiets back in here"

"Who knohat that guy is up to," Minho said "He’s never acted like this before Flare’s eatin’ his brain already"

"He said he’d be back soon" Tho it worse "And watch what you say around hiain"

"Do you remember what I told you in the truck, back in the city?" Brenda asked Thoe in conversation surprised hi up the Scorch surprised him even more It only called attention to the fact that she’d lied to his you said were true?" He’d felt so close to her that night He realized he was hoping she’d say yes

"I’m sorry I lied about why I was there, Tho on myat hi in her eyes "Anye talked about how increased levels of brain activity actually quicken the pace of destruction--it’s called cognitive destruction That’s why that drug--the Bliss--is so popular with the people who can afford it The Bliss slows brain function It lengthens the tio bat crazy But it’s really expensive"

The idea of people living in the world ere not part of an experis like he’d seen in the Scorch seemed unreal to hio to work, whatever--when they’re drugged out?"

"They do what they need to do, but they’rethirty children from an inferno, but you won’t stress if you happen to drop a few of theht of such a world terrified Thoetthe point," Brenda said "Think of the hell Newt has been through--all the decisions he’s had toso fast in hie person living their life day to day"

Tho his heart again "Well, there’s nothing we can do about it until we get somewhere safer"

"Do about what?"

Thoain, then closed his eyes for a , never o?"

"I need to talk to you, Tommy Just you It’ll only take a second"

What now? Thomas wondered

"What’s this crap?" Minho asked

"Just cutto Too for it" Minho adjusted the straps of the Launchers on his shoulders "But we need to hurry"

Thomas stepped into the hall with Newt, scared to death of what his friend ht sound The seconds were ticking away

They walked a few feet from the door before Newt stopped and faced him, then held out a small sealed envelope "Stuff this in your pocket"

"What is it?" Thomas took it and turned it over; it was blank on the outside

"Just put the bloody thing in your pocket"

Thomas did as he was told, confused but curious

"Now look ers

Thouish he saw there "What is it?"