The Scorch Trials - James Dashner [66]
“Guessed what?”
“That we were going to help you get through the city in exchange for you taking us back to civilization.”
This made Thomas worry. “If you came up with that so quickly, don’t you think some of your friends did, too?”
“Exactly.”
“What do you mean exactly? Sounds like you figured something out.”
She reached out and placed her hands on his chest. “I think that’s what happened. At first I worried it was a group of longer-gone Cranks, but since no one chased us, I think Barkley and a couple of his buddies rigged an explosion at the Underneath entrance, tried to kill us. They know they can get plenty of food somewhere else, and there’re other ways to get down here.”
Thomas still didn’t understand why she was being so touchy with him. “That doesn’t make sense. I mean, kill us? Wouldn’t they want to use us, too? Come with us?”
“No, no, no. Barkley and the others are happy here. I think they’re a little more gone than we are, starting to lose their rational sides. I doubt the idea even occurred to them. I bet they just thought we were all gonna gang up and … eliminate them. That we were making plans down here.”
Thomas let go of her, leaned his head back against the wall. She pressed in again and wrapped her arms around his middle.
“Uh … Brenda?” he asked. Something wasn’t right with this girl.
“Yeah?” she mumbled against his chest.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you think it’s a little weird how you’re acting?”
She laughed, such an unexpected sound that Thomas thought for a second she’d succumbed to the Flare—become a full-blown Crank or something. She pulled away from him, still chuckling.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said through a schoolgirl snicker. “Guess we came from different places, that’s all. Sorry.”
“What do you mean?” He suddenly found himself wishing she’d hug him again.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, her merriment at his expense finally subsiding. “Sorry for being so forward. It’s just … pretty normal where I come from.”
“No … it’s okay. I … I mean, good that. I’m good.” He was glad she couldn’t see his face, because it must’ve burned so red she’d start laughing all over again.
He thought of Teresa then. He thought of Minho and the others. He had to take control. Now.
“Look, you said it yourself,” he said, trying to pump confidence into his voice. “No one chased us. We need to go back.”
“Are you sure?” She had a suspicious tone.
“What do you mean?”
“I could get you through the city. Find enough food to take with us. Why don’t we leave all of them? Make it to this safe haven place on our own?”
Thomas wasn’t going to have this conversation. “If you won’t come back with me, fine. But I’m going.” He put his hand against the wall to guide himself and started walking in the direction from which they’d fled.
“Wait!” she called out, then caught up to him. She grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers, now walking alongside him, hand in hand like old lovers. “I’m sorry. Really. I just … I think it would be easier to make it through with fewer people. I’m not really great friends with any of those Cranks. Not like you and your … Gladers.”
Had he said that word around her? He didn’t remember, but anybody could’ve at some point without his noticing. “I really think as many of us as possible need to make it to the safe haven. Even if we do get past the city, who knows what’ll be next. Maybe then we’ll really want numbers.”
He thought about what he’d just said. Did he really only care about having numbers in the end so they’d have a better chance to be safe? Was he really that detached?
“Okay” was all she said in response. Something had changed in her. She seemed less confident. Less in charge.
Thomas took his hand from her grip, coughing into it as an excuse. He didn’t reach out for her again when he finished.
They didn’t talk for the next few minutes. He followed her, sensing her even though he still couldn’t see. After several turns, a light appeared up ahead, brightening quickly