The trip to the maze isn’t as bad as Katherine expected. Thomas and Minho lead her, Frypan, Winston, and Zart toward the dead Griever.

The ivy hangs down the maze walls like waterfalls, and it would be a lie to say it isn’t beautiful. It’s as if the maze is a nightmare dressed like a daydream, both haunting and captivating.

“Come on!” Thomas calls, taking a sharp turn, his determination evident.

Katherine follows closely, her heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration. They reach the Griever, its massive body squished between two walls, flesh and blood splattered around like grotesque art. Its limbs protrude from its body, a horrifying mix of animal and machine. Even with the memory wipe, Katherine is certain she has never seen anything so repulsive.

“That’s disgusting,” Zart remarks, wrinkling his nose.

“Why does this giant blob monster remind me of Gally?” Katherine asks, a disgusted expression crossing her face. The boys chuckle, and for a moment, the tension eases.

“Because you hate him,” Minho states, grinning.

“That, my friend, is a reasonable answer.” Katherine mocks Gally, and laughter fills the air, a fleeting moment of relief in their dark reality.

“There’s something in there,” Thomas says, pointing at the dead creature.

“You mean besides a Griever pancake?” Frypan quips. Katherine feels her stomach churn at the thought.

Minho steps closer to the Griever, and Katherine instinctively reaches out to stop him. “Whoa, dude, what are you doing?”

Without a word, he thrusts his arm into the gaping wound of the Griever, and Katherine's heart skips a beat.

Suddenly, the Griever’s leg jolts back, and Minho stumbles back, followed by the others.

“I thought you said it was dead!” Frypan squeaks, his eyes wide with shock.

“Was it a reflex?” Zart wonders, glancing around nervously.

“You hope,” Winston replies, a hint of worry in his voice.

“Okay, come on. Let’s try and pull it out,” Thomas suggests, stepping forward. He grips the Griever’s leg, urging everyone to help. “Everyone gets a hand on it. Come on.”

“This is nuts,” Katherine mutters, crouching down and grabbing the leg along with the others.

“All right, ready? On three,” Thomas says, his voice steady. “One, two, three!”

With their combined strength, they yank the Griever’s leg free with a sickening crack. The force sends everyone sprawling backward, Katherine hitting the ground hard.

“Are you okay, Kat?” Thomas asks, extending a hand to her.

“Yeah. Thanks, bro.” She takes his hand, the warmth of their connection easing the shock as he pulls her up.

Minho approaches the Griever again, examining it closely. He reaches down, pulling something slimy and glistening from the creature’s appendages.

“Gross,” Katherine gags, her stomach turning again.

“What the hell is that?” Thomas asks, staring at the small cylindrical device in Minho’s hand. It has a red light blinking ominously and wires protruding from it.

“Interesting,” Minho says, his curiosity piqued despite the filth.

“Okay, whatever it is... can we take this back to the Glade? Because I don’t want to meet this guy’s friends,” Frypan insists, glancing around anxiously.

“He’s right. It’s getting late. Come on.” Minho leads the group back toward the Glade, and Katherine stays close to Thomas, her twin’s presence grounding her.

Once back in the Glade, Thomas holds the device up for everyone in the room to see. “We found this,” he says, his voice filled with excitement. “It was inside a Griever.”

Newt takes the device, curiosity washing over his features as he studies it closely. “These are the same letters we get in our supplies.”

Katherine leans closer, squinting at the label. “Yeah. Whoever put us here obviously made the Grievers.”

“This is the first real clue, the first anything you’ve found in over three years,” Thomas declares, looking at Minho for support. “Right, Minho?”

“Right,” Minho confirms, and Katherine can see the hope flickering in their eyes.

“Newt, we gotta go back out there,” Thomas urges. “Who knows where this might lead us?”

Newt’s gaze shifts to Gally, who stands silently, an unreadable expression on his face.

“You see what he’s trying to do, right?” Gally interjects, his tone accusatory. “First he breaks our rules... and then he tries to convince us to abandon them totally. The rules are the only thing that has ever held us together. Why now are we questioning that? If Alby were here, you know he’d agree with me.”

Katherine rubs her temples, frustration boiling inside her. She’s so done with Gally’s constant belligerence, but there’s also a knot of fear in her stomach about the final decision.

“This shank needs to be punished,” Gally continues as Newt hands the device back to Minho.

“You’re right. Thomas broke the rules. One night in the pit, and no food.” Newt’s voice is steady, and Katherine sighs with relief, feeling a sense of justice for her brother.

“Come on, Newt! One night in the pit?” Gally complains, his anger palpable. “Do you think that’s gonna stop him from going into the maze?”

“No,” Newt replies, his resolve unshakeable. “And we can’t just have non-runners running into the maze whenever they feel like it. So let’s make this official.”

His gaze locks onto Thomas. “Starting tomorrow, you’re a runner.”

“Wow,” Gally mutters, disbelief etched on his face.

“Someone’s got their pants on fire,” Katherine sings, playing innocently with her fingers. As expected, a pair of eyes dart around the room and settle on her, lit with a burning hatred. She revels in the moment, loving the way Gally’s face twists in anger. She loves to make him angry.

“Sorry, just wanted to lighten the mood,” she adds, her wide eyes, trying to prove her innocence.

“Gally...”

“No, Fry.” Gally scowls and storms out of the homestead, Frypan trailing after him.

“That was wonderful,” Katherine snickers, leaning against the wall. “Gally’s thinking Thomas here is a Griever in disguise?”

Minho’s smile broadens, and others join in the laughter. “You’re nuts. Nuttier than Gally by a long shot.”

She beams back, confidence radiating from her. “Say something I don't know already.”

“Thanks, Newt.” Thomas nods.

Newt stares at him without saying anything before looking away. There are so many emotions flickering across his face.

After everyone leaves the homestead, Katherine gives him a light kiss on the cheek and rushes out after Thomas before he reacts to it.

Katherine huddles in the shadows, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and rebellion. Breaking rules is a thrill she craves, and tonight, she’s doing just that. Peering through the trees, she spies as Minho and Thomas stride toward the mapping room, their whispers carrying through the cool air.

“Hey, where are we going?” Thomas asks, his curiosity piqued.

“You’ll see,” Minho replies cryptically, and Katherine’s heart races at the thrill of the unknown.

They pass the graveyard of deadheads, an eerie reminder of the dangers lurking outside and reach a small, nondescript hut, and Katherine’s pulse quickens. Inside, the walls are adorned with sketches, faded and frayed. At the center, a large table is draped with a white sheet. Minho strides over, pulling the fabric away, revealing a sprawling structure of the Maze.

“It’s the Maze,” Minho says, leaning over the table, his voice heavy with meaning. “All of it.”

“What do you mean, all of it?” Thomas’s brows furrow in confusion. “I thought you were still mapping it.”

Minho’s expression darkens. “There’s nothing left to map. I’ve run every inch of it myself. Every cycle, every pattern. If there was a way out, we would have found it by now.”

Katherine can’t help but step forward, her curiosity piqued. “Why haven’t you told anyone this?”

Both boys turn to her, surprise etched across their faces. Minho narrows his eyes. “You can’t be here.”

“I already heard what you guys talked about,” she shoots back, confidence surging within her. “So if you try to kick me out, I’ll tell everyone there’s no way out of this hell.” She smirks, relishing the power she holds in this moment.

“Shuck it,” Minho groans, his frustration palpable. “I hate girls.”

“Hey, that’s my sister,” Thomas interjects, protective instincts flaring.

“Good that. I hate your sister,” Minho retorts, but the corner of his mouth twitches up in a smirk.

“I know, right?” Katherine beams, relishing their banter. “Now, ignore my existence and continue.”

Minho’s tone shifts to serious as he explains, “It was Alby’s call. People needed to believe we had a chance of getting out. But maybe now... we have a real chance. Take a look at this.” He hands Thomas a device they found from the Griever, urgency threading through his voice.

“About a year ago, we started exploring these outer sections.” He points to parts of the map that are empty, each section labeled with a stone. “We found these numbers printed on the walls. Sections 1 through 8. The Maze changes every night, opening up a new section. Today, Section 6 was open. Tomorrow, it’ll be 4, then 8, then 3. The pattern always stays the same.”

“What’s so special about 7?” Thomas asks, tracing the glowing number on the screen.

“I don’t know.” Minho shrugs, moving closer to Section 7 on the illustration. “But last night, when you killed that Griever… Section 7 was open. I think it must be where it comes from.”

“A Griever’s lair?” Katherine’s eyebrows shoot up, fear mingling with intrigue.

“Tomorrow, you and I are gonna take a closer look,” Minho tells Thomas.

Footsteps approach, and Katherine’s heart skips. Jeff and Zart enter the hut, concern flickering in their eyes.

“Hey! What are you guys doing? You’re not allowed in here!” Minho yells.

“Sorry, it’s just the—” Jeff starts, but Zart cuts him off.

“It’s the girl.”

“Is she awake?” the brunette girl asks, looking at Katherine with curiosity.

“You could say that,” Jeff replies, shooting her a friendly smile.

Minho hastily covers the structure with the sheet. “Let’s go.”

They rush out of the hut, following the commotion outside. Katherine’s heart lightens at the sight of Chuck, his laughter infectious.

“Chuck, what’s going on?” Thomas asks, catching up.

“Girls are awesome!” Chuck giggles, pointing toward the treehouse.

Underneath, a group of Gladers calls up to a girl perched in the treehouse, who hurls things down, her yells mixed with frustration.

“Leave me alone!”

“Watch your head!” Gally yells, shielding himself with a metal sheet as an apple lands with a thud at his feet.

“Go away!” the girl yells again.

“We come in peace!” Aidan tries to reason, but he gets whacked with a wooden spoon instead.

Katherine watches the chaos unfold, grinning. “I like her already,” she mumbles, feeling pride at this fierce spirit.

“What happened?” Thomas asks, concern etched across his face as he ducks a stray object.

“Just duck!” Newt yells, hands shielding his head from the barrage. He’s trying to keep his cool, but Katherine can see the tension in his jaw. He hates feeling powerless, and she knows he wants to protect everyone, especially her.

“What do you want from me?!” a girl yells from above, her voice fierce and laced with fear.

“We just wanna talk!” Thomas shouts back, determination in his tone, but Katherine can sense the uncertainty behind it.

“I’m warning you!” the girl threatens, her anger manifesting as she hurls more objects down.

“Take cover, y’all! Take cover!” Frypan yells, dodging a flying shoe. The chaos around them makes Katherine’s heart race, but she refuses to back down.

“Hey! I’m Katherine! Thomas’s twin sister!” she yells, cutting through the noise. The flying projectiles stop mid-air, and a head peeks over the edge of the treehouse.

“You're a girl?” The girl’s voice is skeptical, but Katherine can see a glimmer of curiosity in her blue eyes.

“Yeah,” Katherine replies with a smile, her confidence buoyed by the moment. “How about a girl’s talk?”

The head disappears, leaving Katherine feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. “Okay. Just me,” she mumbles, glancing back at the boys.

“What?” Gally interjects, skeptical as always.

“Only girls understand girls, okay? I’ll handle this.” Katherine’s voice is firm, but she can feel her heart pounding. The boys can’t protect her from everything, and she knows it.

“Kat, be careful,” Thomas calls, his voice filled with brotherly concern. She stops in her tracks, the warmth of their bond washing over her like a familiar comfort.

“Of course, twin boo,” she teases back, the grin on her face easing the worry in his eyes. She catches Newt’s gaze, his reassurance a silent promise to look out for her, and it makes her feel a little braver.

Katherine climbs the wooden ladder, each step heavy with the weight of the unknown. As she pushes open the small door at the top, her eyes land on the girl crouching in the corner, pointing a sharp knife in her direction. Instinctively, she raises her hands in surrender. “Okay, just… Easy, all right?”

“Where am I?” the girl demands, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and anger. “What is this place? Why can’t I remember anything?”

“Okay. Listen,” Katherine begins, her tone soothing, “I’m not gonna hurt you. You should trust me on this—put that knife away.”

The girl hesitates, her grip tightening, but slowly she lowers the knife. “Tell me now. What is happening?”

“I know what you’re feeling right now. This is all normal,” Katherine explains, settling onto the floor. “We’ve all been through this. Your name will come back to you in a couple of days. It’s the one thing that…”

“Teresa.”

“What did you say?” Katherine asks, leaning in, hope flickering.

“My name. It’s Teresa.” The girl’s eyes flash with recognition.

“Teresa, I’m Katherine. Most of the guys here call me Kat, including my twin brother, Thomas.” She watches as Teresa’s expression shifts, a mixture of relief and confusion playing on her features.

“They said I kept saying your brother’s name in my sleep. How do I know him?” Teresa’s voice trembles, and Katherine can sense the weight of the unknown pressing down on her.

“I don’t know,” Katherine admits, frustration creeping in. “None of us here can remember anything. We all woke up here just like you did.” She glances back toward the door, wondering if Thomas is okay. She trusts him, but they’re all feeling lost.

“What's going on up there?!” a voice yells from below, and it sounds like Gally. “Is she coming down?!”

Katherine peeks over the edge and sees the crowd still standing there, anxious and waiting. “Listen, you guys just give us a second, okay?” She calls down, wanting to reassure them, but she feels the pressure building.

“Is this what all girls are like?”

“Hey, I heard that!” Katherine yells back as the boys chuckle below.

“She’s the last one. What does that mean?” Teresa asks, her brow furrowing.

“I’m not sure.” Katherine shifts her weight, trying to stay comfortable in the chaos. “Ever since you came up, that Box hasn’t gone back down. It’s got everyone worried. Especially Gally.”

“He thinks it’s my fault.” Teresa looks down, shame coloring her cheeks.

“Don’t worry. Gally’s an asshole anyway,” Katherine reassures, her voice warm and inviting, and she can’t help but smile at the girl’s tentative grin. “Are you sure you don’t remember anything else?”

“I remember water… feeling like I was drowning. These faces staring at me. And this woman’s voice saying the same thing over and over.” Teresa’s eyes glaze over with the memories, and Katherine leans in closer, her heart aching for this girl.

“Wicked is good,” Katherine responds, and Teresa’s confusion is palpable. “Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve had these dreams. You, my brother, and I were there.”

“What do they mean?” Teresa asks, hope mingling with desperation.

“I don’t know,” Katherine admits, helplessness creeping in. “I just always get pieces.” She glances down again, seeking Thomas’s familiar face in the crowd below.

“And the others don’t remember anything?” Teresa presses, searching for answers.

Katherine shakes her head, the weight of their situation settling heavily on her shoulders. “No. No one. It’s just Thomas, you, and me.”

“Why are we different?” Teresa’s question hangs in the air, heavy with the burden of their unknown fate.

“I don’t know.” Katherine stands up, trying to shake off the uncertainty. “I’m gonna go down. You want to come with me, or do you wanna talk to Thomas too?”

Teresa’s expression is blank for a moment before she stands, determination flaring in her eyes. “I’m coming with you.”

“Okay,” Katherine smiles, relieved to have someone else by her side. She opens the door to the ladder, ready to face whatever chaos awaits them.

“Kat.”

She turns back to Teresa. “Yeah?”

Teresa holds up two silver syringes, filled with a blue liquid. “These were in my pocket when I came up.”

Katherine takes them, examining the engravings: W.C.K.D. The familiar phrase sends a chill down her spine. “Wicked is good,” she mutters.

“What if we were sent here for a reason?” Teresa asks, her voice trembling with the weight of possibility.

Katherine’s mind races as a sudden realization strikes her. “Alby,” she breathes, understanding dawning.