~Sara~

She woke up strangely well-rested, but she noticed that the sun hadn't come out yet.

Newt was sleeping next to her, his arm wrapped around her waist. Confused as to why she suddenly woke up that early, she carefully grabbed Newt's wrist to check the time on his watch as usual, trying not to move as much so she wouldn't wake him up.

10:13 a.m. What?!

She hadn't realized how late it was until then.

This time, disregarding whether or not she woke Newt up, she sprung out of bed in a panic, almost smacking him in the face in the process. Naturally, Newt jerked awake and was up in an instant.

"What happened?" he groggily asked, a bit disoriented.

She ignored him, opening the door to their hut to check why it was so dark out, and she let out a gasp.

"Sara, what's wrong?" she heard him as he stepped out of bed and came up, limping behind her.

Without a word, she pointed to the sky, and Newt's eyes widened as he gazed upward.

The sky didn't even look like a sky anymore. It was blank. No blue, no clouds, no sunlight—just a lifeless, gray canvas hovering over their heads like a boring old ceiling.

Sara already knew that the sky in the Glade was fake, but she wasn't expecting to see actual proof that it was.

"What in the bloody—?" he began but paused as he once again craned his neck upward to stare at the giant nothingness.

Once they got dressed and stepped outside, they saw that the rest of the Gladers were also pretty disoriented. No one had really begun their daily duties yet, and the vast majority were looking up at the non-sky. A couple of them rushed over to Sara and Newt to ask what was going on, and Sara tried her best to calm everybody down with a quick explanation, which had quite the opposite of the desired effect.

Minho and Thomas woke up pretty late, thrown off by the lack of light, so they missed their chance to go into the Maze as soon as the doors opened.

Everything was going downhill rather quickly.

Two days ago, it was Thomas's first training day as a Runner with Minho, taking a mini tour of the map room right before going for the actual run. Sara thought Thomas would be a nervous wreck, but this was exactly the guy that survived the Maze with Minho for a whole night. He was totally prepared to begin his first run, and she honestly didn't understand his obsession—neither did Newt—for as much as she wanted to get out of the Glade.

Another thing was that Gally never returned from the Maze since two nights prior, and many Gladers thought he was dead. Sara still didn't want to believe it since she suspected that some of his most loyal friends were probably hiding him somewhere, mostly because Minho wouldn't let him hear the end of it. Following the last Gathering, it was a known fact among them that Minho wanted Gally's head on a platter.

And now, there was no sunlight—or whatever there was to help the plants grow—so now they wouldn't be able to grow any more crops. The last delivery of supplies the Box made was during Teresa's arrival, and it was less than the usual amount. If the note she brought saying she was the last one ever wasn't lying, then that was also true for the supplies.

Minho came to both Newt and Sara to let them know that he and Thomas planned to stay out there in the Maze for the night, to see if they could find anything different. 

Thomas looked uneasy, and Sara had a feeling he was still hiding some things from them. She didn't want to push him, but it was best if he told them. Whatever he had to say wouldn't be too crazy to be true anymore.

After the Runners were dismissed, Sara grabbed Newt's arm and led him to sit at a table. She looked up at the sky once again and sighed loudly.

"Something's bothering you," Newt commented, then following her silence, he added, "tell me, love."

"What would you say if I talked to everyone—like all fifty-plus boys—and explain things better? Maybe they'll believe me this time," she replied.

"Love, for as good as that sounds, there's still a lot of people supporting Gally. I think that's dangerous for you. And it's not like everyone isn't updated on what's been going on," he said, gazing deeply into her eyes with a worried look.

"But maybe if they all hear me at once—Newt, I just..." she paused, closing her eyes, "...I don't want Minho or Thomas risking their lives out there to find answers that we already have. This place is a goldmine for WICKED's tricks," she said, pushing her hair back with frustration.

He frowned. "What do you mean? Thomas and Minho will hopefully bring back relevant information, don't worry—"

"No, I will worry, Newt," she argued. "Everything in this place has its trick! Whether it's optical illusions, amplified sound waves, invisible walls, telepathy—you name it," she said, waving her arms to her surroundings.

"Okay, okay, first, I need you to calm down," he said, grabbing her shoulders. "Sara, you've already mentioned this. We kind of have an idea of what we're facing here."

"Then why send Minho and Thomas out there—and might I add—overnight?" she asked, giving him an anxious look.

He looked taken aback, and even annoyed at the pressing question. "We need to, Sara. There could be something we're missing. It's important that they gather at least something, so that everyone is convinced of what's going on. No one's taking your word for it and you know that."

"So what?" Her tone began to rise in volume. "We're having them spend the night out there for what? I'll tell you what: they'll come rushing to us, telling us how there's this gray wall of nothingness that looks almost magical. That they threw rocks down there, and the rocks simply disappeared. Then they'll tell us that they saw the Grievers jump into that so-called Griever Hole. It's all WICKED technology! The walls—"

Newt gave her a disturbed look. "Sara, I can't understand a lovin' thing you're saying. What did you say about the Griever Hole?"

"You know what? I'm not doing this," she said, waving him off. "You'll understand when they get back."

"Alright, I'm sorry. Can you please tell me more about the optical illusions, though?" he asked with a softer tone. "I need to know."

She looked at him, gradually calming down, then she stared at the Maze walls. "Well, the sky's pretty much a concrete ceiling. WICKED worked it out to make it look real. And the sunlight was artificial, but still a source of energy for the plants. The Maze walls move, defying the laws of physics—don't ask me how 'cause I don't know—and the sounds are amplified for effect. And..."

She stopped herself, swiftly giving Newt a side-glance. She debated whether or not she should tell him that last thing that sprung into her mind. He seemed to notice her indecision, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to give her silent encouragement.

"Sara, if it has to do with me, just say it. I'm not gonna try to do anything to myself ever again," he assured her.

She took a deep breath, deciding she would believe him. "Fine. The walls, they... aren't as tall and monstrous as you see them. You remember those implants I told you about?" she asked, and he nodded so she could continue, "well, that's how they make you see things that aren't really there."

"Like what?" The fear in his eyes was evident.

"Like the walls have no end... like you could never reach the top... which is why no one can just escape by climbing the walls. And that's why you..." She paused, her face contorting in sorrow, and she bowed her head.

"That's why I only climbed halfway up the wall," he finished for her, gently lifting her chin with his fingers. She looked into his eyes, trying to catch any trace of sadness, but she couldn't find anything at all. His eyes were firm, sparking reassurance, and she could finally convince herself that he was overcoming that demoralizing pain that haunted him for years.

"I'm so proud of you," she whispered as she smiled her sweetest smile. He then brought her head over to his chest.

"Yah. Be proud, but not of me. Be proud of yourself for being such a good impact in my life," he mumbled, close to her ear. "And look, don't worry. It's better for Thomas and Minho to tell the others. Then there won't be a reason for anyone to doubt you. It's a good plan, what do you think?"

"Yeah," she agreed, "it's probably the best plan we have yet, but it won't be easy."

He gave her that classic half-smile that she adored. "Easy was never in our bloody radar."

Their little moment was interrupted by a grumpy person taking a seat next to them at the table.

As it usually was the case with all Griever-sting victims, Alby woke up a different person. If he was already a grumpy dude before, this only made it worse.

He'd talked to Thomas, Newt, and Sara again during dinnertime the night before, and he explained the situation about what he was allowed to reveal, which matched what Sara had told Newt. Thankfully, Alby didn't think Thomas was evil just because he saw what he used to do with WICKED. Mainly since Thomas saved his life out in the Maze, but still.

Unfortunately for the entire Glade, however, his mood instantly worsened as Newt and Sara filled him up with the rest of the newest details.

❀❀❀

Minho and Thomas came rushing back into the Glade, nearly about to explode with things to say. Thomas was the one who looked more anxious to speak. Minho, not so much.

Newt wearily gave Sara a look, and right as Thomas got an intake of air to spill the news, Newt held up a finger, instantly stopping him. He had the entire Council—minus Gally of course—come and meet them in front of the opening due to the exhaustion of the Runners, and Minho and Thomas shared their adventures.

Surprise, surprise... they reverberated Sara's exact words to Newt. Everyone became uneasy, and Sara expected Newt to be even more concerned after getting a final confirmation, but he only nodded at her in approval. She also felt a huge relief that there weren't any last-minute changes to the turn of events; not that it was a good thing, though. She just didn't want to be proven wrong.

Suddenly, their attention shifted to a group of Gladers gathered outside the Med-jack hut, shouting, and curious to look inside. Chuck was part of the group, and when he saw Newt and Sara, he jogged over to them.

"What's going on?" Newt asked.

"She's awake! Teresa's awake!" Chuck yelled excitedly.

They all stared at each other for a moment, and Sara noticed how Thomas suddenly shivered. Newt and Sara rushed over to see Teresa, and Thomas simply disappeared. She never even saw him follow them.

Strange.

Right before entering the Med-jack hut, she stopped Newt, putting a hand over his chest. "Let me talk to her first." He seemed a bit surprised, but he nodded, staying behind as she entered.

Clint and Jeff looked almost relieved to see Sara, and they both hurried to scramble out of there. Teresa was sitting on the bed, a frightened look in her piercing, blue eyes.

Something flickered in her eyes as she looked at Sara. When Sara took a step closer, Teresa flinched back on the bed with caution.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," said Sara, raising her palms in a soothing manner. "Don't be scared, I won't hurt—"

"Sara?" she asked with utter astonishment. "What are you doing here?"

Huh? Oh shuck.

Sara could feel her eyebrow twitching ever so slightly, but she tried to conceal her uneasiness now that things just got a tad more interesting.

"H—how—?" she began, but Teresa interrupted her. Again.

"Did Janson let you come? Did—did you get the Swipe or...?" She looked at Sara expectantly.

"Umm..."

Think fast, think fast!

"Uhh... w—what are you even talking about?" she asked, masking her panic with an act of oblivion.

"Why wouldn't he tell us?" she muttered to herself, thinking maybe Sara couldn't possibly hear her.

Sara's mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"

Teresa's eyes widened, and she scrambled with her words, "I—I think I have memories, but... their fading! I don't know what's happening." She had so much fear behind her eyes and seemed super convincing. "Is your mind blank too? Can you remember anything?"

"No," Sara lied, trying to maintain her composure. "Nothing. I only know my name's Sara... and you already knew that, apparently."

As she answered her, Sara heard the door open behind her, and she saw Newt step inside.

"Is everything alright in here?" he asked.

Teresa ignored him completely, and her eyes never left Sara's. "I don't know how I knew. I'm telling you; I think I have memories coming into my head, but they fade quickly."

Sure.

"Do you know your name?" Sara asked, furrowing her eyebrows and staring at her, skeptically.

"Teresa," she replied. Sara shared a quick glance with Newt, and he looked a little spooked. At least they wouldn't have to hide the fact that they already knew her name before.

A sudden groan escaped her mouth, making them flinch. "Ahh, my head!" Teresa screamed as she grabbed her head with both hands.

The Med-jacks came rushing in to aid her, and in a swift movement, Sara grabbed Newt by the wrist and rushed him out of there as quickly as possible. He protested and repeatedly asked what was going on, but she didn't stop or let go of him until they were inside their hut, and she closed the door.

She was breathing heavily as she rested her hands against the door. Newt placed a hand on her shoulder, and she flinched a little, causing him to retract his hand.

"Love, talk to me. You rushed us out of there as if the place caught on fire," he said, fully concerned.

She turned around to face him, her eyes wide, and she was sure she had never been so disturbed by uncertainty before. "I have a bad feeling about her. Like a really, really bad one."

"Yah, I figured that much," he said, sarcastically. "Why did you tell her you don't remember anything?" he asked, and Sara was confused until she remembered he must've heard that part as he walked in.

"She was shocked to see me," she replied.

"Well, that isn't breaking news. How would you expect her not to be shocked if she can't remember anything?"

"Well, duh." She squinted her eyes with annoyance. "See, that's the thing. She was shocked to see me as in: she remembered me and knew that I'm not supposed to be here."

"But she didn't say anything that would constitute that, did she?" he said as he raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, she did!" she shouted. "She literally knew my name before I even told her, and she asked what I was doing here. Newt, she asked if Janson let me come and if I still had my memories. The Swipe. That's what they call the amnesia. How would she know what it was? She stopped asking once I convinced her I didn't know anything. Of course she's lying!"

"Bloody heck," he whispered, rubbing his chin. Sara could tell the wheels in his head were turning. "Did you trust her at all before the Maze?"

"I don't even know." That was an honest response she gave. "I don't want to simply jump to conclusions, but she always seemed too immersed in WICKED matters. Thomas, not so much—in fact... I'd say he was always the quiet one, too shy and embarrassed to talk about what his and Teresa's job was like. Something tells me she's Janson's confidant. WICKED somehow knew she wouldn't oppose, and Thomas would, so they took his memories and not hers," she shared her theory with him.

"Then we need to keep a close watch on her," he mumbled, crossing his arms and staring at the floor. "What do you want us to do about her knowing that you're here?"

She scrunched her face in a thoughtful manner. "Well, for now, act like I don't know anything. Just in case," she replied.

The silence that followed constituted for her to start muttering to herself. "And she kept calling Thomas's name, saying a bunch of weird stuff about the creators—there's no doubt she's lying."

"Maybe we should talk to Thomas since she's talked to him in his head or whatever. We need to know what she told him," he spoke with a low voice.

Wild pounding on their door startled them both.

"Newt! Sara! The girl's gone!" they heard Chuck yelling from the other side of the door.