Ch 12
Thomas is frozen. He considers for a moment that maybe the boy has been sting. He needs help, he finally decide. He calls out for help. He kneels down and asks the boy if he is okay. “Who the klunk are you?”, asks the boy.
Thomas explains that he is new in the Glade, realizing that the Runners are gone during the day and may not be privy to everything that happens. The boy recalls that both Thomas and the girl are new in the Glade.
Alby appears, demanding to know what has happened. The boy, Minho, demands water. Alby does not move, reiterating his need to know. Minho accosts Alby in a manner that Thomas has not seen anyone ever do. Alby turns and runs off, presumably to fetch water. Thomas asks how it is that Minho can speak to Alby like that. Isn’t Alby the leader? Minho dismisses the notion, calling Thomas a Greenie. Thomas is offended. He asks Minho who the leader is, if Alby isn’t. Minho tells Thomas to shut up. Thomas is a bit scared of Minho but decides he can’t let this guy or anyone else treat him like this. He tells Minho that he’s sure that was how Minho conducted himself when he was a Greenie.
Minho studies Thomas carefully. Thomas goes to stand but Minho grabs his arm and tells him that he’s just messing with his head. He begins to say that Thomas will do the same with another Newbie one day then realizes that there won’t be anymore Newbies. He asks Thomas if the girl is hot. Thomas remembers her vividly. “Yeah, I guess she’s hot.”
Thomas asks if Minho found anything in the Maze. Minho tells Thomas that on any other day that would be the dumbest thing to ask a Runner, but not today. Thomas asks why, but Minho says to wait until Alby returns. Thomas demures but asks Minho to make sure that Alby lets him hear the news too. Minho agrees. Thomas begins to warm to him quickly.
Alby returns with water, which Minho downs thirstily. He tells Alby and Thomas that he found a dead one. “A dead what?”, inquires Alby.