Prologue Ellie is 4

The little girl sat in a chair in the middle of a nice sized bedroom complete with bunk beds. Her day had started pretty normal; she woke up, ate breakfast with her brother Stephan and then sat with her mom for a little bit. But then a group of men in green jumpsuits with the letters WICKED on them stormed in and took her and Stephan from her mom. Now she was in this bedroom in a large complex waiting to be told what happened. She was only 4, a year younger than her brother.

Suddenly, her door was swung open and a nice enough looking woman with slicked back blonde hair came in smiling.

"Hi there, do you mind if I come in?" The strange woman asked. The little girl only continued to look at her with her giant hazel eyes and brown hair pulled up into cute pigtails.

After the woman sat, the girl found her voice, "Who are you?"

The blonde chuckled and smiled at the girl, "Sorry, I should've introduced myself first. I'm Dr. Ava Paige. I'm going to be working closely with you and your brother."

"Where is Stephan?" The little girl asked.

"He's right next door and you can see him in a minute I have some things to tell you first."

The girl crossed her arms, "Don't you want to know my name lady?"

That earned a chuckle from Dr. Paige, "I already know your name sweetheart. It's Elizabeth. Named after Elizabeth Blackwell. She was the first woman to ever get a medical degree in a place called the United States. She was very very smart and I hear you are very smart."

"I guess I'm smart. But Elizabeth isn't my name. It's Katherine." Katherine looked too cute to be taken seriously. Her light brown hair in pigtails with bows, freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks and a cute little purple dress with flowers.

"That's your old name. Here you need a new name, one with importance. Can you do that for me? Remember your new name and never go by your old name again?"

The little girl started to cry, "But I like my name. My mommy and daddy named me it before they got sick."

Dr. Paige crouched down next to herl, "I know but that's why we gave you a new name. This one will have no sad memories. Keep your old name a little secret. It will be your secret that only you and your family know. Is that better? You don't have to forget."

She looked up at Dr. Paige, her big eyes glistening with unshed tears, "Okay. Did Stephan get a new name too, or can I call him Stephan still?"

"Unfortunately he got a new name too. It's Thomas. Make sure to only call him that. But I think that's enough for tonight. You've had a long day and need some rest. Now one last time before I go, what's your name?"

A look of uncertainty crossed the girl's face before she answered, "My name is Elizabeth, Dr."

Dr. Paige smiled in triumph because that went a lot smoother than anticipated. She wondered how the boy was faring, she had heard he had a hot temper. She hoped Elizabeth never developed one too.

"Very good. Have a good sleep Elizabeth. Thomas will be in shortly."

Dr. Paige left the room, leaving Elizabeth sitting alone in the desk chair. She started to cry again because she was so scared of these people but wanted to stay strong for her mommy and daddy. She would make them proud and do anything her brother told her to do.

A few minutes later the door was flung open and a figure came storming into the room.

Elizabeth looked up from her chair at the desk and broke out in a run, tackling the figure.

"Stephan!" She hugged him tight but not before he cupped a hand over her mouth.

"You can't call me that anymore sissy. My new name is Thomas. I assume they gave you one too?" Her brother stood up and brushed himself off before moving to sit on the bed.

"Yea, some Dr. lady told me my new name is Elizabeth. I don't like it because now you can't call me your Kit Kat." She looked really sad and on the verge of tears again.

"That's okay. It will be our little secret name for you. But, how about we call you Ellie? Or Smelly Ellie." He smirked at her.

She giggled but realized her brother just called her smelly and marched over to him and punched his arm.

"Owwwww, what was that for?" Thomas shrieked in pain.

"For calling me smelly. Ellie will do just fine. I like it. I think it suits me." She smiled and sat down next to her brother, "I think I'll call you Tommy."

He just smiled and wrapped an arm protectively around his little sister, "We'll see about that nickname. You and I have to stick together now, Kit Kat. It's just you and me against the world"

"No more mommy and daddy, huh?" She looked at him with the most heartbreaking expression.

"Sorry, but looks like we are on our own. But hey, we have each other and the nice doctors here. Plus, I'm gonna tell ya a secret, I overheard the docs saying there are other kids here. We're gonna make tons of friends here!" He smiled at her and she was able to perk up a little bit. He playfully tugged one of her pigtails earning another slap.

"For now, let's go to sleep and tomorrow we will bug them to introduce us to new kids. You take the bottom bunk because you squirm too much ya little wiggle bean." He said tickling Ellie's stomach.

Ellie started laughing and shrieking really loud. She started swatting at Thomas, "Stop! You're makin' me laugh too much! My belly hurts!"

He stopped and scooped Ellie into a hug. She smiled and leaned into the hug relishing in the familiarity of her brother who she loved more than anything in the world.

Chapter 1 Ellie is now 14

"Ellie!" I feel someone shaking me awake but decide to roll over in bed. It's my morning off and I'm going to enjoy the sleep.

"Oh my god, Ellie wake up." I open an eye, I know that voice. It's not a doctor or Psych, thankfully. I decide to keep the sleep charade going and grab my stuffed animal, the only thing left from home before WICKED.

I smack my stuffed animal backwards knowing exactly where Thomas is standing. It's what he does every time I have a day off.

"Owwwwww not funny Ellie." It gets uncomfortably silent and I snap my eyes open and get ready to get up but not in time because Thomas jumps on top of me.

"Get up Ellie!" He starts tickling me like he used to when I was little and I started flailing. My legs and arms are flying out and I feel an arm come in contact with Tom's face.

He gets off and looks at me in shock. I simply shrug, "What? You should know I flail when you tickle me by now. You put yourself at risk bro." I sit up in bed and stretch out. I reach to my nightstand and put my glasses on. A few years ago, I realized I needed glasses. WICKED wasn't too happy with one of their "special subjects" having such an "imperfection" but they supplied me with any glasses I wanted and contact lenses.

"Why did you wake me up? You know how much I value sleep these days Tommy." I smirked at him.

He glared at me, "What did I tell you about calling me Tommy? It makes me sound like I'm still a little kid."

I stand up and wrap an arm around his shoulder, "But you let our dear good friend Newt call ya bloody Tommy." I mock Newt's accent and duck right before he can slap my arm.

I turn from where I managed to escape his slap and see his blush. I always knew he and Newt clicked. Newt is about a year older than Tom. Newt also has a little sister, her WICKED name is Sonya and she is my best friend ever. We bonded over the fact that I was given her birth name as my WICKED name. We thought it was weird they didn't just let her keep it. She's my age which worked out perfectly when she and Newt arrived, one for me and one for Tommy. Sonya and I even convinced WICKED to let us make bracelets that have two heart halves and say Best Friends. We vowed to never take them off. I look down at it sitting on my wrist now and smile. It took a lot of arguing but having your brother be probably the most important "Elite" really comes in handy sometimes.

"Again, not funny Ellie. But seriously, get moving. Put some real people clothes on please. Dr. Paige is not going to be happy if you're late to breakfast again on your morning off." Thomas says as he walks towards my dresser of clothes and opens them throwing some pants and a sweater at me.

"Thomas, that sweater doesn't go with those pants. Grab a pair of black leggings." I say and move to pick up the clothes thrown my way.

"You can take care of under garments. I don't want to touch those or see those actually. In my mind you're always going to be that 4 year old pigtailed Kit Kat." He says and smiles shyly. It's rare for Thomas to get sappy these days.

I walk to my dresser pull out what I need and walk into the bathroom connected to my room. After that first night, they separated Thomas and I. Would I have preferred to stay with him, duh but clearly WICKED had other plans. As I get ready I can't help but think about how much I miss my friends. They were all sent into the Maze already, except little Chuckie. Newt, Minho, Alby, Sonya and Harriet were unfortunately in the first group of kids sent into the Trials so they've been gone for like a year and a half. I miss them all so much but Tom and I, sometimes Chuck, check in on them nearly every second we get a free minute. I've made some new friends here like Brenda but she works for WICKED. I've never been too fond of Teresa, though she and Thomas really get along because of their telepathy bond. I was really pissed the day I found out I wasn't going to get a pair but they told me they had other plans for me, which was code for pushing me to my intellectual limits. Although, I do enjoy a lot of the logic puzzles they give me to solve. I also love creating things. However, of my friends, Newt has been doing really bad. He is withdrawing from everyone and Tom and I are super concerned. On the other hand, Sonya and Harriet are doing pretty good. They've taken the lead and I couldn't be more proud of them. Minho is Minho and mostly stays to himself but has earned every single Glader's respect because he is the Keeper of the Runner and knows the Maze backwards and forward. He really only talks to Newt and that worries me. I knew before the maze he told me how difficult it was to trust people but he's going to go insane keeping up the persona that he doesn't care. I wish I could slap some sense into him!

A pounding on my bathroom door interrupts my thoughts, "El, come on. How long does it take to get ready? We have literally 2 minutes to get to the cafeteria before they send the Psychs after you again." I roll my eyes, finish up getting ready and leave the bathroom. I throw my stuff on my bed, grab my lanyard ID and walk out the door right past Tom.

I turn to him, "Ya coming bro?"

He scrambles to catch up to me almost tripping over himself. Clumsiness seems to run in our family.

By the time we reach breakfast, all of the other Elites are there as well as the remaining kids waiting for their dreaded turn to be submitted into the Mazes. I'm in a weird place because I'm not an Elite because I was too young when we first arrived but Ava Paige and Janson don't consider me a "subject." They've taken to calling me their little sunshine brain prodigy and it makes me want to gag. Like yes, I'm super smart but please don't give me a pet name, especially not one those two picked.

"Thomas, Elizabeth. I'm so glad you made it in time. Please have a seat over here today. We need to discuss some things with you." Chancellor Paige calls from her table with Janson and a couple of the other Psychs and powerful people.

"Can I at least eat first?" I whisper mostly to myself but Thomas must've heard because he nudges me.

"Of course, it will be our pleasure. We're just gonna grab some food and we will be right back. Thank you." Thomas flashes them a convincing smile and I have to hold in the eye roll.

Once we are far enough away I lean in and whisper to Thomas, "You are such a suck up ya know that?"

"Yeah well you know how I've been feeling lately. Have to keep a happy face if I want them to think I'm still on their side."

I look at him thoughtfully, knowing all the he's been dealing with basically having to watch his friends die and suffer everyday. It's taken a toll on him knowing that he created the prison for his friends.

I hug him, "I know. I'm sorry I'm such a pain in the ass to you sometimes Tommy. I'm trying to keep my optimism but I slip and snapping becomes my defense to this entire messed up situation."

"Oh, pain in the ass you say? I would've never guessed that about you El." He rolls his eyes and I can't help but laugh.

"As Minho and Newt say, you still suck at making jokes." I laugh and reach past him to grab a waffle.

We quickly grab our food and make our way back to the table. Once we sit Chancellor Paige starts talking.

"So, as you both know we've been making a lot of amazing progress and breakthroughs with our killzone blueprint based on the 2 Maze Trials. We originally wanted you Elizabeth, to help us to start to create the Variables for the Scorch Trials and to help us look at all the killzone patterns and see what you notice about them. You have shown high levels of intelligence and amazing practical skills. Your work with the inventions for the Maze have proven to be very helpful. Especially those Grievers and Beetle Blades" I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I thought I was going to be sent into those death traps. Am I proud of inventing those? Not in the least. I thought it was all experimental purposes for our schooling and when I start learning something new I never want to stop I'm such a nerd. I didn't know they were actually going to use them against people, let alone my best friends!

Unfortunately for me Chancellor Paige is not done talking, "However, due to recent events with a certain subject in Group A, we feel you would be of more help to us if we were to send you into the Maze." I just stare at her. Group A is the boys group.

I just sit there as Thomas starts talking. "What do you mean Ellie is going into the Maze? You promised me she would be safe. Are you at least going to let her keep her memories? And are you talking about Newt? What can she do to help him, it's your fault he's so depressed."

I put a hand on his shoulder, "Tommy, it's fine. I knew they would need some outside assistance soon. Newt's depression has impacted some of our friends and I guess it makes sense I can help somehow because I have everyone's killzone patterns memorized thanks to that photographic memory. Though, I'm not sure how sending a girl into the maze will help."

Janson speaks next, "We need someone on the inside we can trust. We also know that some of the subjects have special bonds with both you and Thomas but seeing as Thomas is an Elite we cannot send him in, so you are the best option."

That angers me, "So I'm your second choice? Wow, thanks. And STOP calling my friends subjects, they are people! And answer Thomas' question, will I keep my memories? I'm no use without them."

"Elizabeth, please relax. We wouldn't put you at risk if it wasn't for the sake of the cure. You know you and Thomas are like my children and I will always protect you. But we think having you put in now could present some interesting killzone patterns, especially surrounding the amygdala, frontal lobes, and hippocampus of the subjects. We want to compare them to Group B and see if exposure to the opposite gender, especially one they once knew so well, has any influence on these areas of the brain. I'm sorry, but we told you so late as a Variable. I hope you understand because you will be prepped tonight. You have to finish up some work today as a result of our decision and then tonight we will have to work extra fast and efficiently to prep you so first thing in the morning you can be inserted into the experiment. Thomas of course will be by your side until it's time." Chancellor Paige says with a warm smile and my hate for her grows. The only thing helping me through is that I will see my friends.

"Okay, thank you for the information. I will start preparing myself and finishing up work. Have a good day Chancellor Paige." I smile at her and walk away. I walk all the way back to my room slamming the door shut behind me. I collapse onto my bed in a puddle of tears. Thomas slips into my room without me noticing and sits next to me.

"Ellie, please say something. You're scaring me." Tom is rubbing my back trying to soothe me.

"What is there to say? I'm going to die out there. I never went to gym class. I only focused on my intelligence and achieving top scores on all our exams. What if I'm thrown in the maze? I know I created a Griever but if they wipe my memories I won't be able to remember how to disable them. I won't remember any of my friends! Or you! There's so many things wrong with this Tom!" I break continues to whisper soothing words and rubbing my back.

After a half hour I've calmed down and Tom and I are just sitting talking.

"Don't worry El. It'll be okay. I promise I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. If I have to break the rules while monitoring you I will. But I promise I will protect you. I've already started thinking of a plan, so don't worry about me." He lets out a breath and I hear him sniffle. I turn my head to him and see he is sitting at the edge of my bed crying. I sit up and scooch closer to him. I lean my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks Tommy. I don't know what I would do without you as my big brother. I love you."

"Love you too Ellie. You're the best little sis." I smile at him.

"So what do you wanna do now? We still have an hour before we have to get to work." He asks.

"How about we play a game?" I smile at him.

"No. I refuse to play another card game with you. You are way too competitive and I swear you cheat!" I gasp at his response.

"Meee? I would never cheat against my dear big brother! How dare you insult me like that!" I put a hand over my heart and dramatically keep staring at him open-mouthed.

He playfully hits my arm. "Yeah right. You are one little sneaky girl who is way too smart for her own good. I feel bad for those Gladers once you arrive. They have no idea what to expect when you switch into epic nerd mode." I chuckle at his response.

"True. There's no stopping my nerding out. That reminds me, I hope they let me bring some books! I would die without books. In the meantime, let's just go for a walk then." I suggest.

"Sounds good. Let's get Aris to come with us. He needs some time away from Rachel." I roll my eyes at him.

"Seriously Tom? You can't separate the happy couple! Leave them alone. Let's get little Chuckie!" I smile knowing very well he has a soft spot for that 'subject'. I really hate that word but it's what has been drilled into my head.

"Alright, let's go find him." So we head off to go find where they are keeping the others. We quickly find Chuck and take him on a walk with us. In the time that we have been here, he is the only other person I have allowed myself to get close to outside the Elites once my friends left. I don't know why but both Tom and I felt a need to protect him. He's practically our adopted little brother even though he's almost my age. We would both do anything for that boy. He was so young and alone when he got here we just took him in and he immediately became like family.

After our walk, we go our separate ways. Tom heads back to Maze Trials headquarters. It's his turn to watch over the boys in Group A. Chuckie has to go back to classes and continue training for the Trials. I on the other hand have a meeting with Mr. Janson and his creative team. We have been tasked with giving each boy and girl involved a special label. For example, we all decided weeks ago that Minho's was going to be "The Leader." I don't understand what the purpose of these labels are going to be. They don't want to tell me but I guess I'll find out sooner rather than later. It's probably just another stupid Variable to see how they react to the labeling theory. It was super easy to look at their killzone patterns and determine their title. Not everyone gets one because not everyone activated a certain region of their frontal lobe. It's kinda creepy how I can tell who is who based on their killzone patterns. It's pathetic, I know.

I'm super bored during the entire meeting. I have to do a lot of these stupid meetings and creative discussions. I find them to be tedious and a waste of time. Heck I need to go to the gym and start running if I'm being sent into the Maze. I start doodling in my notebook as I always do when I work since it helps me remember stuff, when I hear Janson yelling at me.

"Elizabeth. You need to focus. I understand you're going into the Maze but that doesn't mean you get to slack during your last few hours here. You are going to have to pick up where you left off once you return and we can't have you being totally lost. We don't have time for that." He doesn't wait for me to respond before talking again.

I mumble a quiet "sorry" trying to hide a blush I know is forming on my cheeks and try my best to look alert the rest of the meeting which takes up the rest of my day until dinner. I hate being called out, it embarrasses me because I don't like bringing a lot of attention to myself.

I drag myself to the cafeteria and pray that there is something good for dinner. I could go for some greasy chicken fingers with a giant side of french fries right about now.

I'm clearly not paying attention to where I am walking because I run right into someone and cause them to fall. I panic hoping it's not Janson or Ava Paige.

"Oh my goodness. I am so sorry! Are you o.." I notice it's just Tom and start laughing hysterically. "Oh Tommy it's just you! Man that could've ended really bad for me!" He just rolls his eyes. "Seriously Ellie you need to be more careful." "Yeah, Yeah. I know." I offer him a hand and help him up while slapping him on the shoulder. "Come on I am starving!"

We quickly make our way over to the servers and my prayers have been answered! They are serving chicken fingers and French fries! I immediately pile my plate with chicken and a huge stack of fries!

"Woah El slow down! Save some food for everyone else." Tom says to me through laughter.

"No can do bro. Who knows when my next decent meal is going to be. Better enjoy it while it lasts." I say very overdramatically.

"Always so over dramatic. Frypan isn't that bad a cook it looks like." He mutters.

"Well duh I'm dramatic! I am your sister." He just rolls his eyes and we head to our table. We eat and have small talk. Nothing that entertaining.

I decide after dinner to read a book in bed until it's time to be prepped. I grab a book from my backpack and curl up in my bed. I got myself a nice cup of tea on my way back. Thomas comes in with Teresa and starts my prep in my room. They are doing all sorts of last minute medical exams before I go to the surgeons.

"Hey Tommy. I got a question for ya." I look at him with wide eyes.

"Jeez El your eyes are huge put away the puppy dog eyes. What is it this time Ellie?"

"What's gonna happen to my glasses? Will I keep them in the Maze? Do I need to wear contacts every day when I'm there? That's going to get annoying real fast."

He chuckles, "Well I have no clue. Maybe you can get the laser eye surgery before?"

I shrug, "Maybe. Although I'm not too fond of that idea. Things could go terribly wrong with that! WICKED could blow up my cornea!" I act out a laser eye surgery going terribly wrong resulting in my blindness. My dramatics cause Tom and Teresa to laugh. At least I'm keeping everyone cheerful before I leave.

Teresa speaks, "I'm going to miss you Ellie. You always bring sunshine to this horribly pessimistic place."

I haven't always liked Teresa but I know she and Thomas are close so I smile back, "Thanks. Hopefully I can bring some sunshine to the Gladers too."

She looks at me, "I know you will."

Teresa then leaves to get to the medical center. Thomas and I follow until I pull him back by the arm.

"Hey Tommy?"

"Yes El?"

"Promise that if they give me the swipe you'll try to give me my memories back. I know they can do that through dreams. Please promise me you'll try. I don't want to forget you or my friends. I need to remember." I start tearing up. Thomas engulfs me in a hug.

"I promise. I will do everything I can."

I don't like the change in mood so I say, "Maybe I can fight the swipe. I mean after all I am kind of a genius." I try to lighten the mood. I earn a soft laugh from him.

"And a modest one too." Oh I'm going to miss him so much.

"I'm gonna say goodbye now because I don't want to make a scene in front of all the medics and the Chancellor. I love you Tommy and I couldn't have asked for a better big brother. I know you'll protect me as long as you can and I will always protect you in return. Make sure you don't bottle up your feelings. Talk to Teresa, Aris, or Brenda if you have to and remember no one else gets to call you Tommy except me and Newt. Well, occasionally Minho too but that's because he's him. But seriously Thomas just remember that we are in this together and we are going to find a way to make this right in the end." I hug him tighter.

"I love you too Ellie. If they do administer the swipe, fight it. Like you said, you're a genius and if anyone can overcome that stupid procedure it's you. Just fight with all your will. You have to help Newt as soon as you get there. He's been really depressed and it's not looking too good just please make sure he's okay. Also, stick by Minho. He will always protect you. Be strong and smart and safe Ellie. Just do me one favor?"

"What's that?"

"Don't become a Runner, oh and please don't snap at anyone when they make you mad. Or don't slip into know-it-all Ellie with the photographic memory. Also remember that they won't have their memories. So don't get upset when they don't know you. And on the opposite side of not getting mad, don't be as quiet as I know you can be. Be talkative Ellie. Bring your sunshiney self to that Glade. They could use that happiness you bring into every room."

"I swear I won't become a runner. I hate running. You know that. And no promises on the snapping. Some people are just asking for it sometimes! I'll also try to keep the smart comments to a minimum. As for the sunshiney, let's hope the swipe doesn't remove that too." I pull back from the hug and give him a smile.

"Good enough. Just stay out of trouble."

"I promise I will. I can become a loner if you like?"

"No need to go that extreme Ellie." I smile at him.

"Thanks for everything Thomas. I'll see you soon."

"See ya soon my Kit Kat.." I smile and hug him tight.

"I'll miss you Tommy."

"Miss you too Ellie. You can do this."

I take a deep breath. "I can do this."

With that we hug one last time and then head out the door towards the medical center, where I am prepped beyond belief. Brenda serves as the main assistant for my case.

"So Brenda am I getting the swipe?" She gives me a sad look but no reply. Crap.

"Seriously?! But I'm going in there to be a variable and help them all! How am I supposed to remember who needs helping without my memories? I'm going to forget all the killzone patterns too!"

"They decided they might just give you select memories after you get there. I'm sorry Ellie. I tried to convince them that you would serve as a better Variable with all your memories but they weren't buying it. I'm so sorry" She looks so sad. Shouldn't I be the one upset that I might not remember to help Newt for Tommy? Or that I might not remember to trust Minho? Or that I could forget my best friend Sonya? I put on a brave face for everyone around me but deep down I'm a nervous, anxious wreck.

"It's fine Brenda. I figured they would take them anyways sooner or later. I guess it's better sooner rather than later." I shrug it off. I'm just going to have to fight the procedure like Thomas said. It's not going to be easy because they will want to sedate me but I am going to fight with all the strength I have. There's also the fact that I have the entire structure of the brain memorized, including the area they swipe. I doubt I would forget that so hopefully I can fight it afterwards.

The prep goes by rather quickly and before I know it I am being placed on a stretcher and getting ready to be administered the swipe. A bunch of people come in to say one last goodbye and then it's just me and Thomas.

"Bye Tommy. Remember to try and be happy."

"I'll try. Bye Ellie. Remember be brave and confident."

"I will." He gives me a hug and then Chancellor Paige comes in and explains the process which is pointless because I know the procedure backwards and forwards. Next thing I know they are lowering the mask onto my face and I am put to sleep. The last thoughts I remember having are "I can do this. Do this for Tommy and my friends."