CHAPTER FOURTEEN
( ENEMY )

     I LET OUT A LONG SIGH, perching myself on the ground next to Thomas. I don't say a word to him, my eyes grazing the woods around us.

"I don't know what happened," I murmer, just loud enough so that he could hear me. "I wasn't in control."

He doesn't say anything back as he stares at me. I can tell that he's slightly confused, from my words, but still, he doesn't ask questions.

"It's like my memories have been wiped. They're . . . gone. It's only what's happened before. I just . . . can't explain it."

"It's okay," He smiles slightly. "You don't have to explain anything to me."

"Thomas," I run my fingers through my hair. "I haven't been completely honest with you."

"What do you mean?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Well, the dreams I've been having- memories-" I cut myself off, understanding how stupid I'd sound if I told him what had been happening.

Even if I did tell him, he'd probably never believe me.

"Nothing," I shake my head. "Nevermind."

I stand from my spot a little too quickly, and run out of the forest, before Thomas could try and protest.

___♕___

"Hey, Newt," I greet the British boy, sitting down next to him at the picnic table.

"Hey," He says softly. A small smile forms on his lips, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"You okay?" I question, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Yeah . . . " He trails off, picking at his food. "I'm fine."

"You sure? Cause you don't seem-"

"Gracie!" Minho rushes over, pulls me from my seat, and swings me around. I let out a yelp, and slap his arm, causing him to stop. "Great news!"

"What are you talking about?" I huff, shoving him away from me.

"I was just talking to Alby, and see- tonight we're having another bonfire. And this time, you're coming," He grins.

"No, I'm not." I roll my eyes. "I'll probably just sleep for the rest of the day. No way I'm attending."

Newt suddenly stands from his spot, and trudges away from the two of us. "What's up with Newt?" Minho asks.

"I don't know." I frown. "He wouldn't talk to me."

"OOH!" Minho yells out, girly giggles escaping his lips. "NEWT'S JEALOUS, GRACIE! HE'S JEALOUS!"

I cover my ears, and let out a grunt. "Minho, shut up. You're so annoying. And such a complete asshole."

"You know I'm right," He winks. "Earlier on today, he went looking for you. But after I told him you were with Tommy, he got mad."

"Sure." I roll my eyes again. "Now just shut up, okay? I'm sure you just bursted my eardrums from that high-pitched squeal. Squeals that girly don't even come from the pigs when they get slaughtered."

___♕___

I let out a huff, stepping from the shower. I slip on a big t-shirt and some shorts from Minho, and brush out my wet hair.

After exiting the 'bathroom,' I am faced with complete silence. I furrow my eyebrows, looking around the Glade in search for any Gladers. But to my confusion, I'm met with nothing but noises from the farm animals.

I wrap my arms around myself, a chill going up my spine. "C'mon, Grace," I whisper to myself. "Stop being stupid."

I make my way to the Homestead, still worried at why no one has greeted me, or has even made themself known. But as I walk past the Map Room, I'm faced with the reason for why I'm left alone.

"I know we've already been through this before," Alby sighs, "But this has to be gone over- through all of us. Newt, Minho, and I can't just make this decision on our own without your input."

"I think I speak for us all," Frypan says loudly, looking around at all of the gladers, "When I say what the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Grace," Alby hisses when my name slides from his tongue. "She's a danger to us all, and we need to make a decision on where she stands as a Glader."

"This is bullshit." Gally states, scoffing angrily. "We all know that she's not going to hurt any of us. Why is this something to worry about?"

"Because it seems as though she's not herself when these things have happened." Alby replies, keeping calm. "And she doesn't remember anything. She plays it off, but I can see right through her."

I glare at Alby through the peephole, wanting to throw a rock at his ass. What concern is this to him? We all know that he's hated me since the day I came up from the box, so this is probably just a way to get what he wants.

To kill me.

"I actually agree with Alby," A Glader says- one that I don't recognize. "She knew where our weapons were hidden. How the hell does that just happen?"

"Maybe someone leaked." A Runner says, Ben, I think. "Told her where we hid them."

"Why would she even carve something like that?" The first Glader asks, eyeing Ben suspiciously. "Where you the one that leaked?"

"I'm just sticking up for her, because it's the right thing to do, asshole," Ben snaps. "Unlike you, I actually have a heart."

The Gladers scowl at each other, before looking to Alby, who's currently gritting his teeth with anger of being interrupted.

"Shut your holes," Alby growls, his anger getting the best of him. "We need to see how she handles tonight, the bonfire. No one talk to her- and I mean no one. Newt, especially you. You have a special bond with her, and I don't want you ruining our chances to see the real Grace."

"What do I have to do with anything?" Newt raises an eyebrow, turning to his dark-skinned friend. "And I don't have a 'special bond' with her. Why would we need to leave her alone?"

"To watch her actions, the way she reacts. That'll make the decision for us." Alby answers him, before turning to Minho. "Minho, you need to watch over Tommy. Keep him away from Grace, too."

"What?" Thomas asks in disbelief. "Why the hell are you doing this? It's not gonna change our situation. If anything, Grace will go into a depression- more so than ever. She constantly feels left out, so what is this helping?"

I let out a gasp, staring Thomas down. How would he know how I feel? He's only been here for a couple of days, and he already has me figured out. Wow. Someone clap for this boy.

"It's helping me." Alby clenches his jaw. "You listen to what I say, okay, Greenie? Your opinion doesn't matter. Now, go outside with Garret, Nik, and Minho. You guys can go start the bonfire. And for now, don't even make eye contact with Gracie. She is the enemy."

I hold back the urge to yell at the top of my lungs, and sprint back to the bathroom before Nik, Minho, Garret, and Thomas can see me. I quickly turn on the shower, making sure that they won't know that I was eavesdropping.

I'm the enemy? What the hell is happening around here? First- I arrive here as the first girl. Second- I get into trouble for sleepwalking, while being controlled. Last- my whole existence is basically on the line, because of something that I didn't really do.

What the fuck are these people doing, and why do I have to be the center of it?

I slide down to the floor, and lean against the wooden walls, letting out a long and deep breath. I pull my knees to my chest, and rest my chin on my knees, staring at the bathroom door.

Okay, I think to myself. You can do this. You can make it through tonight- without overreacting- and everything will be fine tomorrow. Alby will see that this isn't your fault, and you can live happily ever after. The end.

If only that were the case . . .

_______