Chapter 30 Chapter 30 A Day in the Prison

Between the big house and the north wall, hidden behind a long unpruned, overgrown bush, the cell was actually a rough concrete building with only a small window to which a few horizontal bars were nailed. bars, and a wooden door locked with a rusty metal lock, as if it were a product of a dark age. Newt took out a key, opened the cell door, and signaled for Thomas to go in by himself. "There's only one chair in there, you can't do anything, just enjoy it." Thomas went in and grumbled silently when he saw the only piece of furniture—an ugly chair with one leg shorter than the other three and looking rickety.Maybe it was designed like this on purpose, there is not even a cushion on the ground.

"Play by yourself," Newt said, closing the door behind him.Thomas turned and walked toward his new home when he heard the hasp click and the lock click.Newt's face appeared outside the small glass window, looking in through the bars. "You broke the rules, this is the reward you deserve. Tommy, even if you saved a few lives, you still have to remember..." "Yes, I understand, follow the order." Newt smiled. "You're not bad, man. But whether you're going to be friends or not, you've got to play by the rules and it'll keep us alive longer. Just think for yourself while you sit here staring at the wall .”

After speaking, he left. The first hour passed, and Thomas felt so bored, boredom crawled through the door like a mouse into his heart.By the second hour, he wanted to bang his head against the wall.Two hours later, sitting in his goddamn cell, he's picturing himself having dinner with Gary and beating the Griever.He sat dryly, trying to wake up his memories, but the memories disappeared before they could take shape. Thankfully, Chuck showed up at noon with lunch, taking Thomas out of his head for a while.Chuck delivered a few pieces of chicken and a glass of water through the window, and then he started talking at the usual volley that made Thomas' ears callused.

"Everything's back to normal," the boy announced, "Walker's gone to the maze, everyone's working—maybe we'll all survive in the end. Still no sign of Gary—Newt told them, Come back as soon as you find his body. Oh, by the way, Alby is walking and doing well, and Newt is glad he doesn't have to be boss anymore." Hearing him mention Alby, Thomas' attention suddenly returned from food to reality.He recalled the way the big boy had convulsed and tried to strangle himself yesterday.He remembered again that no one knew what Alby had said to him after Newt left the room and before his seizure.But now Alby is up and walking, which means he won't necessarily keep the secret.

Chuck continued to babble, and then changed the subject, completely unexpected to Thomas. "Thomas, something is wrong with me, man. I feel sad, kind of homesick, it's so weird, I don't even know where I want to go back, you know? I just know I want to leave and be with Family together. Wherever that place is, wherever I'm from, I just wish I could remember." Thomas was a little surprised. He had never heard Chuck say such serious and irrefutable words. "I see what you mean," he murmured. Chuck was not tall, and Thomas couldn't see his eyes when he spoke, but what he said next made Thomas feel a deep sadness, and he might be on the verge of tears. "I used to cry all the time. Every night."

That sentence took Thomas's thoughts away from Alby. "What's wrong?" "I'm like a baby who peed in my pants, crying every day until you came. I think I'm used to it. Even though I want to escape all the time, I still regard this place as my home." "I've only cried once since I got here, right after I was nearly eaten by a Griever, probably just because I'm a superficial fool." If Chuck hadn't said that, Thomas wouldn't have opened up . "You cried too?" Chuck's voice floated in from outside the window, "What's going on?"

"Yeah, just after the last Griever fell off the cliff, I broke down and cried until my throat and chest hurt." He clearly remembered all the details of what happened at that time, "At that moment, I felt The whole world was oppressing me. I felt so much better afterwards, so don’t be embarrassed that you cry — ever.” "Crying does make people feel better, doesn't it? That's weird." The two were silent for several minutes, and Thomas realized he didn't want Chuck to leave. "Hey Thomas?" Chuck called. "I'm here." "Do you think I have parents, real parents?"

Thomas laughed, just now he felt uncomfortable because of those words, but now there is no feeling of sadness. "Of course I do, idiot. Do you want me to explain to you how to give birth?" At this point, he suddenly felt a pain in his chest—he remembered the truth, but he couldn't remember who taught him it. "I don't mean this," Chuck's voice could not hear the joy at all, his voice was low and gloomy, almost talking to himself, "Most people who have experienced a painful change remember a lot of terrible things. They don't even want to talk about it, which makes me wonder if my memories of home are terrible, too. So, do you think I really have mom and dad somewhere in the world? They Will they miss me too? Will they cry at night too?"

Thomas was also stunned, tears rolling in his eyes involuntarily.Since coming here, life has become extremely crazy. He has never treated the people here as ordinary people, never thought that they also have family members, and would miss their children's family members.It was strange that he had never thought of himself in that way.All he could think about was what it all meant, who sent everyone here, and how to get out. For the first time in a long time, Chuck touched his emotions.A fire of anger flared up in him.These kids are supposed to be at school right now, at home, playing with the neighborhood kids, and then come home at night to the arms of a family that loves and cares about him - Mom forces him to shower every day, Dad helps him finish the family Operation.

Thomas hated those who separated these poor, innocent children from their parents. He hated them with all his life. It was amazing to him.He wanted revenge on them, and even tortured them to death!He wanted Chuck to be happy. But there will be no more joy in their lives, no more love. "Listen, Chuck," Thomas paused, trying to keep his composure and his voice steady, "I'm sure you have your mom and dad, that's it. I bet your mom is sitting right now. In your room, hugging your pillow, thinking about your past. Yes, I bet she was crying for you too. Crying hard, red eyes, sniffling. Sounds sad, but It must be true."

Chuck said nothing, and Thomas seemed to hear a slight sniff. "Don't give up, Chuck. Let's solve the problem together and get out of here. Now I'm a walker, and I promise you with my life that I will let you go back to your room and keep your mother from crying." Thomas said sincerely that he felt his heart was on fire. "Hope you're right," Chuck said in a trembling voice.He gave the window a thumbs up and walked away. Thomas paced back and forth in the cramped room, desperate to keep his promise. "I swear to you, Chuck," he said to himself, "I swear to you, come home."