"We have one hour," Teresa whispered. The words felt strange in her mouth, as if they weren't really English and she was learning a new language. She never thought she would have to say them….so soon.

Thomas gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Then we'll make the most of it."

She nodded, feeling tears welling up and falling down her face. "It's too soon," she breathed. And it was.

"It had to happen eventually. And anyways, we'll see eachother tomorrow. You know that, right?" Thomas stared at his feet.

Teresa rolled her eyes. "You know we won't, not really. You won't know who I am, Tom, and I'll be in a coma. And when I wake up, I won't really know who you are, either. This is goodbye." She stared at her best friend, best friend since childhood, and blinked hard. This was the last time she'd see him. Ever.

"I know." Thomas's voice was deathly quiet. "But it's for-"

"The Cure, I know," she murmured. She wanted it to be over, all of it. She wanted him to go in already and then she would get it all over with. She wanted Aris and Rachel to come so she wouldn't have to cry alone.

"We're doing the right thing," Thomas continued, and she knew he was trying to comfort her. Then, in her head, it'll all be all right in the end. I promise.

She answered with words, not telepathy. "I know that. You know I know that."

A look of hurt flickered over Thomas's face, and she felt the guilt eating at her. Where were Aris and Rachel?

"I'm sorry," she whispered, the tears streaming down her face faster now, two little waterfalls spilling from two blue – eyed pools. "I'm sorry it has to be like this, Tom. I'm sorry we have to say goodbye. I'm sorry we signed up for this…"

His fingers covered her lips, gently. Shh, he said to her. Shh…Then, aloud: "It isn't your fault."

She pulled away from him, and nodded. "I know…I know…it's both of our faults. Well, ours and theirs. But it's for a good cause. We're doing the right thing. We always were…right?"

The blanket of silence that fell between them was more of an answer than any.

The door opened. Aris walked in, followed by Rachel. Their faces were haunted by a look of fear and worry.

"Bye, Thomas," mumbled Rachel, her words muffled by his sudden hug. She was going to go into her Maze a few hours after Thomas, and she was already in the same standard Maze uniform Thomas had on: sweatshirt, jeans, trainers, only more feminine.

Teresa sank onto the floor, hugging her knees, unwilling for the end to come. She looked up at the clock, every tick taunting her, One minute less, one minute less.

The moments passed, full of tearful goodbyes, each not knowing if they'd ever survive the Maze Trials.

And then they were gone, Rachel, and Aris, and it was just Thomas and Teresa. Subjects A1 and A2. Saying goodbye. Goodbye forever.

They walked up to the door where it would all go away. Where the Swipe would happen. Teresa sat on the floor next to him for the last time. In one minute, it would all be gone. His parents, WICKED, creating the Maze, Aris, Rachel. Her.

See you tomorrow, he said inside her those would be his last words to her. He stood up and walked through the door where it would all disappear.

Bye, Tom, she answered, watching his retreating back. Watching the door close as she saw him for the last time.

She was ready to turn away. Goodbye, Tom, she thought, but not to him, not telepathically. Just to herself. Goodbye forever…till tomorrow.