Thomas didn't think he could run anymore even if he'd tried. The swimming, the time in the sun, had left him feeling boneless, like his legs were jelly holding up a body made of air.

He stared down at his feet, watching the new sneakers get scuffed up with dirt and bits of plant that had fallen into the trail. They weren't boots but they'd done pretty well today. He didn't know if they'd survive the Scorch but he wanted to take them back anyway. He could give them to someone else, a Flare infected refugee, in exchange for information or something.

"Yeah," Thomas answered, tearing his attention away from his shoes and focusing it back on Derek. "Yeah, I did. Even though you had to cheat to win."

That was a joke. Thomas had known before Derek had shown up at his door that he'd be on the losing end of a race. Before Thomas knew about Derek's abilities, he'd known that beating Derek in a race was an extreme long shot. "I'll forgive you for that. I'll win next time."

Maybe if Derek let him. Next time.