Alex woke from a dream. Sitting up with a gasp, covered in sweat and shaking. She had the heebe jeebes. The dream was creepy, full of lurching things that took human form. All of them chasing her through the maze screaming things at her.

"YOU BELONG TO THE MAZE!"

"YOU DID THIS TO US!"

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE...THERE IS NO ESCAPE"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME?"

She was just trying to find Chuck, because Alby had called a gathering. But Chuck, Matt, Jeff, Pedro and Bark were just playing hide and seek with her.

Alex tried to run a hand through her very tangled and dirty hair trying to steady her uneven breathing. She looked around her, they were still sitting on the cold ground of the helicopter. The gladers on this helicopter were still sleeping. She wasn't sure how the other group in the second helicopter was doing, she wished they could all be together. Splitting them up seemed weird, Alex felt uncomfortable with that, they had gone through so much together and now to be split up, gave her an unsettled feeling in her chest.

The Gladers around her were all quietly sleeping, the tight ball of anxiety loosened a little. She looked out the helicopter window. It was dark outside now. She could see the stars. They looked even brighter, maybe because they weren't trapped in a giant stone prison being chased by blood thirsty biomechanical monsters. Alex gazed out the window for a little bit, not really seeing anything, playing with the necklace Minho gave her. She suddenly had a creepy feeling, goosebumps ran over her skin. She felt eyes on her. She turned her head just enough to see who was staring at her. It was the man in black who had helped rescue them. She stiffened.

"Can I help you?" She asked, feeling very defensive, not wanting to wake the others.

Why is he looking at me like that? He got a shuck problem?

He didn't say anything, he looked back at her for a second longer then looked away. Alex watched him for another moment and turned to look back out the window. That unsettled ball of anxiety knotted back up. She shifted so she was closer to Minho, who had his head leaning on the window. His head lolled from side to side, in time with the movement. She was surprised she had fallen asleep. Her mind was so full, so busy her heart too broken but her body betrayed how exhausted it was. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, there was a growing anticipation. She watched out the window. She saw a harsh glow and a dark shap of something in the distance.

"Is that where we are going?" She asked the man.

He glanced at her, out the window and nodded. She heard a faint crackle of static. The pilot pulled the radio close to his mouth, speaking into it. He replaced it, and reached back to knock on the windowed door. The man opened it and leaned his head in. Alex tilted her head, and strained her ears to hear what was being said.

"Message from base. There's a swarm. It'll be a rough landing. Change of welcoming plans. There will be a ground squad to meet you."

The man nodded and closed the door. He caught Alex's eye, he narrowed his eyes but looked away.

Something is off with this guy. He doesn't say much.

"You might want to wake your friends. We will be arriving in 5 minutes and we'll have to run for it." He said impassivly. He didn't even bother to look at her, just staring out the window.

Alex sighed.

Of course. More running.

"What are we running from?" She asked, trying to get some information out of him. He didn't say anything, but he did look back at her expressionless and just stared at her. She looked away, but she heard him say quietly with a little shutter "Monsters."

"Oh great! We've already done that today. We have lots of practice. You should have seen them, huge blood thirsty things, half animal half machine and all parts monster. Real good at ripping you apart and impaling you if you're not careful." Alex said with fake cheerfulness.

His face didn't change from the emotionless mask, but she did notice the corner of his lip twitched.

"Wake your friends."

Alex sighed and nodded. She gently shook the shoulders of the guys around her. They all woke up with a jerk, fully allert for danger. Once the Gladers realized they were still on the helicopter they relaxed slightly, stretching and moaning. The man had replaced his helmet and was standing up by the time everyone was awake. He held himself steady by holding onto a strap from the roof. All eyes were now on him, he swung his gun from his back to his chest, holding it now in the crook of his arm.

The bright glow Alex had seen earlier had turned into a blinding harsh light. The helicopter got closer to a huge dark building with many levels, chain link fences and electrical and barbed wire everywhere. There were a few towers with giant spotlights and Alex could make out people in black holding guns. Their escort unlocked the helicopter door. A loud wailing siron hit them hard. Alex's nerves were on edge.

"We will be landing right away. It'll be a rough landing. We'll get as close as we can to the doors. But you'll have to run. Run. And don't look back." He called.

They were obviously landing in some kind of dangerous situation. Again.

When are we NOT in a dangerous situation?

"Ok, we're going down. Be ready to jump and run!"

The helicopter lowered. It was lurching side to side. Alex stumbled sideways into Frypan. He caught her before she fell. The helicopter was really rocking now. Something made contact with the window. The loud thuding caused everyone to jump and yell in surprise. Alex's anxiety was exselerating. Her fight or flight had kicked into high drive again.

"Shit. They are throwing rocks." The pilot cursed. He was using two hands to hold the helicopter joystick straight as the helicopter was joseled to the side again. There was another loud thunk. The sound of gunshots filled the air. There was also the distant sound of yelling.

"What's going on?"

"Who is throwing rocks?"

"But why are they throwing things?"

"Where are we?"

"Is that gunshots? Why are they shooting?"

"What are they shooting at?"

All the Gladers were yelling over top of each other. The pilot or the guard didn't give them answers. The helicopter was a few feet from the ground when the guy threw open the door and started waving his arm and yelling at them.

"GO GO GO!"

They were greeted by a few more helmited guys dressed in black, all holding huge guns.

"SET A PERIMETER!"

Frypan and Winston were the closest to the door and they jumped out first, the men with guns grabbed them shoving them forwards.

"HOLD THEM BACK ON THE RIGHT!"

"COME ON KIDS! IT'S NOT SAFE!"

"MOVE MOVE!"

The rest of the Gladers were being grabbed and dragged out. Someone had grabbed Alex's upper arm and was dragging her out the door. It was only then she realized she didn't have the wood carving from Chuck.

"SHUCK!" She threw off the hand and scrambled back into the helicopter.

"ALEX WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET BACK HERE!"

"KID COME ON!" A hand tried to grab her again, they tried to grab her ankle to pull her back out. "WE GOTTA GO!"

Alex scrambled around on her hands and knees inside the helicopter. She found it, it had rolled to the back. She grabbed it, shoved it into her pocket. As she made her way back to the door she realized Thomas was still sleeping, curled up in the corner.

"How the shuck is he still asleep?" Alex muttered to herself.

Alex grabbed him and quite violently shook him, he sat up confused.

"COME ON TOMMY! TIME TO GO!"

Alex finally allowed the hands to grab her and drag her out of the helicopter. He stumbled after her. A guard grabbed Thomas and they were pulled out into the night. The air around them was cool and dry. It would have been pitch black, but the spotlights and facility lights made everything harsh and intense. Alex had to blink a few times, trying to get used to the harsh lights. The helicopter blades were whipping the sand up, flinging it all over Thomas and herself. The sand got into her hair and eyes, making it even harder to see anything. She could feel dread of the unknown flinging her. Everyone around them was tense and panicking. The constant yelling from the guards, crackling of walkie talkies, the whirring sound from the helicopter and gunfire was disorienting.

Then over the loud chaotic sounds she heard inhuman animalistic screaming. Terror filled her veins, spreading to every limp like ice cold water. Her veins flooded with ice. Alex knew those noises! Alex stopped dead in her tracks. She swirled her head back and forth trying to figure out where the screaming was coming from. She spun around then trying to see where the screaming was coming from. But it was coming from every direction. The screaming bouncing off the sand hills and buildings. The guard gave her a harsh shove, making her stumble and cry in pain when he pushed on the cut on her back. Thomas caught hold of her arm and together they attempted to run, while their feet sunk into the sand.

"GO GO GO!" Someone beside her yelled.

"WE GOT A SWARM!"

The guard beside Alex knelt down, aimed his gun and started shooting. Alex stumbled to a stop when her legs turned to jelly, and her stomach heaved. Over the side of the sand dune came a lurching creature that looked human. Just like the creatures in her dreams. Just like Ben. But not just one, but a pack of them! It was a swarm of creatures just like Chris. All of them screaming and stumbling down the hill. Alex watched in horror as they started to drop. Blood spraying everywhere as bullets ripped through them from every direction. She had froze; unable to rip her wide eyes away. She stood transfixed at the death and distruction in front of her.

Thomas had turned and come back and grabbed Alex's arm, pulling her. Another guard appeared beside her pushing her, she still couldn't take her eyes of what was happening. They were almost to the door, she could hear people yelling for them. The guard beside her dropped with an ear persing scream, splattering Alex with hot sticky blood. Alex screamed, and stumbled. Alex's chest was heavy, and tight, and she felt like throwing up. Thomas pulled her inside the big doors just as they slammed shut. Shutting off the anamelistic screaming, yelling guards and gunfire.

Alex couldn't breathe. Her chest was just about closed off now, not just tight. Her eyes were huge, pupils were dilated in fear. Her hands were numb and shaking. She was turning her head back and forth trying to find a way out, she wasn't sure where she was, but she needed out. She felt trapped. There were more of them; more monsters like Chris out there, and they were coming for her. Her lungs were burning. Her head was feeling dizzy. Her eyes started to blur. Her hearing had stopped working a while ago. She could see the darkness creeping into her vision.

She might have felt hands on her shoulders. She could vaguely see someone in front of her. She was gasping for breath. Her legs felt weak. Her head was spinning. Pain was shooting through her body. Her legs gave out just as the blackness took over.

_____________________________________

Minho

Minho sighed in releif when he made it through the doors into the facility swarmingthe guards with guns and combat gear. He spun around looking for Alex. He saw Newt, Frypan, Winston, Teresa...Clint, A.J and Leo, the guys from the other helicopter. But he couldn't find Thomas and Alex. He spun in a panic back to the door. He saw Alex standing beside a guard who was kneeling and shooting.

What is she doing?

Thomas was pulling on her arm, she looked frozen. Minho looked to see what was making her freeze. His stomach jumped up into his throat. He heard the screaming overtop of the guards yelling and gun fire. Coming over the top of the sand hill was a huge group of stampeding monsters...humans? But they were walking weirdly, stumbling, and screaming... like...Chis. And then he realized why Alex wasn't moving.

She's panicking.

A guard had come beside her pushing her towards the doors with Thomas. Newt appeared beside him. They glanced at each other. Minho started forwards. Newt and Clint took hold of him, holding him back. They were yelling at the two to run. Minho quit fighting to go out and his heart stopped when the guard screamed and dropped in a splatter of blood. He heard Alex scream. He started fighting the guys again. He had to get to her. Thomas dragged her inside and someone hit the button to close the big metal doors. Newt and Clint let him go. He stumbled forwards towards her. Newt followed, he clapped Thoms on the shoulder and pulled him into a hug.

Alex was already in the middle of a panic attack. Her eyes were wild and terrified. She was hyperventilating. Her hands were flaling around trying to grasp onto something.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, "Alex! Alex! Hey! Look at me!"

Her hands latched onto his shirt, clenching it tight in her fists. Minho wasn't sure if she was aware and was trying to ground herself, or it was a fluk. He tried holding her face, but she pulled away, turning her head wildly around. Her breathing was getting worse, her eyes rolled back into her head.

Shuck she's gonna pass out!

And just as he thought it, her legs gave way. Minho caught her before she hit the floor. He grunted as he picked her up and held her in his arms. Teresa, Newt and Clint were right beside him.

"MOVE MOVE! COME ON! MOVE IT!"

A huge guard was yelling at them. He was big as he was tall, his huge arms were full of tattoos. His face was covered by a scarf and helmet, but his eyes followed Alex in his arms. A few more guards swarmed behind the Gladers ushering them down a dark concrete hall.

"COME ON LET'S MOVE!" He barked again.

He pushed open a door and started unceremoniously pushing everyone inside.

Thomas stopped in front of the huge guard, "What's going on?"

The tattoo guard pushed him inside, "Nothing we can't handle, kid."

He hesitated again when he saw Minho holding Alex. Minho couldn't see his face. But the hesitation was odd. He nodded his head at Minho, ushering him inside the room without a shove. As soon as everyone was inside he slammed the door shut. Minho heard a click as it was locked, fromthe outside. Leaving them in darkness.

Thomas spun around and started banging on the door,"HEY! Hey! Let us out!"

"Thomas enough! They can't hear you." Newt said, pulling him away from the door.

"Well this is shucked up." Minho muttered. His arms and leggs were getting really tired, not that Alex was heavy, just that sprinting in the maze, fighting greivers, not sleeping in the slammer, fighting greivers again and then running from...whatever those human monsters were, it was taking it's tole on his body. His anxiety and worry for Alex didn't help. She had passed out, and hadn't woken up yet. He hadn't seen her have a panic attack that had made her pass out before, he was always able to help her calm down and come out of it. His anxiety was high, and his patience was thin. Thomas was trying to argue with Newt, and Minho lost the remaining thread of patience.

"Hey! Enough. Slim it! Alex still hasn't woken up." He snapped, his voice cutting thrugh their argument.

That got Thomas to turn around and stop banging on the door. Minho leaned againstthe wall beside the door and slid down the wall, Alex still tightly cradled in his arms. His worry for her was escalating. He placed her gently down between his legs and laid her head on his chest. Newt came over and crouched down beside them.

"She okay? What happened?" Teresa also slid down the wall beside him. Worry on her face.

"She had a panic attack. Again" Clint answered simply, coming over to check on her. He knelt down in front of Minho and Alex, he took her wrist in his hand, concitrating. Checking her pulse. He nodded, obviously happy with the result. He flopped back, leaning on his hands, with a melincoly look on his face.

"Those...things came over the hill, they looked and sounded like Ben...and Chris. But way worse. She froze. Me and a guard had to force her. Then the guard was shot right beside her." Thomas explained as he also sat down.

Frypan, Winston, Leo and A.J. also came over. The last of the Gladers. The small group of Gladers sat huddled together in a circle. It was quiet. All they could do was just wait, they couldn't hear anything on the other side of the door and it was still dark in the room. The Gladers sat in tense silance for a few more minutes, waiting for something to happen. Alex stired in Minho's arms. He looked down and saw her eyes flutter open.

"Hey!" he whispered, smiling in relief at her.

She blinked a few times.

"What...where..what happened?" She croaked out. Minho sighed releasing all the anxiety he had held onto.

She's okay..she's okay... breath you shank!

He tightened his arms around her for a second. And then let her sit up. She shifted so she was sitting and leaning against his chest. Mingo snaked his arms around her waist, careful of her cuts, stitches and bruising, but kept his arms around her. Teresa reached over and grabbed her hand.

"What happened? And where are we?" She asked again, her forehead scrunched.

"You had a panic attack." Clint said quiely, he sat forward, searching her face, "You feeling okay?" He asked.

Her forehead scrunched and she was quiet for a little bit, but nodded slowly. She didn't say anything, but pushed further into Minho's chest. He gave her a gentle reassuring squeeze.

"As to where we are...some kind of room that locks from the outside." Minho answered.

"Oh." she said in a small voice.

It was quiet for a moment. Everyone was starting to settle when the lights flicked on.