/////

~ DAY THIRTEEN ~

"See you around, guys," Ben said as the Runners started running in a different direction. Even though he still couldn't believe that he was the one who replaced Minho as a Keeper, he still had to keep going.

Alby was not disappointed that he chose Ben to be the new Keeper. He noticed that the man was doing his job well. The leader knew that this was difficult for the young man because he was a friend of the former Keeper.

The young man leaned against the wall to rest for a while. He has been running for some time; that's why he decided to take a rest. In truth, he knew he couldn't replace Minho as a Keeper. Ben could tell that in the years that his friend had been running, he had memorized all the paths to the Maze. He is aware that it changes the path every night, but Minho is just smart and something else.

"I just wish that you're still here. Even with the amount of things that happened in the Glade, I know it will never be the same again," Ben said to himself with sadness in his voice. It's been almost two weeks since his friend went to the Maze.

"I hope you're there because the new Greenie is a girl. It's obvious that Zelia is happy because she has a new friend. Speaking of her, she's been taught a lot about how to defend themselves," Ben added and took a deep breath before standing up straight.

He was about to run again when he saw the shadow of a person, not far from where he was. It seemed to be looking at him. Wait, maybe this is—

What he was going to say was interrupted in his mind when it suddenly ran. Ben chased to find out if his suspicion was correct.

"Wait! Don't run! I won't hurt you! I just want to see and talk to you!" Ben yelled, but the shadow's run speed got faster. He saw a crooked road, so he went there and saw what was in front of him. Dead end.

Ben just rubbed his face because of frustration and other feelings he felt that he couldn't explain. I just want to know if you're really still alive, Minho.

-----

It's been almost a week since Maggie came to them. Like Zelia, she also worked on the first day and got her as Slicers with Winston as the Keeper.

The newcomer was able to adjust quickly. Zelia and Maggie can hardly separate them when they have free time and meal time. They only talk about random topics.

"Ouch, I'm not Zel best friend anymore. She replace me for Maggie," Kendrix said jokingly while looking at the two women who were eating, not too far from where they were sitting.

"Be for real, when Maggie arrives at the Glade, she's the only reason we've seen Zel this happy. I know it's still different when it's the same gender when it comes to talking to each other." Newt said after eating his own food. Kendrix agreed with what he said and finished eating to go back to work.

Zelia is now in Reign, where she teaches how to wield a bow. Seven Gladers were in front of her right now because they were the only ones allowed by their Keepers to have a training with her.

They were just quietly listening to what the girl was teaching them. She's not that strict; when she sees something wrong, she talks to them properly to correct how to do it.

Zelia decided to continue tomorrow's lesson because it's getting late. They did not complain and said goodbye to the girl to leave.

Zelia was now returning the things they used to the Armory when suddenly someone called her name. She turned around and saw Gally, and she gave him a small smile.

"Hey, Zelia."

"What's up, Gally?"

"I just have something to give; I won't be too long either." Zelia frowned because of what the man said.

"I didn't expect that, but what is it?" Instead of answering her, Gally moved to the side so the girl could see what he had to offer. She was even more surprised, so the young man laughed softly.

"Since Alby said about your plan, I suddenly thought of this. Make a fake human out of wood. Since it's about defense, you can't use a real person to practice, right?" Gally explained.

In front of Zelia was the human shape made of wood. The girl slowly smiled because she felt that the plan she thought of for the interior of the Glade would be of great help. Zelia slowly held the one in front of her and the man just let her be. It was fitting and perfect because she had been thinking for a long time about how she could teach the Gladers how to punch and kick without getting hurt.

"This is really a big help, Gally. Thank you so much," the girl said while smiling. "But what is this? Why is it soft?"

"Oh that. It's still made of wood, but I just covered it with foam so you can use two types. One for weapons and one for hands and feet. You know, to avoid getting hurt." Zelia nodded at what her friend said.

"Thanks, really. It's really a big help because I've been thinking for a long time about how to teach them without letting them hurt themselves," the girl said while smiling. Gally nodded while smiling before helping Zelia put his gift to the side.

"No worries. Just tell me how many you need so we can do it right away." The man said and he smiled at the girl before he said goodbye to go back to what he was doing.

Zelia was happy because she didn't expect her friends to be supportive of her own plan. She never knows when there will be a problem. It's really better to be prepared.

She stayed a few more minutes to fix what needed to be fixed inside the Armory before starting to walk towards the Maze so she could catch up with the returning Runners.

In the middle of her walk, Maggie called her and she just let her go to her side next to her and they walked together.

"How's it going with the new Keeper?" Zelia jokingly rolled her eyes to her friend.

"Still the same; I can see the determination in their eyes that they want to learn." Maggie smiled widely because of what she heard.

"I'm really happy for you. I know I haven't been here for a month but you deserve to be a new Keeper."

"I guess because of my punch to Newt that time help me a lot," Zelia said jokingly, making Maggie laugh softly.

When they arrived at the opening of the Maze, the Runners were also on their way out. Disappointed but not surprised because the person Zelia expected to see was not there.

"Sometimes I wonder what you would do with him if ever he's really alive and you two have met," Ben said as he got closer to where the two girls were.

"Good question, maybe I can punch him? Or kick him. Or I myself will push him into the Maze because his sleepover with the Grievers has gone too far and I'm the one who close the door for him."

"She would definitely do that." The three of them both laughed at what Maggie said.

Before the Maze door closed, Zelia didn't know why she looked inside at it and saw a shadow. It's more like a shadow of a person. She blinks her eyes, and when she opens it again, it just disappears and all she sees is the wall.

"Zelia? You coming or not?" It was as if she woke up to reality when she heard Maggie's voice.

"Yeah." She gave a short answer and continued walking towards the kitchen with her friends.

What the? Is that really a shadow? Or maybe I'm just missing something? I don't know.