‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝑪11  ❪ 忘却 ❫ ‧₊˚✧

the final 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 ...

     SHE COULD NOT sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes she envisioned the bulk of Jem's body on top of her, merciless hands coiled around her throat. An endless spectrum of the torturous punishments that could've been inflicted on the boy plagued her thoughts. Ria was the sheep and he was the wolf ... but he'd painted her out to be a monster with the cruel words that dripped from his lips like blood. Perhaps she was different after all -- a sheep in wolfskin. Either way, Ria hated the fact that she blamed herself more than him. Murderer. That's what he'd called her.

     Ria believed it.

     The day wasn't much better. She couldn't force herself to concentrate whilst working with the Gardeners, so much so that even planting tomato seeds felt like the most laborious task. Zart couldn't quite meet her gaze, guilt and despondency flooding the his deep blue eyes. Ria didn't even try to ask the Keeper about Jem, reading the way his shoulders seemed so slump with an unknown yet profound emotion. After what seemed like hours, the cloudless sky finally transfigured into a rolling ocean of fiery hues and Ria decided on skipping dinner to take a walk around the Glade.

      It was the only thing she could think of that could clear her mind, letting the summer--like breeze carry her problems up towards the heavens. If they even existed. Sometimes the girl wondered if there was some sort of divine being looking down on them, appalled at what's become of the spirited youths of the fractured world it's created. Ria couldn't find anywhere to put her trust, searching in the midst of her heart to find something to believe in. Anything but herself. She breezed past the Slicers Hut. The hum of the animals were presents as they grazed lazily in their pens, chewing on buttercups and grass as their strong jaws worked eagerly. Frypan's savoury cooking scents lingered in the atmosphere, boys milling towards picnic benches with steaming plates in their hands. Their laughter seemed to ridicule her disquietude.

     Just as Ria was nearing the East doors, she spotted Thomas. The boy was walking towards the entrance of the Maze, inquisitiveness painted on his face as he neared the entrance. Her gaze then swung to Chuck who was stumbling after him to catch up.

     "Dude, where are you going?" the younger Glader asked, a slightly panicked tinge sharpening his words. He adjusted his pace to match Thomas', who barely spared him a glance. Ria's frowned in confusion, refusing to stand by and watch the scene play out in front of her eyes. So much for a walk, she mused to herself before jogging to unite with the boys.

     "Hey, Thomas. What are you doing?" she asked, placing a hand on his arm. "You can't go in there."

     Piercing hazel eyes met Ria's, but only for a fraction of a second. He swallowed, unable to stop the surge of curiosity seething through his bloodstream. "I just wanna see what's in there."

     Ria's lips parted in disbelief. "You can't be serious. It's too danger--"

      It was Chuck who interrupted. "You can look around all you want, but you'd better not go out there," he warned. Ria rolled her eyes, turning to face him.

     "Do you want the Greenie to die?" she reasoned, shooting Thomas a look.

     Chuck shrugged almost too nonchalantly. "It'll be fine, I won't let him go in there,"

     "'Course you won't." Ria muttered, watching sceptically as Thomas moved closer to the cold stone walls. She trailed a few paces behind the boys, surprised at how reckless the boy was. As they neared, the Runners jogged out from the entrance. Sweat glistened against their limbs, heavy and shallow breaths echoing their heavy footsteps. Minho and another boy, whose name was Ben, slowed as they passed the trio. 

     "Hey Chuck, Ria." Minho greeted, nodding towards them. Despite his exhaustion, the faintest of smirks still danced on his lips.

     "Hope you're not plannin' on taking a trip inside." Ben chuckled as he and Minho continued to jog past, heading in the direction of the Map Room.

     "Oh, yeah. Definitely not. Just looking." Ria raised an eyebrow. Chuck stifled a grin. In bewilderment, Thomas glanced at the retreating figures of the Runners. Th girl already knew the question about to escape his lips before opened his mouth.

     "I though nobody was allowed to leave?"

     Chuck sighed deeply, casting him a weary gaze. "They're Runners. They know everything about the Maze."

"So this is the Maze?" Thomas asked. A realisation seemed to sweep over him as he looked from Chuck to Ria.

"Nice one, Chuck!" the girl commented, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"I didn't mean to, Ria!" Chuck protested, regret shining in his chocolate brown eyes.

Thomas inhaled, then quickened his pace to head towards the open doors of the haunting labyrinth.

"Thomas, don't." Ria warned.

"I'm just going to look."

As he stepped forwards, a mixture of fear, confusion and excitement shone conspicuously in his eyes all at once. Ria's heart was racing inside her chest.

The thick ivy was draped from wall to wall, like garlands of consternation. The endless caliginous corridors seemed to stretch on forever, leading to an inevitable death. One Ria did not want to encounter.

"Thomas," Ria shot, breathless. She was too petrified to venture any nearer.

But, he took another step closer.

"HEY!" the voice of Gally abruptly tore apart the tense atmosphere. He stormed towards Thomas, then pushed him with such a significant amount of force that the boy toppled to the ground with an audible thud.

"What the hell, Gally!" Ria gasped, stepping towards the enraged boy.

He ignored Ria, and stood over Thomas like an intimidating tower of hatred, who was struggling on the floor.

"We've gotta stop meeting like this, Greenie." Gally spat. Thomas struggled but eventually jumped to his feet, panting heavily.

"Calm down!" Gally exhorted, backing away from the provoked Thomas.

Ria noticed the other Gladers had placed down their work and were now rushing towards the scene of action, desperate for the excuse to take a momentary break.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Thomas shouted in exasperation, Ria dashed to his side.

"Shut up, Thomas. Calm down and we can talk-"

But, before the girl could finish her sentence, Gally shoved her backwards. The girl lost her footing for a split second, but then felt strong arms around her, keeping her on her feet.

"I've got you," Ria turned to see Newt, and a ghost of a smile crept into her lips.

"Thanks, Newt." she replied softly, before turning back to Gally. However, he spoke before she had the chance.

"Stay out of this, okay?"

Ria felt strongly intimidated by Gally now, and didn't reply.

"Alright, just calm down," Newt interjected, talking directly to Thomas. The boy's eyes where wide with disbelief as the thick crowd of Gladers hung onto every word her spoke.

"Why won't you tell me what's out there?" Thomas protested.

Alby attempted to reason with the boy, but Thomas was stubborn, angry and confused. All Ria wanted to do was help him, but Gally had made it clear that she was not in fact needed.

But, it was the sudden low, sinistrous sound of metal grinding against metal that brought the noice from the Galders to an abrupt and sharp halt. Thomas froze, and Ria panicked at the menacing resonance.

Then, the worst part came.

A distorted shriek erupted from deep within the walls. Only one a true, horrific monster could make. It was as if the Maze was warning the Gladers, threatening them with those disturbing sounds to not come any nearer.

Ria stepped backwards, trepidation now pulsing through her bloodstream. An icy cold, ominous gust of wind escaped from the Maze, sending shivers snaking down Ria's spine and lifting her hair aggressively from her shoulders.

"What the hell," Thomas stammered, his limbs shaking. His eyes were locked on the Maze, letting the formidable vibe from the walls envelope him. Clicks of countless metal blots reverberated, as the doors began to slowly shut close.

Then, with a final thud, the horrors of the Maze were sealed shut. But only for the night.

The other Gladers began to tread reluctantly away, but Thomas stayed rooted to the spot, paralysed in incertitude.

"Welcome go the Glade," Alby murmured, then he too turned and began to head back away from the stone walls.

"Don't ever go in there, Thomas." Ria stuttered, pulling the brunette's arm away.

Much to her surprise, Thomas failed to reply. He stood, entranced by the Maze, unmoving.

━━━━━

It was late, the stars swept across the midnight black sky in an arrangement of small, shimmering lights. The Glade was still - quiet. The rowdiness from the day had been drained, and was replaced by a silent tranquillity.

A sigh left Ria's lips as she swung her legs rhythmically to and fro from her firmly seated position. The girl was sat on the platform where Alby had first given her the tour. It seems like years ago, a distant memory.

Ria had spoken to Thomas in an attempt to suppress his rising fears and questions, but the boy seemed somewhat stubborn towards her.

A gentle breeze brushed against her shoulder blades and she let her gaze swallow up the small details of the Glade. The girl wasn't very tired, in fact she was far from it. The activity from the past few days had kept her energised, she always anticipated the unexpected.

REMEMBER. screamed her fragmented mind. She brought her hands to her head in embitterment, digging her fingers into her scalp. She needed to remember what Jem was talking about, her whole body longed to recall that past event.

However, she was too terrified to ask Jem himself what it was about, the girl just couldn't bring herself to do it.

REMEMBER. REMEMBER. REMEMBER.

"Ria?" came a gentle voice. The girl released her hands from her head, panting and coughing.

"Newt?"

The blonde boy slowly sat beside her, brushing his golden hair from his eyes. Concern dominated his features and Ria couldn't make herself to look him in the eyes.

"How did even know I'm up here?" she murmured, shivering slightly as the cool winds again circled her body.

"Minho told me you were still out, and this is the most obvious place you'd be. But, still, it's late, what the bloody hell are you doing out?" he asked, brows furrowed.

Ria gulped, then drew her knees up to her chest defensively.

"I'm trying to remember. But it's not use, Newt." she explained bitterly, turning her head swiftly away from the boy.

"Remember what?" he prompted her, shifting his body closer to her's.

Ria shook her head, and finally let her gaze meet Newt's.

"Something. Something that's important. Very important. I know it is. I need to remember," she suddenly cried out, flinging her hands out in distress.

"What do you mean?"

"I think I'm going crazy. I need to remember, or it'll haunt me forever! I-"

"Hey, hey! Ria, it's okay," Newt soothed, then the girl felt his arms around her shoulder. Ria let her head rest against Newt's chest as a single tear slipped delicately down her cheek.

"I'm scared," Ria started.

"Of what?"

"Of what I used to be. My past." she admitted, lifting her gaze to the dark, velvety sky.

"Ria, don't worry about your buggin' past. We're here now, okay. That's all that matters," he said firmly, confidently.

Ria scoffed, dragging her free hand across her eyes to get rid of her tears.

"Hey, look at me," Newt then said.

Ria lifted her gaze. His brilliant chestnut brown eyes bore into her's, and a sudden warmth and a feeling of safety enveloped her.

"You are strong." he said, voice barley a whisper. His words swam through Ria's mind, and she nodded slowly.

"I'm trying to be."

"I know you are." he smiled softly, releasing his arm from around the girl. "Come on, let's go."

The pair made their way steadily down the ladder, then when their feet hit the healthy grass they made their way to homestead as silently as they could not to wake the other Gladers who were in states of peaceful slumber.

"Don't worry, okay?" Newt muttered softly to the girl as they arrived outside her small bedroom.

"Okay," the girl responded, but a tinge of uncertainty was present in her tone.

"Promise?" said Newt, resolutely.

Ria exhaled shakily, then responded.

"I promise."

But, even that could not stop the tsunami of thoughts drown the girl that night. She thought of the Maze, Thomas, her future in the Glade. It all seemed pointless. It was as if they were heading to one single goal, and that was one of death.

She tossed and turned, but sleep did not dawn upon her. Frustrated sighs and murmurs were let out by the girl. But then, a sudden crazy thought burned within her mind.

The girl shot up, then crept out of her bedroom and past the numerous sleeping Gladers. Their soft snores and muffled murmurs filled the atmosphere as she breezed past without a noise. Not even a breath escaped her lips.

Then, as soon as she was out into the open, Ria broke into a run across the Galde, bare feet hitting the soft tufts of grass with quiet thuds.

It wasn't until she was met with the entrance of the Maze that her running finally ceased.

The girl stepped towards the closed doors, heart racing at a rapid pace insider her chest.

Ria brought one hand to rest on the door, the cold, hard stone a sinister contrast to the warmth of her palm.

She then said something, one sentence she thought she would never say. Not in one million years:

"I am not afraid."

‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆  ❪ 忘却 ❫

oo. OKAY OMG, WE'RE OFFICIALLY
HALFWAY THROUGH OBLIVION!!!p.s i'm so so so sorry for the late updatei am dealing with a lot right now but thankyou all for sticking with me && this book <33