I sprang from my huddled position on the bedroom floor. Panic flashed through me. Newt and Winston swiveled around, all three of us started at the door. A scream ripped through the Homestead again. I flinched, and shoved between the guys, flung the door wide open and sprinted down the hall. I ripped Winston's bedroom door open.

I saw Jessie wrestling on the ground with Frypan. Who looked absolutely bewildered and terrified at the same time. Jessie's eyes were glazed over. Another night terror. Before I stopped to think or wait, I dove forwards tackling her off. Rolling with her wrapped in my arms, we slammed into the bed frame. She screamed and fought, struggling to free herself. I held her tighter.

"No! Stop! Don't hurt him!" She screamed.

"Jessie, shhh. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

She wiggled and fought, slamming her head back, it didn't do much her head just hit my chest. "Please don't take him! Please! I'm sorry!"

I didn't know what else to do but sing. It always worked before, so I held her tight, my muscles straining, and I sang the song in a whisper into her hair.

"Deep in the meadow, under the willow. A bed of grass, a soft green pillow. Lay down your head, and close your eyes. And when they open, the sun will rise."

Her terrified screaming became indistinguishable yelling and crying. Her thrashing became a febal struggle. She was still breathing hard I felt tears running down her face, and into my hands, which held hers tight to her chest.

"Here it's safe, and here it's warm.
Here the daisies guard you from every harm. Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true. Here is the place where I love you."

"Please... don't leave me alone!" She sobbed.

"I'm right here Jess. I'm right here! You're okay. You're safe."

The tension in her body drained, all the fight left her, just her heart wrenching sobs were left. I held her tight to my chest, and sang the next verse in the little lullaby.

"Deep in the meadow, hidden far away.
A cloak of green, a moon beam ray. Forget your woes, and let your troubles lay. And when again it's morning, they'll wash away."

My voice felt thick and it was hard to keep it from wavering. I squeezed my eyelids shut. Trying to keep my own tears from falling. How could I have said what I did? You shucken screwed up shank. I loosened my grip just slightly, she had enough room to squirm. She rolled so she was facing me. She kept her arms tight to her chest, but she pressed her tear streaked face into my chest.

"Here it's safe, and here it's warm.
Here the daisies guard you from every harm. Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true. Here is the place where I love you."

We still lay on the ground, I held while her body shook and shuddered. I could feel fresh blood leaking out of the cut on her back. Frypan was standing pressed against the wall, eyes wide. Newt was trying to reassure him Winstone came and crouched.

"What do you need from us?" He asked.

"Clean bandages." I answered, "I'll take her back to our room. Fry looks like he's about done."

Winston glanced over his shoulder. Then back at me and nodded.

"Give me 3 minutes."

I nodded. Keeping one hand tightly around Jessie, I slowly sat up, keeping her pressed into my chest. Once we were up I picked her up and got to my feet. She was either asleep again or just exhausted and had nothing left to protest, she let me carry her back down the hall and into our room. I gently laid her down on her. Winston came back with fresh medical supplies. He left them on the dresser by the bed and left, closing the door.

I gently rolled her onto her stomach and pulled her shirt up so I could clean the cut again. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but it still needed cleaning.

•×•

I had no energy left to fight or protest. My body was physically exhausted. The nightmare replayed over and over in my head. I hated how attached I was already to some of the guys here. It made me have, for the first time, fears. Fears of losing someone. Yes losing Sonya hurt, but these guys...it felt different. They didn't knock gently on the doors on my heart they rammed them open kicking and screaming and then continued to destroy every wall in sight that I had built around myself.

So when Minho picked me up and carried me back to our room I didn't fight it... because I wanted it. I wanted him. The fears of him leaving or him being ripped away by The Handler, of him being ripped apart by a Griever, my replacement taking him away constantly replaying my mind made me weak and my resolve crumbled.

I felt him gently lift my shirt and a small sad sigh. I sucked in a sharp breath and tensed when he gently dabbed the disinfect over the cut.

"Sorry." He whispered.

I just turned my face away and my hands formed fists clutching the blanket. My eyes clamped shut.

"Jessie...I'm sorry."

I stayed quiet, my body tense, the sting of the disinfect on my back kept me awake and alert, but I stayed still and silent waiting for him to go on. We weren't very big on emotions or apologies. And if I wanted I could hold a grudge for a very long time.

"I know I shucked up...and I know there is no explanation that'll make up for what I said. I..."

His hands stopped working, I waited. It seemed like he was trying to sort his thinking, figure out what he wanted to say.

"I didn't mean to make you think I was into the new Greenie girl. I don't want her. I don't want to see her, I could care less about her. It's you-"

His voice hitched. And I heard a small sniff. I finally turned my head, and opened my exhausted eyes. I saw him already looking. His eyes were filled with tears. He slid off the bed and crouched down beside the bed, he took hold of my hand, holding it tight. He was now eye level with me.

"Jess...I gave you my heart and trust. I told you my secrets. I shared my self with you. It's you who makes my heart beat faster, it's your safety that worries me the most. It's your smile I wanna see, your voice I wanna here. And your arms around me I want. There is no better version of you...'cause you're perfect for me."

"Everything you promised -"

"I still wanna keep. I'm shucken human Jess and I'm gonna make mistakes. Shuck..I already have! But...it's you. Always. It's always gonna be you."

I stayed quiet. My eyes searching his desperately wanting to believe him. My heart hurt, it ached.

"The Griever today...it was supposed to kill me. It wasn't gonna stop until we were both dead, I was dead or it was dead." I said quietly.

"I know. And...and I'm sorry I got made and yelled...it was awful. I was so scared I had lost you..and I couldn't move. Everything inside just froze, I just...shucken shut down, and..." He looked away, and continued quieter, "I'm ashamed of myself, and I lashed out at you-"

"Look at me when your talking."

He slowly looked back, his eyes shinning with tears again, pain, shame, embarrassment, guilt all flashed in his eyes and on his face. He took a small shuddering breath.

"I lashed out on you because I was scared and I was angry with myself. I'm so sorry Jessie. That wasn't fair to you. Can...can you please forgive me? Please?"

I was quiet and my eyes searched his face. I slowly nodded. The relief that showed on his face, the fear that slid down his cheek his small whispered thank you, made my chest ache.

"I love you Jessie. I love so much. Thank you."

"Just because I forgive doesn't mean I'm still not angry."

"I understand." He smiled gently at me. He slowly reached out and tucked some hair behind my ear.

"Did you know Winston is scary as shuck when he's angry?" He asked quietly, a bit of playfulness back in his voice.

"Why do you think we get along so well?" I asked, a small smirk on my face. "he's my ride or die, he doesn't ask questions, just when and where."

Minho chuckled a bit. He leaned his chin in the bed inches from mine. I felt his breaton my face. He pressed his forehead to mine and just closed his eyes. Mine fluttered closed as well, just enjoying his closeness.

"Jess I thought I was gonna loose you today."

"I'm still here. It takes more then a shucken Griever to keep me down."

"Clearly."

I pulled away and slowly pushed to the other side of the bed. Minho cautiously got up and laydown beside me. He slowly and gently slid his arm under me and pulled me closer. I lay my head down on his shoulder.

"Did I hurt anyone this time?" I asked quietly.

"No, but scared the klunk outta Frypan. Don't think he'll want a sleepover any time soon."

I just hummed. I fell asleep in Minho's arms again, where I felt safe. My feelings still felt like a wild mixed up mess. And I was still kind of uneasy about the new girl...my replacement. For now I chose to ignore it, I chose to play with fire, I chose to put my trust and hope back into the hands of someone else. My eyes fluttered closed and I feel asleep with his fingers drawing small circles on my back and a hand burried in my hair.

•×•

I stood with arms folded and shoulder leaning on the map room wall, Minho stood behind me in almost the same position. We were waiting for Alby to finish giving instructions to Newt who just rolled his eyes constantly, it was like Alby couldn't leave the Glade in the care of Newt for half a day.

"Let's go shank! We're burning daylight!" I yelled impatiently. I heard Minho breath heavily through his nose.

"This isn't a good idea." I said quietly, "sure he's the shucken leader...but he ain't no runner."

Minho shrugged. Alby finally turned around and jobbed towards them.

"You finally ready?" I rolled my eyes and pushed off the wall. I swept an arm towards the wall doors with a wild bow, "after you your Majesty."

Alby exhaled heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's gonna be a long day with you."

"You're welcome to stay back..." I rolled my eyes and turned towards the wall doors. I heard Minho try to cover his laugh with a cough. Minho and I headed towards the doors with Alby on our heels.

We crossed into the cool shadows of the maze, "last chance to stay." I called over my shoulder.

"Slim it and run." He barked.

I glanced at Minho who gave me a side eye and shrugged. We both picked up our speed and ran down the hall. It was weird being back in the maze after yesterday. I wasn't sure what today was going to bring. I had slipped passed another attempt on my life.

I had restocked my quiver with arrows and my knives. Minho had also taken a few more deadly weapons. I wasn't sure how useful he was going to be, he was never afraid, but Grievers were something of nightmares and for whatever reason he froze up more than most people. I was almost positive now that something happened pre maze.

We finally came to a huge stone arch. It broke off to the left right or straight. Off to section 8 or section 4 where our dead Griever was left. Minho and I took the left in synce with eachother.

"Guys!"

Minho and I both glanced behind us, Alby had slowed down to a walk, his hands on his hips, he was sucking air. I was actually surprised how well he kept up for the first hour and a half.

"What? Tired already? We still have another two hours to get there...and then-"

"I get it I get it...you run all day everyday. And I-"

"Are lazy and do jack all, all day?" I asked turning and jogging backwards.

Alby rolled his eyes. "How do you last all day with her?"

I snorted. Minho glanced at me and smirked.

"Wait. Nope! Nope, I don't even want you two to go there! Oh shuck! Is that seriously what happens out here? Oh shucken hell no!" Alby whined and sputtered.

I turned around, Minho and I high fived and we both laughed.

"Nailed it!" Minho chuckled.

"That's what she said." I smirked back.

"So how much farther?" Alby huffed from behind.

"Just a little bit more." Minho said dryly.

I snorted again, and started coughing. "That's what she said!"

"Ya it is!" Minho snickered, glancing at me with a smirk.

"Do you think you can answer some questions without the usual level of sarcasm?" Alby grumbled.

"If you could ask the questions without the usual level of stupid." I sassed.

"Seriously!" Alby cried. "Do you ever stop?"

"No. She does not. Trust me." Minho said.

"A horrible decision really...to trust you." I answered dryly.

Minho laughed and Alby groaned. Alby was really struggling at this point even though we were going quite slow. We stopped for a water break.

"Make it quick."

"That's what she said." I giggled. Minho winked at me.

Alby rolled his eyes. Me and Minho chuckled as we pulled our waters out took a few sips, waiting for Alby to recover a bit. Once he was ready we continued on. It took another hour. Minho and I slowed down to a stop. I slid my bow off and nocked an arrow. Minho pulled out two long knives. His face was pale, and beaded with sweat, his eyes were dilated, but his jaw was set.

I turned to Minho and Alby. My eyes flashed dangerously. All signs of sass and sarcasm gone.

"Stay here."

"But-"

"Did I stutter? I said stay the fuck here. I'll call you if it's clear." I growled.

"Dude just listen to your shuck girlfriend."

I raised the bow and peeked around the corner. Laying in the same spot at the end of the corridor was the Griever. Still crumpled in a heap, my arrows and knives sticking out of its head and body. I slowly stepped out, and cautiously made my way down the hall.

My bow raised ready to fire. Once I was close enough I stood still watching, my eyes sweeping the crumpled metal and blubber machine. Nothing moved, there was no sound and no movement. I waited another minute. Just to be sure I released the arrow. It shot into the Grievers body with a gross wet sucking noise.

Nothing happened.

I lowered my bow and put it over my shoulder and called the guys.

I slowly walked around the thing. I squared down by its head. I pulled my arrows free, they broke, and I threw them away in frustration. I yanked my knife out of its forehead.

"You made a nice Grievercorn."

(mazewriterrr I had to! I just absolutely love how you made that a thing and I can't ever let it die! Please forgive me! 🙏)

"Sorry, a what now?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

Minho squated down beside me. He gave me a smirk, and nudged my shoulder with his own.

"Grievercorn. Griever plus unicorn... Grievercorn. The knife was dead shucken centre. Also when Thomas was all shocked and awed with your skills? So was I." He leaned in, "still am." He kissed my temple.

I whipped my head towards the Griever. I heard a quiet mechanical whirring noise.

"Movie!" I screamed.

The tail had lashed out, smacking Alby right in the chest. I gripped my knife and slammed it down into the head again of the Griever using both hands to push it down into the wires and cables and gears that functioned as it's brain, I twisted the knife until it sparked.

Minho had scrambled backwards. I yanked my knife out and turned to see what happened to Alby. He was withering and screaming on the ground. He had been stung.