𝖲𝗎𝖻𝗃𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝖠5

When I had heard Thomas screaming for help, my heart felt as if it had stopped.

I didn't know what to do, I didn't even realize that I had ran at Ben and hit him over the head until I heard the sickening clang.

Once I did though, I rushed over to Thomas.

But he wasn't awake.

I knew I was going to start freaking out so I quickly felt his pulse, and it was there. Weak, but there.

Minho was currently helping Alby and Gally in subduing Ben when Alby said it.

"Lift up his shirt," he said with a hard voice.

Gasps rang through the suddenly quiet Glade.

Ben had been stung.

In broad daylight.

All of the Gladers looked worried but then I felt Thomas' pulse start to slow down.

"Medjacks!" I yelled.

Clint and Jeff came rushing over.

Tommy looked like he was coming to but was having trouble breathing.

They pushed me and Minho - who had just joined them - and started to assess him.

Then Clint kissed him.

Most of the Gladers were red faced and confused and Tommy looked confused before he reciprocated it.

After he was done, Minho and I walked closer to him and looked at him with disbelief.

"Thanks, Clint," Thomas said while coughing.

"Yeah, no problem."

"Why, the in the bloody hell would you kiss him when he was having trouble breathing?" I asked with a slight bitter twang in my voice.

"I wasn't kissing him. I was giving him mouth-to-mouth," Clint responded.

Almost everyone was still confused.

"I couldn't breathe on my own, so basically, Clint breathed for me," Tommy cut in, voice hoarse.

"Oh...," Minho said, still a little miffed.

"Why don't you and Minho take him to the MedTents and Clint, Jeff, and I will meet you there," Alby said.

Me and Minho put one arm over our shoulders each and started helping Tommy to the MedTents.

When we put him on one of the empty beds and gave him a glass of water.

He, unsurprisingly, gulped the entire thing down.

Then he layed down.

He looked exhausted.

"What happened?" Minho asked.

"Well," Thomas cleared his throat. "I went out to get the fertilizer for Newt and I heard someone. So I called out. Then he showed up, and I started talking, trying to get away... and he just, jumped at me. Started to attack me. Then I ran away as soon as iI got the upperhand, and well... you know the rest better than I do, probably.

"I should've listened to you earlier," I berated myself.

"Hey, if what you said was true, then it isn't your fault. Ben was a nice guy he was just stung..." Thomas tried to clam him.

"In broad daylight though... I just... I can't believe it..." Minho wondered out loud.

𝖲𝗎𝖻𝗃𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝖠7

I was in the Map Room when I heard it.

Thomas was screaming for help.

Even running from the Greivers I don't think I ever ran that fast.

When I saw what happened, or at least got the vague idea from it, I was confused and upset.

I was just in the Map Room with Ben, I had been running the Maze with him just an hour ago, and yet, here he was, being held back from strangling someone who I had felt a connection with from the beginning.

When I saw Clint 'kiss' Thomas, I was livid.

And I was sure Newt was too.

Then it was all explained, and I was grateful, just still a little bit miffed.

After Thomas had told us what happened he passed out from pure exhaustion.

"I think we need to talk Minho...," Newt started.

"Yeah, I think we do to..."

"Please tell me that I am not the only one who feels a certain connection to him! I mean, we just met him, but he feels familiar, maybe we knew eachother from before the Maze?"

"You're not! Maybe you're right, you know... maybe we did know eachother from before the Maze..." I trailed off.

"Of course I'm bloody right!" Newt scoffed.

"He's a curious Greenie...," Newt said after a few minutes of silence.

"In a good way or a bad way?"

"Well, I mean, I find it endearing but... he's really curious about the Maze... asked about the Grievers, Runners..."

"Well... that isn't very good, is it?"

"I know... I'm worried 'bout him Min."

I pulled Newt into my lap and kissed his forehead.

"He'll be okay, babe. We'll make sure he's safe."

I knew Newt was still worried but some of the tension eased and as the sky got darker, we both drifted off in eachothers arms, thinking about what out relationship would be like if we added Thomas.

𝖲𝗎𝖻𝗃𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝖠2

When I came to, the first thing I remebered was the reason my throat was sore as it was.

The first thing I saw was Newt curled up in Minho's lap, both sound asleep.

After that, the first thing I felt was jealousy.

Then longing.

Then sadness.

I wasn't an idiot.

I knew they were together, or something of the sort.

I also knew, despite how I felt, they were as hapoy as they could be in this hellhole disguised as a paradise.

And before any of my own feelings of familiarity or other came into play, theirs were more important.

And I wasn't gonna even try to get in between it.

So before I decided to call out for one of the Medjacks or to wake them up, I steeled my resolve of staying as far away from them as possible as you can trapped inside a grassy square.

"Hey Clint," I yelled as much as I could with my joarse throat.

I grabbed the water from the bedside to try and soothe it.

Newt and Minho woke up at that moment, Minho jumping so Newt was going to topple to the ground.

Before he hit it though, I pushed my hand out quickly and grabbed his shoulder and pushed him upright as best I could in my bed-ridden position.

"Thanks, Tommy," said a flustered Newt.

Thomas was about to blush and shyly smile before he reminded himself of his resolve and settled for a polite 'no problem'.

Clint came rushing in along with Chuck stumbling behind him, as I started to get up and put my feet on the ground - to the protest of all four people in the room.

I waved them off and stood up, keeping a firm hand on the bedside table.

Chuck came barreling towards me with a bright smile, sending me stumbling back into the bed wih an 'oomph'.

"Chuck!" Yelled everyone.

I just laughed them off with a small cough and hugged Chuck back.

"I can't believe it! Yesterday you were so cool, and you ran so fast, and I mean, I didn't get to close but it looked like before you had ran back into the Glade you gor him good!" Chuck rambled once he had pulled away.

"Well, Chuckles, it wasn't so much me doing the damage as it was a rock I found nearby but... I'm taking the compliment either way." I finished with a playful smirk.

Chuck rammed into me again, squeezing me tight, and laughing as he rambled on about everything that hapoened in the couple of hours I was out.

Apparently, Alby was livid and had sent Ben into the Slammer without consulting anynof the other Keepers.

I wondered what had caused him that reaction, it wasn't even Ben's fault, he was stung.

This also seemed to be news to Newt and Minho, who didn't seem pleased as Alby's reaction, for an unknown reason.

Sometimes, when Chuck hugged too tight, I would cough a bit, and Newt and Minho would astart to reprimand Chuck.

I always saved him though, and everytime, Chuck would squeeze me a little tighter in thanks.

The curtain seperating me and the others from the rest of the MedTent was pulled open, and Alby showed.

"Why was I not informed of this?" He asked.

Alby waked up to where Chuck and I were sitting on the bed and clapped me on the shoulder.

I threw my arm around him in return and soon, we were hugging.

"Glad you're okay, man," Alby said as soon as he pulled away.

"I shall keep that information filed away for now."

Alby chuckled while shaking his head.

"Well, it is almost time for Minho to go out to run, however, I wanted to talk to you about that. I was thinking we should retrace Ben's steps today, maybe find out how he was stung in he middle of the day." Alby said.

"You proposing to come with me on my run today?"

"Yeah, I think it'd be a good idea."

"Yeah, fine," he said gruffly.

He walked out, throwing a 'see you at the Doors' behind his shoulder with Newt following.

"I should go. I'm probably already gonna get in trouble with the Keeper for taking such a long break...," Chuck said sadly.

"Tell him, you have a pardon from me. But this is the only one got it?"

Chuck nodded and said thank you fmbefore he hugged me again.

"See you around Chuckie."

"See you around, big brother," he muttered quietly.

My eyes widened.

He was about to pull away before I hugged him tighter.

"I think of you as a little brother too," I said, before kissing the top of his head and letting him leave with a happy smile on his face.

"You guys are cute," Alby said with a smile.

"Are you smiling?" I said in mock-disbelief. "The Great Glade Leader, heart turned to mush by a thirteen-year-old kid! Eho woukd've thought!" I joked.

"Hey, it's not just the kid, it's he bonfd you two have... it's... special... and hey, I'm still the Leader of the Glade as you so kindly pointed out, so unless you want to spend a day in the Slammer, I suggest you smarten up, you shank."

"Fine," I said.

I did not pout.

Alby laughed and came to occupy where Chuck had previously sat.

"I don't know what it is about you... but you're different... you feel... familiar."

"You feel that, too, then?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, I have to go meet up with Minho, but... stay safe you shank, and don't get into more trouble while I'm gone," Alby said after a few moments of silence.

"Yeah, I'll try me best!" I laughed.

He smiled at me and hugged me one last time.

It felt like home.

It felt safe.

And that's when I realized.

I felt a similar connection to him that I felt to Chuck.

"Wait," I grabbed his arm before he left. "Thank you." I whispered softly.

He didn't need to ask what it was for. He just nodded and left the room with a small smile.

Clint came in and looked over me saying it wasn't to bad, I just might have a bruise around my throat for a day or two, and my voice and throat might be sore if i overuse it.

I thanked him when he was finished checking over me.

"So, today Greenie, you can either, go to the Track-Hoes with Newt, or you can stay here with me and Jeff, and we can keep watch over you while you become our little apprentice," Clint explains while he cleans up the tent.

On first instinct, I wanna go wuth Newt.

On second thought, last time I did that, I was nearly choked to death, and no matter how unlikely it is that that will happen again, still.

Besides, I won't pretend that's even a big reason why.

My resolve.

I don't wanna get hurt myself by being near him all day and then when Minho gets back, realize for not the first time, I can't have either.

So, that is why I answered I wanna work with the Medjacks today, and it is also why Clint choked on the water he was drinking at the time.

After he got over his shock, he left the tent to tell Newt, and when he came back, he started teaching me how to do the bandages and how to take care of simple things such as a shallow cut.

According to him, I'm a natural.

It got later and it became the time that the Doors were closing soon.

The whole Glade gathered around the Walls, worried for two of the most important peoplenin the Glade.

"They aren't gonna make it," Newt said, his thick accent showing just how upset he really was.

Then I saw them.

Alby and Minho were bending the corner, but something was wrong.

Minho was carrying Alby.

"Look!" I shouted.

All the Gladers that had turned away looked back with new fevor, including Newt, and started cheering them on, yelling at them to come, or for Minho to drop Alby and save himself.

I didn't particularily like that last suggestion, however.

Wind started picking up and the Doors started to creak, the Gladers now rising in volume with shouts of encouragement.

When I saw they weren't gonna make it, on impulse, I ran in between the Doors at the last minute, ignoring the shouts from both sides telling me to get back in the Glade and ran faster than I remember ever running.

I got through them at the last minute, turning around realising the gravity of what I had just done.

I was stuck in the Maze for a night.

"Why, in that shuck brain of yours, would you ever think that was a good idea?!" Asked Minho.

"Thomas... didn't tell you to stay out of trouble?" Alby asked.

"Yeah, you did, but you said not until you got back, and since you broke that promise of you getting back, I get to break mine of getting into trouble," I said back with a sad smile on my face while I grabbed his arm.

He grasped my arm back and sent a weak smile back.

"What happened? Why didn't you guys get back?" I asked.

"I broke my leg, or sprained it, I don't know something, and it slowed Minho down. I tokd him to leave me behind but, he didn't listen," Alby explained with a sharp glance in Minho's direction.

"Well, I'm glad he didn't. Not glad that that we're stuck in this Maze but, glad," I said with a small smile sent in Minho's direction.

He did nothing but gaze around.

"Well, don't thank me yet. The Grievers are gonna come around soon. No way we survive tonight while still holding Alby," Minho said.

"We can't just leave him here!" I said in indignation.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! I have something to get back to in that Glade, and yes, Alby is my friend, but I need to get back to Newt, and I'd rather they only have to dig one grave instead of one!" He yelled.

The mention of Newt and the reminder of their relationship sent a sharp sting through my heart but I pushed it away.

"Fine. You do that, but I'm staying behind to try my best to keep Alby alive" I said calmly, staring straight into his eyes.

"Okay," he clenched his jaw. "Got any ideas, Greenie?"

I flinched at the way he said it, the sharp sting I pushed away coming back, making me feel as if my heart was being squeezed by an iron fist.

I pushed away all feelings of heartbreak, and looked around.

What can I use to help Alby?

The vines.

I looked over to the vines and thought of an idea.

"Yeah, actually. I do."

-

Minho and I strained to pull the vines hard enough to pull Alby away from harm, our groans filling the air along with Alby's.

We heard the Grievers groaning and the Maze Walls changing.

We momentarily stopped our work and turned toward the noise.

I started to pull quicker.

I stopped after I heard another groan.

"We need to split. I'll tie it off quickly," I was going to stay and pull it higher. "Hope it's high enough," it wasn't. "Run a bit, get the Griever off of our tail," I'll distract it long enough and hope you can get away and back to Newt. "And I'll meet you back here later," I probably won't survive long enough, but you don't need to know that.

He looked as if he was about to protest but then he heard the Griever closer than it was before and reluctantly nodded.

He ran off and I bent down to make it look like Inwas tying off the knot, and as soon as he turned the corner, I stood back up and pulled again.

I kept pulling until it sounded like the Griever was right around the corner and quickly tied off the knot and slid under the ivy to hide.

I held my breath andd tried to breathe as quietly as I could, despit my lungs protest.

I saw the Griever pass by, and waited a little, making sure it was gone, before I slid out from the ivy.

I looked up at where Alby hung, now unconsious - probably from the physical and mental strain - making sure he was hidden well enough.

Then I heard a groaning off to my left and saw a Griever, 40 ft away.

I ran for my life, and didn't look back.

I ran until I thought I was safe.

I stopped and bent over to put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath and slow my racing heart.

I stepped in something gooey.

"Ew," I whispered.

Then I felt something drip on my shoulder.

I looked up and there was a Griever.

I ran until I hit a dead end.

I started to climb the ivy, knowing I didn't have a choice.

I climbed all the way to the top, the Griever not far behind me, and ran on the top.

I jumped in between the break in the wall and kept running after a stumble.

I came to another stop when I reached a jump thst was to far.

I made a split-second decision and jumped, grasping desperatlly at the ivy trying to stop my fall.

The Griever caught uo and jumped at me.

I swung around the ivy, tangling the thing up, and jumped down, falling hard on my hip, adrenaline keeping me going.

I ran, trying to get away before the Griever untangled itself.

Quickly after my fall, I ran into Minho, to my relief.

"You are one crazy shank, you know that?!" He yelled at me as we ran.

Minho saw walls closing up ahead and told me to run.

We ran, and Minho got to the other end but I had turned around.

The Griever was hot on our heels.

"Come on!" I yelled.

I turned and ran, looking back to make sure the Griever was following.

I got through at the last moment, the Griever being caught between the walls, efficiently killing it.

I turned around to Minho in disbelief.

We had made it.

Then Minho did something that made having a Griever chase me seem like child's play.

He kissed me.

----

𝖶𝗈𝗐! 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗅𝗈𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝖽𝗌, 𝖺 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋! 𝖨 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾!

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 ♡︎

𝗣.𝗦 𝗶 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁

𝖴𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 . 𝖬𝖺𝗒 18, 2020