Never Gave Up (Alby Love Story)

Chapter 23 Alby's P.O.V

I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling. Ashton was with Jeff getting her checked for injuries. I don't want her to be a runner anymore.

Standing at the entrance to the maze for almost three hours, thinking of all the bad things that could have happened to her. She's dead. The Grievers stung her and she's passed out in the maze. Owen killed her. All the bad things swirled around in my head.

When I saw her carrying Owen on her shoulders I got so happy. She wasn't hurt. She's fine. I should be punished for how happy I was that Owen was hurt.

The door opened and I turned my head. Ashton walked into the room. She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed. I sat up and wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her into a hug and started to rocked back and forth.

"I love you. Thank god your not hurt. I love you. I love you." I said and buried my head in her neck.

She patted my back and kissed my forehead. I put my head up and looked at her. She had I light blush on her cheeks. I just told her I loved her.

"Ash-"

"I love you." She said and kissed my lips.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the kiss. I thought I lost her today. I've got a right to just enjoy this kiss. The door opened and we broke apart.

"Oh my god! We should have listened to you Newt." Minho said and covered his eyes. "That is so gross."

"Well if you didn't want to see us kissing you shouldn't have opened the door." I said and Ashton smacked my arm.

Minho, Thomas, and Newt walked into the room. The screeching of Grievers could be heard from the maze. I pulled Ashton closer to me.

Last night I left her here to go to the maps in the map room. Left her here all by herself. Newt told me that the Grievers tried to take her. I will not leave her tonight.

Newt ordered the lights out. The Grievers sounds grew closer to the Homestead. I pulled Ashton closer to me. Screams came from the room next to ours.

"Newt we have to do something." Thomas said.

"We can't do anything."

Thomas stood up and started to pace around the room. Ashton moved to look at him.

"Thomas just sit. We'll figure out what to do tomorrow." She said. "Minho what are we going to do about the maze?"

I looked at her confused. What's wrong with the maze? Did they find something?

"Thomas and I are going to run the maze tomorrow night. We're going to see if it changes at night." He said.

Thomas sighed then ran and through the door opened.

"Thomas!" Ashton yelled and got up to follow him.

Thomas ran down the stairs and out the door. Ashton followed him screaming. I made it outside and almost passed out at what I saw.

The Griever was holding a kid in its claws. The kid was screaming for help. Thomas jumped towards the kid only to be stung in the leg. He fell to the ground moaning in pain.

Ashton stopped to help him. She wrapped her arm around his chest and started to drag him backwards. She began to call for help. I stepped forward only to stop and scream her name.

"Ashton!"

Another Griever came and it's claw wrapped around her body and lifted her into the air. She lost he grip on Thomas's body. He screamed her name and tried to move towards her, but Minho grabbed him and started to pull him towards the Homestead.

Newt and a group of other boys ran towards the Griever that was holding her. The Griever turned and ran to the doors of the maze.

I took off running. I flew across the Glade with only one thing on my mind. I have to save Ashton.

She kicked and clawed at the Griever. Her struggles did nothing to the Griever.

I was right by the Griever. Ashton was reaching her hand out for me to take. As I reached for her hand I was tackled to the ground. I tried to shake off who ever was on me. They pushed me back down and the Griever took off into the maze holding Ashton.

"She's gone Alby." Minho said and got off me.

I didn't move. I stayed right were I was looking into the dark corridor of the maze. The others had gone and left. But I didn't move. I couldn't.

As I laid staring into the dark maze listening to the screeching of the Grievers. I now realized the Ashton was not holding her hand out for me to grab.

She was telling me to stop.