This Conspiracy

Chapter 26

Author stuff: Ha! Chapter 26 is coming out on 26 July. It's the little things

Puppy update! We're going on longer walks now. Her paw has healed enough that she doesn't need to wear the protective bootie anymore. She still limps, but it's mostly due to the bootie. Also due to grass. It irritates the area. But she's doing a lot better.

Chapter 26

In Which There Is Exercise and Talking. A Lot Of Talking.

Nick sat down in front of Archie the next morning, making him pause in eating his eggs.

"Yes?" he said, a cheek still full. It was... unusual, to say the least.

"So," Nick said, "I was talking to Minho last night. Since he's taking over as Keeper of the Runners, he's looking to recruit some new trainees. After your first day, when you went after Graham, I'd been considering it."

"And you want my opinion?"

"Yes."

"Uh..." What should he say? That he was flattered but no thank you?

"It all rests on whether or not you want to undergo the training. With Newt unable to be a Runner for... who knows how long, we'll need someone else to help with the Maze."

"I want to run, too," Adne said, dropping in on the conversation and the seat next to him. Her hair had been pulled back into a braid – though, it looked a little odd. As if it should have been pulled tighter together.

"I don't think that that's a good idea," Nick said, frowning.

"Why? Because I'm a girl?"

"That's not it, and you know it."

"It actually might be a good thing," Archie said. "It'd get her away from the other Gladers. And you didn't see her when Alby brought Newt back. She ran to and from the Med-hut without breaking a sweat. And she didn't have any difficulty breathing. At the very least, let her go through the training. I'll only do it if she can."

He wasn't sure why he was defending Adne like he was, but she looked relieved that he'd spoken up for her. Nick, on the other hand, was unreadable. After a moment, he spoke up.

"Alright," he said, "I'll permit it. Whether or not either of you makes it as a Runner is up to Minho and Alby. Training starts at sunrise tomorrow."

He tapped the table in front of him and was gone the next moment.

Archie looked around the table at everyone's faces. All of them were shocked.

"What?" he said, shrugging.

"After everything I've taught you," Gally said, "you want to be a shucking Runner? You know what's out there and what they can do. And you still want to – I can't believe this."

Flossy pursed her lips and looked between the two Gladers and then to Adne.

"Gally," she said, reaching for his arm. He shook her off the moment her hand touched him. A flash of disappointment crossed her face before she schooled it away and delicately folded her hands in front of her.

"Adne's meant to be a Runner," Archie said, pointing to the tall Girlie with his fork. "Everyone can see it. I'm just doing it so Nick will give her a chance to prove herself."

"So, you're going to give up two weeks of building to train for running," Gally said flatly.

"Well, when you put it like that..."

Gally slammed his hands against the table, making them all jump, and walked away. Flossy called out after him – as did Clint and Jeff – but she didn't move to go after him. She watched his retreating back with uncertainty.