Lovers Maze

Ben

Chapter Eight

We run through the Maze as a group and surprisingly I haven't broken down, my ankle appears to be fine. Though, Ben went missing a while back.

"He must have taken a different corner" Minho says as we take a break.

I nod, "We should head back and see if Bens already there" I say unsurely after lunch.

Minho nods and we run back and exit the Maze, there are people guarding the pit doors "what's going?" I ask as Newt runs over.

Newt hugs me "thank god you're ok"

I raise my eyebrow uncertain of the contact and hug him back "Newt, what happened?" I ask.

"Ben got stung and attacked Thomas, he's getting banished at sunset"

I turn to Minho who sighs and frowns "good thing we have our replacement ready"

I know Minho and Ben were quite close, I can see the sadness in his eyes, and no matter what. He can't hide it, especially not from me.

Newt looks at me as Minho places his hand on my shoulder "are you sure?"

I nod "I'm fine as long as I'm with someone else Newt"

We turn nodding and run back to the Dead Heads where we remove our gear and map down our discoveries. We've already mapped out the entire maze, we just want the others to think there's still hope.

Minho sits hitting the table with the big map of the Maze "three years and there's no shucking difference"

"Hey calm down ok? You're not helping a thing" I say placing a hand on his shoulder.

He sighs and nods and we exit the place after preparing a pack and we go to the shed where people are grabbing the spears. Minho and I take the last remaining poles and we make our way to the door where everyone is crowded.

Minho then passes me his pole as disappears to the pits and returns moments after with Ben "Minho please believe me" he begs.

Then he spots me and tries to lurch forward "YOU!" He shouts and I'm quite startled.

"Alby, please" he begs as Minho releases him and takes his pole.

We hear a rumbling and slowly the doors begin to close "poles" Alby orders and we lower them.

"move forward" I order as I try to keep an emotionless face and us Keepers begin to push Ben backwards and into the Maze.

No one, and i mean no one survives a night in the Maze.

"No no no no" Ben sobs as he tries to find a way out.

Thomas is watching in horror and Chuck has already begun walk away.

Ben squeezes through the remaining gap in the doors and I pull the pole out, I see Bens figure through the small gap between the doors and finally it closes.

I lean my pole against the door and we turn to see Thomas, horror stricken "He belongs to the maze now" Alby says and we all walk off..

We walk past him and head toward the Homestead or the Kitchens. No one speaks much for the remainder of the night. Especially not about Ben.