The mute [Maze runner Minho X OC]

Chapter two

"No, please—don't!" Piper struggled against the two men who gripped her arms like iron. Her mind screamed, desperate for a way out. "Thomas! Thomas!" Her voice broke, and she kicked and twisted, fighting to break free as they dragged her toward a chair. Her screams echoed in the sterile, white room, but Thomas only watched, helpless, his eyes wide with fear and guilt. A nurse loomed over her, needle in hand.

"Please!" Piper choked, trembling, desperation in her voice. "I'll be quiet! I swear I won't say a word! Just... please!" But the needle pricked her skin, and darkness closed in.

Piper shot up, heart pounding, her hand flying to her throat, searching instinctively for her voice. But nothing came—still mute. She took several deep breaths, trying to shake the memory. Was it a dream? It felt real, but the name Thomas didn't connect to anything she knew here. Had her mind imagined it?

Pushing aside the unease, she got out of bed, dressed, and went to find Newt.

The Glade had seen its roughest year yet. Nick's death still echoed through their small community, along with the loss of seven Gladers in the past few months. Newt's recent injury had left him unable to run, and he'd stepped down from the runner team. Alby had assumed leadership as the Glade struggled forward. Amid it all, though, some light remained: after months of tentative glances and shared moments, she and Minho had finally admitted their feelings and were now together.

Today, they awaited another Greenie, a new arrival to the Glade.

"Morning, Pipes," Newt greeted her as she entered the gardens, now his daily task after becoming a Track-Hoe and Alby's second-in-command. He looked her over with concern. "You look a bit knackered. Bad dreams?"

She shrugged, signing, Just a strange dream. Newt gave her a side-hug, nodding.

"Well, be careful out there today," he said with a smile, releasing her to prepare for the maze.

Piper continued to the map room, where Minho and Dan were waiting. Minho grinned, giving her a quick kiss before Dan rolled his eyes.

"Every single morning? Come on, you two," Dan muttered. Piper grinned, signing a quick sorry, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. ''I'd like to keep my breakfast in my stomach.''

Minho passed them the section assignment for the day—Section 6. She glanced at the map of the section, noting how every path had already been mapped. By now, their running was only a ritual to search for any missed clue or escape route.

''You two are going to be running together today, I'm going with Ben.'' They both nodded as they clapped hands, the two were a good pair and trusted each other, one of the most important things while in the maze. 

Minho checked the schedule as he placed their names behind section 6. He passed them both a sheet with the mapped area of the section as Piper glanced at it. Everything had been mapped already, there was no more mapping. They just kept up the act to make sure no-one panicked. The only reason they were still in the maze was to look for clues and a way out. 

"Everyone ready?" Minho asked, giving Piper a last nod as she secured her backpack and hair. Dan, eager to get started, pulled her out toward the maze entrance.

Hours into their search, Piper paused to drink water, squinting when she noticed a beetle blade hovering nearby. It settled briefly beside her, metallic wings flashing. ''Shucking beetle blades.'' Dan waved his hand at the camera-like creature as Piper watched it fly away.