Abused ≫ Newt [2]

Chapter 27.

"You'll be careful, right?" Emily trailed behind Minho and Thomas, struggling to keep up with the two fast-moving boys. The sun had yet to rise, the dark purple sky only just beginning to show the first signs of morning. Today was Thomas's first day in the Maze as an official Runner, and she could almost feel the excitement coming off of the Greenie in waves. She wanted to ask them why they had waken up earlier than usual, but she decided against it, as she knew Minho always had his reasons.
"I always am," the Runner glanced behind him without breaking his pace; he sent Emily a small, reassuring smile before turning back around. "Though the Green Bean here, I will have to keep an eye on."
She followed them to the West Wall, straining to eavesdrop on their conversation as they spoke in low whispers. She could not help but feel worried about the two. Minho was the best Runner they had, and he knew what he was doing, but it was the first time he went into the Maze ever since that night. He had taken the last few days off, Alby claiming that he "needed the rest". Minho didn't like it, of course, but Emily knew he would never disobey Alby's orders. Emily just couldn't help but worry that Minho would be traumatized by the Maze after the events of that night, just like she was.
"Why are you up so early, anyway?" she asked, leaning against the cold stone wall next to the door. "The Doors don't open for another thirty minutes."
"I have to go over the procedure, make sure Thomas get it." Minho glanced at Thomas for a brief moment, a single eyebrow raised. "He needs to understand that he can't mess around while we're out there."
"I know that already," Thomas countered.
Minho rolled his eyes, ignoring the Greenie's remark as he turned back to Emily, "He has been hanging out around Chuck so much lately, I just wanna make sure the little shank didn't rub off on him or anythin'."
Emily shrugged and leaned her back against the wall, "I hang around you a lot, lets just hope that you don't rub off on me."
Minho shot her a playful glare before turning his back to her, facing Thomas as he began to go over the procedure again. Emily watched in amusement as Thomas stared around the Glade, taking very little interest in what Minho was telling him for what seemed like the thousandth time. She didn't blame him, though. If she were in his position, she would be doing the same thing. Every time Thomas would ask a question, even if it was a logical one, Minho would roll his eyes and shoot back a very creative, very vulgar sarcastic remark. Thomas looked taken aback at Minho's rude language, though Emily only rolled her eyes and scoffed at his behavior.
After what seemed like lifetimes of listening to the two Runners bicker back and forth, the familiar grinding sound of rusty gears turning drowned out their voices. With a loud screech, the two walls enclosing them from the Maze began to separate. Emily could basically feel the excitement coming from Thomas as he hopped back and forth on his feet. Whether he was restless or just getting warmed up for a long day of running, she did not know. She did find it quite amusing, however.
Minho turned to her, raising an eyebrow as she leaned back on the balls of her feet, "You know, you could be coming with us."
"Yeah," Emily shrugged, couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips. "But I think I'd rather be sitting in the Homestead, treating non-existent patients all day."
She wasn't going to lie, part of her did want to accent Minho's offer, but the other part told her that it wasn't right. Spending two nights in the Maze was enough to last her multiple lifetimes.
"Maybe I'll 'accidentally' trip over a rock and get injured," Minho said with a smirk. "Then you could treat me. You know, add a little excitement to being a Med-Jack."
"Don't do it on purpose." Emily was surprised at how stern her voice sounded, almost motherly-like. "But if either one of you get injured, come to me first."
Minho raised his hand to his forehead and saluted her, "Aye aye, captain Emily." He motioned for Thomas and turned to the gaping hole in the Glade wall.
"You'll be safe, right?" Emily turned to Thomas. She couldn't ignore the tight, worried feeling in her chest. She was worried about them both, and yet she had no idea why. She knew it had something to do with their night in the Maze, but she had a feeling it was more than that.
"Of course I will," Thomas shot her a wide, toothy smile. "This is what I want to do, and I am not going to ruin it on the first day."
He pulled Emily into a hug, pressing her head to his chest as he let out a deep sigh. He pulled away a moment later, shot her one last smile before running off into the Maze after Minho, leaving Emily standing alone, staring into the dark corridors after them.