Glader Girl

9

Julia- I awoke to Newt gently shaking my shoulder, smirking at me. "Come on, it's time." The odd tone of his voice made me frown as I got up carefully to put shoes on. "What's wrong, Newt?" He shook his head and nodded towards the door. I followed him outside and he turned to me and said, "You're not gonna like this." I opened my mouth to ask, but my question was answered for me when I saw Minho reach the Doors; Alby was with him, dressed in running gear. "Excuse me?" I snapped and bolted over. Newt called after me, trying to keep up with his limp, but I reached them before he did. "I'm sorry, where in the rules does it say "Non-runners are allowed in the maze?" I whisper-shouted in Alby's face. "Love, calm down and listen, please," Newt pleaded, reaching us and pulling me away from Alby. "I'm proud of you for respecting our rule, Little Lady, but Ben getting stung in the daytime is something that needs to be investigated." "Besides, Princess, Alby's the leader; he's kind of the exception," Minho said.

I glared at him. "Oh, okay, so then maybe I should..." "NO!" "ABSOULUTYLY NOT!" "ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED?" The boys exploded, cutting me off. I waved my hand at them, as if to say, "Well, then?" "Firstly; Gally would kill us! Second, no one would ever let you in the Maze. I know you and Minho joke about it, but he'd rather die then actually let you go!" Alby snapped. Minho's eyes were blown wide, like he couldn't believe I even suggested the idea, and Newt looked as if he would pass out. "We have other runners, Alby. This is their job for a reason." Alby sighed and put his hands on my shoulder. "I know, and I know you're right, but I don't want to risk anyone else until we know what's going on. I know the Maze too, Julia." I frowned; Alby hardly called me by name, so I knew he was serious. "This is dumb; you know that, right?" I said quietly. And then Alby pulled me into a hug. "Nice to know you care about me, too, Little Lady," he laughed in my ear. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm.

"Newt, you're in charge while I'm gone. Julia, I need you to be supportive here, alright? Keep everyone working, no time for questions, got it?" I looked at Newt, and took his hand, nodding. "I'm counting on you two. We'll be back." At Alby's words, the Doors began to open. Newt and Alby said goodbye before he ran into the Maze with Minho. I looked at Newt, and we shared the same worried face. He squeezed my hand, looked back at the Maze once more, then we walked away. I followed him over to the woods, intending to sit and keep him company, but he shook his head. "Go help Fry, I'm sure he'll appreciate it." I really didn't want to leave Newt by himself, but I could tell this was an order, not a suggestion, so I left.

"There she is! Back at it again, huh, girl?" Fry yelled, excited, fist-bumping me. I tried to smile and focused on helping. Fry was good at reading the room, so he didn't talk that much, except to praise me or make me laugh. It helped, and by the time everyone started waking up and getting in line for food, I was genuinely smiling. "Hey, babe," Gally said, walking up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. "Here you guys go! Now take that love stuff outta my kitchen!" We laughed and walked off, and I explained to Gally what happened. "I understand your feelings, babe, but Alby is the leader. If he wanted to go, he has the right to." He paused to take a bite of eggs, then followed up with, "Besides, that's what you and Newt are here for; to be in charge when Alby can't." "But Newt..." "Has been Alby's second for years, and, now he has you. He'll be fine."

*Time Skip*

It was hours later, and we all stood near the Doors, waiting for Minho and Alby to return. Gally was kneeling near my feet, watching, his face dark. I was getting stressed with each second that passed, glancing over at Newt, who was standing next to Thomas, biting his nail. "Come on, guys. Can't we send someone in after them?" Thomas asked. If I wasn't so stressed, I'd punch him. "That's against the rules; either they make it back or they don't," Gally answered, firmly. I almost hit him too. "Can't afford to lose anyone else," Newt told Thomas. Then the doors started closing; and I full-on panicked. "There!" Thomas yelled. And we saw Minho, but something was wrong; he was carrying Alby. No! Then everyone started yelling for Minho, telling him to leave Alby. What the shuck is wrong with everyone?! Leave Alby? I was frozen, watching, helplessly as the Door's closed more and more, taking away Minho's chance inch by inch. Why the shuck can't anyone just run in and help? They're right there! We could've gotten them out by now!