Protected (Gally, The Maze Runner)

Five

Minho and I turned around the corner. We were talking about earlier when I stumbled a little and fell.

"You are so clumsy." Minho laughed as we slowed down.

It's getting late but we're close to the doors. We have about 20 minutes until closing time.

"Shut it, It could've happened to anyone" I giggled.

"But it happened to you." he smiled.

We turned another corner and I can see the doors.

"Good first day." Minho nudged my arm.

When we got out, I saw Gally standing there.

"You cut it close." he spoke lowly.

"Can't talk Gally, I have to record the maze" I huffed.

"I'll do it, go ahead." Minho said.

I nodded and stopped jogging so Gally could catch up.

"I had 15 minutes Gally." I sighed.

"That's close." He retorted, now in front of me, he glanced down at my arm and I quickly tried to hide the cut from when I tripped, "I knew you'd get hurt. I told you, go to Clint and get that checked out before it gets infected."

"Gally, you aren't my boss. You don't tell me what to do. Especially when you weren't supporting me." I held back the tears threatening to spill out.

"I wasn't gonna support something I was afraid of Hazel!" He yelled and made me flinch, "You went off with Minho and ignored everything I said! And you got hurt which is exactly what I was afraid of!"

"Ignored you?! Gally, it broke my heart to make this choice but I have to be my own person! If I can help the gladers find a way out then hell, im gonna do it! And I just tripped, people trip. It could've happened in here too." I quickly wiped the stray tear the slide down my cheek.

With those last words, I ran off to the runners hut.

Minho is still in here but that didn't stop me from getting upset.

I just slid down the door and put my hands on my face.

"Ignore 'im hazelnut, he's just an idiot. He's not cut out to be nice, it's just not who he is." Minho sat down next to me.

"I wanted to believe it though, I wanted to believe he is kind and sweet. Which he is but there's still that angry side of him. Can't be just accept that I'm a runner? You have, you risk your life every damn day and don't get shit from anyone. The second I showed up, it was all my fault. Everything. Then Newt warned me not to fall for him and what do I do? I fall for him. Ugh, I just wanna go home." I tightly gripped my hair and bite my lip to stop crying.

"Thing is egghead, you are home. You've got me and Newt and we ain't going anywhere. So get up and lemme show you what to do." he stood up and pulled me up after.

I smiled, "Thanks Min, why couldn't I have fallen for you instead." I giggled and wiped my eyes again.

"Because you're stubborn, that's why. Now just grab this and start writing down what you saw and draw a map." he handed me a clipboard and a pencil.

Then he uncovered a small version of the maze, which was amazing.

"You did this?" I asked amazed.

"Ben and the others runners helped." he said proudly.

"But if you've already discovered the maze, then why keep running?" I asked. All hope of getting out is slowly vanishing.

He sighed, "That's the thing. We want to keep hope alive for the gladers. If they found out, there's no telling what they'd do. All we can do now is believe one day we'll get out." he looked down then grabbed a clipboard.

I guess in some crazy way, I understand. and hey, I did take this job so now I have to accept it.

"Tell ya what, once we're done here we'll get some food then you can sleep in my hut tonight if you want." Min told me.

I nodded and we finished up our notes.

~

We are headed to Minho's hut when Gally passed us.

"So I guess you've already moved on then Hazel?" He huffed and gave Minho and hardcore stare.

"I don't know what you mean Gal. I mean, I was never really officially yours in the first place." I scoffed back and grabbed Minho's hand to walk away.

I know that hurt me just saying it but I can't have my world revolve around Gally. I need to move on.

"That was intense, greenie." Min sighed.

"Don't call me that." I rolled my eyes and finally let go of his hand.

"Sorry Hazel, it's just that I didn't mean to start anything between you two. I just wanted to give you a place to stay."

I nodded, "I know Minho. I'm gonna talk to him. Thanks for everything today. I'll see you in the morning then?"

"Yeah, meet by the wall at 6:30."

I hugged him then made it look like I was going to Gally's hut when in reality I went to the tree where I hid when they banished Frankie.