Maze Runner - Relentless

VII

Thomas...

Today is day one of my job and the first day of week 2 in the glade. I woke up early and ate breakfast. Eva was there to my surprise. She said that today was her day off. I asked her jokingly if she'd get a tan out in the grass. She laughed at the time then sighed and explained that she'd actually be helping in the field. I guess Newt really was telling the truth when he said that even the leader of the gladers wouldn't take a break either. 

Now here I am in the scorching sun, digging and planting. Sweat drips down my forehead and I pant as I shovel dirt into a wheelbarrow. After digging, Eva and I take turns pushing the wheelbarrow when it's full, to the forest. 

I'm astonished by her strength. After pushing the wheelbarrow twice to the forest and back I was already feeling like my legs would snap in two, so Eva offered to take over for me. She pushes the red wheelbarrow to the forest and back over and over again and yet every time she returns breathing evenly. 

She goes to take the wheelbarrow to the forest and I pause my digging to look at Newt. "How is she doing this without getting tired?" 

Newt laughs, "She's been runnin' the maze for years mate. It takes a lot of work to be able to do it every day." 

Newt makes a good point but before I can respond he tosses me a wooden bucket and a small shovel. "Grab some fertilizer will ya?" 

I groan internally, this is the fifth time I've been asked to get fertilizer. Of course, no one's told me where to get it, they've just said to go to the forest it's out there somewhere. 

The forest is darker than the open glade. I think about the others. Everything I've learned in the past week. They grow their own food, make their own shelter, and they keep each other safe. But I don't understand why they don't wish to know more about the maze. If it's the only way out, why isn't anyone else allowed to try and leave? 

So many questions but no answers for any of them. Instead, I am sent to do work in an attempt to take my mind off the questions so I can be distracted. But it doesn't stop my mind from lingering on the thought of escaping. 

As I walk under the tall looming trees, I notice something ahead. A stone or something. I approach the shape and see wilted flowers placed around it and a mound of dirt...

It's a grave... 

Words are carved into the stone but they're hard to read... I try to make out what the headstone says...

'D-A-R-I-' --

A twig snaps behind me and I whirl around. I hear unconvincing silence. My eyes scan the dark forest. 

Then out of nowhere one of the gladers appears from behind a tree.

"Oh jeez! You scared me!" 

I recognize the glader as Ben, one of the runners.

It's too early for them to be back though. So My mind begins to wonder why the glader is there. 

Ben is sweating and his skin is deathly pale. His bloodshot eyes twitch. 

"Ben, are you okay?" 

This strange black liquid drips from Ben's mouth and his veins are the same color as the liquid that streams from his mouth and down his neck. 

"Ben, what's wrong...Are you hurt?" I take a step toward the blonde sickly boy.

Ben growls and jumps at me with an insane look on his face.