Left Behind//The Maze Runner

T H I R T E E N

Follow me down this way," Teresa says, guiding me down the halls of the new WICKED compound.

This one is less mazey, but it's still in theme with it. This compound seems to be more modern; its feel is very high-tech, whereas the others were more rundown and seemed to be older buildings.

My hands shake as I pull them up to my chest, my fingers moving to attempt to crack my knuckles. I can't believe this is happening... It wasn't meant to go like this...

"Do you know what happened?" I ask Teresa, my voice quivering as it leaves my throat.

She looks back at me, her eyes radiating with grief, an apology sitting behind it. "Not exactly..." She turns back around, clearing her throat. "All we know is his heart started giving out during one of the tests."

"What?!" My voice comes out more like a whisper. "Is... Is he okay?"

She sighs as we turn down another corridor, her heels clacking on the tile floor. When will this damn maze end?!

"He had to be taken to emergency surgery." She stops before a door, not turning around to face me. "Dr. Reiner said his condition was neutral. There were signs he was getting better. He's out of surgery now."

I nod as Teresa moves to open the door, stopping once it's halfway. She turns toward me, tears growing on her lower lashline. "Sandy, I just... He was my friend too, I know what you're feeling."

I nod again, silently thanking her as she pushes the door open, revealing the hospital room he's resting in. I suck a breath in as my eyes move over his limp body, my heart breaking with every step I take toward him.

"Oh my gosh..." I say on the verge of tears. "Minho, I'm so sorry..."

I take his limp hand in mine, his head moving in response as he lets out a soft groan. His eyes flutter open, a smile automatically growing on his lips. It makes a smile grow on my lips, some of the sadness going away.

"Hey Sunshine." He croaks out, his voice nothing more than gravel grinding together.

"Hey Lovebug, how're you feeling?" I ask, taking a seat on the edge of his bed, his hand tightening in mine.

He shrugs, looking down at his body for a moment. "I've never been better," He smirks, his eyes moving back to mine.

I let out a soft laugh. "You've looked better though," I tease, earning a small laugh from him.

"Hey, what're you trying to say?" He says jokingly defensive. "I think I look mighty handsome."

"That you do," I say, a small affectionate smile growing on my lips.

He looks in between my eyes, his smirk growing affectionate. "You're so beautiful, Sandy."

Butterflies swarm in my stomach, a blush creeping up my neck, my smile growing wider. I can't believe he really thinks I'm beautiful.

There's always been small random things that I've hated about myself. But each time Minho tells me I'm beautiful, one of the things seems to disappear and then I start to believe him.

"I love the way your eyes light up when you talk about something you love." He says, his voice gentle.

I let out a soft giggle. "What do I talk about that makes my eyes light up?" I ask, my eyebrows furrowing as a smirk grows on his lips.

"Me." He says, his eyes filled with such affection it hits me right in the chest, my heart aching for more than just this.

It aches because we can't get more than just sweet words or being held before bed while we're here. We can only settle for what we can get in the moment. We can't look forward to the future because while we're here in WICKED, we can't afford to hope for a future when tomorrow is no longer promised.