How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Thirty-two

- Scared greenie -

"He's running away!"

"Quick, get him!"

"He's headed for the maze!"

"Run faster!"

Voices rise in frantic shouts as the new greenie bolts, fear etched across his face. Tyrell barely had time to settle in before this one arrived, and the crowd of unfamiliar faces must have been too much. Panic gripped him, and now he's made the worst possible decision: running straight toward the maze. And it's almost sundown.

"Come on!" I shout, breaking into a sprint after him. My feet pound the dirt, and adrenaline surges through me, but before I can reach the greenie, a pair of strong arms pulls me back.

"Let go, Minho!" I yell, twisting and thrashing against his hold.

"I can't do that," he says firmly, his voice steady but his grip unyielding.

"But he's going to die!" I cry out, desperation sharpening my tone. I struggle harder, but Minho doesn't budge.

The maze doors groan loudly, a low, ominous sound that freezes me in place. The greenie disappears into the darkness just as the massive stone walls begin to slide shut. My heart sinks. The other Gladers catch up to us, breathless and wide-eyed, as Minho finally releases me.

I stand there, helpless, staring at the narrowing gap in the doors. The weight of what's about to happen crashes down on me like a tidal wave.

"Fuck it," I mutter under my breath, the words barely audible over the grinding of the closing doors. Then, without a second thought, I bolt.

"Y/n! Don't!" Minho's voice rings out, sharp and commanding, but I don't stop. My legs pump furiously, my mind blank except for one thought: I can't let him die.

I slide through the narrow opening just as the doors slam shut behind me, the sound echoing like a final, irreversible verdict.

"Oh, my god..." I whisper, turning to face the sealed doors, the reality of my choice sinking in. I'm in the maze. Alone.

Turning back, I see two paths stretching into darkness. "Well, just gotta pick and hope for the best, right?" I murmur, trying to steady my shaking voice. I choose the left path and start running, the oppressive silence of the maze amplifying the sound of my own footsteps.

It doesn't take long to hit a dead end. "Damn it!" I hiss, spinning around and racing back to the split. This time, I take the other path, weaving through the endless corridors, each turn looking just like the last.

Then I hear it—a sound that chills me to my core. The metallic clicking of Grievers echoes through the maze, growing louder with each passing second.

"Uh-oh," I whisper, my heart hammering in my chest. The shadows ahead shift, and I spot them—massive, grotesque creatures with their nightmarish blend of mechanical limbs and organic flesh.

I turn and run, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The maze is a blur as I sprint blindly, the Grievers hot on my trail. My feet ache, every step sending jolts of pain through my legs, but I can't stop.

"Come on, Y/n," I mutter through gritted teeth, forcing myself to keep going. My mind races for a plan, and then I spot it—ivy. Thick, sturdy vines drape the wall ahead.

Without hesitation, I leap onto the ivy, my fingers clawing at it as I scramble upward. The Grievers close in, their claws slashing at the wall beneath me. One leaps, narrowly missing my foot as I climb higher.

I press myself against the wall, hiding among the ivy, my body trembling with exhaustion. The Grievers prowl below, their guttural growls reverberating through the air. I hold my breath, waiting, praying they'll lose interest.

After what feels like an eternity, the clicking fades. I exhale shakily, peering through the vines to ensure they're gone.

"Okay, so that way's a no," I whisper to myself.

I climb down carefully and retrace my steps, my nerves fraying with each corner I turn. Then I hear it again—that dreaded clicking. My stomach drops. I glance up, and a drop of viscous black goo lands on my arm.

Slowly, I raise my eyes and freeze. A Griever clings to the wall above me, its grotesque form illuminated by the faint glow of the maze.

"Oh, come on," I mutter, my voice barely audible over the blood roaring in my ears.

It lunges, and I'm running again, my legs screaming in protest. I zigzag through the maze, trying to lose it, but its heavy limbs crash behind me, relentless in their pursuit.

I skid to a halt at another dead end, my breath hitching as I turn to face the creature. My eyes dart around, desperate for an escape. A large piece of debris catches my eye, and I grab it, using it to hoist myself onto the wall. I claw at the ivy, climbing higher as the Griever thrashes below.

"Stay up there, Y/n," I tell myself, clinging tightly to the vines. The Griever lets out a frustrated screech, its claws slashing futilely at the wall.

When it finally retreats, I take a shaky breath, my heart still pounding. I glance around, the maze stretching endlessly in every direction. Somewhere out there, the greenie is still lost, still running.

I close my eyes, steadying myself. "You've got this," I whisper. "You just have to find him." 

 And then, I start moving again.