How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Sixty-six

- Alby...? -

"Hey, Lizard," I say with a small smile as I walk up between Newt and Theo, positioning myself in front of the stone doors. All the guys are gathered around, anxiously waiting for Minho and Alby to return from the Maze. Their absence is unsettling, and the tension is palpable in the air. "Hi, to you too," Theo says, pretending to be offended. I chuckle lightly, "Hi, Theo," as I laugh softly at his dramatics, and Newt, standing close beside me, reaches out to gently grab my hand, intertwining our fingers in a comforting gesture.

"Come on, guys, can't we send someone after them?" Thomas calls out from the other side of Newt. I glance over at him, then up at Newt, his expression thoughtful as he rubs his chin with his free hand. "It's against the rules," Gally answers firmly, his tone dismissive. I look over at him, my heart sinking slightly. "Either they make it back, or they don't," Gally adds, resting his hands on his knees, his gaze fixed on the Maze. The words hang in the air like a weight, and I can feel a lump forming in my throat at the cold reality of losing both Minho and Alby to the Maze.

Newt's voice breaks the silence, quiet but resolute. "Can't risk losing anyone else." He speaks directly to Thomas, then starts tracing small circles on my hand with his thumb. The comfort of his touch soothes me momentarily, but as the wind begins to pick up, dust and sand whip through the Glade, I instinctively lift my free hand to shield my eyes.

"Oh, no," Chuck mutters in disbelief, his eyes wide as he watches the stone doors begin to close slowly, their heavy metal frame groaning in protest. "There!" Thomas suddenly points towards two faint figures inside the Maze. "Wait, no, something's wrong," Newt warns, letting go of my hand as his gaze sharpens, focusing on the two figures approaching the doors. My heart stops when I see Minho carrying Alby on his back, struggling to move forward.

"Alby...?" I whisper in shock, my voice trembling as my worst fears start to manifest before my eyes.

"Come on, Minho, you can do it!" Chuck yells, desperately trying to encourage Minho as he struggles to move, each step a battle. "Come on, Minho!" I scream along with Chuck, the panic in my chest rising as I watch them inch closer to the doors. "Come on! You can make it!" Chuck's voice cracks, and the sound of Minho's desperate breaths echoes through the Glade.

Minho, barely able to hold on, is now dragging Alby by his legs, his body shaking with exhaustion and the weight of the struggle. "Minho, you gotta leave him!" Gally yells, his voice harsh with urgency. I shoot him a sharp glare, not able to comprehend the suggestion. "They're not gonna make it," Newt says quietly, his voice filled with sorrow, as he watches the two in the Maze, the doors closing faster with each passing second. I see Minho's lips move, and even from a distance, I can make out the word he mouths: "Sorry." A knot forms in my stomach, and I know deep down that they won't make it in time.

"You gotta leave him!" Gally screams again, his frustration growing. I grip Newt's hand tighter, my chest tightening with fear as I watch Minho struggle against time. My heart races, the lump in my throat growing, as the sound of Minho's yelling fills my ears. The doors are about to close, and the panic in my chest threatens to overwhelm me.

"THOMAS, NO!" I scream suddenly, horrified, as I see him make a run for the doors. Newt's hand slips from mine as he lunges to grab Thomas's arm, but he misses by mere inches as Thomas squeezes through the gap just in time. The doors slam shut behind him, sealing Minho and Alby inside the Maze.

"No!" I scream again, the word ripping from my throat as the finality of the moment hits me. Tears well up in my eyes, and before I can stop myself, I run up to the stone doors, slamming my fists against them with all my strength. "Minho!" I scream, my fists numb and bloody from the impact. "Minho! Please!" I cry, the desperation in my voice echoing through the Glade.

Just then, a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist, gently pulling me away from the doors. I look down at my bloodied hands, the sight of my own wounds only making the sorrow deeper. Newt is holding me close, his expression filled with concern and worry. His touch is warm against my trembling body, but I can't stop the tears from flowing.

"Jeff!" Newt calls urgently, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. The Medjack, Jeff, hurries over, weaving through the group of guys, his face set with determination. "Take her to the Med-hut, she needs to get those cleaned up and bandaged," Jeff says, his eyes flicking over my hands with a grim look.

Newt wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side as we begin walking toward the Med-hut. The guys slowly disperse, each lost in their own thoughts, as they move away to deal with the aftermath of the failed attempt. My heart is still with Minho and Alby, and I know that the weight of this moment will stay with me for a long time.