One of Us [Maze Runner]

A Trio (25)

Alaynah was getting very bored. At this point, even her trusty toolbelt was not helping her fiddling needs right now because her hands were hurting, and they were wrapped in cloth.

The three had sparked up many conversations, and the trop looked great so far, except for the fact that Alaynah was tired. So far, it had been 1 hour, and they had faced no cranks. They were about to stop and rest to gain energy to fight the cranks, something that Alaynah didn't want to do.

Alaynah also didn't want to lose any of the 2, especially Leila, because she was so young, and Alaynah would feel very guilty for Amara and would prove untrustworthy.

She also didn't want to lose Amara because she still had a full life ahead of her, and there would also be a look of disgust from Leila towards Alaynah, and the memory alaynah would have to hold for undirectly killing someone, especially someone she had grown to care about already.

Alaynah noted that Amara was the Annabeth Chase type of girl - smart, bad*ss, caring, careful, and hot. Alaynah wasn't gay, but Amara was hot. It was a fact.

Leila was a 7-year-old type of Annabeth Chase - still smart, sometimes afraid, kind. She joined in when Alaynah joked sometimes.

"Are we there yet?" Alaynah asked.

"Not yet." Amara answered.

"Are we there yet?"

"Not yet."

"Are we there yet?" Leila asked, too.

"Not yet. Be quiet. I'm making a map." Amara asked. She held a paper and pen in her hands, something that Alaynah hadn't noticed. She was very good at drawing accurate things. "Let's stop here for now."

They stopped under a tall building. It was orange and dusty, made of metal, and it was a perfect spot to hide under from cranks raining out of the sky... which probably wouldn't happen.

They sat down under the shade.

Alaynah looked at Leila. She looked a little scared, even though nothing was happening yet. Alaynah then looked at her arm and saw a little tinge of red, purple, and black when her sleeve was pulled back a little.

"Leila, are you okay?" Alaynah asked.

"Yes."

Amara seemed to notice, too, because she said, "You don't sound sure. I know when you're lying." She grabbed Leila's arm and pulled the sleeve up.

Alaynah was horrified. It was a crank mark. It was a huge scratch. Leila was not immune. And by the shock on Amaras face, she didn't know Leila wasn't immune either.

It looked like Amara was trying her best to hold in her tears, so all she could do was hug Leila.

"I didn't want this to change anything. I didn't want you to be sad like this. It happened today, and the virus is eating me quickly. Very quickly. I don't want to scare you... but I don't want to lie."

"Go on," urged Amara, still clutching Leila in her arms.

"I'm already dying, so based on my calculation, I am going to die tomorrow or after tomorrow."

Everyone was quiet until Alaynah spoke again. "But you're walking just fine. And... and you only got attacked, like, only hours ago."

"Some people can hold off the glare for years, while the others days, even hours." Leila explained. Alaynah already knew that.

"I think I know -" started Alaynah, but she decided against it. She shouldn't tell them about Thomas' blood, but she had to get where Thomas and his friends were.

Winston must have already been dead, which made Alaynah angry and useless. There was still a small piece of hope that he was alive, that Jeff had saved him. That both survived. That the two best friends, Jeff and Winston, were safe.

"We have to go back for my friends." Alaynah said. They needed the cure, and at night, the gladers camped. Alaynah didn't know where at all. "There is a chance of a cure."

"What is the cure?" Amara asked.

"I don't know, but it's something to do with them... don't tell anyone, please. Especially not W.I.C.K.E.D."

"Oh, f*ck W.C.K.D, I couldn't give a damn about them." Amara muttered. "Look, I trust you, okay, but... do you have any idea where they'll be? We'll have to search tomorrow. I understand you're trying to help."

"She might di-" Alaynah started but got cut off by Leila.

"Please stop. We'll figure this out tomorrow, but, for now, can we act like... I don't know, found family, or something?"

"Sorry," both Alaynah and Amara muttered at the same time.

"Okay, we'll worry about this tomorrow." Alaynah agreed. "I'm sorry if -"

"Okay, cut that out. You didn't do anything wrong." Amara said, then let go if Alaynah. "Now, can we find some wood for the night to light it up?"

"I have a lighter which could help. Don't whiff the lighter. It touched an underwear, by the way," explained Alaynah.

Amara rolled her eyes but smiled a little. "Okay, you guys stay here. I'll go and find us some wood."

*** [Skip to night when they've lit up the fire]***

Leila had her head on Amaras lap, who was hugging Leila tightly. Alaynah wanted a sibling duo like them.

Leila's eyes were closed, and she was asleep - she looked peaceful, something that Alaynah hoped she wouldn't look like if she died.

"Hey, no fair. I really need a hug." Alaynah muttered.

"You're literally hugging your backpack." Amara countered.

"Can I please join the sister hug?"

"The what?"

"Please."

"Fine." Amara grumbled. She didn't have to tell Alaynah once - Alaynah shuffled closer to Amara, who put an arm around her in a protective stance.

Sleep came easy for Alaynah.

[Sorry for having a bad chapter. It was a little rushed, and... yeah. If you have criticism about this chapter, let me know.]