Gladers choice | TMR | Thomas | Minho

Chapter Fourteen

The Glade hummed with its usual activity as Lyra and Thomas diligently tended to the garden, the routine tasks providing a semblance of normalcy amidst the uncertainties that hung over them. Chuck's energetic movements brought a fleeting smile to Lyra's face, a brief respite from the weight of their situation.

Their tranquility shattered when Minho suddenly jogged into view, his usually confident stride faltering as he collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. Lyra's heart raced with concern as she and Thomas exchanged a quick, worried glance before rushing to Minho's side.

Thomas was the first to reach him, kneeling down to check on their friend. "He's conscious," Thomas called out to Lyra, relief evident in his voice as he helped Minho sit up.

Lyra approached cautiously, her ankle still tender from a previous injury. She kept a safe distance, observing anxiously as Minho caught his breath and regained his composure.

Minho looked between them, his breath coming in heavy gasps. Before he could respond, Alby appeared, striding towards them with a look of frustration. "What's going on here?"

Alby rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Thomas looked surprised, clearly not used to seeing Alby take orders from anyone. Minho's boldness seemed to surprise him. "You really think you can boss Alby around?" Thomas asked.

Minho managed a tired smirk. "I can do what I want. Not afraid of him."

Lyra rolled her eyes at Minho's bravado. "Just tell us what happened, Minho."

Minho held up a hand. "Let me catch my breath and get some water first."

Thomas, clearly impatient, kept pressing. "What did you see out there? Was it bad?"

"Shuck it, Greenie," Minho snapped. "You want to stick around and hear, you better learn to be patient."

Lyra nodded, placing a calming hand on Thomas's arm. "Alby doesn't trust you as it is. Don't push it."

Thomas began to speak again, "Okay but I want to stay and listen when Alby gets back." Minho looked at Thomas up and down and then nodded slowly, probably noticing that he wasn't going to back down.

"Okay Greenie, you da boss." He muttered. Lyra smirked a little at his sassiness and looked towards Thomas who looked puzzled and taken aback. She smirked a little more with an eye roll.

Minho took a deep breath, steadying himself as he sat upright. Lyra hesitated before speaking, her earlier awkwardness with Minho still lingering in the air. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, unsure of what to say.

Minho nodded, though his expression remained grim. "I will be," he replied, his voice rough with exhaustion. "Just give me a moment."

Lyra nodded silently. She could feel the weight of the unspoken tension in the air, the uncertainty of Minho's revelation hanging between them like a heavy fog.

Minho glanced between them, suspicion flickering in his eyes. Alby returned with a canteen of water, handing it to Minho who drank deeply. Once he had his fill, he took a deep breath and finally began to speak. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, meeting the gaze of Thomas and Lyra.

"What happened, Minho?" Lyra asked tentatively, her voice tinged with concern.

However, before Minho could elaborate, Alby turned to Thomas expectantly. It was a rare sight for Alby to heed anyone's orders, and Thomas was visibly taken aback. Minho took advantage of the momentary pause. "He can stay," Minho declared.

He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "I saw... something in the Maze," he began, his tone serious. "A dead Griever."

Alby's eyes widened in shock, and even Lyra felt unsettled. "A dead Griever?" Alby repeated, disbelief colouring his voice.