His Little Distraction ✔️

15

*Gally's POV*

The doors finally didn't move. The doors that separated the Glade and the Maze, the doors that should have been our shield, were wide open even though it was dark outside.

Chaos began to erupt everywhere. And this is all because of Thomas!

If only everyone would listen to me, none of this would have happened.

*Riley's POV*

With all my might, I ran towards the Glade. All the escapes for the past three days have really been a hassle for me.

I have to hide during the day to avoid meeting the Runners. While at night, I have to hide and evade a group of Grievers.

Activities that could kill me on the spot.

But Teresa was right, I know the way out and the key, and I hate it.

It all suddenly came to my mind when I was facing death.

A delay of tens of seconds when facing a Griever can mean a grave. This resulted in numerous torn wounds on my skin.

For every memory that returns, I get a scratch wound. Can you imagine how threatened my life was at that moment?

But I won't die here. No.

I have to get Gally out.

Running with Grievers chasing you isn't easy. When I reached the Glade, they were rampaging, and there were many scattered bodies.

I have to find Gally.

Where is he now?

My feet keep running while avoiding the Grievers that was suddenly in my path.

Did he join the group of kids running into the woods?

Though not sure, I run after them.

When entering the tall bushes, I lost track of them.

"Shuck!"

Some grass moves, I turn, preparing myself in case I have to face a Griever again.

But a blunt object hits me hard. I feel my steps wobble even more.

And before I knew it, I was lying on the grass.

My consciousness hasn't fully disappeared when I feel my legs being pulled by someone.

I'm sure that was Teresa just now.

"Is she okay?" someone asks.

His voice is too distant, I'm not sure if he's talking to me.

"First Thomas, now Riley is also unconscious."

"Riley is not a traitor like them, watch your mouth!"

This voice... Gally...?

My eyes blink open, and a groan escapes as I try to move.

The sound of footsteps approaching with concern.

"Riley? Are you okay?"

My eyes slowly open, still searching for focus. Until I finally find his face above mine, looking worried.

"What happened?" I groan in pain.

"That should be our question, Riley, what happened?" Newt's voice chimes in from behind.

I try to get up, Gally lending his shoulder to support me.

I'm in the ruins of Homestead, not much left of this place except for some half-standing wooden walls.

Gally looks at me, still looking worried.

"I... was just retrieving something that should be mine."

"And what is that?" Newt asks impatiently.

"My memories."

The Gladers around me fall silent, unsure of what will be said. Only Newt dares to speak, "and did you find it?"

I just answer softly, "maybe."

I have to talk to Gally first.

"Could you leave us alone for a moment?" I ask.

It sounds strange and disturbing for a situation like this, but they still move away, leaving us alone.

"What's wrong?" Gally knows something is off.

I look at him, "we have to leave this place, Gally. Nothing is safe in this world anymore. We have to keep moving."

Gally looks at me disbelievingly, "please don't give me reasons like that again. I threw two Gladers into the pit for the same reason."

"Are they Thomas and Teresa?"

"How do you know?"

I just give him a small smile, "because you never liked them."

"And the same goes for you, you don't like them either."

"True," I reply. "But we have to try to work together to get out of this place. Splitting up means death."

Gally shakes his head, "no. I refuse to trust them."

"Oh, Gally," I say, stroking his rough cheek. "Not even for me?"

Gally looks hesitant, stand up, pacing back and forth, but in the end, he remains firm with his answer, "stop it, we won't discuss this anymore. If you want to leave, it means we'll part ways. Didn't you yourself that said you wanted to be by my side?"

I reach for his hand, "I do want to be by your side, but Gally. This place is over."

Gally stubbornly rejects my idea, "no. Please stop this nonsense."

He pulls his hand from mine and walks away.

What should I do to convince him?