➊ 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 - 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨, ᵗᵐʳ

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?

I collapsed on the Glade's ground, my body spent from running in the maze. My legs trembled with exhaustion, and the beats of my heart resounded in my ears.

I almost felt as if all the bones in my body had shattered into a million pieces. Probably more because I landed on a rock and not because of the run.

"You're not done yet. Come to the map room," Hawk said, holding up his hand to help me back up.

"Just a minute," I gasped, trying to catch my breath. I rose to my feet once more, taking his hand and letting out a sigh as I regained my vision.

I didn't regret becoming a runner, but I was relieved when it was finally over for the day. Hawk gazed at me, a single bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. He seemed completely unfazed after the run. What distance could we even have run, fifteen kilometres? Either I was exaggerating, or maybe I actually ran twice that distance.

When I reached the map room, my breathing wasn't any steadier than when I first entered the Glade. All the runners were peeking at me as if I was crazy, which probably seemed like it.

"Observe and learn," Minho said as they started gathering old drawings and redoing them with today's run.

I didn't see the point in redrawing the map when the Maze had already been fully explored. They haven't found an exit, and neither have I. Hawk had a brief conversation with Minho, nodding and both looked at me.

While they continued to gather and organize their information, Hawk called for everyone's attention. "Gladers, Evelyn has something she wanted to ask all of you," he announced.

I was taken aback as all eyes turned on me, anticipating a question that wouldn't come. I let out a nervous chuckle, realizing that giving in to my urge to punch him would only result in more time spent in the Slammer.

"What is it, Ly?" Inquired Ben.

I tried to think of something, but I couldn't just stand here wanting to disappear. "I... uhm... I was wondering how you don't get tired."

I gave Hawk a look when I spoke up, between his cheeks, I could see the small grin appearing on his face.

"Practice, don't worry you'll be better than us soon." Joked Ben, petting my back.

But as he did so, he noticed the bow I was keeping hidden on my back and stared at it. "You took the bow? Cool."

That simple sentence from him was enough to make the other boys look up intrigued. A couple started talking over one another.

"Wait, I thought I couldn't choose it!"
Pathetic.

"That's so useless to fight Grievers!"
And still better than you.

"And after she wonders why she's tired."
At least I can run.

"How do you know she can even use it?"

"Underestimate me, that will be fun"This time I answered their questions by raising my bow at him preparing to take an arrow.

Startled by my sudden actions, he instinctively took a step back and raised his hand in the air. "Whoa, chill..." He let out.

I didn't bother learning his name, nor did I have any interest in doing so. What I was certain of was that he definitely needed to shut up.

"Watch your mouth if you don't want to lose your tongue."

As Ben snatched my arrow, a sly smirk crossed my face. I knew he was preventing me from taking any action, but it's not like I was planning to do so anyway.

"Let's just..." He sighed. "Not here."

It was quiet for a while until Minho decided to break the silence. He scanned everyone to make sure they were paying attention. "Right Everybody, good work and don't forget what I told you." He gave a simple nod and everyone left the room, leaving him behind.

As we walked out of the hut, Ben flashed a smile in my direction. Just as he was about to say something, Minho grabbed my shoulder, preventing me from leaving.

"Asinego wait." Oh great, that awesome nickname.

As I turned around, I felt his grip loosen. Ben quietly wished me luck under his breath, leaving us. I was too confused to even consider what it meant that he was speaking again.

"Look, Alby told me I was mean to you and he wanted me to apologize. Now you're a Runner and we need to collaborate."

He inhaled sharply, his chest rising, before exhaling loudly. It was evident that saying those three words was something he had never done.

"I am sorry," Minho said and it was obvious he was feeling a deep sense of humiliation as the words left his mouth.

He probably did not expect me to stare blankly at him as if I should be doing anything. That's all I've done for the past few days, absolutely nothing.

I took a step closer to him, but not for the main reason someone would do so, it was just in case I needed to punch him or if I really did.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hurt your ego when I punched you, but that was ages ago! You know what Minho, you are just as bad as the others. You're a total jerk who only thinks about himself and you dare say we have to collaborate?"

His eyes landed on me, pausing on my lips, maybe in response to the barrage of insults spilling from them. I couldn't focus on anything else than my words. I desperately wanted to scream, but I restrained myself, whether I shouted or murmured, it wouldn't change his reaction.

"You act like I am the bad guy while I was only trying to defend myself. I was alone, I was confused and you thought this was the best way?"

I let out, taking another breath as I spoke again.

"And you don't even know what you're apologizing for, you needed Alby to tell you to do it. You didn't even try to understand me, why I wanted to run, as if I were some kind of monster. You act like I'm a monster."

He was speechless and I swear I could see him stuttering trying to find a word in the depths of his throat. Good, he needed to understand.

"I really mean it, I'm sorry Evelyn."

He was using my name and something in the way he said it made me feel better. As if I was finally able to make him speechless, because physically speaking I hurt him twice, but psychologically... That's something I wasn't used to, so I just left.

"Good," I muttered and as I did, I could feel a knot slowly forming in my chest. I closed the door behind me, not even looking back.

I walked out of the room and noticed Hawk standing there, clearly waiting for a reaction to the joke he had just made.

"You're not funny," I said, walking away as fast as I could.

"Oh come on? That's all?" He knew something was wrong with me, but he thankfully didn't come after me. Soon, he disappeared from my sight when I entered my hut.

I was lying in bed, with my head buried in the pillow, desperately trying to find a way to escape from this version of reality.

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