Gladiolus ~ The Maze Runner

3~10: the Other Side

"You're early."

I shoot up into a sitting position.

I don't feel any pain. I frantically pat at my sides and all over my torso, but my injuries are gone. Warm light surrounds me as I seem to be laying in an empty room. Except there are no walls, no ceiling, no floor. I'm floating in light.

"Uh... am I dead?" are the first words to come out of my mouth.

"More or less," the voice, a male, replies. I look around to identify where the voice is coming from, but I'm alone. "...Where are you?"

He chuckles and my body warms up like someone just snuggled a blanket around me.

"I'm surprised you aren't asking yourself that question, Hanna."

Well shit, I have no clue where I am.

"Okay..." I slowly start, playing along. "Where am I?"

"Think of this as a waiting room. A separation between your mortal life and your immortal one."

"Uh... so basically limbo?"

"If you want to call it that," He agrees kindly. "But I must admit, you arrived much sooner than I expected."

"Sorry I didn't live up to your expectations?"

He laughs again, a hearty sound that seeps into your bones and overwhelms your other senses. "Oh, Hanna, you never disappointed. I must say, you have some people who are very excited to see you."

"Like who?" My heart leaps. Alby? Chuck? Winston? Jeff-

"You already know," He answers, cutting me off from rattling out my internal list. "But unfortunately, you can't see them just yet."

"What?! Why not?!"

"Because there are others who are working very hard to keep you with them."

A window opens up in front of me, and I look down through it. My bloody and mutilated body is laying on the floor of the Berg as Brenda and Gally are doing everything in their power to try and bring me back. Thomas is unconscious, an oxygen mask over his face. Frypan, Minho, and Vince are assisting in any way they can.

"Where's Teresa?" I ask, not seeing the girl.

"She's already on the other side," He kindly explains. "Don't worry."

I nod, understanding.

"Do you... want to stay here?" He asks.

"I don't know," I answer, truly unsure. "I'm scared."

"Don't be," He reassures me, and I feel the ghost of a hand on my shoulder. "Everything happens for a reason. I will see you later."

"Wait!" I protest, but I'm cast into darkness.

***

A/N: shortest chapter EVER