Rogue | Group B → The Maze Runner¹

ii.seven

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● [ vii . three hours later ]

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RACHEL DIDN'T stop crying until sunrise. Neither she nor Rogue had moved an inch from their spots as the sun's rays began to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in a gradient of deep purple, fading into the bright blue of day.

It was when the purple fully dissipated that Rogue decided to move. She made her way to the edge of the Drop once more, peering over to get a better look. The stone wall of the Maze descended in a sheer cliff, disappearing into the abyss far below. Whatever lay down there, only the Crawlers and Sara would know.

Rachel lay flat on her back on the cold floor of the Maze, her face streaked with dried tears. She looked over at Rogue, her voice hoarse. 'I can't believe we're still alive.' It was the first they had spoken since the slaughter.

Rogue nodded, her face devoid of expression. Inside, her thoughts churned. Had the Glenners already mourned her? Held a service? Had Miyoko replaced her as Jailer? Rachel snapped her out of it.

'Are there any more of them?' she asked. 'Or did we kill them all?'
Rogue shook her head. 'They won't be out at sunrise.' She shifted her body, wincing and groaning. 'We need to get back, though. Sonya's still in the vines.'

She had not stopped thinking about Sonya since they'd left her. Judging by Rachel's sudden jolt upright, she had forgotten. 'You're right,' she gasped. Straining, she forced herself to her feet.

Rogue felt a deep worry gnawing at her. Finding Sonya was paramount, but she feared the state she'd be in. Injured, dead, missing. The thought was unbearable. Though, she began to walk, each step a fatigued effort.

Rachel joined Rogue in their slow walk back towards the Glen. 'You think she'll still be alive?' Rachel asked, her voice trembling.
'I don't know,' Rogue answered honestly. 'This has never happened before. I mean, girls have been stung during the day, but they're the ones that got the Serum. The others... the others were killed in ways I don't want to talk about.' Ximena.

'I think I can imagine,' Rachel replied with a gulp.
Rogue looked up, surprise dawning on her face. 'I'm praying to whatever's out there that we got it all wrong. If we survived and Sonya didn't... I'm not sure I could live with myself.'

They continued to walk. 'Well, what if another Crawler got Sonya after I diverted the first one?' Rogue looked at her, a blank expression on her face. She didn't respond. She didn't want to think about it. 'Sorry,' Rachel said, hanging her head.

They tried to pick up the pace, but their bodies hurt too much, and they settled back into a slow walk. Eventually, they turned onto the corridor that led to the Glen. The Gates were still sealed shut. Rogue checked her watch, the glass smashed. The hands still turned. They had ten minutes before they opened again.