The First Runner

Why'd they have to go and make things so complicated?

Jess POV

The next morning, I woke to the now-familiar sound of the doors grinding open. I lay in bed for a moment, listening to the echoes fade into the distance. Today, I decided, was the day I would venture beyond the walls of the Glade. The curiosity that had been gnawing at me since my arrival was too strong to ignore any longer.

I got up and stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from the previous day's work. Bark was already awake, looking at me expectantly. "Ready for an adventure?" I asked him, and he wagged his tail in response.

I dressed in a pair of sturdy cargo pants and a tank top, then pulled my hair up into a high ponytail to keep it out of my face. My boots, though scuffed, felt reliable, and I tied them tightly. I headed to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast—some bread and cheese—and filled up a canteen with water. I packed an apple for later and slung a small, rugged backpack over my shoulder.

Bark trotted alongside me as I approached the doors. The sun was just beginning to cast its early light across the Glade, and a light breeze rustled the leaves. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. The doors stood wide open, revealing the unknown terrain beyond.

As we approached the entrance of the maze, Bark suddenly stopped in his tracks. He sat down, his tail tucked between his legs, and looked up at me with an expression that was a mix of anxiety and reluctance. I stopped and knelt beside him, trying to understand what was wrong.

"Come on, Bark. Adventure awaits," I encouraged him, patting his head gently. "We're going to go explore."

But Bark didn't move. Instead, he continued to watch me with those big, brown eyes. It was as if he was trying to tell me something, though I couldn't quite decipher his message.

I stood up, my concern growing. "Why aren't you coming with me?" I asked though I knew he couldn't answer. I thought about the maze's eerie atmosphere and the strange feeling of being watched. Maybe Bark had sensed something unsettling about the maze.

After a moment of hesitation, I realized that Bark might be scared to enter the maze in the first place. "Okay, I understand," I said softly, giving him one last reassuring pat. "You stay here. I'll be back soon."

I turned and continued toward the entrance, glancing back at Bark once more. He remained seated, watching me with a mix of concern and loyalty. With a deep breath, I took of running into the maze.

Thomas POV

I watched as Jess ran into the maze, my chest tightening with every step she took. The sight of her disappearing into the dark, twisting passages made my heart pound harder, a mix of anxiety and frustration bubbling inside me. Why had they sent my big sis up into the maze?

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The plan had been clear: Alby was the one meant to go into the maze trials first. But then Ava had changed everything at the last minute, sending Jess in instead. My mind raced, trying to grasp why she was chosen. What could she have possibly done to piss I watched as Jess ran into the maze, my chest tightening with every step she took. The sight of her disappearing into the dark, twisting passages made my heart pound harder, a mix of anxiety and frustration bubbling inside me. Why had they sent my big sis up into the maze?

As Jess sprinted through the maze, I watched the feed change, showing her navigating the maze with a surprising agility. The camera angles shifted, giving a view of the dark, labyrinthine passages that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. 

I clenched my fists, my frustration mounting. Jess had been one of the key people involved in the development of the Grievers, an integral part of the design process. She knew the mechanisms, the traps, the layout—everything. Seeing her in the maze now, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper, more sinister motive behind Ava's decision. It wasn't just about testing Jess; it felt like a deliberate move to exploit her unique skills and knowledge as well as to punish her.

The feed shifted to a view of Jess pushing through thick vines and overgrown roots, her determination clear even as the maze grew darker and more menacing. The shadows seemed to close in around her, but she pressed on, seemingly unaware of the true nature of her surroundings. My heart ached at the sight of her, fighting through the maze's treacherous paths.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and helplessness. I knew Jess well—her strength, her courage, and her resilience. But the maze was a different beast entirely. My chest tightened with worry, my thoughts consumed by the uncertainty of what lay ahead for her.

As the feed showed Jess finally making her way back toward the entrance of the maze, relief washed over me. She was safe for now, but the questions remained. Why had Ava chosen her? What was the real purpose behind sending her into the maze? And what would happen next?

A bell rang, signaling lunch, and I got up and headed to the cafeteria where Newt and Minho would have just gotten out of training. My heart twisted again, guilt seeping into me. Newt had been beating himself up for the last two days, ever since they'd put Jess in the trials.

I found them at our usual table, picking at their food. Minho looked up first, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Any news?" he asked, his voice tense.

"Not much," I said, sitting down with a heavy sigh. "All I know is shes safe for now."

Newt's eyes were dark with worry, and he pushed his tray away, unable to eat. "Why her, Tommy?" he asked, his voice breaking slightly. "Why did they have to send Jess?"

I shook my head, feeling just as lost. "I don't know." I couldn't tell them that Ava had changed the plan or that I suspected my sister had done something to anger the higher powers.

Minho leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "We need to figure this out. Jess didn't deserve to be thrown into the maze like that. She should be here, with us."

Newt nodded, his jaw clenched. "We need to find a way to help her. She's strong, but the maze... it's different."

I looked at my friends, my resolve hardening. "We will. We'll figure out what's going on and get her out of there. Together."

Newt's eyes met mine, determination replacing the guilt. "Together," he echoed.