The First Runner

I know you

Jess POV

The last two weeks have been hard, but the world keeps spinning, and we keep moving. We buried Stephen's shirt and watch in a quiet corner of the forest, a somber marker of our loss. His name has been crossed out on the wall, a painful reminder that he's gone.

I only managed to stay away from the Maze for a day before the urge to run and map it out became overwhelming. I couldn't stay away any longer. The Maze has always been a puzzle I felt compelled to solve, and now, more than ever, I needed that sense of control and purpose.

Each day, I venture into the Maze, my feet pounding against the stone pathways. The twists and turns are familiar yet ever-changing, a cruel reminder of the unpredictability we face. I've taken to mapping out every inch I can, scribbling notes and sketching intersections in my notebook. The act of running and recording the Maze's patterns has become my way of coping, a way to channel my grief and keep moving forward.

Today was no different. I woke up early and changed into my running kit before lacing up my boots and heading out of the homestead and into the kitchen where Alec was on breakfast duty, cooking up some bacon and eggs. 

I grabbed a quick bite, the rich smell of bacon and eggs filling the air, and nodded at Alec as I finished up. "Thanks for this," I said, grabbing a piece of bacon and stuffing it into my pocket for later.

"No problem," Alec replied with a small smile. "You're headed out into the Maze again?"

"Yeah," I confirmed. "Supply box comes up today and I'll be back before sundown."

With a quick goodbye, I headed towards the West Entrance. Bark trailed behind me, his usual excitement subdued but present. I gave him a reassuring pat before passing through the massive stone doors as they groaned open.

The Maze greeted me with its familiar maze of stone walls and shifting paths. The sun was just starting to rise, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and change as I made my way deeper into the labyrinth.

I set a brisk pace, my breath fogging in the cool morning air. Every turn and twist was noted, every new intersection sketched out. The Maze was as unpredictable as ever, its patterns shifting in ways that sometimes made me question if I'd been down a path before or if it was a new challenge.

As the hours passed, I lost myself in the rhythm of running and recording. The physical exertion helped clear my mind, even if just for a little while. The sweat on my brow and the pounding of my heart were reminders that I was still alive, still fighting.

Around midday I stopped for lunch eating the bacon I packed earlier and taking a much needed drink of water from my canteen before pulling out the pad of paper I had a scribbling down a couple of directions.

I was doing a quick sketch when the piercing sound of the Greenie alarm cut through the air, a shrill reminder of our newest arrivals. It was a sound that echoed in every direction—a harsh, jarring noise that signaled a new group of Greenies entering the Glade.

Why we'd decided to call them Greenies was anyone's guess. It wasn't a name born out of tradition or deep meaning; it just felt right, a casual label for the newest members of our strange society just like the Glade or the Homestead. 

I wrapped up lunch and pushed on through the Maze, my mind focused on the task at hand. The air was cool as the day progressed, and the shadows lengthened, giving the Maze an even more mysterious atmosphere. I kept my focus sharp, navigating through the twisting paths with a practiced ease. My notebook was filling up with sketches and notes, and I occasionally stopped to take a breath and review my progress.

My thought drifted to the Glade where I hoped that Nick and Alby had welcomed the newcomers and unloaded the supplies. I just hoped that nothing serious had happened. Anything could go wrong with a scared greenie.